Hard & Soft Enamel Pins - The Real Differences If you are into enamel pins, then you should know the differences between hard and soft enamel. -Hard enamel pins are flat and smooth, while soft enamel pins have raised metal edges. -Both Hard and Soft Enamel pin manufacture methods use custom designed, durable metal molds. Both methods can produce bright and vibrant colors on any of your kawaii pin design's. -However, there are some special options that are exclusive to soft enamel. Keep reading to learn more about enamel pins and which type is right for you! When to choose a soft enamel pin Collectors and makers of enamel pins need to be aware of the different types of enamel pins. There are three types of enamel pins: soft enamel, hard enamel, and epoxy. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks that collectors and makers should be aware of when making or buying pins. Soft enamel pins are the most popular type of pin, and are known for their raised and textured look and feel. During the manufacture process, Soft enamel pins are baked at high heat in a specially designed oven. This process is done to cure and harden the enamel in the final stages of the product line. Unlike hard enamel pins, the metal plating process is done before the enamel is poured in, which means that there are some metal finishes such as rainbow plated, painted black, or painted any other custom color, that can only be achieved with soft enamel pins. Some of the benefits of soft enamel pins include their affordability and the fact that they can be made in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. When to choose a hard enamel finish Rewrite the above as a blog intro paragraph with bullet points talking to Enamel pin collectors and makers, Learning about, making and buying, enamel pins Collectors and makers of enamel pins have different preferences when it comes to the type of enamel used in their pins. >Hard enamel is more durable and scratch-resistant than soft enamel, however it only comes in a standard silver or gold plated finish. >Hard enamel pins have a smoother and clean finish and appearance to them because they are filled in with color THEN the front of the pin is ground down for a shiny and smooth finish >Some people choose hard enamel over soft enamel because of the clean, finished look. Enamel pin manufacturers, more often than not, will be able to work with both mediums. Being able to work your design on both hard and soft enamel means that the choice comes down to your personal preference in consideration to the best look that your finished design can have. Notes on Painted Black Metal vs Black Nickel A very obvious distinction between hard and soft enamel pins is that there a few metal finishes that are only available with the soft enamel method -Soft Enamel Pins: These pins are made with a soft enamel coating on top of metal. This type of pin offers the option to paint in most colors. However the most popular color to enhance the design is black -If you want Black metal on Hard Enamel Pins your only option will be to go for Black Nickel. Black nickel pins are made with a black nickel coating on top of metal. These pins are very dark in color and have a slightly shiny finish. A quick note on Rainbow plating A newer and dazzling method, and an awesome method to design with is called Rainbow Plating. Rainbow plating, also known as anodizing can only be accomplished with soft enamel pins. Conclusion So, which type of enamel pin should you choose for your next project? If you’re looking for a durable and scratch-resistant pin, hard enamel is the way to go. However, if you want a wider range of colors and finishes available to you, soft enamel is the better option. Keep in mind that both types of pins are made with high-quality materials and techniques, so you can’t go wrong either way! Don't forget to check out our other blog posts and our insta feed for updates on the latest product drops.
