When it comes to marketing in this economy, most companies are looking for promotional items that meet three criteria. In order to work well when attracting new customers (without blowing the budget), the promotional product must be affordable, attractive and an attention getter.

In this day and time, it just won't do to waste money on marketing efforts that don't produce results. As savvy marketing and promotions managers are fully aware, you have to invest in multitasking tools that can increase traffic/exposure and conversions.

Lapel pins are the perfect fit.

With intricate detail, PMS-matched colors and innovative designs, lapel pins created by an experienced company with a talented staff can:

> express good will
> show appreciation
> help launch new products or store locations
> bring in new clients
> remind customers to purchase from you later on
> and much more

Add to that the three "A's" of smart marketing and you have a real value for your promotional dollars. Lapel pins are…

Affordable

While cost depends on the size and the quantity you order (and a few other factors), even the most expensive lapel pins are a real deal compared to many other promotional items. Better pin companies offer exceptional bargains by offering free design, free shipping, free color and much more.

But freebies aren't everything. The true worth comes from receiving a quality product that has a high-perceived value. There's little merit in getting an order of pins that isn’t what you expected or having to put up with poor service throughout the process. Choose the company you work with carefully for best results.

Attractive

Have you heard the saying, "We eat first with our eyes?" Something similar happens in marketing. Generally speaking, people don't want anything that they consider to be ugly. Even if it's free, prospects at a tradeshow might take your lapel pin, but it will likely end up in the trash bin if the design is lacking in appeal.

That's why lapel pin companies hire in-house designers. By working with combinations of colors, sizes and shapes, they craft gorgeous pieces that are perceived as jewelry. Whether you choose to replicate your logo, mascot or product, you'll quickly see the delight in your prospects' eyes as you hand them a custom lapel pin they will be proud to wear.

Attention Getters

In this world of mass marketing, we all receive more input and advertising stimuli than we can possibly process. This is why your lapel pins must attract attention. In addition to the beautiful design elements, you can opt for adding all manner of other add-ons including spinners, danglers, gemstones and more.

Review your marketing plan and promotional budget. Then look for affordable, attractive, attention-getting lapel pins that can help you accomplish your goals. You'll be amazed at just how far your advertising dollars will stretch and the results you'll receive. Lapel pins are truly an investment with a powerful return.

For the new customer, ordering custom lapel pins for the first time can be exciting. Whether it is for a sports tournament, employee recognition ceremony or new product launch, businesses, organizations, and teams can benefit from knowing what types of lapel pins we offer and the characteristics that make each one unique. Different events call for different types of lapel pins. For example, a die struck years of service pin looks nothing like a soft enamel baseball trading pin and they are used by two entirely different groups of people. Academic institutes and corporations are more interested in the features that a die struck lapel pin has to offer whereas sports teams are concerned about the appearance, perceived value, and tradability of the custom soft enamel lapel pins that they order. You can ask yourself the following question, ''What am I trying to achieve with my custom lapel pin order?'' If you are still not 100% certain, you can refer to this guide for assistance. Types of Custom Lapel Pins and Their Benefits The beauty behind personalized pins is that you are in control of the design process. In addition to creating custom artwork to fit your specifications, Lapel Pins CN can help you choose the size, number, and style of pin that best represents your company, group or team. Some of our most popular styles of pins include: Soft Enamel. Sports teams, businesses, and organization love the look, versatility, and affordability of soft enamel. Raised and recessed metals depict your custom design. Up to seven colors of enamel paints are filled one at a time into the grooves and fired at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cloisonne. Similar to fine jewelry, cloisonné pins are the type of classy adornment that accentuates a person's wardrobe. Sophisticated hotels, day spas, retail establishments, and banks are a few of the types of customers who appreciate cloisonne. Two bronze die-cut molds help create a custom lapel pin rich in detail. Areas of the pin are then one at a time filled with a glass-like powdered substance and fired at 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. Each pin is then hand polished which enhances their brilliant shine and increases their perceived value. Die Struck. Commonly used for years of service and employee awards, die struck pins come in a variety of finishes that help give designs character and depth. Made from iron, brass or copper, cutting molds are created before the plating process. Plating color choices include: high polished gold metal, antique gold, high polished silver metal, antique silver, polished copper, antique copper, polished black metal, and black nickel. Offset Photographic Printed. Created from a digital file, offset photographic printed lapel pins are ideal for designs that incorporate gradients, drop shadows or other subtle color changes. Custom lapel pins are diverse. Knowing what type best sums up your company, organization or team's needs helps you achieve the type of results necessary to be a success. Contact us today for a no obligation quote. email info@lapelpinscn.com.

