Custom enamel pins have two distinct categories: soft enamel pins and hard enamel pins. If you selected custom enamel pins to incorporate in your next promotional activity, you are in the right place. Enamel pins are small pieces of merchandise used by various organizations to advertise their brands and promote their products and services. The pins are often rewarded to the star performers of an organization and represent the membership of a club.
But it becomes difficult when someone has to choose between the hard and soft enamel pins. Most of them need an understanding of the differences between a hard and soft enamel pin. Going through this blog, you can make an effective choice for your brand.
Soft Enamel Pins
When a soft enamel pin is designed, the design’s shape is first stamped and cut from a metal sheet before being plated. One level of metal raised above another lower level is created by the initial stamping, and then the recessed areas are filled in to color your design with enamel paint. Soft enamel pins have a”bumpy” characteristic or textured feel to the surface that is caused by raised and recessed levels.
The production cost of soft enamel pins is marginally lower than that of hard enamel pins. Upon request, a complimentary epoxy resin coating can be applied to safeguard the surface. More line detail can be achieved with soft enamel pins due to their textured feel, while die-struck pins lack the visual variety offered by full enamel paint.
Hard Enamel Pins
Another type of enamel pin is a hard enamel pin, which is also known as a cloisonne pin. We use a similar process to make our soft enamel pins, but we also add a step where colored resin is poured into each recess to make our hard enamel pins. Following the resin fill, each color is individually baked at an elevated temperature to cure and harden the enamel on each order of pins. This is done before polishing the product to give it a glossy, hard finish and almost perfectly smooth surface. In contrast to the metallic ridges of soft enamel pins, hard enamel pins have a smooth jewelry-grade surface, making the enamel much more durable.
We utilize a resin fill rather than the more conventional glass fill to provide the entire range of Pantone color options. In contrast to soft enamel pins, which have relatively more peaceful metal lines, hard enamel pins have a smoother final polish that makes the colors appear sharper and more vivid.
Key Difference
The final texture is the primary difference between soft and hard enamel pins. Soft enamel pins have elevated metal edges, while hard enamel pins are smooth and flat.
| Hard Enamel Pins | Soft Enamel Pins |
| These pins are high in durability. | These pins have a medium durability. |
| These pins are effectively scratch-resistant. | These pins are prone to scratches. |
| Hard enamel pins come with a clean and polished look and feel. | Whereas, soft enamel pins come with a textured look with raised metal edges. |
| Hard enamel pins are not designed with complicated designs. They are kept clean as much as possible. | On the other hand, in soft enamel pins, intricate designs can be applied. |
| The hard enamel pins are primarily filled with enamel and then polished to make them flat. Hard enamel pins are the best option if you want silver or standard gold metal plating. | The metal plating step is executed for these pins before the enamel fill-in process. Hence, rainbow-plated or colored metal plates are available in these pins. |
| The option of silk screen printing is available in this pin. With this option, areas that are very small can be filled with enamel. | In soft enamel pins, no option for silk screen printing is available. |
| Hard enamel pins are expensive to produce. | Enamel is applied once, so these pins are cheaper to make. |
When should you pick soft enamel and hard enamel pins?
Soft enamel pins are popular for their intricate designs and textured appearance. If you want your nails to be rainbow-plated, painted black, or any other custom color, then go for the soft enamel pins.
Choose hard enamel pins if you need custom pins that are extremely durable and have a flat, polished appearance. These exquisitely designed items are excellent as limited-edition mementos or incentives for top-performing staff members.
Conclusion
Personalized pins are a distinctive way to represent your company, mark important occasions, and foster relationships. Whether you choose the smooth sophistication of hard enamel or the textured charm of soft enamel, Pin Creator can produce any of your desired pins. With this understanding of soft vs. hard enamel pins, you can easily select the ideal style for your pin-tastic endeavors. The details make all the difference!
