By Scott Hayes ([http://www.lapelpinscn.com])
According to the Right to Read Foundation, a reported 42 million American adults cannot read at all. Over 50 million are unable to read at the same level expected of fourth and fifth graders. An even more alarming number states that every year, 2.25 million adults are reported as functionally illiterate. Individuals and organizations are working hard to change this but often need the help of volunteers and donors to accomplish all of their goals.
Getting the Word Out One Lapel Pin At a Time
Custom lapel pins promoting literacy are extremely helpful for that reason. Not only do they serve as free advertising for groups and organizations, they also make an impact on those people in the community that see them. This can double the effectiveness of a good marketing campaign by drawing interest in the cause and soliciting donations of time and money from individuals willing to help others learn how to read. Without these fundraisers, many groups that are committed to change cannot reach the men and women nationwide that are illiterate.
Honoring the Commitment of Volunteers and Donors
Custom literacy lapel pins can also be created for volunteers and donors. Awarding these helpful individuals with a small token of appreciation is often enough to gain their respect and support in the future. This is extremely important for different groups because many close their doors due to lack of assistance and funding. Having a powerful message included in a lapel pin design can make all the difference.
Tangible rewards like that of a personalized pin are well received by those involved with charitable causes. They can wear their gifts with pride and at the same time spread the word about all the good work that the group or organization that they are involved with is doing. This gets others involved with the cause. Libraries and academic institutes often create programs that promote literacy.
Free to the public, these reading sessions help build confidence in illiterate men and women. This increase in comprehension can help these individuals find better jobs, attend college classes, and even help others in need. A once illiterate adult can return the favor by becoming a grant writer for the foundation that assisted them.
Small but extremely effective, literacy lapel pins make a big difference in communities throughout the United States. Customized with a message that is relevant to the foundation that orders them, they play a major role in getting the public involved as volunteers and fundraisers and therefore fight illiteracy one man or woman at a time.

According to the Autism Society, 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder. Is your child among them? If you run an autism education or support group, you know how deeply personal the subject is to you and your family. For that reason, shouldnt you express your concerns and triumphs with others that can rally behind you?
Custom Lapel Pins Make Fundraisers Successful
Custom lapel pins help you do that. Creating a unique memento with a message like My Child Has Autism can help you round up volunteers and donors. Your next fundraiser will be so much more successful because of the added attention your pins have given it.
Custom Lapel Pins Are Versatile and Meaningful
Pins serve a multitude of uses. For example, they are attractive accessories that enhance your wardrobe and display your own personal style. They are statement items that drive your message home hard.
People see, My Child Has Autism pins and know how personal the cause is for you. Last but not least, pins serve as fond reminders of the memories that you made with your group or club. The personal sentiment of pins is indisputable.
Custom Lapel Pins Allow Others to Join Your Cause
Let others know which causes have special meaning for you and the ones that you stand behind and support. Create custom lapel pins to hand out to members of your support group, club or organization. Pin Depot can help you come up with a design that makes a truly remarkable impression on those that come into contact with your pins.
Find Inspiration in Our Online Gallery of Pins
Visit http://www.lapelpinscn.com and take a look at the online gallery we have housed there. You well see examples of soft enamel, cloisonn, offset printed, and die struck pins in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Let us know what we can do to make your pins ring true to your cause. You have the freedom to create them whatever way you find the most appealing.
Email your request to info@lapelpinscn.com. Your request is of utmost importance to us. We are here to assist you throughout the inquiry, design, and ordering processes. We keep your artwork on file for future orders making it easy to reorder your favorite lapel pin designs.
Take advantage of our wide range of services. After all, artwork and design services are free. We also offer free shipping to US addresses as our way of thanking you for being a valued customer of ours. Submit your inquiry to us today so we can get the process started.