Lapel pins are popular among people of all ages. Now, one can not only spot men and women wearing traditional custom pins on their coat lapels, but also young boys and girls flaunting their attractive custom lapel pins on their bags, purses, hats, jeans, backpacks and elsewhere. Soft enamel lapel pins are the most popular style of custom pins, offering an outstanding balance of price and performance.

Soft enamel lapel pins are die struck pins with an enamel fill. When the pins are struck, the process creates raised and recessed areas. The recesses are filled with colored enamel, with each color applied separately. The lapel pins are fired in a kiln to harden the enamel. The raised metal borders give the design a 3-D look. If desired, a clear epoxy coating can be applied to further increase the durability of the pins.

Soft enamel pins are available in a wide selection of shapes, sizes and colors, depending on the customers preferences. They provide a look very similar to more expensive cloisonn lapel pins, but at a lower cost. Because of the outstanding appearance and economical price, the majority of custom lapel pins sold are soft enamel. Many organizations, including non-profits, schools, clubs, businesses and others use soft enamel pins for promotion, branding, showing membership and other uses.

Benefits of Soft Enamel/ Die Struck Lapel Pins

Soft enamel lapels pins are widely used for many purposes. Schools use them to help reinforce positive child behaviors. Businesses use custom lapel pins as part of promotional activities to help reach their target audiences.

Many businesses help maintain employee morale by presenting employees with soft enamel pins for achieving job goals such as sales quotas, budgets or production expectations. The pins also are very popular for company-wide awards programs that recognize employees years of service to the company. Such programs and awards keep employees motivated and let them know that managers appreciate their dedication and commitment to their jobs.

Soft enamel pins are by far the most popular style of custom lapel pins to be used for trading pins for youth sports teams. Their attractive artwork, custom shapes, bright colors and economical price make them ideal for youth baseball teams to trade at games and tournaments. Players, coaches, officials and spectators love to trade custom team lapel pins among themselves.

Any good provider of custom lapel pins will have talented graphic artists on staff who will be able to help designed the perfect soft enamel pins for just about any team, business or organization. They can create attractive, colorful designs that will be perfect for just about any use imaginable. Reputable suppliers will offer free artwork and design services.

Military personnel do a lot for citizens and people of the country. They risk their lives day in and day out so we can live in freedom. This is a huge sacrifice and risk for many military service personnel.

Different military units recognize this service through special coins. These coins are military challenge coins with special symbols. Military challenge coins are used as a way to commemorate service.

Military men and women are remembered lots of different ways. Various songs have been written just for them and their actions. Television commercials have also been designed to honor their service.

These are great ways to show thanks and gratitude towards them. However, these are not carried around by our military personnel. Military challenge coins are a personal token they can keep forever.

Military challenge coins can be given for every mission or service. These challenge coins are designed by each unit for each mission. This allows challenge coins to be customized to remember each mission.

Customized challenge coins can be designed with special symbols. These symbols can be military symbols or special unit symbols. These special symbols commemorate that particular unit of men.

Challenge coins can be designed with any color scheme desired. Companies that make challenge coins have a lot to choose from. Popular color choices for challenge coins are red, blue, and silver.

Customized edges are also available in the design of challenge coins. Some coin edges are smooth while others are rugged and ribbed. This allows for a variety in the design of military challenge coins.

Military challenge coins are not the only way to commemorate men. Custom lapel pins may also be designed and created as desired. These pins are similar to other coins, but offer some benefits.

Custom lapel pins can be created with similar choices as other coins. The same symbols and design edging is available to be used on pins. There is a major distinction between lapel pins and metal coins.

