You have the design figured out, you have the quantity of pins planned, and the budget decided. However, one mistake can completely mess up everything and make you regret all of your decisions. Although an image may look great on the computer screen, the reality is quite different. Realising this after having hundreds of pins made is not only annoying, but costly.
When choosing between hard and soft enamel pins, you often see no differences until you learn more about the impact they make on the final product. Let’s learn the differences that will help you make the right decision before ordering.
What Is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Enamel Pins?
It is in the finishing process. With soft enamel pins, the colored enamel portions are not levelled out but are left depressed, making the metal edges raised. In hard enamel pins, polishing occurs after enamel filling. The little difference will make your design look different.
| Feature | Soft Enamel | Hard Enamel |
| Surface | Textured and recessed | Smooth and polished |
| Metal borders | More noticeable | More blended |
| Appearance | Bold and dimensional | Clean and refined |
| Feel | Textured | Smooth |
| Best suited to | Creative, casual designs | Polished, professional designs |
Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on the artwork, intended use, budget, and finish you want.
Why Do Soft Enamel Pins Have a More Textured Look?
In soft enamel pins, there is an impression of depth since the coloured enamel is below the metal outlines of the pin. As you touch the pins, you are able to feel each piece of the pin. You may find this finish useful for:
- Artist merchandise
- Club and community designs
- Event giveaways
- Character artwork
- Collectible pieces
- Casual fashion accessories
There also exists definite market demand for this type. A market analysis in 2026 suggested that soft enamel accounted for 49.7% of the global revenue from lapel pins in 2025. This is a figure generated by market research rather than a universal industry metric. However, it demonstrates the popularity of the finish in question.
When Does Hard Enamel Make More Sense?
Hard enamel pins involve polishing the filled enamel to make its surface smooth and even with the rest of the metal. This provides a clean feel to the touch and looks better. This makes it a natural fit for designs where presentation matters.
You might prefer this finish for:
- Business logos
- Organisation badges
- Professional events
- Premium merchandise
- Clean, minimal artwork
- Recognition pieces
The smooth surface may make it easier to clean as well. This may be helpful if the pin needs frequent handling or use.
Which Finish Works Better With Detailed Artwork?
The artwork you plan to apply must dictate your choice even before considering which finish will be used. For example, the artwork with bold outlines, a couple of bright colours, and geometric forms might go well together with a textured finish. Another design can consist of an elegant company logo and use a small number of colours.
Here, a flat surface can help preserve the clarity of the artwork and prevent it from being cluttered. The most important aspect to consider here is whether there are any complex details in the artwork. This is because details like small fonts, thin lines, or colourful spots may prove difficult when enlarging the artwork to the appropriate size of the pin.
What Should the Finished Design Feel Like?
Examine your piece of art. If the metal edges form an integral component of its style, then the use of texture will complement it. On the other hand, if you desire a smooth finish that creates minimal difference in tactile appeal, then polishing is the answer. The aim is to have the finish complement your artwork.
Does Your Budget Match the Specification?
Don’t compare prices based only on the enamel type. The final quote can also depend on:
- Pin size
- Order quantity
- Number of colours
- Metal plating
- Backing type
- Mould requirements
- Special finishes
A cheaper enamel option doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper finished product once all the other specifications are included.
Are Pins Still Useful for Branding and Merchandise?
The demand for small personalised accessories remains high in the promotional products industry. According to the Advertising Speciality Institute, the year-over-year increase in searches for pins was 13%, and the product of the year 2025 was identified as personalised accessories.
This is not surprising when considering the way people utilise the item in real life. Pins can be attached to backpacks, jackets, hats, and work bags, thus making the design portable. But the design still matters.
A small accessory should provide value in terms of something that people would be willing to wear or carry around. A funny or creative character, local symbol, in-joke, event-related imagery, or attractive drawing might be more interesting than merely putting a company’s logo on a small metal accessory.
What to Check Before Approving the Final Order?
Never give final approval to mass production by just considering a full-size digital design. Request a sample and review the design in its actual size. Focus on those areas where you might face problems:
- Small lettering
- Thin lines
- Colour separation
- Border thickness
- Overall dimensions
- Metal finish
- Backing style
This is the way you can avoid a big disappointment. In fact, an apparently visible line in a full-size picture may vanish when made into a very small pin. Fixing this issue before mass production is much better than rectifying it later.
What If You Want Something More Commemorative?
Not every customised product has to be sewn onto jackets or put on bags. When your project revolves around rewarding some kind of achievement, marking a special moment in time, or making some sort of memento, it would be worthwhile to consider custom challenge coins along with enamel pins.
And this is all because of the way the final product is going to be used. The pins are light enough to be worn every day and are great for giveaways, merchandise, parties, and even clubs. Coins tend to be somewhat heavier and are usually designed with mementoes in mind.
If wearable branding is what you are going for, you should go with an enamel pin. But if the final product is meant to be something that people will cherish for a long time or use as recognition, the coins may do a better job.
Readers Usually Ask
Can soft enamel pins be cheaper?
Yes, but it will also depend on their whole specification, including size, quantity, colours, plating, backing and any other finishing details.
Can hard enamel pins be more durable than those of the other kind?
Both kinds can be durable, depending on how they were manufactured. It can be easier to clean hard enamel because of its smooth surface. However, the general durability will be dependent on the materials used.
Will one design work for both types?
Generally speaking, yes. However, in case of very small fonts and thin lines, the design may require adjustments. Check how the artwork looks at the final size.
Which finish is better for a business logo?
A glossy finish may fit the case well if you prefer a clean and professional look. At the same time, simple logos with thick outlines can be effectively applied to a textured finish.
Should you get pins or coins?
Depends on the application. Pins are usually appropriate for wearable goods and accessories. Coins are usually selected for recognition, commemoration, milestone and collecting purposes.
In Conclusion
Your choice between the two finishes must never become a guessing game. First and foremost, consider your artwork along with its purpose, amount of details, and desired surface finish. Remember to consult the entire production specification and not focus only on one part of the process, and remember to look through the proof before approving the large-batch production process.
This added step enables you to find minor design issues that are easily corrected before it is too late. If the finish fits the artwork and purpose, then your result will seem deliberate and not just mass-produced.
