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Manufactured in the USA and shipped in 3–5 business days — perfect when you're up against a tight deadline.
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Custom soft enamel pins are die-struck metal pins with recessed areas filled with colored enamel, creating a textured surface with raised metal borders you can feel. They are the most popular type of custom pin — offering vibrant colors, fine detail, and a classic dimensional look at a lower cost than cloisonné (hard enamel) pins.
What makes soft enamel pins so popular? The raised metal lines between each color area give them a distinctive texture that catches light and draws attention. Unlike hard enamel pins where the surface is polished flush, soft enamel pins let you feel the design — the metal borders sit higher than the enamel fill, creating depth and dimension that photographs beautifully and stands out on a lapel, lanyard, or hat.
Our customers order custom soft enamel pins for a wide range of purposes: corporate branding and employee recognition, sports team trading at tournaments, club and organization membership, awareness campaigns, event giveaways, and promotional merchandise. With up to 7 colors included at no extra charge, soft enamel pins can reproduce detailed logos, mascots, and multi-color artwork with precision.
Starting at 100 units with 7-10 business day production and free priority air shipping to the US, soft enamel pins deliver high quality at the best value. If your design doesn't need color, consider die struck pins for a classic all-metal finish. For a smooth, jewelry-quality surface, see our cloisonné pins.
Every custom soft enamel pin goes through a precise five-step manufacturing process to ensure sharp detail and lasting color.
Your artwork is converted into a custom metal die that will stamp your pin's shape and detail lines.
The die strikes an iron or brass blank under high pressure, creating raised metal borders and recessed areas.
Each recessed area is carefully filled with colored enamel paint — up to 7 colors at no extra charge.
Pins are baked at high temperature to harden the enamel, locking in vibrant colors that won't fade or chip.
Your chosen plating (gold, silver, copper, etc.) is applied and each pin is inspected for quality before shipping.
| Feature | Soft Enamel CurrentMost Popular |
Die Struck | Cloisonné |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Up to 7 free colors | No enamel — all metal | Up to 7 free colors |
| Surface | Textured — raised metal lines | Raised polished / recessed sandblasted | Smooth — polished flush |
| Look | Vibrant, dimensional | Classic, formal metal | Jewelry-quality, premium |
| Cost | Low | Lowest | Higher |
| Production Time | 7-10 business days | 7-10 business days | 7-10 business days |
| Best For | Events, trading pins, promotional | Corporate, military, government, awards | Corporate awards, long-term wear |
Want a different style? Check out our die struck pins or cloisonné pins.
| Available Sizes | 0.75" to 2" (most popular: 1" and 1.25") |
|---|---|
| Base Material | Die-struck iron or brass |
| Plating Options | High polished gold, high polished silver, copper, black nickel, black metal, antique gold, antique silver, antique copper, dual plating |
| Colors Included | Up to 7 at no extra charge |
| Minimum Order | 100 units |
| Production Time | 7-10 business days |
| Shipping | Free priority air shipping to the US |
| Attachment Options | Rubber clutch, butterfly clutch, deluxe clutch, jewelry clutch, cufflinks, magnetic back, safety pin |
Soft enamel and hard enamel pins are both made from die-struck metal, but the finish is different. Soft enamel pins have a textured, dimensional feel — the enamel sits slightly below the raised metal borders, creating visible depth you can feel with your fingertip. Hard enamel (cloisonné) pins are polished completely flat and smooth, giving them a jewelry-like quality.
Soft enamel is more affordable, supports more color options (including glitter and glow-in-the-dark enamel), and is our most popular pin style by far. Hard enamel is more scratch-resistant and has a premium look — but the higher production cost reflects the extra grinding and polishing steps required.
Choose soft enamel when you want vibrant color, fine detail, and the best value. Choose hard enamel when the pin will be worn daily in a professional setting and you need maximum durability and a luxury feel. See our cloisonné pins page for details on hard enamel.
The key difference is color. Soft enamel pins have recessed areas filled with colored enamel paint, while die struck pins are all-metal with no color fill at all. Die struck pins use sandblasted contrast between raised and recessed metal surfaces to create a clean, monochrome look.
