Hard Enamel Pins
Hard Enamel Lapel Pin
A hard enamel lapel pin is die struck from brass or iron, filled colour by colour with enamel, then fired and ground back so the colour sits level with the metal lines.
Overview
Product Overview
A hard enamel lapel pin is die struck from brass or iron, filled colour by colour with enamel, then fired and ground back so the colour sits level with the metal lines. The finished pin is smooth end to end, with the artwork held in raised metal outlines that stop the colours running into each other. This is the finish people mean when they say a pin feels like jewellery rather than a giveaway, and it is what most membership badges, long service awards and anniversary pins are made from. Minimum order is 100 pieces per design, with mass production generally 10-15 days after the sample is approved.
Why It Works
Key Benefits
- Polished flat face resists scratching, so a daily-worn pin still reads as new after years
- Fired enamel holds its colour under sunlight and washing better than printed finishes
- Raised metal lines keep fine artwork legible at badge size
- Reads as an award rather than a handout, without needing packaging to make the point
- The die is kept on file, so a reorder matches the batch you already issued
Where It Is Used
Application Scenarios
Long service and retirement awards presented at annual company events
Membership badges for professional associations, alumni bodies and lodges
Collector and trading pin series where colour has to match across batches
Uniform badges for hotels, airlines and hospitality staff worn every shift
Anniversary and milestone gifts a recipient is expected to keep
Fit
Who It Is For And What It Fixes
Who It Is For
- Brand and marketing managers running internal recognition programmes
- Promotional product distributors quoting a client who asked for a premium pin
- Association and alumni administrators issuing membership badges
- Event organisers producing a collectable series with a consistent look
Problems It Solves
- Printed pins scuff and fade within a season, forcing a reorder mid-programme
- Recessed soft enamel traps dirt on badges worn daily in uniform
- Fine logo lines blur or close up when a detailed mark is reduced to badge size
- Enamel colour drifts between batches when a supplier re-mixes it by eye
Construction
Technical Features
- Die struck from a steel mould cut to the buyer's vector outlines
- Enamel filled by hand one colour at a time, then kiln fired
- Surface ground and polished level with the metal lines after firing
- Plating applied after polishing so the finish sits on a smooth base
- Attachment welded or glued to the back before final inspection
Data
Specifications
| Minimum Order | 100 pieces per design |
|---|---|
| Base Metal | Brass or iron |
| Colour Fill | Hard enamel, kiln fired and polished flat |
| Plating Options | Gold, silver, nickel, black nickel, antique finishes |
| Attachment Options | Butterfly clutch, rubber clutch, safety pin, magnet |
| Artwork Formats | Adobe Illustrator preferred; JPG, PNG or PDF accepted |
| Sample Lead Time | 3-5 days |
| Production Lead Time | 10-15 days |
Making It
Materials And Manufacturing
Materials
- Brass where the design needs finer detail and a heavier feel in the hand
- Iron for larger flat designs where cost per piece matters more than detail
- Fired enamel matched to the colour reference supplied with the artwork
- Plating in gold, silver, nickel, black nickel or an antique finish
Manufacturing Process
- Artwork review and vector clean-up
- Steel die cutting
- Die striking
- Trimming and edge finishing
- Hand enamel filling colour by colour
- Kiln firing
- Surface grinding and polishing
- Plating
- Attachment welding
- Inspection and packing
Control
Quality And Customization
Quality Control
- Vector proof approved by the buyer before the die is cut
- Pre-production sample approved before mass production starts
- Colour checked against the approved reference while the pieces are filled
- Every piece checked for surface faults, plating marks and attachment strength before packing
Customization Options
- Any outline cut from your own vector artwork rather than a catalogue shape
- Size chosen to suit the design and quoted per piece at that dimension
- Plating finish of your choice, including antique and two-tone combinations
- Backstamp, edge numbering and serial numbering for limited series
- Poly bag, velvet pouch, backing card or presentation box packing
- Magnet or safety pin backs where a clutch is not practical
Trade-offs
Compared With Other Options
| Soft enamel pin | Hard enamel is flat and harder wearing; soft enamel costs less and gives a textured recessed surface |
|---|---|
| Offset printed pin | Printing handles photographs and gradients enamel cannot, but the printed layer wears faster |
| Plain die struck pin | Die struck is cheapest and toughest of all, but carries no colour |
| Embroidered patch | A patch is soft and sewn on; a pin is rigid, reusable and reads as an award |
Practical Notes
Use Guide
- Supply vector outlines with colour references wherever the colour has to match
- Keep line weights open enough to hold enamel at the finished pin size
- Approve the pre-production sample carefully, because the die is already cut by then
- Choose a rubber or locking clutch for pins handled often on soft fabric
- Keep spare stock in its poly bags so the plating does not tarnish against other metal
See Also
Related Products
Hard Enamel Pins
Silkscreen Lapel Pin
Handles fine detail, small text and gradients that enamel cannot reproduce
View Product →
Hard Enamel Pins
Transparent Color Pin
Clear epoxy coating protects the enamel color from everyday handling and display wear
View Product →
Offset Printed Pins
Offset Printing Pin
Reproduces full-colour gradients and photographic detail without needing separate metal lines for each colour
View Product →Related Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your minimum order for a hard enamel pin?
100 pieces per design. The die is cut once for that artwork, so repeat orders of the same design reuse it.
How long does a hard enamel pin order take?
Samples generally take 3-5 days and mass production generally takes 10-15 days after you approve the sample. Rush orders are accepted against an expedited fee.
What is the difference between hard and soft enamel?
Hard enamel is filled, fired and polished level with the metal, giving a flat hard-wearing face. Soft enamel leaves the colour recessed below the metal lines, which you can feel with a fingertip.
What artwork do you need from me?
Adobe Illustrator vector files are best, because the die is cut from outlines. JPG, PNG and PDF are accepted too, and we redraw them when the detail needs it.
Can I change the design once production has started?
Sometimes. Depending on how far the run has gone it may be free or chargeable, because a die that has been cut cannot be altered.
How are the goods shipped?
By FedEx, UPS or DHL, chosen to suit the destination and the deadline.
Get A Price For Hard Enamel Lapel Pin
Send the artwork and the quantity and we will price hard enamel lapel pin against your design. Minimum 100 pieces.