Custom Lapel Pins
Since the 1800’s custom made lapel pins have been popular for promoting political events and clubs. More recently, lapel pins have become hugely popular for companies and individuals as well as organizations looking to commemorate special occasions and events. Compact, durable and elegant, lapel pins offer a timeless expression for your company logo, candidate, organization message, or team design.
Here, at The Monterey Lapel Pins Company, each custom die is hand crafted to exacting standards, replicating the finest details of your preferred design, and the lapel pins are then produced from a bronze or iron base and completed in any number of metals, enamels and/or finishes. The result is a lasting, superior quality pin you can be proud to share.
The first thing to consider when creating a custom lapel pin is the style of the pin. What will the pin be used for? With over a dozen manufacturing options, you may consider that your event or use of the lapel pin will dictate the pin process that will be used. The second thing to consider is whether or not your design includes color. Color on lapel pins is applied three ways.
Cloisonne Lapel Pins
Cloisonné (Pronounced "kloi za nay) is known as one of the oldest and best processes for producing custom lapel pins. Cloisonné is seen in many antiques from the Chingtai epoch of the Ming Dynasty (1450 - 1456 A.D.) The manufacture of cloisonné involves a rather elaborate process. Steel dies are created to stamp the custom designs into brass plates. The recessed areas are filled with colored molten glass. After each color is applied, the pieces are hard fired at 1700 degrees, which produces a mirror-like finish resistant to scratches.
Classic New (Hard) Enamel Lapel Pins
A similar hard enamel process, Classic New Enamel, highlights finer details and has the highest perceived value. These lapel pins are die struck, and then hard enamel color is added to the same level as the metal and hand-polished smooth. In most cases we have found that hard enamel and cloisonné are hard to differentiate.
So if you are looking for an elegant custom lapel pin with color and you are seeking a more cost-effective option than cloisonné, consider our classic new enamel.
Embossed Soft Enamel Lapel Pins
In this process, Embossed Soft Enamel color is recessed and the metal is raised, leaving a textured look. A further option is offered in the form of epoxy, which fills the recessed areas making the pin smooth to the touch. If the pin is smooth, you might ask why not go for a hard enamel lapel pin? Well, cost is usually a consideration. Soft enamel pins are usually less expensive than hard enamel pins. Soft enamel lapel pins are just as thick as hard enamel and will weigh almost the same.
Photo-Etched Soft Enamel Lapel Pins
Photo etched pins have one of the most interesting and labor-intensive processes. An image of your design is transferred from a photographic negative onto the surface of the base metal. The design is then etched into a brass base using an acid-reaction process. The indentations left by the acids are filled with enamel colors and fired. High polish plating is available in shiny gold, silver or black. We also highly recommend adding an optional epoxy resin coating to protect and ensure the durability of your pin.
Printed Lapel Pins
Printed pins are, unquestionably, the most versatile pins on the market. Because they do not require liquid enamel color fill, printed pins allow a logo or design to be recreated without the need for fine metal lines around each color.
Trading Pins
Trading Pins are popular with many team sports. 99% of trading pins are Etched Soft Enamel Lapel Pins. Blinking lights, sliders, glitter ink and dangling pins are just a few of the add-ons available for etched soft enamel pins. The last colorful option is a Printed Lapel Pin. These pins are sometimes the only option when color on color or gradation is needed. All printed pins will include epoxy for the protection of the design. The biggest distinction of a printed pin is the lack of metal lines separating out the colors, present on all of the other pins we manufacture. We do not recommend using printed pins if you have a large area of white in your design, as the white on printed pins is not a stark white but a grayish-blue white.
Exact color matching is no problem on most of our lapel pins except for cloisonné pins, which are limited to a few hundred rich colors. Many striking designs can be created without the use of color. A die-struck pin can be polished without color and the recessed area of the pin can be sandblasted for a jewelry-like finish. These pins will have a two-tone appearance. Color can be added to portions of the pin to maintain the trueness of a logo. Sandblasting is an excellent way to make your logo stand out. Recessed areas are often color filled on most pins but you should consider the sandblasting option for a rich appearance. Sandblasting can be done on either hard enamel or soft enamel. Gemstones can be added to two-tone pins if you have a special milestone to consider. Another style of lapel pin to consider is an antique finish lapel pin. Most people refer to these pins as pewter pins. We do offer Pewter Pins, but you may wish to consider a die-struck antique silver or an antique gold finish instead. The recessed areas of antiqued pins are darkened and the raised areas have a shinier appearance. Color is rarely added to antiqued pins unlike our coins.
Choosing the best style for your Custom Lapel Pins
Our recommendations for your lapel pins will vary depending on your event or use as well as any logo restrictions. Size should also be considered as many people choose to wear a smaller pin than a larger pin and this may directly conflict with your ideas of what you can fit on a pin. If you have a large amount of text we recommend a circular or oval style lapel pin to accommodate your text. Remember, the more text you have the smaller the text will appear on your lapel pin. For an additional charge we can engrave the back of the pin with a small logo, message or even a date. The backs of the pins include a post where the clutch slides over to keep the pin in place on your clothing. Instead of a post you can request a magnet for an additional charge to keep from poking a hole through your clothing. We generally make our pins with either copper or bronze when we add a post. If a magnet is to be used then we will change the metal to iron as it is a great magnet attractor. In summary we suggest printed and etched pins for exact logo reproduction and lower costs. Hard enamel, for a higher budget as well as a heavier style lapel pin. Antique or two-tone finish, for a rich looking pin.
Below are some examples of lapel pin uses and custom style considerations:
1. Large trade show: Printed or Etched Pin
2. Years of Service: Two-Tone Pin
3. Quilt show: Cloisonné Pin
4. Team sports: Etched Pin
5. Corporate Identity: Classic New Enamel
6. Employee Gift: Two-Tone, Antique
7. School Identity: Classic New Enamel, Etched, Printed
8. Computer Company: Embossed Soft Enamel with Epoxy, Antique
9. Aircraft Company: Cloisonné
10. Police /Fire: Classic New Enamel with Sandblasting
11. Military: Antique Finish
12. Fundraisers: Classic Embossed Soft Enamel (Iron pin with thin epoxy
13. Clubs: Cloisonné, Embossed Soft Enamel
Production times vary depending on the type of lapel pin you select and normally range from 2 to 3 weeks. We can usually accommodate rushes for an additional charge. Please feel free to call us to discuss your pin design or email us your ideas or lapel pin sketch. Please indicate the size and quantity as well as pin style you are interested in so we can quote you on your design. If you are not sure of the pin style we are happy to make suggestions after we review your artwork. We will follow up with you with a quote and/or contact you regarding any questions we may have.
The entire process is quite simple after you receive your quote. We will create a digital proof prior to production that can be revised at no additional charge. Another consideration prior to your order going into production is the option of creating a pre-production sample. Samples are a great way to see the actual product prior to producing your entire order. Changes to the lapel pin after this stage may require additional charges. Pre-production lapel pin samples are not always necessary but are a great way to be sure of the finished product prior to full production. The Monterey Company takes great pride in manufacturing your lapel pins. Our base metal is usually bronze or copper allowing us strike your design in metal that will clearly and most accurately represent your design. Each pin is hand polished and plated in real 24K plating or nickel silver. Real silver can be used but may tarnish. We are happy to send you sample pins and we would recommend you call other pin companies as well to see their samples. We are so confident our quality and production is superior to the competition, we feel you will choose our pin over anyone else’s without hesitation. Take the challenge! The Monterey Company enjoys long-term relationships with all of our customers, and we look forward to working with you.
