Tips For Buying Enamel Lapel Pins

October 5th, 2010

Who would ever think that purchasing Enamel Lapel Pins could be a little confusing? But, selecting the design schematics of the pins is not as straightforward as sending artwork and selecting one of the following processes:

  • Cloisonne
  • Photo etched
  • Die-struck cut metal

Even though most manufacturers provide details describing the process and various purposes, consumers should be cognizant of the communication breakdowns, illicit fabrication practices and inept customer service.

Use these consumer tips for purchasing logo or promotional pins for whatever the organizational cause calls for:

Exacting measurements make for precise satisfaction.

Based on the aforementioned processes, creating a pin with appealing features means understanding how the design will ultimately appear on the pin. The problem is that quite often – some shoppers don’t check the dimensions.

A responsible Enamel Lapel Pin manufacturer will have their processes well established, which will help avoid these lost in translation mishaps by confirming the original order, double checking the size, and sending a mock-up of the design for approval. Consumers should ask the company to create an actual size proof so they can print it and cut out the pin mockup to ensure that the size is what they expect. Prevalently, the way the size appears on a computer screen differs from the actual print out.

Honest pin companies don’t mislead their customers. Without mentioning any companies, who are misrepresenting hard enamel and antique Enamel Lapel Pins for cloisonne, consumers beware! Although the cloisonne Enamel Lapel Pin production is considered the premium type of, not all companies provide the true essence of the product. Since cloisonne pins production dates back to ancient China, the only authentic cloisonne pins are made in China.

Certain companies misrepresent hard enamel pins as a cloisonne. And, since hard enamel pins resemble the cloisonne, a lot of consumers are paying more than necessary for a knock off.

Pin Production Fact: Original Cloisonne Pins are manufactured in China for authenticity.

Expert, professional customer service speaks for the final product. In-house design, accessible customer service and customized Enamel Lapel Pin production, crafted to the consumer’s specifications is what defines professional customer service.

Designing An Enamel Lapel Pin

September 4th, 2010

Designing a Enamel Lapel Pin for your own needs and uses can be a very exciting project. Many people have a general idea of what they want their Enamel Lapel Pin for (fundraiser, social gathering, business meeting, conference or trade show) but they’re not exactly sure what they want the Enamel Lapel Pins to look like, or how to begin designing one for that matter.

If you don’t have the time or creative liberty to design your own Enamel Lapel Pin, don’t worry; many custom pin manufactures will actually design your pin for you (most of the time free of charge with an order). If you’re like me and like to have control over things, you prefer to design, or at least begin the design, of your Enamel Lapel Pins yourself.

Ok, let’s begin, shall we?

Assuming you already have a purpose for a Enamel Lapel Pin, we’ll begin by identifying key points in the design of your Enamel Lapel Pin. Let’s begin by determining the colors you’ll use. For a company/corporate or logo Enamel Lapel Pin, most of the time you’re going to want to stick to your company’s color scheme. If you can, make sure to look up the corresponding Pantone colors so that you can provide these to the design company. You’ll also want to choose your metal plating in this phase. Some options include 14K gold, Silver or Brass depending on your personal preference.

After your colors are selected, begin to outline a sketch of the composition of your pin design. Will the Enamel Lapel Pin be a circle, or, a square perhaps? Maybe you want your Enamel Lapel Pin shaped like your logo with no solid background – that’s entirely possible!

Figure out if you want to include other elements aside from just your corporate logo. Maybe a slogan or byline and something to signify your company’s direction or goals. A visual symbol that tells people what you’re about, or something that communicates a theme for an event or tradeshow. For example say your company is holding a conference in Las Vegas, maybe displaying the well-known “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign on your pin design would be an idea. Maybe an image of a full-house hand of cards, or a slot machine. Something that communicates your ideal or goals. Remember, Enamel Lapel Pins are a very powerful communication device, and even though they’re small they can speak your company’s ideals to people just walking by you who see the pin on your tie, shirt collar or lapel.

Creative Ideas to Communicate Your Company Message
Sometimes a simple logo pin will suffice, but what about if you want to get across a message without including a bunch of small wording on your pins that nobody will be able to read?

Time to be creative!

Let’s say your company builds boats. You have a logo and you know your company’s colors. You know you want to include your logo (maybe the logo has an image of a boat, maybe it does). This is the perfect way to show off your company’s image. Your Enamel Lapel Pin would ideally consist of your corporate logo, along with an image of an attractive boat that your company sells or makes. Possibly in the water, with the sun setting or rising in the background, perhaps some cat-tails or other aquatic vegetation at the edges of the design to show some detail. What about adding some seagulls in the horizon flying about? Think pale blue skies and deep blue water with wave detail etched in 14K gold. See where I’m going with this? Open your mind’s eye and let your creative imagination go to work.

The Office Supply Warehouse

So your company does something exciting… It sells office supplies. Ok, Ok so it’s not that exciting, but that doesn’t mean the Enamel Lapel Pin you design to represent your company can’t make your company look exciting. You’ve included your logo, but your colors are kind of stale (maybe a bit boring?) and you need to spruce things up. What about adding an image of a stack of papers curling up at one end almost forming a C like they’re being blown in the wind from a desk top. Maybe a pen or pencil drawing out your company’s slogan. Oh! What about a stamp stamping on your company logo or the shape of the pin is actually a ring-bound binder and your logo is on the first sheet of paper? Maybe the theme could be a thumbtack stuck through a sticky note and your logo is displayed on the note with your slogan in a hand-written looking font.

