Menu

Soft Enamel Pins

How Lapel Pins Can Help Grow Your Medical Organization

How Lapel Pins Can Help Grow Your Medical Organization

, , , ,

Whether your company is nonprofit or for-profit, you’ll want to get the word out to patients about your products and/or services. That’s often easier said than done, because the patient (who will ultimately be your end user) is sometimes several steps back in the chain of distribution.

Whether you’re going direct to consumer with your marketing efforts or appealing to doctors’ offices or retail and online sales outlets, lapel pins are an affordable, memorable way to get noticed.

Ideal for Any Healthcare Company

Do you own, manage, or work for a:

  • Remote / traveling medical-assistance firm – e.g., a visiting-nurse agency, home-healthcare provider, or a nonprofit offering low-income seniors free bus transportation to doctors’ offices?
  • Health education organization?
  • Manufacturer of medical supplies and/or equipment?
  • Pharmaceutical start-up?
  • Research firm specializing in chronic diseases, cancer, diabetes, physical and cognitive disabilities, or other health conditions?
  • Clinic offering free women’s health checkups, mobile mammography screenings, etc.?

…or any other organization related to the healthcare industry?

Add lapel pins to your marketing plan. These marketing pins offer an eye-catching way to promote your organization. They reinforce your branding, reminding your patients and customers exactly who you are and what you offer. 

Your employees and representatives can wear your branded lapel pins:

  • While making sales calls at hospitals and physicians’ offices
  • At popular conventions – including annual medical, dental, and eyecare conferences for device and equipment suppliers
  • At major trade shows for pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers
  • At global expos for suppliers of surgical devices and equipment
  • At annual expos for makers of disability products and services
  • At civic events, school events, holiday festivities, and other community gatherings

What Should You Put on Your Pins?

That depends on your marketing objectives, personal tastes, and promotional budget. Your options include:

  • Your logo
  • Your organization’s name
  • A short health message (10,000 steps today, Fund the Cure, etc.)
  • Your slogan or tag line
  • A meaningful motto
  • A photo-realistic lifestyle image showcasing what you do
  • An appropriate symbol, such as the Caduceus Staff (with two entwined snakes) or an image of a stethoscope or other familiar medical device
  • An abstract design incorporating your color palette

Although lapel pins are relatively small – usually .75″ to 2″ max – they can display more visual information than you might think. You’ll be surprised how much detail these pins can comfortably fit while still looking bright and beautiful.

What Kind of Lapel Pins Should You Pick?

At Sunset Pins & Coins, we offer several alternatives, any of which can serve your promotional purposes. Choose from:

  • Soft Enamel Lapel Pins: They’re your most affordable option, and the fastest to produce, but make no mistake, these premium pins are extremely attractive and durable. With their rich embossed texture, intricate details, and colorful enamel fill, they’ll definitely make an impact. Plus, they can accommodate an amazing range of brilliant custom hues, including bold black and multicolor rainbow finishes.
  • Hard Enamel (Cloisonné) Lapel Pins: Unlike soft enamel pins, these upscale lapel pins are super-smooth all over, without any ridges or texture. Baked multiple times to “cure” (or harden) their sleek enamel surface, they’re then buffed for a bright, glassy finish that resembles fine jewelry.
  • Die-Struck Lapel Pins: Like hard and soft enamel lapel pins, these impressive pins are made by the die-stamping process. That is, a precision mold (or “die”) of your pin design is stamped in reverse relief onto a sheet of metal under intense pressure. But, unlike those enamel pins, our simple die-struck pins contain no colored fill. Instead, they’re plated with a premium metal like gold, silver, or copper. Sometimes, they’re also burnished for a stylish vintage effect.
  • Offset-Printed Pins: These remarkable pins are crafted using the same offset printing process used to print full-color magazines and brochures. Perfect for replicating full-color photography, they capture your photo image in precise, realistic detail – down to the subtlest nuances of text, shadow, and gradient. The result is eye-popping photo-realism, ideal for portraits and lifestyle images.

Once you’ve decided which type of pin you want, you’re ready for the next step.

Bring Your Basic Concept to Sunset Pins & Coins

Call 1-800-890-2789 to connect with one of our expert account executives. He or she will be with you each phase of the way, guiding you through the whole process from concept to completion.

Already have a finished design? That’s perfect! Our skilled design specialists can work with your concept to create the digital artwork that will serve as the mold for your pins.

Just have a vague idea what you want? That’s fine as well. Our designers can take even the roughest sketch – or even a mental image – and transform it into the finished art you’re looking for. At each stage of the process, we’ll get your buy-off, to make sure our artwork reflects just what you had in mind.

Then we’ll manufacture your pins in the quantity you prefer – anywhere from 100 to 10,000. And we’ll safely deliver your completed order directly to your office in time for your next trade show, convention, or public event.  

How Lapel Pins Will Help Generate More Leads at Trade Shows

How Lapel Pins Will Help Generate More Leads at Trade Shows

, , , ,

Does your organization participate in trade shows, conventions, and conferences? Are you a member of a trade association that sponsors these kinds of events?

