Etched Soft Enamel

Photo Etched lapel pins, often known simply as etched pins, are one of our best sellers. They offer a high quality pin at a mid-level price point.

Pricing - Samples

We often recommend this style of pin to customers who require larger quantities of pins to use for conventions, giveaways, conferences, or situations where pins will be handed out to spread the awareness of a company's name.

Compared to pin styles such as cloisonne and die struck soft enamel, the advantage to photo etched pins is that the process is less expensive and lighter in weight but still has a high-perceived value. Photo etched process pins also offer great detail, flexibility in design ideas, and a wide selection of colors. Etched pins have the added bonus of being fully PMS matchable. This allows your imagination to run creatively for an elaborate lapel pin design.

100% Quality Guarantee

Ordering your Photo Etched Pins

We can assist you with color selection or match your logo colors for your custom pins. You will be guided through finish selection, whether antiqued, high polished or a combination, until you approve your final design. You may preview a digital or pre-production sample prior to manufacturing and when you are 100% satisfied with the design and all processes, full production of your order proceeds and your custom lapel pins will be Ready to Ship in 10-14 working days.

Danglers

Adding danglers to your pin design is the most popular way of increasing value and trading power to your pin. A dangler is a secondary pin that hangs down from the main pin. Danglers are priced as an additional pin ( see below ).

Dangler Set up Charge $ 30.00

Please note: Our etched pins will include a thin layer of epoxy coating.

Rush Service Available: We will do our best to accommodate all rush requests as we sincerely do not promise you a delivery date without following through. We can not be held liable for carrier or customs delays. Rush charges vary from $ 20.00 - $ 50.00 depending on delivery date needed and art provided.

Two things to consider about when creating a design using the photo etched method, this process is not suited for designs that require multiple levels (also known as a 3D design) or for designs that require sharp external shapes because the outside edge border usually has 0.8mm - 1mm thick edge. Etched pins are, however, completely custom and can be done in almost any custom shape with almost any conceivable combination of colors in addition to the standard stock shapes. Have fun and be creative with the endless options!

Sample artwork of an etched lapel pin

Smaller areas including small text will have metal filling the small spaces

• Plating colors: Gold, Silver and black.
• Process: Brass photo-etched with soft enamel
• Material: Brass
• Enamel: Soft enamel
• Thickness: 0.8mm (can be increased according to customer´s requirement)
• Plating: Gold / Silver / Black
• Epoxy coating: With or without ( Optional ) ( Our etched pins will include a thin layer of epoxy coating. )
• Attachment: Various
• Color reference: Pantone Color Chart

The Making of an Etched Pin

The photo etched pins have one of the most interesting and labor intensive processes:

1. STEP 1 TransferringAn image of the design is transferred from a photographic negative onto the metal surface through a sensitization process.
2. STEP 2 Etching Acids and impurities are then washed off.
3. STEP 3 Rinsing The indentations (called recessed areas) are then filled with the soft enamel colors. Colors are painstakingly inserted by hand, one at a time, using different sized syringes.
4. STEP 4 Coloring * Soft enamel is carefully inserted by hand, one color at a time, using different sized syringes. * Drying. * To prevent defects, a high degree of skill is required in order to keep each color and the correct amount of enamel in the proper area.
5. STEP 5 Baking The metal piece is baked at approximately 450F for 12 to15 minutes.
6. STEP 6 Stoning After the metal board has cooled, the surface is finished by stoning with a carborundum stone until all excess color has been worn away.
7. STEP 7 Outline Cutting* Cut the metal board in rows. * Cut individual designs in custom outlines ( min. metal outline thickness: 0.8mm ).
8. STEP 8 Attachment Solder attachment onto the back of each piece.
9. STEP 9 Plating Plating now can be processed. The quality of plating varies with the length of time the metal is soaked in the plating liquid.
10. STEP 10 Epoxy Coating Clear epoxy is then applied to the surface to protect the enamel from color fading and cracking.
11. STEP 11 Inspection & Packing All items are strictly inspected before delivery.

Etched pins can also be made considerably bigger than the standard 3/4"-1 1/4" size to make them suitable for additional options such as blinking LED lights, danglers, spinners, and sliders. Glitter ink can also be added to etched pins for an eye catching effect. All etched pin come standard with a military/butterfly clutch and packaged in an individual sealed poly bag. Take a look at out attachments page to see the other options for backings.

How to Place Your Order

• Pick the size, shape and quantity of your pin and fill out our quick quote form. Be sure to attach any artwork you may have, even if it is just a simple a hand drawn sketch. In addition to sending your quote request form, please feel free to email or call us with any questions you may have. ( Call us toll-free at 800-259-6496 or email us at sales @ montereycompany.com )
• After you receive your quote please let us know if you have any questions. If you would like to proceed with placing your order, we will go over your design requests with you and create a full color digital proof of your pin-to-be. Please keep in mind that if you do not have your own ideas for the design of your lapel pins, we can create options according to your wishes from which you can later choose.
• Standard production time takes 7-10 days, however we do offer rush services to our customers if they need their pins in a hurry. Please inform your sales representative if you have a deadline and we will do our best to meet your needs