Custom enamel pins come in handy with two different styles. First hard and second soft enamel one.
Which one looks better? Well, to be precise, they both look pretty. They just differ from each other in finish, appearance, durability, and price.
So, which is the better one? To be honest, you can not expect one answer. It all comes down to your design, budget, and what you’re going for.
No matter if you want something that is bold and eye-catching or sleek and premium, we’ve got you covered, duh.
Let’s break it down and see which enamel pin comes out on top!
What Are Enamel Pins?
Custom enamel pins are small pins. The base of them is made with metal and is filled with bright enamel colour.
They have a base that is metal with enamel paint set inside each shape. Creators use them to share their story. Businesses, brands, and sports teams use them to stand different from others.
What Are Soft Enamel Pins?
First, soft enamel pins get stamped, then they are filled with enamel with human hands. The metal lines stay raised above the enamel after this process.
This creates a recessed enamel look with a textured surface. The raised lines give soft enamel pins a bold, dimensional feel.
What Are Hard Enamel Pins?
Hard enamel pins are filled up to the brim of metal lines with a thing that is called enamel.
Then they are polished, the whole surface of the pin to the point where they become smooth and feel flat. This gives hard enamel pins a shiny, premium, and polished look.
Soft vs Hard Enamel Pins: Key Differences
Here is a quick enamel pin comparison to help you decide fast.
| Feature | Soft Enamel | Hard Enamel |
| Surface | Textured | Smooth |
| Metal lines | Raised | Flush |
| Appearance | More dimensional | Polished |
| Detail | Excellent | Excellent |
| Durability | Good | Excellent |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Best for | Promotional & casual designs | Premium & corporate designs |
What Metal Finishes Work With Enamel Pins?
The metal finish can completely change the personality of your best custom lapel pin. Common options include:
Gold Plating
Gold gives the design a warm, premium appearance and works nicely with formal or achievement-based pins.
Silver Plating
Silver is clean, modern, and versatile. It works with almost any colour combination.
Black Nickel
Want something darker and more edgy? Black nickel can give your pin a bold, modern appearance.
Antique Finish
An antique metal finish can give designs a vintage or classic feel.
So, don’t just choose your enamel type and call it a day. The metal finish matters too.
Soft Enamel vs Hard Enamel: Which Looks Better?
Soft enamel pins have a raised look with visible metal lines and texture. Hard enamel pins have a polished finish with a smooth, glassy look.
Smooth pins work well for clean, modern, or corporate-style designs. Textured pins work well for bold, fun, or vintage-style designs.
| Feature | Soft Enamel Pins | Hard Enamel Pins |
| Surface | Raised and textured | Smooth and polished |
| Look | Bold, fun, and dimensional | Sleek, clean, and premium |
| Metal Lines | Clearly raised | Smooth with the enamel |
Which Is More Durable?
Hard enamel pins resist scratches better thanks to their smooth surface, while soft enamel pins can wear down faster with heavy daily use.
| Feature | Soft Enamel Pins | Hard Enamel Pins |
| Durability | Good for regular use | Excellent for long-term use |
| Scratch Resistance | Good | Better |
Both styles last a long time when handled and stored with care.
Which Is More Affordable?
Soft enamel pins are less in price, and they are more affordable than hard enamel pins. Hard enamel pins take more time to be made, which raises the final price, and soft pins take less time in their making.
| Feature | Soft Enamel Pins | Hard Enamel Pins |
| Price | Usually more affordable | Usually more expensive |
| Best For | Promotional, casual, and creative designs | Corporate, premium, and collectible designs |
| Brand Vibe | Fun, playful, and energetic | Modern, professional, and polished |
| Design Style | Bold, colourful, or vintage | Minimal, clean, or sophisticated |
| Visual Depth | Strong textured effect | Smooth, refined appearance |
Price also depends on quantity, size, number of colours, and design complexity.
Which Enamel Pin Is Best for Your Design?
Choose Soft Enamel If…
- You want a textured, raised look.
- You need a budget-friendly option.
- You are ordering promotional pins.
- You want strong visual depth.
Choose Hard Enamel If…
- You want a smooth, premium finish.
- A polished surface is important to you.
- You are creating corporate or collectible pins.
- Long-term appearance matters most to you.
Think of it like this:
- Fun and casual brand? Soft enamel.
- Modern and premium brand? Hard enamel.
- Employee giveaways? Either can work.
- High-end corporate event? Hard enamel is a solid choice.
- Promotional campaign on a budget? Soft enamel can be the move
| Best for | Soft Enamel Pins | Hard Enamel Pins |
| Corporate Events | Good option | Great option |
| Promotional Campaigns | Excellent budget-friendly choice | Good for premium campaigns |
| Employee Recognition | Great for casual awards | Ideal for premium recognition |
| Best Choice If… | You want texture + lower cost | You want polish + durability |
Soft vs Hard Enamel Pins for Different Uses
- Businesses: Share your logo with staff and customers.
