Knowing that enamel pins come in both soft and hard enamel, creating your first custom enamel pin can be fun.

However, the production process of these two is different, and the production process of hard enamel pins and soft enamel pins starts from the same: creating a mold from the pin design, which is then used todie cast a metal embryo. Thereafter, their paths to pin perfection differ, with each pin type requiring different steps.

Soft enamel pin structure

Once the embryo is ready, three steps are required to complete the soft enamel pins.

1. Electroplating or dyeing plating

Plating is the process of adding a metallic outer layer, such as gold or silver, to the base of a pin made of iron or zinc alloy. The coating can also be dyed at this stage.

2. Enamel

The next step is to place the liquefied colored enamel into the cavity of the metal base. In soft enamel pins, each cavity is only partially filled. That’s why you can feel the raised metal edge in the soft enamel pin.

3. Baking

Finally, the pins are baked in the oven to set the enamel.

Hard enamel pin structure

The number and order of steps required to make hard enamel pins varies.

1. Enamel filling

Unlike soft enamel pins, hard enamel pins have every cavity filled with enamel. Note also that in this process, enamel filling occurs before plating.

2. Baking

After adding each color of enamel, the hard enamel pins are baked. So if a pin has five unique colors, it will be baked five times.

3. Polishing

Enamel that is overfilled and baked is polished so it is flush with the plating. The metal plating is still visible; it’s smooth so there are no raised edges.

4. Electroplating

The magic of electroplating still allows you to add a thin layer of metal finish over the exposed iron or zinc edge of a hard enamel pin. But you can only use shiny metals like gold or silver.

If you look closely at this chic brooch we made, you will see the shiny gold plating exposed. Note however that it does not protrude above any blue or colored enamel parts.

At Deer Gifts, we offer soft and hard custom enamel pins at the lowest factory prices. Ultimately, custom pins come down to your personal preferences. You can choose the look and workmanship that best suits your design.

If you are still not sure, please contact us and let us know. As a manufacturer of enamel pins with 20 years of professional experience, Deer Gifts can help you choose the most suitable and beautiful enamel pins for your design.