As a business or organization with a century of service under your belt, you have a lot to celebrate. In today's tough economic times, it is easy to fall by the wayside. Through hard work and perseverance, you have prevailed. Don't you think that your employees, vendors, and volunteers deserve something special for all of their efforts?
Lapel Pins CN offers you a variety of options when it comes to customizing lapel pins. In fact, you can let your imagination run wild with our no-limit design process. From Masonic groups to school organizations, lapel pins make a fitting gift that helps commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime event like a centennial celebration.
We created two entirely different centennial anniversary lapel pins for the Central Methodist University (CMU) band and the Anchor Lodge 182. Each group wanted something that was unique and full of style and appeal. Drawing upon their design ideas, we were able to come up with the lapel pins pictured in this blog. Not only was each customer pleased with the results, so were the recipients of their gift pins. 100 year anniversaries are a time to pull out all the stops.
Add-Ons Make Your Designs Extra Special
Different add-ons exist that can take your lapel pin design to the next level. For example, if you want your 100 year anniversary pins to really sparkle, consider adding simulated gemstones or glitter. Want an antiqued finish on your die struck pins? Just let us know this when you're discussing your design ideas with our trained sales professional. We can accommodate any request within reason.
Presentation Options Add Class to Your Gifts
For a truly special presentation option, you can opt to have your lapel pins affixed to a piece of card stock or placed in velvet boxes. This helps to ensure that the award is unforgettable. Recipients of these gifts can easily display their cherished keepsakes in a place where others can see them. This is a great way to showcase several pins without taking up too much space in your home or office.
Like what you've read here? Why not visit http://www.lapelpinscn.com to find out more about the different styles of pins that we have to offer. Our gallery will give you a lot of examples to look at.

Do you want your business to stand out in a sea of competitors? What are you doing to make this happen? Do you have a marketing plan of attack? Does it involve custom lapel pins?
As a trusted lapel pin maker, we know how effective these items can be when it comes to promoting your business. In fact, we have created thousands upon thousands of pins for companies and corporations of all sizes. Thats why were so confident in their ability to fit your needs. You see, custom lapel pins are versatile.
Thats right. What other product can be used in so many different ways? For example, you can place a fish bowl on a table at the entrance of your business so that patrons can leave behind their business cards. Once a month, you can pull a card from the bowl and feature that business in the publications you put out.
Offer Custom Pins to Different Businesses Throughout the Community
You can offer some of your custom pins to the business or offer to create customized pins for its employees using a design that they have selected. Whatever the patron elects to do, this gesture works out well for both parties because it promotes goodwill among the companies.
Hand Out Lapel Pins During Job Fairs and Work Related Conferences
Another way to expand your presence in the community is to hand out lapel pins during job fairs and other work related conferences and meetings. This allows you to meet and mingle with potential talent. People will be more than happy to put in a good word about your company once they have interacted with you.
Word-of-Mouth advertising helps cut back on costs and is one of the most effective ways to gain new customers in this day and age. Lapel pins are great marketing tools for this reason. They are lightweight which makes them easy to transport from one location to the next and they are also very durable which means that they are made from quality materials. They can be worn in a visible location on an article of clothing or cap. They also can be customized with your logo, image, slogan or motto.
Whenever youre looking for a product that sets you apart from other businesses, theres one thing thats certain. We work with you to come up with lapel pins that are memorable, meaningful, and created in a way that gets you desirable results. Visit http://www.lapelpinscn.com today to share your ideas with us. Your request is of utmost importance to the Lapel Pins CN team.

