drawpins

Drawpins are small fasteners designed to secure lightweight materials to a backing surface. They are commonly called drawing pins, push-pins, or thumbtacks, depending on regional terminology. Drawpins consist of a slender shaft with a sharp point and a broad head that is easy to grasp. The head is usually flat or slightly domed to minimize snagging and to distribute pressure on the material being pinned. They are manufactured in metal—typically steel, brass, or nickel-coated steel—or in plastic, with lengths roughly ranging from 6 to 20 millimeters.

Drawpins are designed for temporary mounting, allowing sheets of paper, posters, maps, or fabric to be pinned to corkboards, wooden boards, or other soft backing materials. They are widely used in offices, classrooms, art studios, and display setups. Modern variants include color-coded pins for organization, decorative pins for crafts, and specialty pins with magnetic or oversized heads. The pins are removed by pulling straight out, which minimizes damage to the surface; careful handling is advised on delicate materials.

In usage, drawpins substitute for nails or staples when a quick, non-permanent mount is desired. They should not be used on hard or brittle surfaces where the pin could cause cracking or tearing. The term "drawpin" is most commonly used in British English; "thumbtack" or "pushpin" is more common in American English.