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lapel pin guide

The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Custom Lapel Pin

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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.

Where to Put a Lapel Pin: A Guide

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Where to put a lapel pin is a harder question than you might expect. Keep reading and learn the different ways to wear lapel pins.

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.

First of All, What Is a Lapel?

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.

How Can You Identify a Lapel Pin?

What about lapel pins, themselves? What are they?

Where to Put a Lapel Pin
Papa Ron Tamale Biker Run 2018

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:

  • traditional suit lapel pins: these pins have a decorative metal or enamel front and a pin that goes directly through the lapel; they are secured with a butterfly clasp, rubber pin back, or magnetic pin back
  • boutonnieres: these pins are made from (typically) real flowers that still have their stem and are pinned to the lapel using a straight pin or safety pin
  • stick pins: these pins have a metal or enamel decoration located at the top of a thin metal stem (or stick); the stick goes through the front of the lapel and pokes out of the front of the lapel and can be secured with a small metal fastener
  • brooches: brooches are coming back in style in a big way and feature large decorative fronts with a hinged backing that goes through the lapel

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.

Where to Put a Lapel Pin

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.

Where to Put a Lapel Pin

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 to Wear Lapel Pins

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.

Formal Events

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.

Work Events

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.

Casual Settings

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.

Where to Put a Lapel Pin
Where to Put a Lapel Pin

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.

What Will You Do With Your Lapel Pin?

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.

Custom Lapel Pins: The Ultimate Guide to Designing a Pin

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Custom Lapel Pins: The Ultimate Guide to Designing a Pin

Are you interested in creating a lapel pin? Click here for the ultimate guide to designing a pin that you’re guaranteed to love.

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!

Why Should You Create a Pin?

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.

guide to designing a pin
Custom Lapel Pin – Guide to Designing a Pin

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.

Choose the Material

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.

guide to designing a pin
Guide to Designing a Lapel Pin

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.

Creating a Design

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.

Order Your Pin

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.

Designing a Pin for You

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!

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