Custom Lapel Pins Manufacturers

How to choose the best lapel pin for you - Part 1 – by Rosana Levesque

If you have never ordered lapel pins, you might feel a little bit overwhelmed by the different options you have to choose from.

Basically, when ordering lapel pins you have to decide on:

  • Style
  • Plating
  • Backing
  • Size
  • Finish

The right combination of the above features will decide on the success of your project, and it will depend on how you are going to use your lapel pins.

You first need to know the exact meaning of these features

Lapel Pin Manufacturing Process

The first thing you need to know when you start a lapel pin project is that in order to get your logo on the pin the manufacturing process has certain requirements that cannot be avoided, and the only exception to this are silk-screened or offset printed pins:

  • The design will be transferred to the base material (brass), creating raised (think of it as walls) and a recessed areas (or containers).
  • Colors used will be in either solid (crystals) or liquid form , therefore, colors used in the design are limited to solid (or spot) colors, resulting in the impossibility of using gradients on the design. If you need to have gradients on your design, we recommend you use the printed process.
  • Colors are manually injected into the container areas and are separated from each other by the walls , as a result of this, colors won't be touching each other , but separated by a thin metal line . If your company's art specifications requires it, we can in some cases, accommodate this by using an extra printing process, which will be applied on top of the previously applied color.

That been said, let's start learning more about the different options on pins.

Deciding on the plating

The most common platings used in lapel pins manufacturing are gold and silver. But there are a few others available to you to choose from:

  • 24kt Gold is by far the most popular one for pins that want to convey a jewelry look, as gold is often considered a synonymous of elegance and prestige.
  • Sterling Silver is the second favorite one and is often used when the design demands it and/or you want to minimize the
  • Bronze: With its gold-like shine, it is a recommended option at more affordable prices.
  • Copper: Reddish in color, nice shine. It is commonly used for medals and medallions.
  • Black Nickel: Subtle black shine, recommended for defined drawing-like designs, works good with light colors.
  • White Nickel: Similar shine to sterling silver.
  • Chrome: grayish looking shine.
  • Brass: Original looks of brushed brass
  • Imitation Rhodium: platinum like looks.

Choosing the plating is an art, and it will depend on the look you want and the colors presented on the artwork or design.

Lapel Pins Styles

While it is often overlooked, the chosen style will influence greatly the perceived value of your custom lapel pins.

Different styles work better with certain designs and colors, while others will give them a specific character:

Cloisonné Pins

With the classic glass-like elegant look and vibrant colors provided by the cloisonné pigments, these pins might seem to some as a fine piece of jewelry, which will speak greatly about your company pins. They are hand-crafted with great precision and care, just like fine jewelry is made. There are only 144 cloisonné colors available. Click on the link if you wish to find out more about Cloisonné Pins, and their manufacturing process.

Classic Hard Enamel – Enamel Pins

Using a resin paste, mixed with color pigments, these pins have the look and quality of cloisonné pins, but a greater variety of colors, at just a fraction of the price you would pay for authentic cloisonné pins. Classic Hard Enamel pigments are mixed to match the desired color. Smooth at touch.

Die-Struck Pins

Using your custom made design, the copper or bronze base metal is struck, creating fine detailed raised / deep recessed areas, which then can be filled with colors or treated with your chosen finish. Die-Struck pins have a good solid feel and weight.

Die-Struck Soft Enamel Pins

Soft Enamel colors are mixed in a solution form, and then injected into the recessed areas formed in the struck process. The result is a high textured pin that can then be covered with a thin epoxy coating if desired. Soft Enamel colors are mixed to match any desired color.

Die-Struck Promotional Iron Pins

Manufactured from an iron based metal, and using soft-enamel colors, their main advantage is the reduced cost and weight, which makes them perfect for large orders, where the shipping expenses are a big factor to consider. Due to the nature of the base metal real detailed designs are not recommended.

Photo Etched Pins

The design is chemically etched into thin bronze metal laminate, leaving a raised / low depth recessed area, where the soft enamel colors are then applied and all the area is covered with a thin epoxy coating; finally the shape of the pin is cut out of the brass laminate. Etched pins have a great look and lighter in weight.

Printed Pins

Either offset-printed or silk-screened, printed pins are mostly used for photos or landscapes, or any other design that requires extremely fine detail, gradients or color on color designs. They are covered with an epoxy coating and can produce great results. They are light in weight and can be made in any color plating.

 

In the next part of this article we will talk about choosing the size, backing and finish of your lapel pins

About the Author

Rosana Levesque is a graphic designer specializing in custom design of promotional items. She works at Sierra Emblem, manufacturer of custom lapel pins, coins, embroidered patches, pvc items, of the highest quality.

Sierra Emblem