This article was originally published in March 2013, updated and republished January 2025.
People often ask us to explain the differences between the various enamel badge options on our website – so here we go: the definitive guide to hard, soft, traditional hard and printed metal badges!
Soft enamel badges are the most popular type of enamel badges. The material allows for full pantone colour matching and a quality finish at low prices.
In production, the coloured enamel is naturally slightly recessed beneath the surface of the raised metal. The enamel is not soft to the touch, but can be susceptible to scratch or deterioration over time. For a smooth and slightly convex finish, and also for optimum protection against scratch, an epoxy resin coating can be added to the surface.
A Premium Soft Enamel option offers a weightier version of the soft enamel pin. The base metal is brass rather than iron, and the badges are slightly thicker and heavier.
In contrast to soft enamel, hard enamel badges are made using a higher quality of enamel which will be extremely durable over long periods of time.
With hard enamel the surface of the badge is polished to a high quality finish, and the surface is highly durable, so there is no need for any resin coating.
Traditional Hard Enamel is a natural substance which has been used in badge making for hundreds of years.
Because traditional hard enamel is a natural substance the range of colours available is limited, and the colours are generally duller than with other materials. The final effect is a very traditional feel.
Imitation (new) hard enamel badges are a more modern alternative for hard enamel. This very popular solution offers the high-quality polished finish and durability of traditional hard enamel, but the enamel can be pantone colour matched. The price is usually lower than traditional hard enamel but higher than soft enamel.
Printed Metal Badges are a slightly different type of badge. No enamel is used in production, instead the artwork is replicated precisely in print. These badges are commonly chosen when it is important to replicate your logo without making any alteration for the die-struck process or when gradients of colour must be included
Badge Type
Advantages
Disadvantages
Standard Soft Enamel
Most popular choice due to affordable cost and flexibility of the enamel.
The enamel is susceptible to scratch or wear over time. An epoxy coating can be applied to provide protection.
Premium Soft Enamel
A premium version of the standard soft enamel pin, the brass base metal affords the badges extra weight.
The enamel is still susceptible to wear.
Traditional Hard Enamel
An authentic cloisonné badge gives the most traditional final result.
Colours can not be pantone colour matched.
New Hard Enamel
The enamel is not recessed as it is with soft enamel. No epoxy coating is required, because the enamel is highly durable and the surface is polished to a level surface. Colours are more vibrant than with traditional hard enamel and are pantone colour matched.
There is no option to have enamel recessed beneath the ridges of raised metal, if this is a preferred effect.
Printed Metal
A full colour or spot colour print can replicate a require design exactly, with no need to adjust for enamelling.
No enamelling is involved in production, so the badges lack the tactile feel of an enamelled pin.