Marketing your brand to your target client is very useful and using custom lapel pins is one of the most effective way to do so. The lapel pin is popularly used by different companies for promoting themselves or for establishing their brand. These are economical product that are often used as promotional gift and is quite impressive. There are various ways by which you can use the custom pin and reach out to the target consumers.
If you want to retain your costumers then you can use the lapel pins as a gift. Whenever the customer buys your company's products or uses the service, you can gift him a goody bag that can contain the custom pins. Adding such small promotional gifts create a huge impact on your customers and can help you to earn their loyalty.
The custom lapel pins are popularly used at promotional events as well. Job fairs and business exhibitions are a good way to reach out to your clients and inform them about your brand and products. People generally distribute brochures and pamphlets at such events. You can add the lapel pin to your brochure and get their attention more easily. The buyers or customers always notice such small things and it creates a good impact on them. They may throw away the brochures but the custom pins would remind them of your brand.
Another way by which you can establish your brand with your clients is by distributing them at charitable events. For this you may have to give a donation to the organization and they can distribute your customized pins against that. Being associated with a charitable organization can help you establish your brand very well and is therefore considered by many companies. Thus there are various ways by which you can use the custom lapel pins for promoting your brand. You can pick the one that may be apt for your company.
When choosing the lapel pin make sure that you use best quality pins only. It can carry your brand name, contact info and any message on it. You can experiment with the colors and also get it designed as per your company's logo. You can order your custom lapel through sites like lapelpinscn.com which provide you with a range of different designs. Ordering your promotional pin through the website can help you save time and is more convenient. You can also get your custom pins shipped for free and don't have to worry about extra expenses.

Are you running a promotion in your company?
Perhaps you want to include a lapel pin in your recognition program.
You can use lapel pins for your fundraising efforts.
In any of the above cases you face the decision of buying stock lapel pins or
having your pins custom made with your logo and message.

In some cases it is less expensive to purchase stock lapel pins but if you want to enhance the image of your company or organization there is nothing better than a custom made lapel pin. With a custom nade lapel pin you can have your logo displayed proudly.


How much could you save if you were to buy stock lapel pins?
It will vary but, how much can you win if you
include your logo on it? I would say a lot.

What would you like better if you were the one receiving it? You know the answer.
Now lets say you decided to get your company's lapel pins custom made, and lets assume you have no idea where to start.

First you need to get all the specifics you can think of from your company or organization, and then submit them to your sales rep.
What are the lapel pins going to be used for?
This is a very important piece of information that will help your sales rep recommend the style, size and finish
that will suit your needs

How many pins you are thinking of purchase?
As the price breaks depend on the quantities, maybe you will only need to buy a few more and save the big bucks.
When is the latest day you need to have your lapel pins in hands?
Maybe your are planning ahead (good for you) or maybe this is a last minute thing.
As in any other manufacturing process, there is a certain time frame in between placing the order and shipping
it to your location so it is important to communicate it in advance.
Do you have artwork ready?
Maybe all you have is a drawing, or an idea, or just the logo and will need
some help creating the art, or perhaps your company has its media kit with all the specifications for its logo.
In any of these situations, it is important you communicate them to the sales rep so he/she can have the artist
work on your project in the most efficient manner.

How are you going to pay for them?
Credit card, check, purchase orders, it is advisable that you check on the type of payment accepted,
These are questions that are often asked and will help guide you and make the best of your buying experience
in your quest for the "perfect lapel pin".

As with any other service, ask questions, and remember, the more you know the better
the chances of making an educated decision when purchasing custom made lapel pins.

Custom lapel pins are popular in business, social life and pop culture today. Their versatility, affordability and small size make them a perfect choice to support a wide variety of promotional and identification needs.

Popular uses for custom lapel pins include showing support for a cause or organization, denoting membership in a group, or promoting a business. Lapel pins make a positive impression at low cost.

In the business world, custom lapel pins are a multi-purpose tool. Many businesses choose to award lapel pins for outstanding achievement, or for being employed by the company for a specific number of years. These small tokens of appreciation can work wonders for employee loyalty and morale.

Many fraternal and service organizations use custom lapel pins as a means of member identification. For groups such as Freemasons, Rotary Club, Civitan and others, the group logo or letters are a way to recognize fellow members, no matter where they are. On college campuses across the nation, Greek organizations wear custom lapel pins with pride to show their membership in fraternities and sororities.

The popular custom ribbon lapel pins are a great way to increase awareness and help raise funds social causes and issues. For the past two decades, these pins have helped raise millions of dollars and tremendous public awareness for medical conditions, poverty eradication programs and many other causes worldwide.