Custom lapel pins can be worn on a persons lapel or dress shirt. Traditional coins cannot be worn and are usually stored away. Custom lapel pins can be worn to celebrate the military unit of men.

This is an advantage to custom lapel pins as they are used more. Different groups of people have begun to purchase these pins. These groups provide custom lapel pins to members at certain events.

Hence its name, a lapel pin is a small pin that is affixed to the lapel of a dress jacket. Lapel pins can be worn just for fashion’s sake, but most of the time, they represent a person’s affiliation to a certain organization (charity, sport, fraternity, etc.), political beliefs, or past travels (lapel pins are popular souvenirs for tourists). Lapel pins, much like coins or stamps, are collectible and some can be worth thousands of dollars. Before the advent of lapel pins, boutonnieres were the most popular decoration for dress jackets and business suits. As with lapel pins, certain flowers used in boutonnieres represent certain people or events, such as red poppies representing Remembrance Day. Lapel pins are very cheap (sometimes, they’re free) and can be found anywhere, so it would seem that in this day and age of technology, if someone wanted to make a lapel pin, they could just upload a doodle into a computer and the computer would spit out the finished product. However, even though technology has allowed for a faster and more streamlined mass production of different products; lapel pins are mostly handmade, so a disproportionately large amount of work goes into making these tiny pins. Creating the design is the first step in the process of manufacturing the pins. The initial design can be done either digitally or it can be hand-drawn using a light-box to allow for more precise lines and color mapping. Once the design is approved by the customer, it is reproduced on a metal sheet, usually made out of magnesium. The metal stamp of the design is called a master and acts like a blueprint for the pin throughout the manufacturing process. To create the industrial mold for the pin, the front and back of the central design of one of the masters is cut out using a small coping saw. Once the front and back of the pin design is cut out, they are glued together using epoxy glue that comes in a dispenser the size of a sewing needle. The glue takes only about five minutes to dry. After the glue is dry, multiple copies of the master are made to fill up the space of a rubber disk. The person who makes the pins then traces the outline of the master onto the rubber disk and carves out the cavities with a scalpel. The rubber on the disk is usually dabbed with paint thinner to soften it and allow for easier carving and precise cuts. Once the carving of each pin is finished, a copy of the master is inserted into each little cavity. Another rubber disk is then put on top of the rubber disk with the mold prototypes and then the rubber “sandwich” is put into a machine called a vulcanizer to cure. The vulcanizer decreases the stickiness of the rubber while increasing its resiliency and strength by treating the rubber with sulphur under high heat and pressure. After the rubber sandwich is taken out of the vulcanizer, the once-soft rubber is as firm as the rubber of a car tire. The heat of vulcanizer also melts the rubber around each master imprint, therefore embedding the various details of the copies into the rubber to create the production mold. After the imprint has been made in the production mold, sprues, or little channels to, are hand-carved out of the rubber using a scalpel to allow the flow of metal into the cavities of the various pin molds on the rubber disk. Curved channels called runners are also carved into the rubber disk along with the sprues to filter out air and dirt particles. It is crucial to position the sprues and runners correctly because one mold produces an entire line of a particular lapel pin. If the person carving the mold makes a mistake, the mold will have to be reproduced from scratch. After the carving of the sprues and runners, a brass tack called a post is inserted into each cavity of the rubber mold. The post will later fasten to a clasp to attach the pin to clothing. The post is inserted before the body of the pin is made so that the post can better fuse to the metal during casting. At the beginning of the casting process, the two pieces of the rubber sandwich are aligned and stacked to match each mold’s depression with its corresponding depression. The rubber sandwich is then placed into a spin casting machine, which uses centrifugal force to distribute the molten metal (usually pewter, zinc, or a tin alloy) into every nook and cranny of the cavities. After the rubber sandwich’s time in the machine, usually a minute, it is pulled out and the metal cools within five minutes. The new or “raw” pins are then taken out of the mold and put into a bath composed of soap, water, and abrasive stones so that the rough edges can be smoothed out and the pins can be cleaned of any dirt that might affect the look of the plating. The newly washed pins are put into an electroplating tank, which uses an electric current to draw the metal particles onto the pins, to receive a surface coating of metal. The number of coats and types of metal for plating vary with the design of the pin and the customer’s demands. After the pins are plated, they are hand-painted individually using a numerical guide (like a coloring book) and epoxy paint, which is distributed through a tiny syringe that is powered by a foot pedal. Once the paint is dry, the pins are put into a pad printer, which uses ink to print details that are too small to paint by hand onto the pins. After the pins emerge from the pad printer, they are ready to wear. As shown by the long and arduous process required to make one set of pins, although lapel pins are very commonplace and inexpensive, their production requires a great amount of creativity and skill on behalf of the workers who make them.

