One of the most often asked questions we receive when a customer is interested in designing a lapel pin is what‘s the difference between hard and soft enamel pins.

The simple answer is the hard enamel is polished flat and soft enamel has concave enamel. Both of which are made of the same stamping, and the details achieved is the same.

I'll put a quick side-by-side of one of my pins, in both hard and soft enamel for anyone who wants a visual guide, below. The first one is Hard enamel pin  (No epoxy coating), The next one is Soft enamel pin.

Soft Enamel

Place the enamel in the recessed area and put through ovens to bake the enamel hard. The enamel is only added once in this process, which means that when dry the enamel clings to the edge and is recessed below the metal die line (that stops the enamel mixing). When you put your fingers on top, this will give the soft enamel the‘bumpy’feeling. We can add an epoxy coating on the soft enamel to protect the enamel and give the enamel smooth effect, and some can make the enamel look flat but not hard enamel.

Hard Enamel

For hard enamel, the enamel is added several times to make the enamel higher and flattened to the same level as the metal die line. Enamel quality is very high. Our hard enamel process is the traditional hard enamel process of modern technology, the main difference between our hard enamel is the actual enamel. If you rub your thumb on a hard enamel lapel pin (also known as cloisonne lapel pin), it will feel smooth and you will not feel the metal border or ridge.

If you are interested in creating a custom made pins, please contact us immediately. Our sales representative can help you determine which type of pin is best for your design.