You may have seen the recent unveiling of an impressive new lapel pin across the pond. This peacock-like lapel pin was designed by the Queen's jeweler to celebrate her 70th year on the throne.
Lapel pins are often used to mark special occasions. Custom pins like the ones above can be sold or given out to commemorate an event. Many people collect lapel pins to wear to formal and semi-formal events, but they are also popular with artists and creatively minded people.
If lapel pins mark unfamiliar territory for you, you might wonder where to put a lapel pin. How do you know that you're wearing your lapel pin the right way?
We're here to help. Read on as we talk about traditional and not-so-traditional ways to wear your lapel pins.
If you have one on hand, pull out your suit jacket or blazer. Make sure that it has all of the proper folds and seams that it should so that we can help you to identify the lapel. (Spoiler alert: there are actually two.)
Look at the two pieces of outward-folding fabric on the front of the jacket or blazer. They should start above the buttons of the jacket and stop below the collar. Those are the lapels.
What about lapel pins, themselves? What are they?
There are several different types of pins that you can use as lapel pins. Broadly speaking, a lapel pin is any type of pin that you use to decorate your lapel. However, there are a few types that you're most likely to see, and those include:
As you can see, there is a lot of fun to be had with lapel pins. When you are ready to figure out the type of pin you want to make then you can begin learning about the type of lapel pin material and lapel pin style type you want to make for your lapel pin. Now, we're going to tell you how to incorporate lapel pins into your repertoire.
Locating the lapels of your suit jacket or blazer won't tell you quite where to put your lapel pin. See, there is a very specific way to do it, and you don't want to place your lapel pin just anywhere on one of the lapels.
You will always wear lapel pins on the left lapel (your left when wearing the jacket, not when looking at the jacket). The lapel pin goes on the top portion of the lapel, about an inch below where the collar begins.
Nowadays, however, lapel pins aren't just for formal wear. As we mentioned earlier, they're becoming popular with artists and creative dressers who collect and even design unique and modern enamel lapel pins. You can use these pins to update an old jacket, add visual interest to a backpack, or accessorize your favorite shirt.
No matter the occasion or the outfit, there's a lapel pin to match. Don't be afraid to step outside of the box and add your favorite pins to anything from a suit jacket to a purse or bucket hat.
When should you wear lapel pins? There are several appropriate occasions to sport a lapel pin, including casual and formal settings. Let's look at a few examples of when a lapel pin is the right accessory of choice.
Special lapel pins like boutonnieres are often reserved for special occasions. For example, many people first wear a boutonniere when attending prom. In this case, the boutonniere often matches your date's attire or corsage.
You can also wear lapel pins to galas, weddings, formal fundraisers, and more.
It is not uncommon for work teams or company representatives to wear lapel pins to work events. This can include anything from internal events like team-building days to marketing events like tradeshows.
In these settings, lapel pins are often provided by the company in order to identify the company you work for or an outstanding achievement. Corporate lapel pins are a great way to boost brand recognition, build internal brand identity, and show employees recognition for a job well done.
Lapel pins also make an appropriate accessory in casual settings like informal events or outings. You can even incorporate them into your daily wear by using them to add flair to otherwise boring staples like backpacks.
Artistic lapel pins are perfect for any casual setting because they express something about the wearer and make a great conversation starter. You can even try your hand at designing your own.
Now that you know where to put a lapel pin, it's time to start thinking outside of the box. What creative ways will you use lapel pins to accessorize or express yourself? What types of custom lapel pins will you design for your next big event?
As always, Metal Promo is the number one custom pin and coin maker that you can rely on from the comfort of home. Let us know what kind of projects you have in mind and we'll offer you a free quote. We guarantee the best lapel pins and more.
Did you know that marketing is one of the most important things any business can do to be successful?
Nothing is as classic or effective as a good business card. The problem is that traditional paper cards are a thing of the past.
If you want people to notice your brand, you need a metal business card. This sleek option is far more memorable, durable, and easy to design. It always gives the 'wow' factor to your customers.
To help you, we've collected the top tips to help you turn your business card into something special. Keep reading to learn more!
