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Soft Enamel vs Hard Enamel Pins

We are renowned for our expertise in design and quality when working with metal and enamel, but what is the difference between Soft and Hard enamel badges?

To sum it up, hard enamel is polished flat and soft enamel has recessed enamel. The detail that can be achieved between the too is also different, so we can work with your design to bring it to life.

Soft Enamel

First, the image is stamped in the metal and cut to size. The badges are then plated in the metal plating such as gold or nickel. After this the enamel is added in the the recessed areas and put through ovens to bake the enamel hard. Once dry, the enamel clings to the edges and recessed below the metal die line (this stops the enamels mixing). This gives the soft enamel that signature 'bumpy' feel when you run your finger over the top. We can add an epoxy resin coating to soft enamel to protect the enamel and give the effect that the enamel is smooth. This to some can make the enamel appear flat but is not hard enamel.

Hard Enamel

For hard enamel, the enamel is added before the plating is added, the enamel is added and polished flat to the same level as the metal die lines. Each colour must be baked in the oven one by one which adds to the process and cost. Once all the colours have been added, the badge can then be electroplated and polished again to complete the badge. The numerous polishing process is why the badge can achieve slightly less detail than soft enamel and why some of the metal lines are likely to spread in production and be thicker than the original design. Our hard enamel process is a modern process of the traditional hard enamel badge process and the main difference between our hard enamels is the actual enamel itself.

Traditional hard enamel use glass based enamels which means pantone matching can not be achieved and the enamel has more pigment. If you would like anymore information on our pin badges or design advice, just email our team today.

Made by Cooper
February 8 2021

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