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 custom 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.

It's often the smallest detail that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, and lapel pins are no different. While there are hundreds of options available, adding a little pizzazz to your pin can not only increase the value and appeal of your giveaway, but can turn a plain pin into one that instantly draws the eye of everyone in the room. Moving parts, colored lights, or even a beautiful box or printed card for presentation all make your giveaway a real attention grabber.

Eye-Catching Accessories Offer Instant "Collector's Item" Status

Want to really stand out from the crowd with your lapel pin? Jazz up your design with an unusual accessory such as colored gemstones, danglers, or even tiny flashing lights. Whether you use them to signify accomplishments or just to gain attention, one thing is certain: your pin will definitely capture the interest of everyone who sees it.

Mark important milestones such as years of service or customers served with custom pins adorned with colored stones. Using different colors to signify each achievement encourages employees to start a collection, and helps build morale with good-natured competition.
Larger pins are perfect for whimsical designs that will turn heads everywhere they go. Spinning balls, sliders, and moving baubles incorporated into your pin help create a unique look that collectors and fans will love to show off.

Presentation Matters

Sometimes it makes sense to offer your pins in the simplest manner possible, but when special events come around, an attractive presentation can be as important as the pin itself. Celebrating outstanding employee accomplishments with a commemorative pin nestled inside a velvet box makes a grand occasion even more austere. For keepsakes designed to last a lifetime, consider a protective acrylic box that allows recipients to show off their treasure without worrying about damage.

Pins meant to say "thank you" can do so with a beautifully designed note printed on custom card stock. Perfect for mailing, you can attach pins to cards of any size, printed with your heart-felt message.

Custom Clasp Options for a Lifetime of Wear

Often the most thoughtful thing about a keepsake like a custom lapel pins happens behind the scenes. When you consider that recipients of your pins will likely wear them frequently, it's clear that care should be taken when choosing just the right clasp.

Jewelry-grade clutch fasteners ensure long-lasting hold so you never have to worry about pins becoming dislodged or lost. Safety-pin-style fasteners provide extra stability for large or oddly shaped pins. And for protection of fine garments such as ladies' blouses, consider a magnetic clasp, which will leave no tell-tale holes behind to ruin her look.

Whether your lapel pins are designed for marketing, collectors, or to reward employees and volunteers, adding a colorful or useful accessory can transform the ordinary into something they'll treasure. When designing your pins, be sure to look for a manufacturer who can help you realize your vision with stunning accessories, just the right presentation, and the perfect fastener for your pin and those who will wear it.

When it comes to shopping for a lapel pin company, consumers have numerous misconceptions about the process. To dispel the myths associated with designing custom lapel pins, this article highlights the facts and fallacies associated with selecting an appropriate medium.

Fallacy: Cloisonne lapel pins are the only pins, which exude an expensive jewelry like quality.

Dating back to ancient Chinese history, the cloisonne pin has an opulent past. Although, many people consider the cloisonne to be the highest quality pin, it is not always the case. Just as cloisonne pins come with five color options and plating formats, so does the die struck embossed soft enamel pin. However, due in the cloisonne pin's heavy lead content, loss of intricate detailing seen, the die-struck embossed soft enamel appears just as expensive, without the cost.

