The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend.
drive.google.com
Note: photos have been exposed to highlight the texture, so color may not be representative.
Mickey Icon Waffle – Large Mickeys (Smooth)
Introduced late in 2008, this is the predominant texture currently used for Official Disney Pin Trading pins. Replacing Pebble. Mickey Icons are stamped into the back of the pin, alternating from right-side-up to upside-down in horizontal rows.
While on most backs the pattern runs edge-to-edge, it is not guaranteed, especially on newer pins. Recessed areas along the edges, or one edge may be appropriate for a specific pin. On occasion, the Disney factory has messed up and the pattern runs vertically for specific pins.
Mickey Icon Waffle – Large Mickeys (Stippled)
Recently, the traditional Mickey Icon Waffle has been updated on some pins. In the example above, the metal between the Mickeys is smooth. This Mickey Icon Waffle, the space between has been stippled to add texture. On this pin, the stippling is heavy, but after examining older pins, there can also be lighter stippling that isn’t as obvious unless you really look at it. Possibly a sign of different factories’ production process. We’ll have to see if this heavy stippling is used more frequently.
Mickey Icon Waffle – Small Mickeys
Some Disneyland Paris Resort Pins have smaller Mickey Icons than what normally appear on US pins.
Pebble
This texture was the predominant texture for Official Disney Pin Trading Pins with the addition of ODPT logos in 2001. It was replaced by the Mickey Icon Waffle. This texture is not completely smooth, but has been sandblasted, resulting in very small bumps, giving the appearance of a pebble, sand beach. Some Disney locations (DEC / WDCS, Disney Store, Tokyo Disney Resort, etc.) continue to use the Pebble texture.
Smooth
The back of the pin is completely smooth, and the Backstamp is typically printed or etched instead of molded. Typical of some older Soft Enamel pins, or newer pins that don't come through the normal retail pin production process. Examples: Gift pins for Cast Members, or Promotional Pins.
Waffle
Predominant texture used for pre-Official Disney Pin Trading pins, and pins produced during the first year of Official Disney Pin Trading. Replaced by the Pebble texture. The raised horizontal and vertical hatch lines give the appearance of a Waffle, thus its name. Licensed pins may continue to use a simple Waffle texture.
Patterns
Official Disney
Disney Store Pins of the Week Sets
In 1999, 2001 and 2002 the Disney Store released large pin sets, a few pins each week for several weeks. These sets have unique backs to their series. The 1999 “Countdown to Millennium” set has diagonal Mickey Icons. The 2001 “100 Years of Dreams” says “Walt Disney’s” and the 2002 “Magical Musical Moments” set has a repeating pattern which features a Treble Clef, musical notes and a Mickey Icon.
Gavels
Disney Auctions pins are the only type of pin to use this texture. The gavels are raised, and appear in diagonal lines that run right to left, top to bottom ↙. The size of the gavels, depends on the pin, and can range from large to extra small. This texture did not originate with the beginning of Disney Auction pins. The oldest DA pins do not use it.
Ice Cream Cones
Disney Soda Fountain and Disney Studio Store Hollywood are the only type of pins to feature this texture. One right-side-up Cone appears next to a upside-down Cone, repeating in horizontal lines across the back of the pin. While on many pins, the Ice Cream Cones will run edge-to-edge, it is not a guarantee. Many other pins have backs where the Ice Cream Cones stop, giving the appearance of a border. Probably indicative, they were produced in different factories.
Kermit the Frog Heads
The Muppet Studio is under the umbrella of Walt Disney Imagineering. However, instead of using Sorcerer Hats as they did for the 2021 Muppets Haunted Mansion, recent WDI pins featuring the Muppets use an alternating right-side up / upside down Kermit the Frog pattern. Thanks to @Randakinskywalker for the photo.
Sorcerer Mickey Hats
Walt Disney Imagineering pins are the only type to feature this Texture. Older WDI pins will feature other types of textures such as Pebble or Waffle. It is not a guarantee that the Sorcerer Hats will run edge-to-edge. Sometimes, Hats stop, giving the appearance of a border.
