Hard Enamel vs Soft Enamel Pin Badges

Your next promotional campaign is fast approaching, so you’ve decided to invest in some gorgeous branded enamel badges. These are some of the most cost-effective AND high-impact products to go for, with the added benefit of being highly customisable for a range of different marketing goals.

The question is, which kind of enamel should you go for — hard or soft? Let’s explore them together now!

 

Why You May Want to Opt for Hard Enamel Badges

Hard enamel is superbly durable, making it a great choice for pins you want to really stand the test of time. Another benefit is that hard enamel pins tend to look a bit more polished than their soft enamel counterparts, with a flat, smooth surface.

To make hard enamel pins, manufacturers use a traditional high-temperature firing process and copper-stamp the badges. However, instead of the enamel staying below the metal line, we fill the pins with the material and then grind them down to the same level.

The result is a smooth surface (no texture here!) that can easily withstand daily wear and tear. Because of that, we recommend these badges for everyday employee badges, corporate gifts and awards.

If you are eager to sell pin badges at your shop, hard enamel may be a better choice. The material’s durability should both keep customers happier for longer and ensure extended visibility of the design throughout the years.

Keep in mind that before making your badges, we first have to create a bespoke mould. That way, we can ensure all of the badges (their look and finish) match your vision perfectly — and each other. Better still, we can Pantone-match enamel colours so that the badges look and feel like a true extension of your branding.

 

Why Go for Soft Enamel Badges Instead

Soft enamel badges are textured as the enamel layer is recessed while the metal lines are raised. But the name of this mid-range enamel is somewhat misleading; it is still a hard material and can look quite polished and precise.

To make these badges, we stamp them onto durable brass or copper and can also plate them in materials like gilt, nickel and black nickel. A great thing about this type of badge is that it comes in various finishes, too. We can even supply pins with specialty finishes, such as antique!

The best part, though, is that soft enamel is a versatile option that won’t break the bank. Thus, they are recommended for businesses with tight budgets or those who are new to promotional products in general and want to start with small giveaways.

And don’t worry — these badges won’t look less professionally made than hard enamel ones. Once we’ve added coloured cold enamel, we will polish them to perfection. The lustre they will get from polishing ought to boost their perceived value.

All that’s left then is to make sure to present them accordingly. After all, the packaging, such as custom backer cards or presentation boxes, should match the products’ quality!


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Looking for something different? Browse our full range of printed badges and if for any reason you still can’t find what you are looking for, then simply give us a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today. You may also wish to consider complimenting your order of pin badges with some printed lanyards or even some novelty giveaways which are sure to be well received by customers and employees alike!