Fallacy: The photo-etched lapel pin always has a poor cheap appearance.
The production quality of the photo etched pins does not have a cheap appearance. It all depends on the artworks, logos and other insignia. Photo-etched pins are ideal for color-intensive designs. Moreover, once finished in soft enamel finish the vibrancy and sharp details.

FALLACY: All lapel pin companies charge a fee for the set up and the die charge.
On the contrary, since set up is a part of the order process and die charges are step involved in the production, these are extraneous costs. In other words, companies, charging extra fees, are price gouging their customers.

FALLACY: Professionally designed artwork is a prerequisite to placing any lapel pin order.
Fallacy, while the vast majority of pin companies require consumers to prepare the artwork themselves, it is better to shop around for a company that will assist with the imaging. Moreover, providers, who are committed to quality, generally offer complimentary design support.

FALLACY: Since all lapel pin companies provide the same service, it's unnecessary to shop around for a quote.
On the contrary, all pin companies do not provide the same service. There are three consumer shrewd tactics for evaluating a pin company for consumer satisfaction.

1) When shopping online, first verify that the Web site features an actual address. Generally, sites without a business address have illicit business practices, which can lead to inferior quality or even consumer fraud.

2) Next, prepare a list of questions pertaining to the production of the custom pins. In situations where the customer support staff is unable to answer specific design questions, move onto another provider.

3) Finally, disqualify any lapel pin company that refuses to assist with the artwork.

A small coin consisting of an organizations sign or emblem is known as a challenge coin. Members of the organization carry these coins for identity and as proof of their membership in the organization. Military were the first to employ the system of these coins. Many fables are associated as to how and when the challenge coins came in to being. The most popular and widely believed opinion is that they first originated in the United States Army Air Service during the first World War.

Every organization wants their challenge-coins to be unique. So they custom make the coins to make it diverse as their group. Custom challenge-coins are specially made by organizations with their company's emblem, motto etc engraved on it. They represent unity, amity and team spirit for those who bear them Creative designers are available to custom make eye catching and unique coins! Custom challenge coins are perfect for military, Scout Troops, Sports Teams, Business Associations, Clubs, Church Groups, Fraternal Organizations, Charities and ROTC Units.

Military challenge and collectible coins are also known as military, unit, memorial, unit challenge and commander's coins. It stands for membership, support and patronage of the bearer. The military challenge-coin is a cherished and esteemed representation of the establishment. Commanders make use of specially minted military coins to perk up self-esteem, promote unit sprit and respect service members for their hard work.

The distinctive looking custom coins represent pride and solidarity and are wonderful remainders of your group or team you represent. Custom challenge coins bond group together. One of the most familiar uses of these coins is that of a test in which the members may be asked to produce their custom challenge-coins. It represents loyalty of the person carrying it.

These things take a conscious effort to carry at all times. Customarily, rules regarding them prohibit defacing the it. Some deface a coin to make it easy to carry. If the challenge coin is connected to a belt buckle or key ring or if it has a hole drilled in to it to get it attached to something, the coin isn't considered to be a challenge coin. These are reasonably expensive to have made. The cost depends on the design and engravings on it. Custom challenge coins represent unity, camaraderie and team spirit for all who carry them.

Custom Challenge Coins have been in existence for more than ten years. This company is known as a family operated metal fabric and roofing business. A strong commitment to manufacturers and Customer is what put this company on the top-notch and made them one of the most successful and largest distributors in the building material industry. Nowadays, with its hardworking, company is operating in more than 180 locations coast to coast with more than 3000 vehicles with it and employs over committed individuals.

The challenge coins are, nowadays, considered as the perfect tool that people can take with them and enclosure at a moment's notice. Challenge medals have been the most popular item for many years for World War I but their popularity pours among hobbyist. Custom challenge coins have been used in Military for last number of years as a symbol of identification.

Thing that makes custom challenge coins so attractive and addictive is the plethora of sizes, shapes, and finishes of unique metals you may endeavor when seeking out medals to include in your collection. Many Medals are round in shape, but the fashion over past few years has taken the custom challenge pins towards latest designs. Nowadays, you can find medals in the shape of overseas countries, soldiers, bottle openers and even in ships.