When it comes to business card designs, it's easy to put too much on them. There's so much you want to share about your company and yet so little space on the card.
The downfall with too many design elements is that they make a card look busy and difficult to understand.
As you're coming up with the design for your business card, pick out the top things you want your card to say about your company. Stick to those ideas and let the rest speak for itself.
You might think that the origin of your company is an interesting story, but leave that for your website or brochure. A business card is better suited for highlighting the unique reasons why someone should look into your company.
By using a metal card, you're already ahead of the game!
A vital part of the design process is the legibility of the card. Can people read it without any problems? Is the font clear and easy to find?
This is even more important when you're working with a metal card. The metal can be reflective, making it difficult for the font to stand out beyond the glare.
You'll want to test your card in a variety of different lights to make sure that the font still comes through.
No one wants a business card that makes it impossible to read the details. It'll do more harm than good for your business.
When people think about metal business cards, they often think of simple gray metal. While this is a great choice for many companies, other companies find that gray color dull.
The good news is that it's possible to make a metal card from all kinds of different metals. Rose gold business cards, for example, are a great way to add some elegance to the design. Black metal, in comparison, always looks sleek and trendy.
Take some time to look through the metal options available to you. With many options available, you'll want to pick the type of metal that works best with your company. Let the type of metal work into the personality of your brand and you'll find great success.
Every good design needs a focal point. For many business cards, the star of the design is the name of the company. Many cards put it in the center and the biggest font.
While this is always a classic choice, it doesn't have to be your only choice.
Thinking outside the box is an excellent way to stand out among the crowd. You could make your logo the star of the show, enticing people to look closer. You could use a series of words that describes what your company is all about.
There's never a wrong answer as long as the design is a hit with your customers!
Although the use of color is a great way to make your card stand out, there are other ways to make an impression. Tactile textures are impossible to do with traditional paper cards.
Gunmetal cards, on the other hand, are a perfect way to explore textures.
Instead of going with a smooth finish, why not create a rough or studded surface? How about a beveled edge?
As soon as someone touches your card, they'll be intrigued. They'll feel the unexpected textures and want to investigate further.
Do you want to come up with a way for customers to hang on to your business card for a long time? The best way to do this is to add a function to the card itself. If the card is more than a simple card, people are more likely to keep it in their wallets for future use.
With metal cards, this idea is easy to implement. The metal is sturdy enough to withstand a lot of pressure and you could do almost anything you can imagine.
If you own a craft beer company, you could design the business card to work as a bottle opener. If you're in the construction business, why not make the card into a portable measurement tool?
One of the best things about stainless steel cards is that people will want to keep them. With added functionality, they'll have every reason to hang on to it for years to come!
Failing to experiment is one of the biggest errors in coming up with a good design.
You might like the first design idea, but don't stop there. Keep pushing and brainstorm even further. See what else you can create within your business card.
Mix and match different elements until you come up with a card that suits every aspect of your business.
Even if you fall back to that very first design, at least you've tried other things. You'll feel confident that you've made the right decision with all the design elements!
By following along with this guide, you'll have all the information you need to make your mental business card a huge success. The best part about custom metal cards is the fact that they always make a great first impression.
Your customers will be wanting to learn more about your company as soon as they see such a sleek business card!
Do you already have the perfect design in mind? Check out how we can help you make that business card a reality in no time at all!
Congratulations! You're celebrating five years as a company. Or, maybe, you're receiving a much-deserved award. Or perhaps you're finally being initiated into a club you've put a lot of hard work into.
No matter the event, lapel pins are the perfect accessory to commemorate the occasion. But how do you know the type of lapel pin to choose? Read on to find out!
Lapel pins have a history in the United States dating back to the Civil War. However, the techniques used to make the pins have existed for thousands of years.
Ancient Egyptians used enamel to decorate pottery and jewelry, with evidence of this was found buried with mummies in tombs at the time. Researchers agree that the Ancient Egyptians founded this cloisonne technique, and from there, other Western countries as well as China and Japan incorporated it into their own decorations.
