Good evening, gang!

We have (naked) pin photos!

I got some pictures from my factory of CHALLENGE COIN CRITTERS' pins in their larval stage.

I love the process of enamel pin making, and I think it's something you should understand if you're collecting the things. I think it's especially vital to know this stuff if you're making pins - knowing the process is knowing limitations.

Pins have their molds cut on CNC machines, from vector artworks. These molds then get used to make aluminum alloy blanks. That's the point we're at right now - blanks, no colors, no plating yet.

Blanks will then have each of their empty shapes filled with enamel paint by hand - then, after fill, they get electroplated. These specific pins have the process reversed - they get plated, rubbed with a darkening agent for that old-pin charm, and then finally filled with paint.

At this stage, freshly cast, they kind of look like arcade tokens. Neat.

With this many pins, I'm going to safely assume we're still about a month out for production, and potentially a little bit more for freight delivery.

I'm holding my breath on Anthrocon local pickup, and I'll keep you guys posted on it.

There's no date in mind for shipping just yet. I need pins to be in before I can make that call, and see if shipping rates will rise or fall dramatically between now and then.

However, be aware that we're over the halfway point for CHALLENGE COIN CRITTERS' production period. I'll need to have some late-game talks with Henrieke about shipping, combined shipping rates, and when to charge you guys for shipping and addons. Nothing is easy, fun, or affordable right now. So it's important we do what we can to make it as painless as we can manage.

It's a good time to double check that your card on file is up to date. Don't worry, though - we aren't charging yet!

Other than that, stickers are sorted per-backer, pin backs are counted out and set, and we're waiting on pins to hit the states. Grading will likely take a couple weeks (or shorter, with coerced labor and Costco pizza), then fulfillment can start.

If you missed C3, you can still place a preorder UNTIL STOCK ARRIVES. Check what's here, and snag pins at campaign prices.

I'm hoping to have a few more process pictures to show you guys next. You'll learn the technical guts of this hobby whether you like it or not.

Let's check in next time something happens.