From milestones and new beginnings to landmark achievements and final chapters, the meaningful moments in our lives deserve recognition. Enamel lapel pins are a timeless way to mark these important events.ย If you plan on ordering custom-designed pins from Challenge Coin Country, the first question youโll need to answer is whether you want hard or soft enamel. However, if youโre new to ordering pins, you might need some guidance on the differences between hard vs soft enamel pins.ย In this blog, weโll explain the main characteristics and benefits of both of these options to help you decide which is right for you.
Understanding Enamel Pins
Enamel pins serve as a physical reminder of the experiences and people that shape us, making them popular amongst nearly every type of organization, from the military to sports teams to corporations and nonprofits. While both soft and hard enamel pins are made with enamel, there are some important differences to take note of.
What is Soft Enamel?
Soft enamel refers to a pin with metal plating thatโs only partially filled with enamel paint. These pins have slightly raised edges that have a textured look and feel. When you run your fingers over the surface of a soft enamel pin, you will feel the raised edges. Youโll also see recessed areas because the plating is only partially filled with enamel paint โ not filled to the top.ย Soft enamel pins offer more design flexibility than hard enamel pins because they can be plated with more metal options and accommodate more bright colors and intricate designs. They are also less expensive and take less time to make.
Common Uses of Soft Enamel
Because of their lower production cost, soft enamel pins are popular for bulk orders, such as pins that will be handed out as corporate gifts or to sports team members. Their design flexibility also makes them terrific options for any group or organization that wants a specific set of colors or an intricate design on their pins, such as company or university logos.
What is Hard Enamel?
Hard enamel refers to a pin with plating that has been filled to the top with multiple layers of enamel paint. The paint has been ground down and polished to create a rounded, smooth finish. Hard enamel pins will not have a textured surface like soft enamel pins. Instead, they are completely smooth to the touch and have a subtle sheen. Hard enamel is also slightly heavier in the hand than soft enamel due to its multiple layers of paint โ which also contributes to its durability.
Popular Uses of Hard Enamel
Due to their more luxurious look and feel, hard enamel pins are popular for special occasions. Career milestones, major anniversaries, setting new records, and similar landmark moments are common times to hand out hard enamel pins. Youโll often see them given out during military award ceremonies and at government events when an individual is inducted into a high-ranking position. A corporation might give a hard enamel pin to an employee when they retire or are promoted to a leadership role.
The Art of Crafting Enamel Pins
To understand the differences between soft and hard enamel pins, weโll go over how the two are made. The production process for the two types of pins begins identically. We’ll create a mold using the pin design youโve created with our artists and design team. Weโll use that mold to create your pinโs plating (i.e., the metal base). From there, the process will differ depending on whether youโre making soft enamel vs hard enamel pins.
Process of Making Soft Enamel Pins
Once we have your soft enamel pin base ready, weโll add an outer layer of metal to it through a process called electroplating. Thanks to the design flexibility afforded by soft enamel, you can choose from a range of metals, including gold, silver, copper, nickel, and even rainbow metal. Next, weโll add liquid enamel paint to the metal base, partially filling the cavities (the raised edges). We donโt fill them to the top to maintain the texture from the exposed edges. Finally, we bake the pins in an oven to harden the enamel.
Process of Making Hard Enamel Pins
With hard enamel pins, the first thing we do once the base is ready is fill it with enamel paint. Youโll notice we donโt add any metal plating at this stage. Metal plating occurs later for hard enamel pins. Unlike soft enamel pins, in which the cavities are only partially filled with paint, with hard enamel pins, we fill the cavities to the very top and even overfill them. Next, we bake the pins, putting them in the oven as many times as the number of colors in the pin. So, for example, if your pin has three paint colors, we will bake it three times. Once the pins have been baked, we polish and grind them down so that the paint is level with the edges of the plating and the pinโs surface is smooth to the touch.ย At this point, we can move on to electroplating if there is a layer of metal youโd like to add over the exposed edges. However, your metal options are more limited than they are with soft enamel pins. Youโll pick from shiny metals, such as gold or silver.
Differences Between Paint and Enamel
Enamel paint is the superior choice for lapel pins for several reasons. Hard enamel paint is more durable than other paints and is resistant to chips, dents, and scratches. Enamel can also withstand extreme weather, including hot and cold temperatures, without degrading or fading. The glossy finish of enamel is another reason it is so popular for decorative items like lapel pins. Additionally, enamel paint can adhere to more surface types than other kinds of paint, including different types of metal, making it ideal for creating pins.
Choosing Between Soft Enamel Pins vs Hard Enamel Pins
At Challenge Coin Country, we are passionate about helping you create pins that perfectly capture the significance of your special occasion. If you are still comparing hard enamel vs soft enamel pins and determining which is right for your order, below are some factors to consider.
Budget
If you are working with a limited budget or are placing a bulk order and need your dollars to go further, consider soft enamel pins. The additional baking and polishing of hard enamel pins results in a higher cost-per-pin, making soft enamel pins the budget-conscious choice.
Time Constraints
A significant difference between hard vs soft enamel pins is production time. The additional steps required to make hard enamel pins means a longer production time. If you need your order in a hurry, consider soft enamel pins. At Challenge Coin Country, we often take rush orders and will do our best to accommodate your time constraints.
Desired Visual Effect
Consider what youโd like the final product to look like. Soft enamel pins look more casual than hard enamel ones, which can be right for certain occasions. If you want a luxury look that communicates prestige and accomplishment, a hard enamel pin’s smooth, polished look might be right for you. However, keep in mind that youโll have more design flexibility in terms of color options and intricate details when you select soft enamel pins.
Real and Perceived Value
Hard enamel pins not only look more valuable, but collectors tend to assign them a higher value than soft enamel pins. Their heavier weight, combined with their superior durability and refined polished aesthetic, makes hard enamel pins the right choice for those looking for a high-end, quality piece that will stand the test of time.
Usage/Occasion
The intended usage or event can also help settle your soft enamel vs hard enamel decision. If youโre ordering pins for a regular event, such as the start of an athletic season or an annual corporate retreat, casual soft enamel pins might be fitting.ย However, if you are marking a rare and truly momentous occasion, such as an employeeโs 30th work anniversary or a soldierโs heroic act, you might consider a hard enamel pin. Its durable feel and sophisticated look are fitting for such an important occasion.
Make Custom Enamel Pins with Challenge Coin Country
Soft and hard enamel pins each have unique characteristics and benefits. The right material will depend on several factors, including the occasion, budget, design, and schedule. At Challenge Coin Country, we offer extensive design options for soft and hard enamel pins, making it easy to customize your order to accurately reflect the spirit of your occasion.ย Now that you understand the primary differences between soft and hard enamel pins, youโre ready to finalize your design with our attractive pin upgrades and order custom-made, durable, and unique lapel pins that you will cherish for years to come. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to guide you throughout the ordering process. We offer free quotes and unlimited proofs because we want you to be 100% satisfied with your order.
