Lapel pins and badges making process

Lapel pins and badges  making process is generally divided into stamping, die-casting, hydraulic pressure, corrosion, etc., among which stamping and die-casting are more common. Color processing The coloring process is divided into enamel (cloisonne), imitation enamel, baking varnish, glue, printing, etc. The material of the badge is generally divided into zinc alloy, copper, stainless steel, iron, pure silver, pure gold and other alloy materials

Stamping badges: Generally, the materials used for stamping badges are copper, iron, aluminum, etc., so they are also called metal badges. The most common is copper badges, because copper is softer, and the pressed lines are the clearest, followed by iron badges. Corresponding copper prices are also relatively expensive.

Die-casting badges: Die-casting badges are usually made of zinc alloy materials. Because of the low melting point of zinc alloy materials, it can be injected into the mold after heating to produce complex and difficult embossed hollow badges.

How to distinguish between zinc alloy and copper badges

Zinc alloy: light weight, oblique and smooth cutting edges

Copper: There are dashes on the cutting edge, and the same volume is heavier than zinc alloy

Generally, zinc alloy parts are riveted, and copper parts are soldered and silver.

Enamel badges: Enamel badges, also known as cloisonne badges, belong to high-end badge craftsmanship. The material is mainly red copper, which is colored with enamel powder. 

The characteristics of making enamel badges are to be colored first and then polished and electroplated, so it feels smooth and flat. The color is dark and single and can be stored for a long time, but the enamel is fragile and cannot be knocked or dropped by gravity. Enamel badges are commonly found in military medals, medals, commemorative medals, license plates and car marks.

Hard enamel badges: The production process is basically the same as that of enamel badges, except that the color is not enamel powder, but resin paint, also called color paste pigment. The color is brighter and shiny than enamel. The surface of the product is smooth to the touch, and the substrate can be copper, iron, zinc alloy, etc.

Paint craft badges: obvious concavity and convexity, bright colors, and clear metal lines. The concave part is filled with baking paint, and the protruding part of the metal line needs to be electroplated. The materials generally include copper, zinc alloy, iron, etc. Among them, iron and zinc alloy are cheap, so there are more common paint badges. The production process is electroplating first, then coloring and baking, which is the opposite of the production process of enamel.

In order to keep the paint badge for a long time, it protects the surface from scratches. A layer of transparent protective resin can be placed on its surface, that is, Poly, which we often call "Epoxy". After the resin is applied, the badge does not have the texture of metal bumps. But Polly is also easy to be scratched, and after UV exposure, Polly will turn yellow after a long time.

Soft enamel badges: There are usually two ways: screen printing and offset printing. It is also generally called a glue badge, because the final process of the badge is to add a layer of transparent protective resin (Poly) on the surface of the badge. The materials used are mainly stainless steel and bronze, and the thickness is generally 0.8mm. The surface is not electroplated, but natural color or wire drawing is used.

Silk-screen printing badges are mainly aimed at simple graphics and fewer colors. The lithographic printing is aimed at complex patterns and more colors, especially graphics with gradient colors.