After nearly 5 decades in the custom enamel pin business, we've had to answer a lot of questions about our product. These questions are the most commonly asked.
The paint is not level with the surface and they cost quite a bit less. For most artists and designers, this process has a "look" they desire as well. We use hard enamel mostly for uniform pins or corporate logos that require a "prestige" feel to them. You can view a video and side-by-side comparison of the two types here.
Custom pins have a complex pricing scheme. The price depends on size, manufacturing process, quantity and complexity of design. The most common sizes for cost effective lapel pins is between .75" and 1.5". Your art will almost always dictate the size of the pin. An experienced supplier or manufacturer of enamel pins will be able to suggest the appropriate size for your next pin project.
Hard enamel pins look quite different from soft enamel. The paint is level with the surface giving the pin an air of "quality" or "prestige. Use hard enamel for uniform programs, years service programs or award pins.
Enamel pins are usually made from zinc. Most factories make pins using either the die struck or die cast manufacturing process. Depending on the method they use, the factory will purchase coils of zinc for stamping or ingots of zinc for casting (molten metal poured into molds).
Most custom enamel pins require about 20 steps to reach completion. Despite new equipment and technology, it is a very manual intensive process. The typical steps a pin follows in manufacturing are art, tool and die, stamping, electroplating, enamel, buffing, attaching the back and packaging.