What's the difference between Hard & Soft Enamel pin badges?
Soft enamel pin badges are produced with a recess where the enamel sits in a slight dip, the raised metal is therefore slightly higher on the pin than the enamel. Hard enamel pin badges are polished flat with the metal and enamel on the same level. Visually soft enamel badges have slightly more definition between colours as the metal lines are more obvious where the enamel dips into the surface. Hard enamel can look less defined as the enamel merges slightly over the metal lines, as the enamel & metal are finished to the same level, however this does produce a glossy, smooth and durable pin badge The design differences between the two processes are very subtle but provide a slightly different look and feel to your badge.
Artwork Guidelines
Soft enamel pins are made with thin raised metal lines to separate each enamel colour; this prevents the colours running into each other. If you are designing your own artwork, please remember to separate each colour with a border (to represent the thin lines of raised metal on your pin).
Colour Limitations
Due to the nature of the dark enamel pin plating options such as black dye or black nickel, the pantones you select may turn out darker than the pantone colour, so an exact match cannot be achieved with these finishes
Our hard enamel pin badges are the most hard-wearing badge available with a cost effective, durable and professional finish. Pantone colours can be matched using this process.
Design & Manufacturing Process
Hard enamel pin badges are manufactured by a metal stamping process after which the enamel is added and baked in the oven to set. A polishing process then follows which leaves a flat smooth surface on your pin.
Production Lead-time
Air Express - 4 to 12 weeks from artwork sign off. Price is slightly higher due to additional air freight costs
Sea Shipment - 12 weeks + - the most economical choice is to use our monthly sea shipments which arrive every 12 weeks
* Price excludes VAT