Die-cast metal pins, medals and keychains with 3D shape and full-colour enamel
Die-cast metal is the technique that gives a brand asset a true three-dimensional shape. Molten zinc alloy is injected into a custom steel mould under high pressure, the metal solidifies into the mould shape, and the finished piece is plated and colour-filled with soft enamel. Unlike die-struck metal — which carries sculpted relief on a flat blank — die-cast metal produces a piece with depth: a fish that arches, a flag that waves, a globe that recedes behind raised continents. The colour fill reproduces the brand palette with photographic accuracy. That is why die-cast metal owns the colourful lapel-pin, the sports-medal and the 3D-keychain market.
Where die-cast metal earns its place
Die-cast metal is the right call when the brand mark needs 3D shape and full colour. A flat lapel pin can carry a logo, but it cannot carry the sculptural personality of a mascot, an animal, a vehicle, a building or a character. Die-cast metal reproduces those shapes with depth and adds the colour fill to bring them to life. The technique is also the right call when the brief asks for a heavier, more substantial giveaway — the zinc-alloy weight sits in the hand with a quality feel that an enameled copper pin cannot match.
The technique is widely used for sports medals (event medals, finisher medals, championship medals), mascot pins (sports teams, brand characters, mascots for events), 3D keychains (souvenir, automotive, brand identity), corporate recognition pins (annual awards, sales achievements), and limited-edition collectibles (anniversary pins, event commemoratives). The technique does not suit extreme fine detail below 0.3 mm — for that, printed metal inserts or photo-etched brass are the better call.
Recurring applications across Mexican corporate programmes
Sports events and tournament medals
Finisher medals, podium medals and championship medals for marathons, cycling races, triathlons and corporate tournaments. Custom 3D shape with the event logo, year and category. Common at the CDMX Marathon, the Gran Fondo México and the Ironman 70.3.
Corporate recognition and sales awards
3D achievement pins and trophies for sales kick-offs, president clubs and annual awards. Heavy weight, sculptural relief, soft-enamel colour fill. Common in the pharmaceutical, banking and consumer-goods sectors.
Mascots and brand characters
3D pins, keychains and figurines for brand mascots, sports-team mascots and event characters. The mould captures the personality of the character in three dimensions and the colour fill brings it to life.
Limited-edition collectibles and souvenirs
Anniversary pins, event commemoratives and tourism collectibles. Numbered editions with a certificate of authenticity, packaged in velvet pouches or acrylic capsules. Common at Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Día de Muertos celebrations and AAA baseball events.
The die-cast metal production flow
The artwork is converted to a 3D model — the design is broken into mouldable volumes, with each colour or element raised or recessed and each surface given a draft angle that allows the mould to release cleanly. The 3D model drives a CNC-engraved steel mould; the mould is mounted in a hot-chamber die-casting machine. Molten zinc alloy (typically Zamak 3 or Zamak 5) is injected into the mould cavity at 400 °C under high pressure.
The metal solidifies inside the mould in 5 to 10 seconds, the mould opens and the cast piece is ejected. Excess material (the sprue and flash) is trimmed with a hydraulic press. The piece is polished, plated in the chosen finish (gold, silver, copper, antique brass, black nickel), and the recessed areas are filled with soft enamel by hand or by a calibrated dispensing machine. The enamel is cured at 160 °C, the surface is polished flush with the metal, and the finished piece is inspected and packed.
MOQ, pricing and delivery
The cost-effective MOQ starts at 100 pieces for die-cast metal — the mould cost is one-time per artwork and weighs heavily on small runs. The unit price drops clearly at 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,500 pieces. We quote per piece per size per colour count, with the mould cost amortised over the run. The mould is kept on file for 24 months at no charge for re-orders.
Lead time is 25 to 35 business days standard, including mould production, casting and enamel fill. Express line 18 to 22 days with a +50% surcharge for expedited mould machining. Quotes are in MXN ex-IVA, 16% IVA itemised on a CFDI 4.0 stamped by SAT against your RFC. We can quote and invoice in USD for direct-ship programmes.
FAQ — die-cast metal in Mexico
What is the maximum size?
Up to 80 mm × 80 mm for pins and keychains, up to 100 mm diameter for medals. Larger pieces are possible but require bigger moulds and higher tonnage presses; the per-piece cost rises sharply above 80 mm.
How many enamel colours can the piece carry?
Up to 10 soft-enamel colours per design in production. More colours add hand-fill time, slow production and increase the cost. The common range for corporate and sports pieces is 4 to 7 colours.
What is the difference between soft enamel and hard enamel?
Soft enamel sits below the metal surface — the metal lines are raised and the colour is recessed. Hard enamel is polished flush with the metal surface — the piece is smooth to the touch like a painted surface. Hard enamel costs roughly 40% more and has a longer lead time.
Can you include an individual name or number?
Yes, with a mould change per individual name. For variable data below 50 pieces, an engraved plate applied to the back of the standard pin is more economical. For runs of 100+ individual names, the mould-change cost amortises.
Does the colour fill fade over time?
Soft enamel is colourfast under normal conditions. Under prolonged UV exposure (years in direct sunlight) some pigments may show slight fading. For outdoor applications we recommend UV-stable pigmented enamel at a small surcharge.
Request a die-cast metal quote
Send us quantity, size, enamel colour count, plating finish and the deadline. If you have vector artwork with a 3D reference or a 3D mock-up, attach it; if not, we will prepare a digital 3D render for sign-off before mould production.
Corp-Merch.MX is an independent die-cast metal workshop. We are not a partner, sponsor or official supplier of the sports organisations, automotive series, brand mascots, sports leagues or events referenced on this page. Trademarks and brand names belong to their respective owners and are mentioned solely for descriptive purposes to identify the production context.