As for the United States, all soldiers in the Civil War, whether from the Union or the Confederacy, wore lapel pins to differentiate between the sides. Then, by World War I, pins became signifiers for different honors and awards in the military.
In recent history, pins have made a comeback in the fashion world. Since 2014, there has been what some have called a "pin revival," as indie artists began to manufacture pins with hundreds upon thousands of different designs.
You can find pins with the traditional flags, plants, foods, emojis, cartoon characters, words, and phrases - just about anything you can imagine. The fashion craze even led to New York City's first Pin and Patch show, where around 2,000 people came to view a gallery full of them.
Soft enamel is one of the most popular styles of lapel pin. The most notable feature of a soft enamel pin is the raised metal edges that create a unique texture.
All pins start with a mold, but with soft enamel, we add an outer layer of metal to the base. You may also add color to the metal plating depending on the pin's design.
Next, we fill in the metal mold about halfway with enamel. This is what makes the edges of the pin raised. Afterward, we bake the pin in an oven to set the enamel.
Unlike soft enamel, hard enamel pins are smooth to the touch. This is because, in the manufacturing process, we overfill the mold with enamel.
You color the enamel and then bake. We repeat this process for each color in the pin design. Then, we polish the layers down so the design is smooth with no raised edges.
Last comes the electroplating. We place shiny metals over the design to give a hard enamel pin its glossy finish.
Die struck pins have the most classic look. These mono-color pins are cast with copper or brass. These softer metals allow for more detailed designs to be stamped into the mold.
Die struck pins are made through the same process as hard or soft enamel pins, they simply don't use enamel paint. This makes the production process faster than other types of pins.
Offset printed pins allow for the most color and detail in your design.
First, we cut a piece of metal into the shape of your lapel pin, but the metal is left completely smooth. Then, we apply a base color to the pin. The design you choose is offset printed with a UV printer and adhered to the base. Finally, we apply an epoxy coating to keep the pin scratch resistant and looking shiny and smooth.
These lapel pins also have a quick production time because the metal requires no etching.
Quick pins are just what they sound like - pins that are manufactured and shipped out as fast as possible. These pins are suitable for any type of event and can get to your doorstep in less than a week.
We offer free shipping on our quick pins so there is no added stress on needing your custom orders fast.
There are many lapel pin options to choose from - so how do you know which is the right product for your event? Most of the time, it comes down to the complexity of your unique design and your personal preferences. But we do have some tips to narrow down the options for you.
Soft and hard enamel pins are the most popular options. They are made in similar ways, and they both allow for vibrant colors and the same amount of detail. However, if you prefer a textured feel, soft is the better bet - hard enamel will always be smooth.
Soft enamel is cheaper than hard enamel to produce, but hard enamel is available in smaller sizes.
Die struck pins are perfect for achievement or award pins, as they look like little trophies you can wear. With their recessed, sandblasted backgrounds and polished and raised surfaces, these pins keep things simple, classy, and official.
Offset printed pins are the fastest to produce and have the cheapest costs. If you need your pins as soon as possible, this is the way to go. They are also perfect if your design is complex and contains a lot of colors.
We hope that with this guide, you understand the difference between all the lapel pins available to order.
We here at MetalPromo are always available to help you choose the best custom design for your special event. Click here to receive a pricing quote on your order today!
Pins have always been a way to signify brand and interests. However, they are getting even more popular now, to the point where thousands are attending pin shows in New York City. So, is it possible for a regular person to design and create their own pin?
While it might seem complicated, designing a pin is actually very easy. You simply need to know the steps in the process. Let’s take a look at these steps so you can get started right away!
Creating a lapel pin can be helpful in many ways. This gives them appeal in many different ways.
A custom pin can be a great way to brand a company. This can allow the company to show off its logo or an aspect of its industry. The same can be said about professional groups, which can always benefit by having a more visible brand.
A social group can also get a lot of use from pins. A customized pin can contain the group’s logo or can simply celebrate the group’s interest. Either way, when each member has one of the pins, they’ll feel closer to the group as a whole.
Event pins are another option. They give event attendees a physical keepsake that will remind them of the event.
