Lapel Pin Styles
Below is a brief introduction to the various pin qualities and styles available on the market today. If you are still unsure as to what pin quality or style would best suit your design, our trained staff can easily assist you in making the right decision.
We recommend these different types of pins:
Die struck soft enamel
This process is the preferred method of production if the customer requires thicker lapel pins. The materials used can be stuck in Iron or brass in thicknesses up to 5 mm. The images/artwork are engraved into a steel die averaging 2-3 lbs. the die is then placed into a 2 ton press where the image/die is stamped into the material used creating deep recesses of the design.
The struck pieces are then plated in the customers choice (40 total) the recessed areas are then color filled by hand with either enamel paint or epoxy material and cured using low heat. Once dried the pin is buffed and polished to form a high luster.
An epoxy covering is then applied if ordered, if you choose not to use epoxy the pin is also equally attractive but would be able to feel the recessed areas (a nice quality). This method is a great choice for simple designs of colored areas that need to be clearly separated.
Photo etched enamel
The material used for this process is brass and each design is chemically etched into the metal, since the designs do not require a steel die to stamp the metals, the designs can be more detailed.
The coloring is the same as die struck, the recessed areas are color filled by hand with either enamel paint or epoxy material however the thin metal lines are not as deep. They in turn are plated in the customers choice of platings (40 total) buffed and polished and an epoxy covering is then applied to protect the underlying colors.
Die Casting
With this manufacturing method a 3 dimensional mold/model is produced from your design. Once the mold is created, hot zinc is poured into it, after it cools, the casted item is tumbled in a barrel and then plated with the colors of your choice. This process is ideal for medals or pins requiring 3 dimensional appearance and cut out letters and images.
Cloisonné
The premium process! This manufacturing process is thousands of years old, the stamping of the pins is the same as the die Struck process with deep recesses and the ability to utilize thicker materials. The colorfilling is the difference! Instead of using enamel or epoxy, porcelain glass is used.
Using a fine glass/porcelain powder, the recessed areas are layered with the powder and then placed in a furnace at very high temperatures and baked at several thousand degrees, when the pins are completed they are plated and then polished. The nice feature of the cloisonné process is the ability to use translucent colors, for instance, you are able to see through the colors to the metal, opaque colors are also available.
Pen-Tsah / Sandblasted
Under the same production and stamping methods of Cloisonné and Die Struck, the recessed areas are sand blasted and textured then the raised areas are highly polished producing a jewelry quality lapel pin. You are able to use this technique with the other processes as well for a combination, color fill and texturing, using the cloisonné / porcelain colors or enamel paints.
Silkscreen
For lapel pins requiring exacting detail and reproduction of logos this is the production method to use. Start with using the epoxy or cloisonné process and once the pin is completed with your preferred background color, the logo is silk screened onto the surface, similar to silk screening T shirts. This process is a wonderful choice for name badges as well.
Offset Print
If you have a photograph or a poster, high resolution computer generated artwork or a negative that has to be duplicated exactly use this method, the image is photographically reproduced into a decal, printed and attached to a flat pin, an epoxy coating is then applied to the top surface to create a wonderful lapel pin. If your designs include gradations, offset printing is the only process to use without changes to the deign.
Still Unsure?
Let our trained staff assist you through the choices. Once we see your design we will give you our best recommendation to make your design look fantastic!
