How Magnetic Thin Ribbons Work
Most “magnetic ribbon racks” are just plastic bars with a magnet glued to the back. Pin-iT’s Magnetic Thin Ribbons are different: each ribbon is wrapped around its own magnet and snaps onto a steel bar like a puzzle piece. This guide walks you through how the system is built, how the magnets behave, and how to configure 3-across, 4-across, or mixed layouts that stay inspection-ready.
Veteran-owned • Used by military, police, fire, EMS, honor guards, and recruiters.
What exactly are Magnetic Thin Ribbons?
A Magnetic Thin Ribbon from Pin-iT starts as a thin style ribbon (low-profile, modern look). Instead of sliding onto a bar, each ribbon is carefully wrapped around a strong earth magnet. That magnet then attaches to a special ferromagnetic ribbon bar or backer plate.
The key difference: the magnet lives inside each ribbon, not just behind the rack. That lets you pop one award off, change its order, or add a new ribbon without rebuilding the entire bar.
- ✔ Each ribbon is self-contained: fabric + magnet, ready to snap on.
- ✔ Ribbons attach to a steel ribbon bar that can be ordered with pin-and-clutch backing or a magnetic backing plate.
- ✔ When you earn a new award, you add just that one Magnetic Thin Ribbon and rearrange as needed.
- ✔ The result: a thin, sharp rack that behaves like slide-ons but upgrades like building blocks.
The three main parts of the system
Every Magnetic Thin Ribbon setup is built from three simple components:
- 1. Magnetic Thin Ribbons – individual ribbons wrapped around magnets, sized to work in 3-across or 4-across rows.
- 2. Ferromagnetic ribbon bar or backer plate – the metal piece the magnets grab onto, ordered to match your row count and branch requirements.
- 3. Attachment to your uniform – either classic pins on the back of the bar, or a magnet-to-magnet setup that keeps your shirt free of extra holes.
Because everything is modular, you can move between uniforms, replace one ribbon, or change layouts without starting over.
How Magnetic Thin Ribbons snap together step-by-step
The digital builder on Pin-iT walks you through everything, but it helps to understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Here’s how a complete rack comes together when you place an order.
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1Choose your rack type and layoutStart by selecting Magnetic Thin Ribbons inside the builder. Pick how many ribbons you have and whether you need rows that are 3-across, 4-across, or a combination. The system helps keep everything in regulation order of precedence.
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2Pick your backing styleNext, you choose how the bar attaches to your uniform: traditional pin and clutch backing, or a magnet-to-magnet backing system that sandwiches the shirt between a backing plate and the ribbon bar. Either way, the ribbons themselves remain magnetic pieces on the front.
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3Add each ribbon and deviceInside the builder, you select each ribbon you rate and add devices such as stars, oak leaf clusters, numerals, and “V” or “C” devices as required. Pin-iT assembles those into individual magnetic ribbons so they arrive ready to snap on.
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4Magnets find their placeWhen you receive your rack, the magnets naturally attract to the metal ribbon bar and to each other. The ribbons line up edge-to-edge, creating a solid, gap-free block that looks like a one-piece thin rack on the outside but can still be reconfigured.
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5Future updates are simpleEarn a new award later? You don’t send anything back. You simply order the new magnetic ribbon, pop off the existing row, and let the magnets guide the pieces into their new positions.
Want to see real layout examples? The Magnetic Thin Ribbon How-To page shows 3-across, 4-across, and mixed-row setups step-by-step.
Configuring 3-across, 4-across, and how Pin-iT differs from “magnetic bar only” systems
Not all magnetic racks behave the same way. Some companies only offer a magnetic ribbon bar that is used with traditional slide-on ribbons, or a one-piece thin rack where the entire block has to be replaced at once. Pin-iT’s design is built to give you more flexibility while still lining up rows in the configurations your branch uses.
Pin-iT Magnetic Thin Ribbons
Individual magnetic ribbons that can be arranged in 3-across, 4-across, or mixed rows.
- • Each ribbon is removable and replaceable.
- • Works with a ferromagnetic bar or plate.
- • No need to buy a new rack to add one award.
- • Ideal for uniforms that change often or grow over a career.
Magnetic ribbon bar only
A standard slide-on ribbon bar with magnets glued behind it.
- • Still uses slide-on ribbons.
- • Magnets help hold the bar to the shirt, but the ribbons themselves can shift.
- • Updating the rack usually means rebuilding the whole bar.
One-piece thin ribbon racks
A single thin block where all ribbons are permanently attached.
- • Very clean look but not modular.
- • When you earn a new award, you often replace the entire rack.
- • Less flexibility for mixing different row counts over time.
Pin-iT still offers traditional slide-on racks and one-piece thin ribbon racks for customers who prefer those systems or are required to use them. Magnetic Thin Ribbons simply add a smarter third option for people who want the thin look with modular, magnet-based flexibility.
Who Magnetic Thin Ribbons are built for
Magnetic Thin Ribbons were designed by someone who spent years in uniform and was tired of crooked racks, bent bars, and having to buy a whole new set of ribbons after every award.
- ✔ You want a thin, modern profile that sits close to the uniform.
- ✔ You expect your rack to grow or change and don’t want to rebuy everything each time.
- ✔ You appreciate a system designed specifically for military and public service uniforms, not a generic magnet product.
Learn more about the advantages
If you want to go even deeper into how Pin-iT compares to other options on the market, check out:
- • Magnetic Thin Ribbons – A Smarter Way to Display Your Service
- • The Advantages of Pin-iT’s Magnetic Thin Military Ribbons Over Competitors
Those articles break down the technical and practical benefits in everyday language, with photos of real racks in use.