- Corporate events: Give guests a small, memorable keepsake.
- Sports teams: custom baseball and sports pins build pride with bold team colours.
- Clubs: Show group identity at every meeting.
- Artists and creators: Sell art in a wearable, fun format.
- Collectors: Enjoy detailed, high-quality keepsake pieces.
- Promotional campaigns: Hand out pins that people actually keep.
How to Make Your Enamel Pins More Collectible
Want people to actually look forward to your next pin drop? Make the designs feel connected. Try creating a series where every pin has:
- A similar border
- The same metal finish
- A matching colour theme
- A different icon
- A number or edition mark
For example:
- Pin 01: Company anniversary
- Pin 02: Team achievement
- Pin 03: Employee milestone
- Pin 04: Special event
Now you’ve gone from “here’s a free pin” to “wait, I need the whole set.” That’s a whole different vibe.
Enamel Pins for Employee Recognition
Who doesn’t like a little recognition for smashing their goals? Companies can use custom enamel pins to celebrate:
- Years of service
- Employee achievements
- Leadership milestones
- Team accomplishments
- Certifications
- Special contributions
You could create different pin designs for different milestones. A basic soft enamel pin could celebrate everyday achievements, while a premium hard enamel pin can be used to mark a major milestone, you can take that as an example.
It gives employees something physical that represents their achievement.
Soft vs Hard Enamel Pins: Quick Decision Guide
Still stuck? No stress. Use this cheat sheet for custom pins:
| If You Want… | Choose… |
| A textured appearance | Soft enamel |
| A smooth surface | Hard enamel |
| A budget-friendly option | Soft enamel |
| Bold, colourful artwork | Soft enamel |
| A premium appearance | Hard enamel |
| Sleek corporate branding | Hard enamel |
| Collectible designs | Hard enamel |
| Promotional giveaways | Soft enamel |
| Casual merch | Soft enamel |
| Formal recognition pins | Hard enamel |
Still can’t decide? Compare your artwork, budget, and intended use before choosing. That’s usually enough to make the answer pretty obvious.
Things to Check Before Ordering Enamel Pins
Before approving your final proof, don’t just glance at it and say, “Looks good.” Actually check it. Make sure:
- Your logo is correct.
- Spelling is accurate.
- Colours look right.
- Text is readable.
- The size works for the artwork.
- The metal finish matches your design.
- The backing suits your intended use.
- The final shape looks balanced.
That five-minute check can save you from the dreaded “oops” moment after production.
Why Custom Enamel Pins Are Still Popular
Trends come and go, but enamel pins have managed to stick around. Why? They’re tiny, affordable, customisable, and easy to wear. People can put them on:
- Jackets
- Backpacks
- Caps
- Denim
- Tote bags
- Lanyards
- Uniforms
For businesses, they’re also a simple way to turn a logo into something people can physically carry around.
Basically, your branding gets to leave the screen and go outside. Pretty cool, right?
How to Choose the Right Enamel Pin
Use this simple framework to pick the right pin for your project.
- Design style: Pick textured or smooth based on your look.
- Budget: Soft enamel often costs less per pin.
- Intended use: Think about gifts, awards, or everyday wear.
- Quantity: Bigger orders can change your price per pin.
- Desired finish: Choose smooth for premium, textured for bold.
How to Order Custom Enamel Pins in Canada
Ordering is fast and simple with our easy six-step process.
- Submit your artwork or logo.
- Choose soft or hard enamel.
- Select your size and finish.
- Review your digital proof.
- Approve production.
- Receive your finished pins.
Why Choose Patch Makers Canada?
We produce both soft enamel pins and hard enamel pins for every Canadian business.
- Custom enamel pin production for any design.
- Soft and hard enamel options available.
- Custom logos and original designs welcome.
- Bulk orders handled with ease and care.
- Friendly quote support whenever you need help.
FAQs
Are soft or hard enamel pins better?
Neither is better overall. It depends on your design, budget, and finish preference.
Are hard enamel pins more expensive?
Yes, hard enamel pins usually cost more due to extra polishing time.
Which enamel pin is more durable?
Hard enamel pins are more scratch-resistant thanks to their smooth surface.
Can I order custom enamel pins with my logo?
Yes, you can add your own logo or artwork to any pin.
What is the difference between soft and hard enamel?
The main hard vs soft enamel difference is surface texture and enamel fill height.
Get Custom Enamel Pins at Your Doorstep
Both soft enamel pins and hard enamel pins make great spotlight-worthy custom pins to have. You have to think about which one to pick when the choice comes down to look, budget, and how the pin will be used.
Whatever you pick, if you want your brand or team to steal the show, just pick custom enamel pins. Ready to create your own pins? Contact Patch Makers Canada today for a free quote.