If your design features a detailed logo, mascot, or multi-color artwork, soft enamel is the clear choice — with up to 7 colors included at no extra charge, you can reproduce full-color designs with precision. Die struck pins work best for simple crests, seals, and text-based designs where the all-metal finish conveys formality and tradition.
Die struck pins are the most affordable option since there's no enamel fill or baking step. Soft enamel costs slightly more but delivers significantly more visual impact. Both styles start at 100 units with 7-10 business day production.
Every soft enamel pin includes up to 7 standard Pantone-matched colors at no extra charge. Each color fills a separate recessed area between raised metal borders, keeping edges crisp and colors vibrant.
Need something special? We offer premium enamel upgrades — glitter fills, glow-in-the-dark phosphorescent enamel, translucent stained-glass effects, and exact Pantone matching — so your pin can be truly one of a kind.
Up to 7 Pantone-matched enamel colors included free. Each color fills a separate recessed area between raised metal borders, keeping colors crisp and separated. Additional colors available for a small per-color fee.
Glitter particles are mixed into the enamel fill, adding sparkle and dimension that catches the light from every angle. Popular for trading pins, cheerleading, and spirit wear where you want maximum eye-catching effect.
Phosphorescent enamel that absorbs light and glows in dark environments. Great for nighttime events, Halloween pins, space-themed designs, and any pin that should stand out after the lights go down.
Semi-transparent enamel that lets the metal base show through, creating a stained-glass effect. Beautiful for water, sky, gemstone, and glass-inspired design elements where you want color with depth.
We match your exact Pantone color codes so your pin colors are consistent with your brand guidelines. Send us your brand's Pantone numbers and we'll reproduce them precisely in the enamel fill.
Get the best results from your custom soft enamel pin design with these guidelines from our production team.
The raised metal borders between enamel areas need to be thick enough to hold the enamel in place. We recommend a minimum line thickness of 0.3mm for small pins (under 1") and 0.5mm for larger pins. Very thin lines can bend or lose definition during stamping.
While you can use up to 7 colors free (and more for a fee), simpler designs often look best. Each color requires its own recessed area separated by metal borders. Designs with 3-5 bold colors tend to read cleanly from a distance, while 7+ colors work well for detailed artwork at larger pin sizes (1.25"+).
Standard soft enamel pins are 2D — flat metal with recessed enamel fills. For more sculptural designs, 3D mold pins add raised contours and depth beyond the flat die-struck surface. 3D is ideal for realistic shapes like animals, vehicles, and objects where you want physical dimension, not just color.
Smaller pins (0.75"-1") work best with bold, simple designs. If your artwork has fine text or intricate detail, go with 1.25" or larger to ensure everything reads clearly. Our art team provides a free digital proof so you can see exactly how your design will look before production.
What is the difference between soft enamel and cloisonné pins?
Answer
Soft enamel pins have a textured surface where the colored enamel sits recessed between raised metal borders, giving the pin a dimensional feel you can run your finger across. Cloisonné pins (also called hard enamel) are polished flat so the enamel is flush with the metal, creating a smooth, jewelry-like finish.
Soft enamel pins are more affordable and offer vibrant colors with excellent detail, making them the most popular choice for events, trading pins, and promotional use. Cloisonné pins are more durable for everyday wear and have a premium look suited to corporate awards and long-term keepsakes.
How long do soft enamel pins last?
Answer
Soft enamel pins are highly durable and designed to last for years. The die-struck metal base resists bending, and the enamel colors are baked at high temperatures so they won’t fade or chip under normal use. With proper care, soft enamel pins hold up well on jackets, lanyards, hats, and bags without losing their detail or color vibrancy.
What is the minimum order for custom soft enamel pins?
Answer
Our minimum order for custom soft enamel pins is 100 units. Larger orders lower your per-unit price — check our pricing page for volume discounts. Production typically takes 7-10 business days, and we include free shipping to the US.
Can soft enamel pins have multiple colors?
Answer
Yes! We include up to 7 enamel colors at no additional charge. You can use as many colors as your design requires — there is a small fee for each color beyond 7. Soft enamel is one of the best pin styles for colorful, detailed designs because each color fills a separate recessed area, keeping the colors crisp and separated by the raised metal lines.
