Okay, so, if anyone asks you about the enamel pins; can you answer all of their questions without hesitation? You might be very enthusiastic about these tiny emblems, but there is a lot more to them than it seems.
You might know how to make these add-ons, but do you have sufficient mastery to make them look expert-made to go on and narrate about their skillfully made features and all that bling?
As you might know, these pins have been around for quite some time in a lot of different forms. This only means one thing – they will carry on being a staple for centuries to come.
From army officers to pilots, from actors to musicians, from formal to casual, these add-ons have been a much-cherished accessory everywhere.
In order to make these emblems, you need to put your finger on the most swoon-worthy design, hunt down a great manufacturer… and add some finishing touches if you want to:
- Make your lapel pin collection a major best-seller
- Craft an heirloom-quality enamel pin that looks completely official
- Create a fun gift for an upcoming event, with photorealistic detail and much more
No matter what vision you have, you can achieve it as long as you know some basics. That is right! Prior to starting producing or even designing your pins, you need to keep certain things in mind.
Let us discuss those crucial things in detail to make your pins look absolute hit, but we must start with the following:
What Are Enamel Pins?
Custom enamel pin badges or simply enamel pins are made up of enamel paint and metal. The paint is solvent-based and dries to an opaque, hard, and oftentimes glossier finish. It is a widely popular option for pins because it is long-lasting, strong, and extraordinarily vibrant. When choosing a material to manufacture your pins, everything will boil down to two choices. Let us take a brief look at these two options to make a clear and informed decision.
- Soft Enamel Pins: These are the most traditional types and to create them, a liquid enamel paint is poured into the grooves of die-struck metal prior to it being hardened and baked. This process makes rooms to form valleys, and thus, results in a textured and glossy finish. Such pins are not soft to the touch – after baking they are just as durable and hard. However, as compared to their counterparts – hard enamel pins they are less hard. They are an excellent choice for more intricate designs. This type is comparatively more budget-friendly.
- Hard Enamel Pins: These add-ons are tailored by adding pieces of dyed enamel to a die-struck metal mould and then these pieces are baked. After baking the pin, it is polished and ground. This results in a flat and smooth surfaced pin. Typically, hard enamels are more durable and thicker as compared to their counterparts mentioned above. However, unlike soft enamels, these types are not able to support complex levels of detail. In addition, hard enamel pins are usually heavier on the pocket.
Now that we are all aware of the popular types of enamel pins, it is high time that we start learning about their finishing. So, read on!
Finishing Options For Texture
A lot of different textures are used on pins and on custom medals, too. This is the part of the design that appears very distinct from web or print. Many pin manufacturers combine different textures and enamels for a variety of mind-numbing looks. There are different textures you can opt for, however, the most popular pin textures that can enhance the overall feel and look of your pin are:
- Sand Frost Texture: This fascinating metal finish gives the pins a dulled look. Before electroplating, the manufacturer sandblasts the bases of the pins. Then, they hand buff each and every pin or medal to make the recessed areas dull and raised areas shiny. The end results are extremely classy looking. As a matter of fact, this entire process does add some additional cost to your overall pin and custom medal making. However, in our opinion, the cost is entirely worth the mesmerising sand frost texture.
- Engraved Texture Backgrounds: For custom medals having much-exposed metal in their designs, manufacturers prefer adding a texture to their background while engraving the stamping mould. By doing so, they reduce the sheen of the medal. The best part? This process is completely free.
We do agree that sand frost adds some additional cost to your medal and looks more swoon-worthy. However, if you are running low on $$$ or have a larger order, then we suggest you opt for engraved texture backgrounds. This is because it is comparatively less costly and takes less time as compared to the option mentioned above
Electroplating Guide
Antique Electroplate: Oftentimes, an antique finish is used on custom medals. For this process, a dark wash is applied on the base of the metal and then the elevated areas are buffed off. Doing so gives the metal an aged or distressed appearance.
A lot of historical pins and award pins have gone through this process. This finish is also used on a number of custom medals. Electroplating helps to cut down the extra shine on medals and awards with a lot of plain metal. Moreover, bronze medals are always electroplated so make the details on them easier to see.
Final Touches ¦ Options For Enamel
When it boils down to enamel options, we have two widely popular options. Let’s check them out in detail.
- Transparent Enamel: We are completely mesmerized by the transparent enamel or trans-enamel. It is by far the most under-used option. However, if it is paired with regular enamel or textured backgrounds, it is truly the best thing to ever lay your eyes on.
- Glitter Enamel: The artist and creative communities are absolutely nuts about glitter enamel pins. This is why, a lot of manufacturers of this day and age are using transparent enamels and then adding various glitter grains to them to make glitter enamel for their clients.
Summing It All Up!
And that is it! By reading the information provided above, we are sure that you are all aware of how you can finish your enamel pins and custom medals. Without these tips, you would not be able to create unique and creative pins. However, to add more expertness to them, add these finishing touches and the results will speak for themselves in no time.