A favored metal finish i.e. brass alloy is used in the manufacturing of custom challenge coins for many decades with at present new techniques have come and with the help of which awards have been manufactured in antique gold, platinum, silver and black nickel and other distinctive metal plating that has made different medals. One thing that you will find about the medals and i.e. the thickness of it that make the different coins from the other medals. Nowadays challenge medals are 3mm size but manufacturers are thinking to thicken its size from 3mm to 5mm to make medals more unique and more demanding. Only good quality and high standard awards can only spark great interest and great conversation.

Military awards are usually stamped into the base material which makes the relief area. The specific area transforms the specific area which represents particular job, club or department. Zinc Alloy material in the medals allows awards to obtain coins that have real images on one or both sides of the it. And 3D medals make the coins, such a real coins that you can't imagine about the style, elegance, appearance of coins and it's arising and rise of personality. All is obtained by the challenge coins.

Custom challenge coins are not similar in nature; Customer can have their own desired medals to get wide range of collections that differ significantly from one another.
SO when it comes to get the coins then nothing is the best option than the custom awards.

An Exclusive Type of Custom Coins

Custom challenge coins are an exclusive type of custom coins, that people or companies order of their special events. If a company wants custom challenge coins, it might need to print its logo on the coin along with the slogan and a special purpose mission statement. These coins are not only used for ornamental purposes, they are also used in various organizations to serve serious causes.The basic purpose behind wearing a coin is always thoughtful. They serve great purposes. The trend of wearing challenge coins started in the military. First time US Air Force Adopt these coins for their soldiers. They were primarily used to show recognition. This was the great purpose that challenge coins served. Later on, every military department created its own custom challenge coins with their preferred elements like colors, background, pictures, slogans, mission statements, shape, graphics, etc. If we talk about present usage of custom challenge coins, we will get to know that people and organizations use them for almost every purpose. These coins use in different companies for membership, award giving, campaigns, and even marking attendance. Challenge coins are a symbol of courage and bravery. They are given as the symbol to a certain group of people. This enhances their moral to do a specific task. Sometimes, the coins are given to a certain group a mission accomplishment. At that time, these coins consider as award.

Even Use in NGO, Churches and Education Institutions.

Various churches, NGO, schools, colleges, etc. use them to show membership to a noble cause. For example, a lot of people run a campaign against aids every year. They wear these coins to show they know the bad effects and want other people to avoid it. Every year, different organizations issue their own personalized coins which are custom ones. those called custom ones because they might serve a global issue, but the design, color, graphics, text, etc. Solely belong to that particular organization.

Custom Coins Making For Special Occasions

Similarly, a lot of people buy custom challenge coins that different coin manufacturing companies issue on special occasions. Even families buy them to exchange so that they can make their personal events more memorable. These events include Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, 911 day, parents' day, Valentine's Day, and many other days which are celebrated globally. Many small to giant companies use them to promote their existing and upcoming products. This is one of the biggest use snow days. This cheap yet expressive tool is great for advertisement of a company. Many people buy these already created custom coins from various coin manufacturing companies. Some of them collect them as a hobby. One reason these coins are getting famous is their price, and unlimited variety. When somebody wants to choose a coin to customize it, he has millions of options. These include variations that make through color, shape, design, graphics, text, logo, coin material, etc. Many materials be used to create these coins. Some people like to exchange them on weddings. On such occasions, they may like to order gold or silver plated coins. These coins are a little high in price, but their memories are precious.

Designing a lapel pin for your own needs and uses can be a very exciting project. Many people have a general idea of what they want their lapel pin for (fundraiser, social gathering, business meeting, conference or trade show) but they're not exactly sure what they want the lapel pins to look like, or how to begin designing one for that matter.


If you don't have the time or creative liberty to design your own lapel pin, don't worry; many custom pin manufactures will actually design your pin for you (most of the time free of charge with an order). If you're like me and like to have control over things, you prefer to design, or at least begin the design, of your lapel pins yourself. Ok, let's begin, shall we? Assuming you already have a purpose for a lapel pin, we'll begin by identifying key points in the design of your lapel pin.