Artists can find another avenue of expression through pins. Creating and selling pins with designs based on their artwork can be a new revenue stream.
Pins are not one-size-fits-all and are made from different materials. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common.
Enamel pins are notable for being colorful. Pins of this style can be used for a range of purposes, from bright and lighthearted artwork to accurate representations of logos. If the pin you are designing heavily relies on color, enamel may be the way to go.
If you decide on enamel for your pins, you will need to decide whether to go with hard or soft enamel. Hard enamel is sturdier and has a more uniform finish, but soft enamel has texture to it and allows color to pop better. Neither is necessarily better than the other, as they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
If you like colorful pins but don’t like the look of enamel ones, offset printed pins are another option. Offset printed pins often have the look of a small picture coated with a clear cover. In this way, they are able to achieve a little more detail than enamel pins would.
Because of this, they are a great option when you want a colorful pin filled with detail. This detail can be replicated perfectly on these types of pins. You need to make sure the pin is big enough to fit everything you need.
Die-struck pins are another option. Unlike enamel pins, which can contain lots of colors, die-struck pins are usually just the color of the metal they are made with. In this way, they can be a statement on their own, as a police shield or a club shield can look fantastic as pure metal.
With die-struck pins, you do have a choice of the type of metal to use.
After deciding what material you want to use, the next step in creating unique pins is to decide on the design. The pin’s design should reflect its purpose. This will vary depending on what the purpose is and who the target audience is.
In many cases, the pin’s design may already be done. If you want a business logo, a social group’s insignia, or a specific image then your design already exists. You simply need to obtain a digital file of the design.
If you are creating a fresh, new design, then you may have a little more work. You need to draw up an example of the type of design that you want. For artists turning their artwork into a pin, this shouldn’t be a problem.
In cases where you are creating a pin design from scratch, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind. Make sure the pin you are designing looks good while also representing what you want it to. This is especially true in the case of colorful pins; you may even want to learn a little about color theory to see what looks good together.
Once you have your design done, you can start the ordering process.
With the other steps complete, actually ordering a pin is very easy. It simply requires a little more research.
Start looking up companies that create custom pins and find a few that you like. Look over their examples and compare them to examples on other sites. Narrow this field to the company or companies you like best.
At this point, you can contact them to request a quote for your pin. Most websites have a form that you can fill out in order to indicate exactly what you are looking for. Most also include a way for you to upload a picture of your design.
The company will then get back to you regarding the cost and how the rest of the process will go. If you like their terms, you can submit your order.
Once your order is fully submitted, you are done! All you really have left to do is wait for your new pins to arrive.
As you can now see, the process of designing your own pin is straightforward and relatively simple. You need to determine your need, pick your material, create your design, and place your order. Once you do this, you will have your own custom pins on the way in no time.
If you want to start designing a pin now, ask for a quote from Metal Promo.com!
Enamel pins offer a variety of options when it comes to design and manufacturing. Like many other pin types, they can be made into a wide array of shapes, sizes, finishes, and designs. They are also popular among trading pins since they are relatively easy to make and can yield premium results in the hands of good manufacturers and designers. If you are interested in getting your own enamel pins, there is a lot you should know before making your final decision. Here is everything that you need to know about enamel pins and how they are made.
Enamel pins are a specific type of lapel pin that utilizes enamel to create colors and images in a manner that is different from other lapel pin manufacturing techniques. This is done by applying a layer of enamel over another layer of metal to create contrasting colors that display a level of depth. Enamel pins were originally created for jewelry and decorative pins. They were later adopted for lapel pins and badges and are now used in different types of products and industries. Enamel lapel pins can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are usually made with two layers with the top layer being translucent enamel and the bottom layer being metal.
Enamel pins share manufacturing processes with many other types of pins. The key difference is in the coloring process where the enamel is added. Every manufacturer can use a slightly different process as well to achieve a different quality result. However, the overall process is consistent among manufacturers and the differences come down to the quality of each step as well as the materials used. Here is a more detailed look at the manufacturing process that we use to make enamel pins.
