The first use of American military lapel pins dates back to 1860 during the Civil War. These lapel pins were used to identify soldiers by their unit numbers on the battlefield.
From there they have been worn by senators, special organization members, fraternity and sorority members, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and members of political parties.
Today the modern lapel pin is a fun and fashionable accessory that is customizable for a variety of interests and hobbies. A custom lapel pin is a great expression of individuality.
Creating a custom lapel pin is an enjoyable process that takes your ideas and brings them to life. Want to know more about how to make your own custom lapel pin? Keep reading this guide for more details below.
Getting Started with Your Custom Lapel Pin Design
When creating a logo or design for your custom lapel pin, you need to consider how the overall concept will transfer to a lapel pin format. For lapel pins, you must take into account the image itself, as well as the font you use.
Lapel Pin Image
If possible, stay with a simple design image with not too many fine details in it, as they will be difficult to see. They may not convert over as well as they do on paper.
You should also consider the size of the image you are using. If your image is too small, it will look muddled and indistinct. This defeats the purpose of making a custom lapel pin if others cannot even see the image.
Lapel Pin Text Font
Choosing an appropriate font is as equally important for any text your custom lapel pin may have. You want a clean font that is easy to read. Avoid any fancy or overcomplicated fonts that will look messy or illegible.
Don’t use too much text, either. Using long portions of text will require your text size to shrink in order to fit it all on the pin. Stick with just one word or a few short words to maintain its readability.
Deciding on the Types of Lapel Pins
The next step in the design process is choosing the type of lapel pin you want. There are five types of lapel pins to choose from.
Soft Enamel Pins
A soft enamel pin can be die-struck or die-cast during the manufacturing process. Soft enamel pins differ from hard enamel pins due to the texture that results from filling the enamel beneath the metal ridges of the design.
The soft enamel pin is heated up to 400º Fahrenheit, creating a high-quality custom lapel pin with a textured surface and a more natural appearance.
Soft enamel pins are cost-effective options that can provide an affordable option for purchasing large groups. You can customize soft enamel pins in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Hard Enamel Pins
Hard enamel pins are the highest quality lapel pins you can get. A hard enamel pin is created by polishing the enamel flush with the metal for a smooth appearance. This is in addition to what goes into making soft enamel pins.
The result is a high-quality custom lapel pin with exceptional long-lasting durability and a beautiful finish. This high gloss finish enhances a pin’s vivid coloring and won’t fade with time.
Die-Struck Pins
A die-struck pin is an all-metal pin with an image or logo stamped into the metal. These pins can be made from brass, iron, copper, or other metal types. There is no color involved other than the color of the metal used.
Die struck pins have a striking appearance because of their raised features. Texturing and polishing add to their distinct features.
Offset Printed Pins
An offset printed custom lapel pin is ideal for creating a unique design. It uses state-of-the-art technology to print your design directly onto the metal. Once the design is printed and the color is set, a trimming tool shapes the design.
To provide protection and durability, an epoxy resin dome is applied to the custom pins. This also improves the image’s quality.
Quick Pins
Quick pins are suitable for when you need stock pins shipped out in a hurry. You can have your Quick Pins order in less than a week.
Quick pins are available in 3 sizes including a 1.5″ round or square pin, a 2″ square pin, or a heavyweight 3″ cast pin.
Specify Your Metal Coloring for Your Custom Lapel Pin
The right metal color, in combination with your design, can also complement your custom lapel pin’s overall appeal. You have so many different metal colors to choose from, so you’re certain to find the one that best suits your needs.
- Gold- a timeless finish suitable for medals and special achievements
- Brass- a polished and soft golden-like patina for a vintage feel
- Antique Gold- a softer, darker gold coloring for service pins
- Silver- bright, shiny metallic tones as a companion to its gold variation
- Antique Silver- a darker aged silver for historical themed pin replicas
- Nickel- sturdy silverlike tones used for award pins
- Black Nickel- a contemporary-looking appeal with black tones
- Copper- a warm and rich deep brown tone
- Antique Copper- warm, rosy tones give it an aged look
- Spray Black- a striking and attention-getting jet black coloring
Whatever metal color you choose, your custom lapel pins are sure to shine.
Select the Backing for Your Custom Lapel Pin
The next step is deciding which backing you want. Depending on your budget and needs, there are several different options for your custom lapel pin to choose from.
- Safety Pin- a secure fastening safety-lock closure
- Magnet- two secure magnets that don’t puncture clothing
- Stick Pin- a stylish way to pin through the length of the lapel
- Butterfly Clutch- features a pinch-to-open back closure
- Earring Post- a thin version of a Butterfly Clutch made from silver/gold
- Screw Back- screws into place firmly for a tight closure
- Button Clutch- a locking variation of the Butterfly for valuable pins
- Rubber Clutch- an economical rubber lapel back fastener
Once you have selected your preferred custom lapel pin backing, you can decide if there are any other enhancements you would like to add to your custom lapel pin.
Other Custom Lapel Pin Enhancements
You can choose from other options that can enhance your custom lapel pin’s look. These options can include:
- Glow Enamel
- Glitter
- Crystals
- Blinkers
To give your pins a glow-in-the-dark appearance, add glow enamel for a fun effect. Glow enamel costs just 20 cents per color.
Adding glitter to your custom lapel pin will really make it shine. It costs 10 cents each for one glitter color or two glitter colors for just 15 cents.
Add crystals to your pin to glam it up or make it stand out. The price is an additional 10 cents per crystal.
Blinkers are small lights that you can add to your pin. They are powered by an attached battery pack on the pin’s back. One blinker costs $1.25 and two lights are $2.24.
Find Quality Custom Lapel Pins and More from MetalPromo
Designing a custom lapel pin should be a fun and enjoyable process. From concept art to the finished product, let MetalPromo help you with every step of the creation process. Our product quality and honest customer reviews speak for themselves.
We offer free U.S. shipping, free artwork design and revisions, and we’ll even beat our competitors’ prices. We even have metal business cards, keychains, and custom challenge coins. Our talented design team can’t wait to bring your ideas to life.
Contact Us today to receive your free custom lapel pin order quote.