In other words, there are just about as many different reasons to buy custom lapel pins as there are people who wear them. The bottom line is that lapel pins show an individual is a part of something greater than themselves, something they want to support and show they're making a difference with. The low cost and high visibility of custom lapel pins makes them an ideal promotional item for just about any cause, organization or business.

In this day and time when breeches in security are all too common, more and more organizations are looking for ways to ensure the safety of people, ideas and property. Photo ID badges are a good way to identify persons that are authorized to enter and work in sensitive areas. However, badges - even those with both photos and barcodes - can be easily duplicated. In order to shore up security and reduce the risk of forgery, something that is highly difficult to replicate should be worn in addition to photo ID badges. Customized lapel pins are the affordable solution.
There are many situations that require people other than employees to enter your organization. Businesses and government offices, for instance, may have vendors on the premises to offer installation, technical support or repairs to computers and other equipment.
Lapel Pins are not Easily Duplicated
Contractors will typically have identification from their company. They may even be issued a visitor's badge from your organization upon arrival. Unfortunately, both of these can be duplicated with little effort using equipment purchased at any office supply store. Not true of lapel pins. Because of the extensive manufacturing process required to produce these custom pins, counterfeiting would be quite an undertaking.
Reduce Security Risks for Every Organization with Lapel Pins
Lapel pins can be used in conjunction to your existing badges to enhance security in sensitive areas. Create customized lapel pins that are presented to visitors, vendors or contractors. When a non-employee arrives, verify their identity and their destination/purpose at your organization. Issue a customized lapel pin to the guest that must be worn at all times in addition to their visitor's badge. Before leaving, the person must check out and return the pin.
A similar scenario would hold true for hired security officers that are contracted to protect banks, hospitals, courthouses and other facilities. Security uniforms can be rented by anyone off the street. Using a desktop computer, it's simple to produce authentic-looking photo identification. Unfortunately, there are frequent news reports about imposter security personnel whose actions sometimes result in serious consequences to companies.
By using lapel pins that are specifically designed for your business, the risk of having an unauthorized person slip through security is greatly reduced. Employees will know that anyone without the appropriate lapel pin should be reported immediately. These small lapel pins could help you take tremendous steps in preventing fraud and/or theft in your line of work.
Lapel Pins are an Affordable Security Measure
Lapel pins are affordable and are custom created in any design imaginable, making them a great partner with your current security measures. Because lapel pins aren't costly, you can produce individually designed pins for each department, group or class. Try using different lapel pins for each month, division or branch.
With their versatility, lapel pins can easily add to the security of banks, hospitals, software manufacturers, government agencies, schools, sports arenas, airports and more. When used in addition to your existing security protocols, lapel pins make a big impact on warding off potential threats.

There are many options for lapel pins today in regard to materials, colors, styles, quality and workmanship. The following are just a few of the choices you can make when ordering your pins.

Enamel Pins

A custom design is stamped onto the soft enamel, then colors are filled in one at a time. When the pins are fired the color is set. An epoxy covering can then be applied for added protection. These pins are colorful, and really emphasize graphics and text. Enamel pins are inexpensive, and offer a big bang for the buck. You can choose several colors for one pin, making them beautiful and highly visible.

Die Struck Pins

These pins are a great choice for corporations and other professional organizations. You design your custom lapel pin to be created in either a gold, silver or bronze finish. After the pins are struck onto a sheet of iron or copper they are plated and polished. This gives them an elegant appearance, and a high perceived value. Die struck pins are great choices for employee recognition awards and service recognition awards for civic organizations.

Insert Pins

Using your logo or other image the awards company can create a very unique corporate, sports or political lapel pin. These pins come in a variety of shape choices, such as circles, diamonds, ovals and stars. You can also choose from a large variety of sample inserts, on which your logo or message is printed, in your choice of text color. Or, create your own custom design. The pin itself comes in brass or gold tone finishes.