What sizes are available for custom soft enamel pins?
Answer
Custom soft enamel pins are available in sizes ranging from 0.75" to 2" across. The most popular sizes are 1" and 1.25", which balance visibility and wearability. Larger sizes are available for designs with fine detail that need more space. Your sales representative can help you choose the best size for your artwork.
Can I mix enamel types on one pin?
Answer
No — each pin uses a single enamel process. A soft enamel pin is filled and baked as soft enamel throughout; you can’t have some areas soft enamel and others hard enamel on the same pin. However, you can combine soft enamel with other upgrades like glitter fill, glow-in-the-dark enamel, or translucent enamel on the same pin to create a mixed-effect design.
What backing options are available for soft enamel pins?
Answer
We offer several attachment styles: rubber clutch (standard, included free), butterfly clutch, deluxe clutch, jewelry clutch, magnetic back, cufflink conversion, and safety pin. Rubber clutches work well for everyday wear. Butterfly and deluxe clutches provide a more secure hold for active use. Magnetic backs are popular for people who don’t want to poke holes in fabric.
How do I get started on my project?
Answer
You can fill out a quote form on any of our product pages or while looking at photos in the gallery! This allows you to choose your favorite design features, leave notes for our designers, and upload any reference images you may have. Alternatively, our team would be happy to help by phone or email using the contact methods below.
We can also assist you via phone, text, or email.
Email: info@lapelpinsplus.com
Phone: +1-800-252-0904
Text: +1-800-252-0904
What is the minimum order quantity?
Answer
Minimums vary by product:
Larger orders lower your per-unit price. Check out our pricing page to learn more.
What are the production times?
Answer
Production times will vary depending on the type of custom product you order, and the complexity of your design. For the most accurate information, ask your sales representative for an estimated turnaround time. The details listed below should be used as a general rule of thumb for production times and do not include shipping time:
How do I place my order once the final proof is approved?
Answer
You can place your order over the phone or online through our secure payment portal. Have your Quote Number ready and double-check that the proof assigned to that Quote Number matches the proof you would like to purchase.
Click here to find your quote and pay online, or follow the “Order This Quote” link sent to your email with your proof.
To pay by phone, call +1-800-252-0904.
Are there any discounts?
Answer
We offer discounted pricing based on the number of custom products in your order. The more you order, the less you will pay per unit. Check out our pricing page for more detailed information on pricing for all of our custom products!
Not sure soft enamel is the right fit? Compare our other custom pin styles.
Soft enamel is the most versatile custom pin style — vibrant colors and fine detail make it the top choice across industries and occasions.
Soft enamel is the standard for baseball, softball, and soccer trading pins — the textured surface, glitter fills, and add-on upgrades like spinners, blinkers, and danglers make every team's pin stand out during tournament trading. With up to 7 colors included, you can match team uniforms and mascots with precision.
Browse Trading Pins arrow_forwardCompany logos, top-performer awards, and branded giveaways. Soft enamel pins add a pop of color to employee lanyards and jackets — perfect for onboarding kits, sales milestones, and corporate events. The dimensional finish makes logos look sharp and professional while keeping costs well below cloisonné.
Browse Employee Recognition Pins arrow_forwardHonor societies, club memberships, academic achievements, and director-level recognition. The vibrant enamel colors bring award designs to life in a way that all-metal pins can't — torch emblems, shield crests, and organizational logos look stunning with the dimensional texture and metallic borders of soft enamel.
Browse Award Pins arrow_forwardRibbon pins, charity fundraisers, memorial tributes, and awareness campaigns. Soft enamel makes cause pins instantly recognizable — the bold color fills and raised metal outlines create eye-catching designs that supporters are proud to wear daily. From breast cancer ribbons to veteran support, these pins spread the message one lapel at a time.
Browse Awareness Pins arrow_forwardSoft enamel hat pins turn caps, beanies, and bucket hats into walking billboards for your brand, team, or cause. The raised metal borders and recessed enamel hold their shape through daily wear, while vibrant colors stay sharp against any hat color. Popular for breweries, outdoor brands, sports teams, and event merch.
Browse Hat Pins arrow_forwardProfessional artwork created just for you
Perfect your design until you love it
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