Custom Metal Gifts FAQ: MOQ, Sampling, Lead Time & Quality

Our standard MOQ is 500 pieces per design for most metal products (keychains, bottle openers, bag charms, fridge magnets, souvenirs and medals). For items that require a new mould — such as 3D relief products, character shapes or custom enamel designs — MOQ is typically 1,000 pieces.

You can lower the risk of a first order by splitting it across several designs: the mould cost is per design, but the production run can be shared. We also run stock programs on core shapes where you only need to apply your own logo or colour, which can start from 100 pieces.

To confirm the exact MOQ for your item, send us your design, target size and estimated annual quantity.

A clear timeline for a typical custom metal gift order:

• Quotation within 24 hours after receiving your artwork or idea
• Artwork / 3D rendering: 3–5 days for approval
• Physical sample: about 7 days after tooling (plus shipping)
• Tooling / mould: 15–20 days for new designs
• Mass production: 15–20 days after sample approval and deposit

Total from approved design to shipment is typically 30–45 days for a new design, or 15–20 days when using an existing mould with your logo applied. For seasonal peaks (Christmas, promotional peak season), build in an extra 2–3 weeks and confirm capacity with us early.

Yes. Samples are the normal part of our process, not an exception. Two levels are available:

• Photo / video sample — we produce the piece and send you images and a short video so you can check dimensions, finish and colour before committing to production. This is free once tooling is paid.
• Physical sample — shipped to you by courier so you can hold and test the real product. Sample cost is normally credited against the mass-production order.

For new designs, sample production starts after the mould cost is settled, because the mould is what produces the sample. We will not start mass production until you have approved a sample in writing.

Quality control is built into four checkpoints, not just a final look:

1. Artwork approval — 3D renderings and colour proofs are sent for written sign-off before any tooling starts.
2. Pre-production sample check — the first piece off the line is measured and photographed against the approved sample.
3. In-line inspection — size, weight, plating thickness and colour are checked during the run, not only at the end.
4. Final AQL inspection — a random sample from the finished batch is checked against the approved standard before shipment, and we send you inspection photos and video.

We work to AQL sampling standards and can accommodate your own inspection requirements or a third-party inspector (SGS, BV, TÜV) if your compliance team requires it.

We quote and ship on all the standard terms: EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA, CPT, CIP, DDP and DDU, plus express delivery for samples and small urgent orders. Express couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT) are also available for finished goods when speed matters more than cost.

Our usual terms are FOB Shenzhen or DDP to your door. If you are buying for the first time and do not have a forwarder, we can arrange shipping and quote DDP so you receive the goods without dealing with customs clearance.

We accept T/T (bank transfer), L/C at sight, and PayPal for smaller orders. For first orders, the standard terms are 30% deposit with the balance before shipment; repeat orders can move to 30/70 or full prepayment against a copy of the bill of lading.

Bank details are always sent in our proforma invoice and confirmed by email — never by a message that arrives unexpectedly. If you would like to pay by a method not listed here, contact us and we will check what is possible for your location.

Kingtop is a manufacturing factory located in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. We have been producing custom metal gifts since 2003, and we operate our own production lines for the full process: die casting, mould making, polishing, plating, enamel colouring, assembly and packing.

What this means for you: production is in-house, so you deal with one party from artwork to shipment, tooling belongs to you once paid for, and there is no trading margin added on top of factory cost. We are also audited annually by Sedex/SMETA and hold ISO 9001 and BSCI certification, so you can request the reports for your supplier onboarding.

Four materials cover almost every requirement:

• Zinc alloy — the default for keychains, bottle openers, badges, charms and figurines. Detail reproduction is excellent, cost-effective at mid volumes, and the best surface for enamel and plating. Slightly heavier than steel.
• Tin alloy (pewter) — used for lighter, softer-detail pieces and some collectible figures.
• Stainless steel — for a modern, high-corrosion-resistance finish on bottle openers and bar accessories. Premium look, higher price per piece.
• Brass and copper — for vintage and antique-style finishes such as the bronze-toned bottle openers in our range.

Most products use a zinc alloy base with a metal finish (polished, brushed, matte, antique, sandblasted) plus optional electroplating, enamel, epoxy coating, or screen printing.

