With corporate branding and employee recognition programs driving demand, custom pins remain a versatile marketing tool for businesses in 2025. Whether you’re sourcing pins for client gifts or team awards, staying ahead of trends is key.

Custom Pins are not only fashion accessories, but also a declaration of personal style and interests. In 2025, the trend of badge design combines pop culture, retro aesthetics, environmental protection concepts and personalized needs. Here are the most popular badge design styles this year to help attract more potential customers.

The influence of anime and manga continues to grow, and popular characters and classic scenes have become one of the inspirations for badge design. Whether it is new shows such as “Demon Slayer” and “Jujutsu Kaisen”, or nostalgic IPs such as “Dragon Ball” and “Sailor Moon”, the exquisite illustrations and iconic elements make these badges popular among anime collectors.

The retro trend of the 80s and 90s is back, and nostalgic elements such as pixel game consoles, old advertisements, and VHS tapes have become popular designs. This type of badge attracts millennials and allows Generation Z to feel the charm of classic culture.

The minimalist style is still popular, with clean lines, abstract geometric shapes and metal or matte textures, suitable for people who like low-key fashion. This type of custom badge is versatile and high-end, suitable for daily wear.

Mythological characters and fantasy elements such as dragons, unicorns, and mermaids are combined with glitter or luminous effects to make the badges full of magical colors. This type of design is favored by fantasy literature and game enthusiasts.

As people’s awareness of environmental protection increases, natural elements such as plants, animals, and forests have become popular designs. Many brands have also launched themed badges such as “Save the Bees” and “Protect the Ocean” to convey environmental protection concepts.

Humorous elements such as Internet memes, movie lines, and celebrity emoticons are made into badges and are deeply loved by young consumers. This type of design is usually sold in limited quantities and has a high collection value.

Stars, moons, suns and the symbols of the twelve constellations are paired with metallic luster to create a mysterious atmosphere. Astrology enthusiasts and consumers who like cosmic themes have a high demand for such badges.

Badges that can be customized with names, short sentences, or special symbols are becoming more and more popular. Consumers want to wear unique designs to express themselves.

Badges have become a medium for expressing opinions. Designs on social issues such as equal rights, LGBTQ+, and anti-racial discrimination attract supporters to wear them and show their personal stance.

Limited edition badges from famous illustrators or KOLs are often uniquely designed to attract fans to buy. Such co-branded badges usually have high collection and resale value.

For buyers, the ideal pin balances brand identity, functionality (e.g., tech features), and budget. Need inspiration? Browse our 2025 Custom Pin Design Catalog or use our Free Design Template Tool.