Cloisonne Pins

These are the cream of the crop of custom lapel pins. They provide sharp, distinct colors, high definition and intricate details. Their highly visible text and design elements are beautiful. A custom die is created and stamped onto a copper or bronze surface. A hard powdered resin, resembling glass, is then used to fill in the design. The pin is then fired at an extremely high temperature (1,600 degrees F), assuring the crispness of the design. After the pin is polished the rim is plated in your choice of finish (silver, gold, etc.).

Other choices available in custom lapel pins are Photo Dome, Photo Etched, Offset Printed, Insert and Ribbon Pins (ie. cancer support and military support). Their are many options available using the samples provided by the awards company, or you can create something totally unique.

Now that you know what custom lapel pin options are available, you can make a decision based on your particular need. Lapel Pins CN, the leader in the industry, can help you with all your custom lapel pins, trophies and other awards.

Lapel Pin Individuality

Custom 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, 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 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 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

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.

Lapel pins CN has been an industry leader in the manufacturing of Custom Lapel Pins for over thirty years. They offer a wide variety of pins from which to choose. Whether for a sports team or for recognizing corporate service with distinction, Lapel pins CN has the perfect lapel pin for every occasion.

Think of a typical visit to a popular trade event. It's a carnival of bright colors, interactive displays, and free samples, and you're pulled along with the tide of people flowing like a river through the aisles. Finding the displays that interest you can seem impossible. At the end of an exhausting day, you've picked up a few samples, grabbed a couple of brochures and a handful of business cards. Back at the office, you toss them in a desk drawer where they're quickly forgotten.

Now consider a focused, goal-oriented experience. You arrive with an agenda. You know which booths you need to visit, and why. You meet with company representatives, exchange business cards, get your questions answered, and set a time and date for follow-up. You return to the office with a plan.

I think you'd prefer the second experience for your customers, at least when it comes to visiting your trade show booth.

Start with an Invitation

Trade shows have two challenges: getting potential customers to your booth, and making an impression that stays with them after they turn the corner at the end of the aisle. With a little planning, you can make use of an inexpensive marketing piece to meet both objectives, starting with the invitation.

Identify your target audience and a few weeks before the event, mail a brochure introducing your company and explaining what you can do for the reader. Let them know that you'll be in town, and include a map of the exhibit hall. Pinpoint your booth location with a smart lapel pin depicting your logo, and offer a special gift or other discount coupon for those who drop by wearing the pin. Not only are you giving them a compelling reason for visiting your exhibit, but you're making it easy for customers to find you.

Make an Impression

At your booth, make it a point to connect with those who are wearing your pin. They've shown an interest in your company, so now is the perfect opportunity for booth staffers to build a lasting relationship by engaging them in conversation, addressing their concerns, and scheduling a follow-up conversation.

Your invited guests make up a small portion of your overall trade show traffic, though. You'll still want a way to stop passersby and retain their interest. Attract walk-in traffic with an interactive display such as a game or video presentation, then trade lapel pins for business cards or contact information. Unlike simple brochures or samples, quality lapel pins are unlikely to be tossed in a drawer and forgotten. Instead, they're often displayed on an office bulletin board, and serve as a constant reminder of your brand. Use the business cards you've collected for follow-up calls or a prize drawing to cement the relationship.

For an even longer-lasting impression, integrate lapel-pin marketing with your retail locations by offering discounts or prizes to visitors who stop by wearing the pin they picked up at a trade show. You'll be building brand loyalty while ensuring the pin recipients keep them handy. Plus, your happy customers become a walking testimonial, eager to share their experiences with your company with anyone who asks about the clever pin they're wearing.

And lapel pins can indeed be clever. Die-cut shapes depict even complicated logos accurately; sophisticated color-matching techniques ensure exact replication of your existing marketing materials, and danglers, lights, and glitter all add pizazz to make your pins stand out wherever they're seen. Lapel pins aren't just a marketing tool. In many cases they become a valued piece of jewelry your new customers will be proud to wear long after the trade show has been forgotten.