Complete Guide to Creating Soft Enamel Pin Badges: A Step-by-Step Process

Soft enamel pin badges, often referred to as "soft" badges, offer a cost-effective and flexible option for those new to branded merchandise or looking to distribute them as promotional items or small gifts.

These badges are distinguished by their textured surface, featuring raised metal outlines and lower enamel fills, which give them a distinct, tactile feel. Contrary to what their name might imply, soft enamel badges are quite durable, providing a sharp and refined appearance. They are highly customizable, allowing you to express your brand's unique style and creativity. Not only are they marketable and collectible, but they also serve as effective promotional tools since they're worn by a diverse range of people, ensuring broad visibility for your brand.

But have you ever been curious about how these badges are crafted?

In this blog post, we step aside from our usual topics to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we produce one of our most sought-after items. From the initial design stage to the application, plating, and final packaging, we'll show you the steps involved in transforming your idea into a beautifully finished enamel pin badge. We find the process fascinating, and we think you will too!

Creating the Design

The journey to producing an enamel badge begins with its design, a process that can unfold in various ways based on your needs. With over 25 years of experience, we’ve seen it all: some clients bring us vague concepts which our skilled designers refine into polished visuals, while others arrive with complete designs, such as a corporate logo, needing only minor adjustments to transform them into badge-ready artwork. Artists and illustrators often partner with us to produce badges that faithfully represent their unique and original artworks.

For a deeper dive into this initial stage, consider exploring our essential guide on starting with enamel pins. This resource is packed with useful advice for designing your own distinctive or profitable custom pins. For instance, when creating a badge design on your own, it's best to use professional software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Additionally, opting for solid colors rather than transparent shades or gradients can enhance the final look of your pin.

Applying the Design

Once your design is perfected and you've given the go-ahead, it's time for our die sinker specialists to take over. This marks a crucial phase in the creation of your enamel badge, where your approved design is transformed from a concept into a tangible object.

The die sinker uses your design to carve a precise mold out of a solid steel block. The precision required in this process is why only the most skilled specialists handle this task—they work with intricate and detailed designs that demand flawless execution. The outcome is a unique mold that's a direct embodiment of your design.

The next phase involves stamping. Using the newly crafted mold, we press the design into durable materials like brass or copper. Each mold can produce approximately 10,000 impressions, allowing for extensive production without losing the detail and quality of your design.

Finally, shaping the badge is the last step of the application process. After stamping, the badges are cut into the specific shapes you've chosen, ready to move on to the next stages of their creation.

Plating and Enamelling

As we continue the journey of creating your enamel badge, we reach the plating and enamelling stage, where your badge truly begins to shine. After the design is stamped into your chosen metal, it is coated with a fine layer of high-quality metal such as nickel, gilt, bronze, or antique plate. This initial plating gives each badge a radiant sheen that enhances its appearance.

Following the plating, our artisans meticulously fill each badge by hand with cold enamel paints, regardless of the quantity ordered. This stage is crucial for bringing vibrant colors to life. The badges are then fired or baked, a process that solidifies and seals the enamel, ensuring the colors are vivid and lasting. The final step involves hand-polishing each badge to achieve a brilliant lustre.

This detailed process is crafted to ensure that your badges are not only visually striking but also of the highest quality, making them truly stand out in any setting. It's a meticulous process, but the stunning results speak for themselves—it's definitely worth it!

Cleaning and Packaging

The final steps in our badge creation process involve meticulous cleaning and thoughtful packaging. Each badge is carefully cleaned and undergoes several rigorous quality checks. Only after passing these inspections is it considered ready for packaging, typically in individual poly bags to protect it during shipment and handling.

At this stage, we also offer the option to enhance your badges with additional custom packaging solutions. Whether you’re planning to sell your badges or give them away as gifts, opting for upgraded packaging like branded bags, swing tags, or backing cards can significantly boost their appeal. Presentation boxes, for example, can elevate the perceived value of the badges, making them more attractive to potential buyers.

We're delighted to share the intricate process of making enamel badges and hope it gives you insight into the care and detail involved. If you're still deciding on a manufacturer, remember that while many follow a similar production path, factors like design assistance, ethical manufacturing practices, and customer-friendly return policies can set a partner apart. Our design support is always complimentary, reflecting our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Choose a production partner who aligns with your values and needs to ensure the best outcome for your project!