Custom fridge magnets are one of the most popular promotional products for hotels, tourism boards, beverage brands, and souvenir retailers. They are cheap to produce, easy to ship, and customers keep them on their fridges for years. But when you source them from China, the first decision is material: PVC (soft rubber) or metal (hard enamel-style). The two look similar in photos but differ completely in cost, feel, and production process.
This guide compares PVC and metal fridge magnets across every factor that matters to an importer — unit cost, MOQ, artwork requirements, durability, and lead time — so you can brief your supplier correctly and avoid expensive mistakes.
1. PVC Fridge Magnets: Soft, Colorful, and Cheapest at Low Volume
PVC magnets (also called soft enamel-style rubber magnets or 3D rubber magnets) are made from soft PVC material with a magnetic sheet laminated to the back. They are die-cut into any shape — city outlines, cartoon characters, logos, even 3D relief designs — and printed in full color.