Get to Know Textures.pdf
drive.google.com
Get to Know: Backside Textures
Flip a pin over to view the back, what do you see? If you are viewing a current US Disney park pin you are probably seeing a Mickey Icon pattern embedded into the back of the pin. However, if you are looking at an older pin, or a pin from a different source you will likely be seeing something entirely different. All of these different patterns can lead to concerns about authenticity. Let’s go over them.
Note: photos have been exposed to highlight the texture, so color may not be representative.
Mickey Icon Waffle – Large Mickeys (Smooth)
Introduced late in 2008, this is the predominant texture currently used for Official Disney Pin Trading pins. Replacing Pebble. Mickey Icons are stamped into the back of the pin, alternating from right-side-up to upside-down in horizontal rows.
While on most backs the pattern runs edge-to-edge, it is not guaranteed, especially on newer pins. Recessed areas along the edges, or one edge may be appropriate for a specific pin. On occasion, the Disney factory has messed up and the pattern runs vertically for specific pins.
Mickey Icon Waffle – Large Mickeys (Stippled)
Recently, the traditional Mickey Icon Waffle has been updated on some pins. In the example above, the metal between the Mickeys is smooth. This Mickey Icon Waffle, the space between has been stippled to add texture. On this pin, the stippling is heavy, but after examining older pins, there can also be lighter stippling that isn’t as obvious unless you really look at it. Possibly a sign of different factories’ production process. We’ll have to see if this heavy stippling is used more frequently.
Mickey Icon Waffle – Small Mickeys
Some Disneyland Paris Resort Pins have smaller Mickey Icons than what normally appear on US pins.
Pebble
This texture was the predominant texture for Official Disney Pin Trading Pins with the addition of ODPT logos in 2001. It was replaced by the Mickey Icon Waffle. This texture is not completely smooth, but has been sandblasted, resulting in very small bumps, giving the appearance of a pebble, sand beach. Some Disney locations (DEC / WDCS, Disney Store, Tokyo Disney Resort, etc.) continue to use the Pebble texture.
Smooth
The back of the pin is completely smooth, and the Backstamp is typically printed or etched instead of molded. Typical of some older Soft Enamel pins, or newer pins that don't come through the normal retail pin production process. Examples: Gift pins for Cast Members, or Promotional Pins.
Waffle
Predominant texture used for pre-Official Disney Pin Trading pins, and pins produced during the first year of Official Disney Pin Trading. Replaced by the Pebble texture. The raised horizontal and vertical hatch lines give the appearance of a Waffle, thus its name. Licensed pins may continue to use a simple Waffle texture.
Patterns
Official Disney
Disney Store Pins of the Week Sets
In 1999, 2001 and 2002 the Disney Store released large pin sets, a few pins each week for several weeks. These sets have unique backs to their series. The 1999 “Countdown to Millennium” set has diagonal Mickey Icons. The 2001 “100 Years of Dreams” says “Walt Disney’s” and the 2002 “Magical Musical Moments” set has a repeating pattern which features a Treble Clef, musical notes and a Mickey Icon.
Gavels
Disney Auctions pins are the only type of pin to use this texture. The gavels are raised, and appear in diagonal lines that run right to left, top to bottom ↙. The size of the gavels, depends on the pin, and can range from large to extra small. This texture did not originate with the beginning of Disney Auction pins. The oldest DA pins do not use it.
Ice Cream Cones
Disney Soda Fountain and Disney Studio Store Hollywood are the only type of pins to feature this texture. One right-side-up Cone appears next to a upside-down Cone, repeating in horizontal lines across the back of the pin. While on many pins, the Ice Cream Cones will run edge-to-edge, it is not a guarantee. Many other pins have backs where the Ice Cream Cones stop, giving the appearance of a border. Probably indicative, they were produced in different factories.
Kermit the Frog Heads
The Muppet Studio is under the umbrella of Walt Disney Imagineering. However, instead of using Sorcerer Hats as they did for the 2021 Muppets Haunted Mansion, recent WDI pins featuring the Muppets use an alternating right-side up / upside down Kermit the Frog pattern. Thanks to @Randakinskywalker for the photo.
Sorcerer Mickey Hats
Walt Disney Imagineering pins are the only type to feature this Texture. Older WDI pins will feature other types of textures such as Pebble or Waffle. It is not a guarantee that the Sorcerer Hats will run edge-to-edge. Sometimes, Hats stop, giving the appearance of a border.
