How to Display Your Enamel Pin Collection on a Bag
By Misty Mountain Gaming - #1 Gemstone, Glass, & DnD Dice | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to display enamel pins on a bag without losing them. Step-by-step guide to attaching, arranging, and securing your tabletop gaming pins.
Quick answer
Display enamel pins on a bag by using locking pin backs, arranging them by theme or size, and choosing a sturdy fabric area that won't damage the pin or the bag.
Why enamel pins work so well on bags
Hard enamel pins like the Barbarian Class Pin and Popcorn Mimic Pin are designed to be worn. Their metal-and-enamel construction holds up to daily movement, and the clutch or rubber backs keep them secure when you're walking through a convention hall or commuting. A bag gives you a flat, visible surface that's easy to access without poking holes in your favorite jacket.
What to avoid when pinning a bag
Thin or loosely woven fabrics can cause the pin post to poke through and scratch you or fall out. Mesh pockets and heavily padded sections make it hard to attach the back securely. Stick to a solid panel of canvas, nylon, or polyester for the best grip. Also avoid placing pins on zippers or seams where the fabric bunches up.
How to display enamel pins on a bag
- Choose the right spot on your bag: Pick a flat, sturdy fabric panel — the front flap of a backpack, the side of a messenger bag, or the top of a dice bag. Avoid thin linings, mesh, and curved seams where the pin won't sit flat. A solid canvas or nylon panel gives the best hold.
- Arrange your pins before sticking them: Lay out your pins on a table in the order you want them on the bag. Group by theme — for example, all tabletop gaming pins together — or by size, placing larger pins like the Tiamat Pin (2 in. x 2 in.) in the center and smaller ones around the edges. Snap a photo of the layout so you can recreate it if you remove the pins.
Tiamat Pin - Attach each pin through the fabric: Push the pin post through the fabric from the outside. Make sure the post goes straight through and isn't bent. Then secure the back — a metal clutch or rubber back — by pressing it firmly onto the post until it clicks or sits flush. Rubber locking backs are more secure than standard metal clutches for bags that get tossed around.
- Check the back every few days: After a day of wear, give each pin back a gentle twist or push to make sure it hasn't loosened. Pins on the outside of a bag can catch on door frames or seat belts, which can pop a loose back off. If a back feels loose, replace it with a fresh locking back before the pin falls off.
- Rotate your display regularly: Swap out pins based on your mood, the event, or a new arrival. Changing the arrangement keeps your bag fresh and lets you show off different designs without buying a new bag. Store unused pins on a felt board or in a padded case. Rotating pins also spreads wear evenly across the fabric of your bag.
Pins that make the display pop
- Barbarian Class Pin: Hard enamel pin with vibrant precisely detailed artwork, size 1 in. x 1 in. The compact size fits neatly on a bag strap or small patch of fabric, and the hard enamel surface resists scratches from daily use.
Barbarian Class Pin - Popcorn Mimic Pin: Hard enamel pin with vibrant precisely detailed artwork, size 1.5 in. x 1.75 in. The larger Popcorn Mimic design becomes a conversation piece on a backpack, and its metal-and-enamel build holds up against bumps in crowded spaces.