Before any manufacturing can begin, the design team works with the client to finalize the design. They not only verify that the design is possible, but they also help with artwork and setting up the systems needed to make the pins. Once the final proof is finished, it becomes the template to make the dye that is used to make all of the pins of a specific design.
The first step in the manufacturing process is to create a dye, which is a stamp made from a hard metal. This dye is placed in a high-powered press and used to stamp designs into other, slightly weaker pieces of metal.
The design, however, is not exactly the same as the design. Rather, it is the reverse (or negative) of the design. The dye is used to push in all of the areas where the enamel paint is added later. So, a design that consists of outlines will be reversed to create a dye that has no raised outlines. Instead, the outlines will be indented in the dye so that they are unaffected during the stamping process.
Once completed, the same dye is used repeatedly to make all of the pins of a particular design. Most dyes can last for hundreds, if not thousands of uses. However, the pins that are stamped as well as the dye are checked to make sure that they are accurate, consistent, and undamaged as a part of the quality control process.
The dye is used to stamp the design into either metal sheets or metal disks, depending on the design. Larger designs are often stamped onto sheets and then cut from that sheet while medium and smaller designs are stamped directly on metal discs called blanks. The blanks are removed, deburred (any sharp edges or burrs are removed), and inspected for quality before moving on.
The color filling process is where the type of enamel pin is decided. It can either be a hard enamel pin or a soft enamel pin. Both are made using a similar process with a slightly different process.
Both are filled with enamel paint according to the design. Enamel paint comes in a wide variety of color options, and custom colors can be created as well. Making the pins with a dye method makes it much easier to create fine details that the enamel paint can fill.
Soft enamel pins are filled to about 99% depth so that any outlines in the design are raised about the paint’s surface. Hard enamel pins are filled to 100% depth. Both are then heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cure, making the paint hard and durable.
Hard enamel pins are polished so that they are flush with the metal surfaces outlined on the coin. This also gives it a harder feel and glossy finish, leading to more vibrant colors and a higher-quality finish. If you want an enamel pin but you want to upgrade it a bit, try switching from soft enamel to hard enamel.
At the end of the manufacturing process, all pins are checked for quality issues. Each pin is picked up and inspected for flaws, sharp edges, or other potential problems. If everything checks out, they are individually packaged and prepared for shipping.
One of the reasons why enamel pins are widely popular is because there are relatively few limits on your designs. As enamel pins are made with a metal base, they are available in a wide variety of finishes that can make your pin stand out. Here are a few basic options to think about during the design process.
Enamel pins can be made to nearly any size. The final size of the design is limited by the size of the dye and the matching blanks. Most pins are between one and three inches in size, although other options are possible. Changing the size of a pin design is an easy way to make it stand out from other options.
Since enamel pins are made of metals, they can be cut into nearly any shape. As long as your bins are not made small enough or thin enough to be flexible, the design is possible. With a creative design, you can use the overall shape of the pin as an important feature to differentiate it from others.
This also includes cutouts, or removed sections within the design of your pin. As long as the pin is designed to be structurally sound, parts can be cut out to give it a more dimensional presentation.
While the pins are stamped from aluminum blanks, they can be metal plated or coated to look like just about any other type of metal. Nickel, brass, and gold are common plating options, while spray black is a common coating option. Each coating or plating option has a unique set of features that you can use to enhance your pins overall design.
Enamel paint comes in a wide variety of color options. This gives you the ability to use color to your advantage. Most other pin options have limit color options, giving you a very small palette to make your designs work. Enamel pins have a lot of options to choose from, giving you numerous ways to make your pins unique. Many customers often order several designs with different color schemes so that they have more variation in their options.
Enamel pins are one of the most popular pin options because of their advantages over other styles. Here are a few of the reasons why enamel pins are popular.
They can be designed with a wide array of colors, patterns, and designs and can be made into almost any shape. They can be made in both simple and complex designs and in small and large quantities.
Enamel pins are durable and can be made with materials that are resistant to corrosion, scratching, and bending. They can be made in a wide variety of metals and can be plated with other materials to increase their durability.