Let's begin by determining the colors you'll use. For a company/corporate or logo lapel pin, most of the time you're going to want to stick to your company's color scheme. If you can, make sure to look up the corresponding Pantone colors so that you can provide these to the design company. You'll also want to choose your metal plating in this phase. Some options include 14K gold, Silver or Brass depending on your personal preference. After your colors are selected, begin to outline a sketch of the composition of your pin design. Will the lapel pin be a circle, or, a square perhaps? Maybe you want your lapel pin shaped like your logo with no solid background - that's entirely possible!


Figure out if you want to include other elements aside from just your corporate logo. Maybe a slogan or byline and something to signify your company's direction or goals. A visual symbol that tells people what you're about, or something that communicates a theme for an event or tradeshow. For example say your company is holding a conference in Las Vegas, maybe displaying the well-known "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign on your pin design would be an idea. Maybe an image of a full-house hand of cards, or a slot machine. Something that communicates your ideal or goals. Remember, lapel pins are a very powerful communication device, and even though they're small they can speak your company's ideals to people just walking by you who see the pin on your tie, shirt collar or lapel.

Creative Ideas to Communicate Your Company Message Sometimes a simple logo pin will suffice, but what about if you want to get across a message without including a bunch of small wording on your pins that nobody will be able to read?


Time to be creative!

Let's say your company builds boats. You have a logo and you know your company's colors. You know you want to include your logo (maybe the logo has an image of a boat, maybe it does). This is the perfect way to show off your company's image. Your custom lapel pins would ideally consist of your corporate logo, along with an image of an attractive boat that your company sells or makes. Possibly in the water, with the sun setting or rising in the background, perhaps some cat-tails or other aquatic vegetation at the edges of the design to show some detail. What about adding some seagulls in the horizon flying about? Think pale blue skies and deep blue water with wave detail etched in 14K gold. See where I'm going with this? Open your mind's eye and let your creative imagination go to work.


The Office Supply Warehouse

So your company does something exciting... It sells office supplies. Ok, Ok so it's not that exciting, but that doesn't mean the lapel pin you design to represent your company can't make your company look exciting. You've included your logo, but your colors are kind of stale (maybe a bit boring?) and you need to spruce things up. What about adding an image of a stack of papers curling up at one end almost forming a C like they're being blown in the wind from a desk top. Maybe a pen or pencil drawing out your company's slogan. Oh! What about a stamp stamping on your company logo or the shape of the pin is actually a ring-bound binder and your logo is on the first sheet of paper? Maybe the theme could be a thumbtack stuck through a sticky note and your logo is displayed on the note with your slogan in a hand-written looking font.


Let's Break it Down Below I've listed the most important aspects to consider when designing your own lapel pins. If you have anything you'd like to add to the list, please let me know and we'll get it put up here. Colors (be consistent with your company's colors or corporate branding guidelines) Shape - Do you prefer a circular shape or square? Even in the shape of your logo.


Slogan or byline - What do you want to say to your potential customers? Creative images - Think of ways you can visually communicate your company's message without going overboard. Plating (14K gold, Silver, Brass, Copper, etc) Size (not too big for a lapel pin now, ya here?) About 3/4" to 1" seems to be the most widely accepted. Nobody wants to wear a dinner plate. Type (Hard Enamel, Soft Enamel, Die Cast, etc) So you've learned a little bit about designing your own lapel pin. Hopefully I've been able to lead you on the right path and maybe even save you a few bucks in design charges.


Designing your own pins is a great feeling and is rewarded when you hold the actual pin in your hand that you (yes YOU) designed and can be proud to wear. The possibilities are near endless if you just put your creative mind into gear. Next time your company needs to customize lapel pins, try to take on the task yourself. There's a little pride that comes with knowing that you designed your company's pins, and people around the office will be giving you high-fives.

1, Have not seen and there is no historical basis for the lapel pin, must figure out the source of its life experience, whether all elements in line with the prevailing historical environment, but also to identify the parameters of the manufacturing and awarded based on.

2, lapel pins do not understand the right moment, be sure to consult the experts identify. Especially for rare species of strange products, but also to the case.

