Display Enamel Pins Without Damaging Them
By Fangamer - Video game shirts, plushes, books, and more. | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to display enamel pins safely using soft surfaces, proper spacing, and upgraded backs to prevent scratches and tarnish.
Quick answer
The safest way to display enamel pins is to use a fabric-covered corkboard or a felt display board, which holds pins securely without scratching the enamel. Always replace rubber clutches with locking pin backs for heavy or frequently handled pins, and keep your display out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Why Display Method Matters for Enamel Pins
Enamel pins are made of metal and colored enamel, which can scratch, chip, or tarnish if rubbed against hard surfaces or other pins. Soft-enamel pins, like the Spiral Slide Enamel Pin, have recessed areas that collect dirt more easily, while hard-enamel pins, such as the Kratos and Atreus Chibi Pin Set, have a smooth, polished finish that is more scratch-resistant but still vulnerable to impact. Choosing the right display method keeps your pins looking new and preserves their collectible value.
How to Display Enamel Pins Safely: Step by Step
- Choose a soft display surface: Use a corkboard, felt board, or fabric-covered frame. Avoid metal or acrylic boards that can scratch the pin's back and edges. A pin display board with a fabric layer holds the pin securely and cushions the enamel. Common mistake: using a hard backing like a refrigerator or metal sheet. This can scratch the pin's back post and damage the enamel over time.
- Upgrade your pin backs: Replace standard rubber clutches with locking pin backs (also called military backs) for any pin you wear or move frequently. For stationary display, rubber clutches are fine, but locking backs prevent accidental drops that can chip the enamel. Checkpoint: If your pin feels loose on the board, switch to a locking back before it falls.
- Space pins apart to avoid contact: Leave at least half an inch between pins on the board. Pins that touch can scratch each other's enamel, especially if one has a protruding metal edge. For chunky pins like the Golden Jiggy Pin, which is twice as thick as a typical pin, give extra room to avoid pressure marks. Common mistake: crowding pins together for a dense look. This leads to surface scratches and can bend thin pin posts.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and humidity: Display your board away from windows or use UV-protective glass if framing. Sunlight can fade enamel colors over months. Avoid bathrooms or kitchens where humidity may cause the metal backing to tarnish. Checkpoint: If your display area gets direct sun for more than an hour a day, move it or add a UV filter.
- Dust gently with a soft brush: Use a clean, dry makeup brush or a microfiber cloth to remove dust from the pin surface. For soft-enamel pins, a soft brush reaches into recessed areas without scratching. Never use water or cleaners unless the pin is sealed. Common mistake: using a damp cloth or spray cleaner, which can seep into the pin's joints and cause rust or loosen the enamel.
Pins That Work Well for Display
- Spiral Slide Enamel Pin: This official RollerCoaster Tycoon enamel pin was designed by Tony Kuchar. It is a soft-enamel pin measuring about 1.8 inches tall. Soft enamel has recessed areas that can trap dust, so displaying it on a fabric board rather than a hard surface helps keep the detail clean.
- Kratos and Atreus Chibi Pin Set: This official God of War hard-enamel pin set was designed by Nina Matsumoto. Kratos is about 1.7 inches tall; Atreus is about 1.5 inches tall. Hard enamel is smooth and glossy, making it less prone to catching dust, but the set's two pins should be spaced apart on your board to avoid scratching each other.