Yes, and the choice affects both appearance and tooling cost:

• 2D — flat, cut from metal sheet. Lowest cost, no mould, ideal for simple silhouettes, logos and tags.
• 2.5D — a shallow relief, roughly 2–4 mm deep. Gives a clear graphic look and is our most requested format for keychains, badges and magnets.
• 3D — a fully sculpted, rounded form with real depth. Required for animals, characters, buildings and figurines. Highest tooling cost and unit price, but the strongest shelf and souvenir appeal.

You can send a flat logo, a photograph, a 3D file or even a sketch. Our team converts 2D artwork into a 3D model and returns renders for your approval before tooling.

Surface finish is what buyers notice first, so we offer a wide range:

• Plating — nickel, gold, antique gold, matte black, rose gold, chrome, copper, gunmetal, and custom PVD colour matching
• Enamel — full-colour hard enamel or soft enamel, with or without a metal outline
• Finishes — polished, brushed, matte, sandblasted, mirror, textured, and vintage/antique
• Coatings — epoxy for anti-tarnish and colour, UV-resistant clear coat for outdoor use
• Marking — laser engraving, screen printing, pad printing, and debossing

We also match to a Pantone colour if you have a brand guideline, and produce colour proofs or physical swatches before the full run.

For customers who need supplier qualification, we can provide:

• ISO 9001 — quality management system certification
• BSCI — social compliance audit (amfori BSCI)
• Sedex / SMETA 4-pillar — ethical trade and social audit, including the SMETA Ethical Audit Report
• RoHS — restriction of hazardous substances
• EN 71-3 — safety of toy-like products, relevant if the item is intended for children or sold as a promotional toy
• REACH — chemical compliance for the European market

Test reports for specific materials or finishes can be arranged on request. Please tell us the destination market and the product category, and we will confirm exactly which documents apply before you order.

Packaging is often the last thing decided and the first thing customers regret, so we agree it on the quotation rather than after production. Common options include:

• Simple — OPP or polybag per piece (lowest cost, suitable for bulk trade show giveaways)
• Retail — printed backing card, or a small colour box with your logo
• Premium — velvet pouch, velvet or rigid gift box, windowed presentation box
• Collector — wooden display case or gift set box for multi-item souvenir ranges

Packaging cost varies considerably with size and material, so it is quoted as a separate line item. Tell us the target retail position and we will recommend the option that fits it.

A new mould takes roughly 15–20 days to produce. The cost is a one-time tooling fee, quoted separately from the unit price, and it is normally amortised across the first production run. If the order volume is high enough, the tooling fee can either be deducted from the unit price or simply treated as a launch cost.

The mould belongs to you. Once the tooling fee is paid, the mould is yours — you can take it to another factory if you ever wish, or order again from us at any time. Moulds are typically good for 80,000–150,000 shots before detail degrades, at which point a refresh is cheaper than a full replacement.

Shipping cost depends on three things: order volume (carton size and weight), destination, and method.

• Sea freight — the most economical for bulk orders; roughly 25–40 days from Shenzhen to Europe and 15–25 days to North America, depending on port.
• Air freight — roughly 5–10 days door to door, used for urgent replenishment and higher-value items.
• Express courier — DHL/FedEx/UPS, 3–6 days, used for samples and small urgent batches.

We calculate chargeable weight as the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6000 for air), which is how the freight forwarder bills. Send us your target destination and quantity and we will return a landed-cost estimate with the quotation.

Send us the details below and you will receive a quotation within 24 hours:

1. Product or reference — an existing product from our catalogue, your own artwork, a photo, or a sketch
2. Quantity — target order quantity, and whether it is a test run or a repeat order
3. Size and material — or let us recommend the right combination for your use
4. Finish and colour — plating, enamel, colour, and any logo or branding method
5. Packaging — bulk bag, card, gift box, or a custom package
6. Destination — for freight and duty estimate
7. Target price and timeline — if you have them

If you only have an idea and no file, describe it in a sentence or send a photo. Developing artwork is part of our service and can be quoted separately.

Yes — that is the core of our OEM and ODM service, and it is available at every tier including a 100-piece logo-only run on a stock shape.

• Logo methods — laser engraving (engraved and plated, most durable), embossed, debossed, screen printing (multi-colour, best on flat surfaces), and pad printing
• Colour matching — we can work to your Pantone reference and provide colour proofs or physical swatches before production
• Ownership — your artwork and tooling stay yours; we sign an NDA on request

Send a vector file (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) plus your Pantone codes for the most accurate result. Even a low-resolution reference works for a first quotation.