3, to identify the lapel pin should pay attention to the texture is pure, and some need to test the purity of the material. In general, the Puppet Zhang, Republic of China Zhang, foreign chapter of fraud is very difficult to the treasures fake naked eye directly discernible. First, more because of such chapter is the forging of copper and nickel materials, produce very fine; such chapter from design to manufacturing fine rigorous, painting and calligraphy is very beautiful and sophisticated fabrication. Ancient City false chapter and more to the liberated areas, old revolutionary base areas, mostly because they easy to find material and monotonous design, simple process, fraud gap.

4, the so-called rare products or crude products, be sure to take extra care. A look at the material, the history of the two depends on three depends on technology, four depends calligraphy, five to look at patterns, six depends pack slurry. In short, we should like to identify ancient coins, antique lapel pins, calligraphy and print pins as seriously true.

5, Early lapel pin, must look natural package authenticity of the pulp. More than a fake metal lapel pin is made of metal, to inspect the material history characteristics; second inspection of their natural pack slurry is old traces. If you have the experience to identify ancient coins, identify counterfeit chapter like master. Two are similar.

Custom lapel pins are versatile enough to be used in modern businesses and other organizations for many purposes. Nonprofit organizations depend on them to increase awareness of social causes. Businesses use them to recognize outstanding achievements such as meeting sales or production goals. Even total strangers become friends by trading pins at Little League baseball tournaments. Custom lapel pins can be made in so many different styles and designs that they can fit just about any motivational, promotional or awareness raising concern.

Military units have worn custom lapel pins at least as far back as the Civil War. Lapel pins were commonly used to denote specific military units and sometimes rank. Today, the tradition has evolved to the point that the military often uses custom lapel pins to honor distinguished service, either on or off the battlefield.

Custom lapel pins are made in several different styles. Some styles are better suited for particular applications than others.

The highest quality custom lapel pins available are cloisonné. These are created from a glass-like mixture of hard enamel on the die-struck metal base. To ensure durability and no color bleeding, each color is fired individually at high temperature. These custom lapel pins are the quality of fine jewelry and are the most durable lapel pin style made. Because the manufacturing process is so complex, cloisonné pins also are the most expensive type of lapel pins. Due to their cost, cloisonné custom lapel pins are best suited for pins for the business world. They are seldom used for sports trading pins.

Soft enamel custom lapel pins are the most popular style used for sports trading pins. They look like cloisonné, but are less expensive because the colors are made from soft enamel and fired at a lower temperature. An optional epoxy coating can be added to increase their durability.

The most popular custom lapel pins of all are sports trading pins. They are virtually everywhere at Little League baseball and softball tournaments. In recent years other youth sports such as soccer, hockey and football have taken note of the popularity and adopted them for trading as well.

Die-struck custom lapel pins are commonly used for military-style pins. The pins are stamped from a die, just like cloisonné and soft enamel pins. But unlike the other types, die-struck custom lapel pins have no color added. They feature recessed areas that are sandblasted to give them a grainy appearance, while raised areas are polished to a high shine. The result is a classic, formal appearance.

Offset digital lapel pins are the way to accurately reproduce gradients and drop shadows on custom lapel pins. Unlike the preceding pin types, these have no raised or recessed areas. Instead of being die-struck into the metal, the photograph-quality image is printed directly onto the pin surface. An epoxy coating is generally required to increase the durability of this style of custom lapel pins.

Silk screened custom lapel pins feature colors printed one at a time, just like the silk screen printing process used to print T-shirts. These are ideal if you need to precisely reproduce logos, corporate text, drawings or photographs on custom lapel pins. Like their offset digital counterparts, these have no raised or recessed areas. These custom lapel pins require an epoxy coating to protect the image and increase durability.

Photo etched lapel pins are an economical style of custom lapel pins. Because they are made of thinner metal, however, they are less durable than other styles. Using a chemical process similar to that used to develop photo film, the desired custom designs are etched into the surface of the metal. Like silk screen printed pins, the photo etched custom lapel pins require an epoxy coating for added durability.