Some companies offer up to a dozen different pin manufacturing styles, all with different pricing.
Do you have the time to learn the difference between them all? No. Exactly. Metro Pins has grouped the different
styles into four major categories. Read about each below, and you'll know enough to make an informed choice.
Sports trading pins are almost exclusively photoscreen or soft enamel.
Cloisonné
Cloisonné hard enamel
pins are top-of-the-line, high-quality lapel pins.
Hard enamel pins have a smooth, highly polished jewelry quality look. Under 200 colors choices.
These are the highest quality lapel pins available.
Cloisonne pins are most often used as recognition, awards or membership pins.
They are not often used for pin trading.
Soft Enamel
pins (also known as embossed or epola), is
the most popular type of custom made lapel pin next to photo screen. Pantone colors choices are available.
It offers brilliant colors, fine raised metal detail, and the option of having either a
smooth or textured finish. Soft enamel pins are perfect for any occasion or special event.
Photo screen
pins (also known as screenprint, offset print, silkscreen or photo-etched) are the most versatile.
To recreate a design exactly, a photo screen pin is best.
Photo screen pins allow any design to be recreated, down to the smallest detail, without the need
for fine gold or silver metal separating lines around each of the colors.
Die struck
pins, are made of premium metal materials, have clean lines and are elegant.
If you require a classy, dignified pin, a die struck pin is a great choice.
Universities, law firms, fraternities & gov't offices favor die struck pins.
Colored die struck pins are called soft enamel. Die cast pins are similar to die struck.