Enamel pins are relatively affordable and can be made in small batches or large quantities. They are also easy to design and can be made with a variety of different materials.
The enamel can be applied in different thicknesses to create different effects. Thin enamel will create a subtle effect while thick enamel will be more noticeable.
The company that you choose to make your pins plays an important part in their quality. For the best quality pins, work with an industry leader that has years of experience making pins for sports teams, individuals, businesses, and government agencies. Call us at 877-312-9794 to start your next pin order today.
Are you looking for ways to make your business cards stand out in an entrepreneur's collection? Do you want to find ways of making your brand pop in the eyes of your target market? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about how business cards can increase your brand recognition.
Brand recognition, also known as "brand recall", can help you separate yourself from the pack. Your target buyers will have your face and logo imprinted in their memory forever.
See below for an in-depth guide on how business cards can help you boost your brand's recall power with your clients.
The old-school sales philosophy harps on using in-person (AKA "offline") marketing tactics to put a face to the name for your clients. The new school sales philosophy preaches using the digital marketplace to establish your brand's online presence.
Here's the question that we're asking: Why can't you use both? Why can't one be used to feed off o the other?
Gone are the days where you have to pick a side on the online marketing vs offline marketing debate. These days, it's the all-encompassing, hybrid brands that take the cake.
When it comes to brand recognition, the primary goal is to have clients feel like your logo is at every turn. Every social media platform they use, every billboard they walk past, etc.
Business cards can be a tremendous way to infuse both. You can have your logo featured on one side of the card, then use the other side to give clients your:
The list goes on and on! You can establish yourself with a simple business card design. It has all of the information they need (brand logo and contact info) and none of the information that they don't need.
For those of you that have been researching how to boost your company's brand recall, you've probably come across one term a lot: brand identity.
But what is a brand identity? It's essentially any visual element that your company uses to establish its brand. This is a key aspect of establishing brand recognition. In fact, without a strong brand identity, you can't possibly hope to build brand recall.
Don't believe us? Let's put it to the test. When you read the words "John Deere" what immediately comes to your mind? We're willing to bet that you immediately envisioned the green and yellow deer logo before you envisioned their tractors (the product they sell). Still think brand identity isn't important?
So what key aspects should you focus on? There are four primary factors that you should emphasize on to build your brand identity: your logo, your tagline, your font, and your color(s).
It all has to collaborate. Once it does, you've got yourself a dynamite brand to start pushing to your clients.
We would recommend that you put a significant amount of thought into the colors you use especially. As color psychology teaches us, different colors will convey different emotions and feelings to your customers. Learn what those feelings and emotions are, then use that to your advantage.
Once you have that brand identity established, you can feature it on your business card. Your target market will immediately associate with the branding the moment they lay eyes on it.
When you think of business cards, you're probably envisioning your logo placed on a small paper card, as most business cards are... but what if we told you there were other options?
You can create carbon fiber business cards to give your brand a look and feel that resonates with your customers differently.
Your brand will instantly gain stronger brand recall, as they'll remember you as the company with the carbon fiber business card. You can build momentum from there!
If you're looking to differentiate yourself even further, then consider making a bottle opener business card. This will ensure that your clients hold on to your business card for years to come.
It can also shine your brand in a more personable light. People will see your brand as one that encourages clients to enjoy life, which—depending on your industry—might make your company more intriguing than others in your niche.
These days, customers want to work with businesses that have a human feel to them. If you stick to a "by the books" brand, people won't feel like they can trust you.
Envision a spider web. At the end of each branch of that web is different marketing tools in your marketing plan, such as your Twitter account, Facebook account, website URL, etc.
Then, smack-dab in the middle of that web, is your business card. Why? Because it connects all of the different marketing outlets.
As soon as a customer comes in possession of your business card, they can connect with your brand however they so choose. This will help your brand connect with them and build more brand recall when they come across it on their preferred social media platform.
Now that you have seen all of the different ways that business cards can help you build brand recognition, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Interested in learning more about how to design and make your own metal business cards? We can help! For more inquiries, give us a call at 1-877-312-9794 or click on the chat icon we have on our website and we will be happy to assist you further.
