We have different color options for custom paper clips:

The colors of shaped paper clips or printed paper clips are usually made according to Pantone Matching System(PMS) color chart if you are seeking a 100% match. We also make electroplating, oxidation and electrophoresis colors as well which usually look more glossy. The minimum quantities may differ based on the different producing materials and surface treatment methods.

 

1. Plastic-coating Colors:

Accurately speaking, now we are using plastic spraying coat colors which are comparatively kinda complicated. It is also called electrostatic powder coating. It is through spraying plastic powder onto the iron wire surface of paper clips that it plays a protective and decorative role. Then put them into an oven with a certain temperature. The powder would melt down and level out under the high temperature, finally solidifies and was formed to be a pyknotic plastic coating.

Plastic-coating color is the most common method to deal with our orders received. It would be more convenient and economical to use the frequently-used colors in our color chart photo as shown below. The minimum quantity is 3-5 000 pieces if you accept the similar colors as below which match your target color the closest. Smaller quantities could be possible, but which would attract an extra set-up charge for your order.

If it is a totally new and rare PMS color, the quantity would need around 4-50 000 pieces per color unless you pay some extra color-matching fee. You could contact us in advance to be sure on this point if you can accept that many.

2. Baking-paint colors:

Baking-paint color is a common coating technology in production of custom shaped paper clips. Baking paint technology could provide a beautiful and durable surface paintcoat. The basic principle of baking-paint technology is to spray the paint onto the wire or metal surface of paper clips, then put them into a high-temperature oven to solidify which would make the paint sturdy and durable, also enhance its anti-corrosion performance and abrasive resistance. Its characteristics include:

• Rich Colors - Almost any color can be mixed, from solid shades to gradients, even metallic tones.
• Surface Finish - Gloss levels can vary (glossy, semi-matte, matte), with a smooth feel.
• Protection - The coating prevents rust and scratches, enhancing durability.

For shaped paperclips, baked paint can provide both a striking appearance and decent practicality, making it especially suitable for decorative purposes which is pretty ideal for stationery sets, kids’ products, or DIY crafts.

You could customize any Pantone color numbers in baking paint based on Pantone brochure. The minimum quantity of paper clips in baking paint color is usually 5 000pcs. Also custom baked-paint colors would attract some extra fees on color matching. So, if color is not an important factor for your project, we recommend you could try to use the frequently-used colors in our collection as above due to the significant increase on baking-paint color cost.

Baking-paint colors are more flexible than plastic-coating ones on color selection. Customizing a plastic coating color of wire usually require a large minimum quantity starting with tens of thousands while the moq of baking-paint paper clips could be much smaller. So it would be more reasonable, rational and economical to find a most similar number in our color chart to match your target color.

3. Electroplating colors:

Plating colors look pretty shining. The electroplating factory immerses wire paper clips into the electrolyte which contains metal ions, proceed to the electrolysis by electrification. Metal ions are reduced to metal atom and deposit on the surface of iron wire, hence a metal cladding layer comes into being. Electroplating can enhance the aesthetic sense of exteriors of custom paper clips, increasing rotproofness and abrasive resistance, extending service life.

Compared with other colors, these plating ones usually look more glossy and classy. It generally includes electroplating silver, (imitation) gold, rose gold, black, red, green, blue, etc.

 

 

From the point of effects, the gold, rose gold, silver, black work best cos' these colors look more consistent and stable while the rest sometimes would be a little bit uneven due to their properties. The minimum quantity for electroplating clips is usually 5 000 pieces. And the costs depend on the actual requirements of electroplating colors or technologies. Usually barrel electroplating wouldn't bring a significant increase on cost while the cost of rack plating is usually higher than the former one. Also the plating color costs of green, purple, blue, retro would be slightly higher than the others due to the scrap rate of uneven colors that might happen.

For those shaped paper clips with open structures, we usually have to make their colors through rack plating, hanging uncolored clips on rack one by one, because they would tend to tagnle each other during the color-processing. Such workloads would attract and affect the final price due to the extra color cost.

4. Rainbow Plating:

Rainbow plating, also known as iridescent plating or PVD rainbow plating, is typically achieved through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), where a very thin layer of metal or compound coating (such as titanium nitride) is deposited onto the wire surface of shaped paper clips. It uses the principle of light interference to create a rainbow-like gradient. It enhances the paperclips' abrasive resistance and anti-corrosion performance, meanwhile, extending their lifespans and increasing aesthetic of custom paper clips. Its characteristics include:

• Color Effect - Displays a multi-color gradient, like a rainbow, transitioning naturally from red to purple, with specific tones shifting based on the angle of light.
• Texture - Retains a metallic sheen, with high hardness and wear resistance.
• Eco-Friendliness - The PVD process is cleaner than traditional electroplating, producing less waste.

For shaped paper clips, rainbow plating can turn them into eye-catching little items, blending a tech-savvy feel with artistic appeal. These shaped paperclips like stars or flowers with rainbow plating exhibit dynamic color changes, making them perfect for creative stationery, gifts, or collectibles. As light shifts, the colors move from blue to gold to purple, delivering a striking visual impact. They are especially ideal for scenarios requiring a premium texture, such as brand merchandise or design exhibitions.

 

 

5. Electrophoretic color

Electrophoretic Coating (abbreviated as E-coating) is an advanced surface treatment technology that uses an electric field to deposit charged paint particles onto the surface of a conductive object (such as metal or wire shaped paper clips), forming a uniform and durable coating. It is widely used in the coating of industrial and everyday items, enhancing both appearance and providing protection.

Electrophoresis vs. Electroplating for Shaped Paperclips

• Appearance: Electrophoresis creates a painted look with richer colors; electroplating gives a glossy metallic finish.
• Cost: Electrophoresis is usually more economical for diverse colors; electroplating is pricier and suited for a premium feel.
• Process: Electrophoresis works well for complex shapes with even coverage; electroplating might leave gaps on intricate designs.

6. Metallic Colors:

Some of our clients may dislike the paper clips they order to be coated, plated, painted, or if the custom paper clips with open structures are easy to entangle, then we usually tend to use stainless steel or raw brass wire as the "metal colors" we used. Raw iron wire rusts easily so stainless steel material works better. And raw brass wire would be oxidized and turned black due to copper oxide reaction. 

 

7. Printing Colors:

For the custom printed paper clips and custom binder clips, the colors can be made in the way similar to the process of vinyl-coating colors. They can conform to Pantone color chart upon customers' requirements. The printing methods are various: silk printing, transfer printing, UV printing, etc. 

In sum, this is the general distinction or division of colors and quantities. We also support mixed colors once your purchase meets our request on quantity or stock situation of materials or colors. So please contact us if you have any special requests for your purchase plan.

 

The Color Contrast on Practical Application:

• Plastic Coating - Plastic-coated paper clips have bright colors, soft feel, low cost, but the coating is thicker and leans toward a practical style.
• Baked Paint - Baking-paint shaped paper clips have diverse colors with optional gloss levels, thinner coating but less wear-resistant than plastic coating.
• Electroplating - It works on various metals and provides a shiny metallic look. The racket plating for shaped paper clips costs more while barrel plating costs low.
• Rainbow Plating (PVD) - High-end gradient colors with great hardness, but lacks the softness of plastic coating.
• Electrophoresis - It has uniform, durable colors, with a more complex process than plastic coating.
• Oxidation - Best for aluminum shaped paper clips, offers a metallic feel with high durability but limited color range.