- Does your PVC contain toxic materials?
All materials as well as manufacturing processes from Monterey Lapel Pins to produce PVC items comply strictly with international regulations. We understand your concern for this matter and we know that dealing with customers from all around the world requires that our products also comply with local regulations.
- Is it possible to have 2 plating on the same item (Gold + Nickel plating is all right?)?
Yes, “double plating” can be done. But, if you plan to make an order with such process, it would be wise to contact us for more information. This process can sometimes uncover technical problems depending on the artwork design. To get confirmation on your inquiry, contact us at the following e-mail address or you account executive info@Montereycompany.com
- What is the difference between “Cloisonne stamped with cloisonne / Hard Enamel” process and “Brass photo-etched with soft enamel”? Which one is better?
There are three main differences between these two processes:
As it is inferred by their names, "Cloisonne stamped with Hard Enamel" & "Brass Photo-etching with Soft Enamel" do not refer to the same manufacturing processes. Cloisonne stamped with Hard Enamel refers to stamping. The material that is being stamped Copper. On the other hand, Photo-etching is done only with Brass. In this process, the Brass plate will be sprayed with acid solution in order to draw the recesses and cavities.
The second main difference between the two processes is the final color aspect. You can refer to question No. 25 to understand the difference between Hard and Soft Enamel coloring. Yet, it is important to note that Soft Enamel used in Photo-etching will display a flat surface with nearly no recess.
Finally, Photo-Etching with Soft Enamel will be cheaper than Copper stamped with Hard Enamel.
- What is the difference between Synthetic, Soft, and Hard Enamel?
The major differences between these three coloring materials will be in term of aspect and quality:
- Synthetic Enamel: will probably be the best material to render bright and flashy colors. Furthermore, the process used enables to give a shiny aspect. Finally, the colors will be leveled even with the metal boarders. The front-side surface of the item will be totally flat.
- Hard Enamel: distinguishes itself from Soft and Synthetic Enamel. In its primary aspect, Hard Enamel is in powder. It liquefies whenever it is baked. Although the colors will not render as well as Soft and Synthetic Enamel, Hard Enamel will last hundred of year with out changing or being scratched.
- Soft Enamel: is generally used for products of lower quality. It can be recognized easily, as the colors will be in recess compared to the boarders. The boarders will distinctly appear on a first plan.
- What would be the best product for the best price?
It depends of the artwork. The artwork will define which process will best fit your inquiry between “Printing” and “Stamping”. According to the artwork, and your budget we will then be able to make our best recommendation.
- Why does stamping needs metal borders?
“Cloisonne” is the technical term that designates items with metal boarders. In fact, these boarders are of major importance in the process. These boarders have the purpose of separating each single-colored zone. Before enameling, these boarders constitute the cavities that need to be filled out with different color enamel.
- Why can’t we use stainless steel for stamping?
Similarly to iron, Stainless steel is a very dense material. When stamped, Stainless Steel might damage the mould. Furthermore, stamping Stainless Steel often results in a high default rate. Deformations and irregularities are frequent.
It is possible but since the result is not always satisfactory and costly, we do not recommend our customers to ask for such process/material combination.
- Why can’t stainless steal be plated?
As general rule, it is that only Brass, Copper, Iron, Zinc alloy can be plated in our facilities.
- Can iron stamped be done with synthetic enamel?
Iron stamped with Synthetic enamel can be done. BUT there are several strong technical aspects that make the process of combining Iron and Synthetic Enamel very costly and fairly incompatible.
First, Iron is the cheapest material and is commonly used to get a product of a lower quality at a inexpensive price. On the other hand, Synthetic Enamel is the coloring material of the highest quality. Obviously, the combination of the two is contradictory.
Secondly, let's focus on the technical aspects:
On one hand, Iron is a very dense material. As moulds used to process stamping are made in high tensile steal, it is very easy to damage the mould during process. As a consequence, iron cannot be stamped very deeply at risk of damaging the mould.
On the other hand, Synthetic Enamel requires deeper recess. The deeper, the better. Why? Because the polishing process is different form Soft Enamel. Items processed with Synthetic Enamel are polished with stone. Polishing with stone gives the shiny aspect and levels the colors with the "cloisons" (Cloisonne) to make them even by removing the excess paint. For this reason, the use of Synthetic Enamel requires heavy stamping.
Finally, polishing items colored with Synthetic Enamel requires rinsing with water to remove particles and protect the item from heating. As a result, the iron tends to rust and give unsatisfactory results.
- Why does a metal border requires an additional frame when offset printing?
The CMYK printing is based on 4 colors of reference: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. But the high definition of this process relies on the fact that these 4 colors are printed on a “white” background. In the case where the printing fits exactly to the outside cutting, the white color covers the whole surface. But if a metal boarder must appear, we will need an additional frame to define the surface to print in white, which will be smaller than the outside cutting.
- Can silkscreen be replaced by offset printing?
It depends. It is important to realize that the Offset printing and Silkscreen printing are two processes fundamentally different. They are used for different purposes. Offset print will be used for complex artwork with gradual colors and many details. And Silkscreen print will be used for simpler artwork with a precise number of colors.
Refer to question "What is the difference between offset printing and silkscreen printing?" for further details.
- What is the difference between offset printing and silkscreen printing?
First of all, Silkscreen and Offset printing do not refer to the same color guides. Silkscreen printing is done referring to the Pantone (or HKS) color reference. On the other hand, Offset printing refers to the CMYK color reference.
Secondly, the two processes are used for different purposes. Silkscreen will be used for artworks with a small and identified number of colors, while Offset printing will be used for artwork with gradual colors (example: a picture or photo).
Thirdly, the painting colors used for Silkscreen printing is thicker than for Offset printing. Offset printing uses painting colors that are more liquid to get thinner grain and detailed definition.
- What is the difference between ordinary PVC items and Rubber Roundees Concept items?
Rubber Roundees is a totally unique concept and differentiates from 3D PVC as it offers the possibility to reproduce any shape with smooth edges with no constraints of thickness.
