Hard Enamel V Soft Enamel Pins

Soft and Hard Enamel Pins: What’s the Difference?

When we make pins, we use your artwork to create a die, stamp it into metal to create the recessed design, then cut out the shape for the base of the pin. 

The pin base is plated in gold, silver, gunmetal or black, then the recesses are filled with coloured enamel paint, separated by the tiny raised walls made by the lines you created at the design stage. 

When a soft enamel pin is created, one layer of enamel paint is applied to the recessed areas of the pin and once it’s dry, the paint sits lower than the metal walls of the pin, giving a ridged finish.

Soft enamel pins are cheaper to produce than hard enamel pins, so they’re often a budget-friendly option, popular choices for fundraising events and promotional items. They’re hardwearing but less durable than hard enamel pins. 

When a hard enamel pin is created, enamel paint is applied in multiple layers to the recessed areas of the pin, until the paint sits level with the raised metal walls and the surface becomes smooth and flat. Then, the paint is set at a high temperature and polished until glossy, for a high quality and hard wearing finish.