Let’s Break it Down

Below I’ve listed the most important aspects to consider when designing your own Enamel Lapel Pins. If you have anything you’d like to add to the list, please let me know and we’ll get it put up here.

Colors (be consistent with your company’s colors or corporate branding guidelines)

Shape – Do you prefer a circular shape or square? Even in the shape of your logo.

Slogan or byline – What do you want to say to your potential customers?

Creative images – Think of ways you can visually communicate your company’s message without going overboard.

Plating (14K gold, Silver, Brass, Copper, etc)

Size (not too big for a Enamel Lapel Pin now, ya here?) About 3/4″ to 1″ seems to be the most widely accepted. Nobody wants to wear a dinner plate.

Type (Hard Enamel, Soft Enamel, Die Cast, etc)

So you’ve learned a little bit about designing your own Enamel Lapel Pin. Hopefully I’ve been able to lead you on the right path and maybe even save you a few bucks in design charges.

Designing your own pins is a great feeling and is rewarded when you hold the actual pin in your hand that you (yes YOU) designed and can be proud to wear.

The possibilities are near endless if you just put your creative mind into gear. Next time your company needs to customize Enamel Lapel Pins, try to take on the task yourself. There’s a little pride that comes with knowing that you designed your company’s pins, and people around the office will be giving you high-fives.

Variety In Enamel Lapel Pins

August 18th, 2010

Enamel Lapel Pins Give Variety

Enamel Lapel Pins have been in vogue since the mid-eighteen hundreds. With its new found popularity, custom pins rapidly became a method by which and individual could distinguish himself. The increased use over the years has led to a variety of attachments to the wearer’s clothing.

Attaching:

Hat Pins and Stick Pins: Initially, because hat pins for women were commonplace, Enamel Lapel Pins were fastened in much the same way. The identification button was at an approximate right angle to the pin which pierced the lapel and was hidden from sight. Thus, the stick pin for men came into existence, the button of which soon became an ID of sorts for the wearer.

Tie Tacs: As tie tacs were as popular with the men as hat pins were with the women, the Enamel Lapel Pin attachment soon evolved to attach clothing in the same manner as the tie tac. The identification button or badge was manufactured with a short pin soldered to the reverse. The pin pierced the fabric, and was secured by a hidden clip. This type of attachment has evolved so that today the attachment is very secure, and is probably the most commonly used attachment.

Magnets: Over the years, magnets have become an increasingly popular method of attachment. Susceptible metals are magnetized, and the ID portion of the pin is secured magnetically through the fabric with another small magnet. The major advantage, or course, is that the fabric need not be pierced to secure the pin. There are several disadvantages, though. First, the Enamel Lapel Pin must necessarily have a backing that can be magnetized which may limit your selection choices. Then, if the fabric the pin is to be worn on is too thick, the magnetic may not hold as a magnetic field won’t be able to be established.

Wearing

Enamel Lapel Pins, buttons or badges are now a unisex item. Whereas their use was once confined to men, it is now commonplace to see women wearing pins of every variety. Men still wear their more formal custom pins primarily on their coat lapel. If the occasion is less formal or not in a business environment, men often wear their pins attached to their shirt collar. Ball caps and vests have become a favorite home for custom pins that are not as formal. These pins are generally less expensive, not business related, and are used to recognize everything from sports teams, branch of military service or destinations and attractions visited.

Women are as equally, if not more, creative. They wear their custom pins anyplace, from the jacket lapel to the purse strap. Women’s custom pins are often a fashion accessory when representing an organization or as recognition for outstanding service.

Today, for a wide population both male and female, the custom pin is an item that is just as much a part of an everyday wardrobe as the wristwatch. Whether worn on a business suit, purse or ball cap, the custom pin has become an item of personal distinction in our way of life.

Steps For Enamel Lapel Pins Design

July 28th, 2010

Each month commemorates an extensive list of humanitarian, noteworthy and important causes. In celebration of these landmark occasions, some groups, organizations and foundations raise funds and promote awareness all made possible via the customization of a Enamel Lapel Pin. Unlike shopping for office equipment, a suit or dress, shopping for custom made pins necessitates several details. Here are some useful tips about buying Enamel Lapel Pins:

1) Developing a recognition or appreciation pin begins with the design. Start with an idea or a prototype that resembles the final product you have in mind.

2) Select the finish or production process. Requiring various different applications, Enamel Lapel Pins are designed in numerous finishes. While selecting an appropriate format depends on the budget and design, the material of the pin should correspond to the purpose of the project itself.

3) In cases, where you do not have a logo or an example, define the style of your cause or brand/ for a sophisticated or polished pin, opt for metal finishes (bronze, gold, silver, etc.). The photo-etched process is ideal for creating a fun, durable and bright pin.

To ease the design process, shop for Enamel Lapel Pin wholesalers, who have an in-house designer to customize the details.

Next, select the size schematics. Dimensions should be proportionate to the logo. Avoid the temptation of trying to cram too much information on the pin’s face. Since, the details can be lost in the production process, Enamel Lapel Pins resembling jewelry (i.e.: cloisonne, metal die struck) exude higher quality with a simple message.

4) Shop around for a good pin company. There are two techniques to qualify a reputable company from a questionable one. 1) Inquire whether the wholesaler can offer any assistance with the design. Any business unwilling to extend some form of design assistance is the telltale sign that the company is not committed to superb quality. 2) Another tactic for testing quality control is whether the provider sends a spec or a mock-up example before the order goes into production.

In the end, the method in which a Enamel Lapel Pin company administers customer care foretells the quality assurance of the final product.