Custom lapel pins featuring your organization’s branding are a proven and popular way to drive traffic, awareness, engagement, leads, word-of-mouth, and sales. They’re surprisingly affordable, especially compared with most trade-show paraphernalia.

Who Should Wear Branded Lapel Pins at Trade Shows and Conventions?

Every attendee who represents your firm, group, or organization. Depending on the purpose and theme of the trade show, you’ll find pin-wearing attendees repping: 

  • Businesses and corporations
  • Trade associations
  • Police and firefighter associations
  • Churches and parachurch ministries
  • Schools and universities
  • Teachers and professors
  • Clubs and civic groups
  • Charities and fundraisers
  • Hospitals and health-care providers
  • Homeschool publishers and curriculum providers
  • Local outreach groups such as homeless shelters and crisis-control centers
  • Pin traders and other interest groups
  • And many more. If you belong to any kind of group, and you want to reach your target audience – up close and in person – wear a custom lapel pin!

Lapel pins are also perfect for individual professionals keen on marketing their products and/or services at large events. These include artisans, artists, hobbyists, software developers, tutors, building contractors, you name it.

How to Use Lapel Pins to Reach Your Trade-Show Audience

 Your options are pretty much endless:

  • Create unique lapel pins that stand out in a crowd and attract interest. Sure, logo pins probably leap to mind, but, with the help of Sunset Pins & Coins, you can have pins that tell a story, support a cause, and otherwise make visitors want one of your pins for themselves.
  • Have all employees attending the show wear your branded pins. Encourage them to use the pins as ice breakers – to tell the story, answer questions, or just show off how very cool your distinctive design is.
  • Keep a supply of your pins at your booth and hand them out to everyone who browses your exhibit.
  • Include your lapel pins in swag bags provided to patrons and visitors.
  • Decorate your booth or exhibit with lapel pins.
  • Trade your pins with other pin traders (at pin-trading conventions).

What Design Elements Should You Feature on Your Pins?

 The sky’s the limit! But, at a minimum, we recommend:

  • Your logo – perhaps.
  • The name of your organization, maybe as a logotype circling the pin’s main image
  • A colorful image specific to the product or service you’re promoting
  • A short, punchy tag line or catchy message (if it will comfortably fit)
  • The slogan for a cause your business is passionate about

What Kind of Lapel Pin Should You Opt For?

 At Sunset Pins & Coins, we offer several options, each with its own benefits. Go with the choice that best suits your plans and purposes.

  • Soft enamel pins. By far our most popular option, these beautiful pins offer two key advantages. They’re extremely affordable, and they’re easy to produce – usually within 10 to 12 days after you place your order. Best of all, they deliver an eye-catching ridged texture and richly colored enamel fill.
  • Hard enamel pins (cloisonné). These boast vivid enamel fill for a luxe multicolor look. But, unlikesoft enamel, they’re smooth, not textured, with a sleek polished surface that gleams like a brilliant jewel. And, since they’re extremely durable, they work well as heirloom keepsakes.
  • Die-Struck Pins. Typically monotone, these pins are plated with a precious metal like gold or silver or a premium metal like copper. Sometimes they’re burnished for a vintage look and/or edged with jet-black trim.
  • Offset Printed Pins. These eye-popping pins incorporate offset photography, the same classic technology used for expensive full-color brochures and famous magazines. Their imagery is amazingly clear, colorful, nuanced, and detailed.

Contact Sunset Pins & Coins to Order Your Custom Lapel Pins 

Call 1-800-890-2789 to get the ball rolling with your design.

Don’t have a design? Our talented artists are trained to turn your concepts into reality. They specialize in lapel-pin design, which differs in significant ways from conventional graphic design. So, you can trust them for a finished concept that captures your vision perfectly. Remember, you’ll have input throughout the process, so you can ensure the result you want.

Already have a finished design? We’ll gladly work with your custom artwork, tweaking it only when strictly necessary for proper manufacturing. Of course, we’ll always get your buyoff on any slight modifications we make. This is your show, and we’re here to serve, not to get in the way!

In just a few short weeks, you’ll have your classy lapel pins, all ready to wear and display at your next trade show or convention.

Score Big with Sports-Themed Lapel Pins

Score Big with Sports-Themed Lapel Pins

, , , ,

From pickup games to national championships, we Americans love our sports. We’re always looking for cool new ways to show our support and allegiance.

That’s where lapel pins come in. These colorful custom buttons portray everything from teams, players, and mascots to balls, rackets, bats, clubs, bikes, skates, helmets, oars, and paddles.

Plus, because they are 100% customizable and range in size from .75 inch to 2 inches, they work perfectly with any clothing style, from T-shirts to business suits.

The market is huge – and growing – as more and more sports enthusiasts get in on the pin-trading craze and other popular trends.

How are you involved with sports? All of the following (and others) will love our custom pins:

  • Fans of Professional Teams: Whether you’re looking at the NFL, the NBA, or the PPA (Professional Pickleball Association), you’ll find avid fans eager to show off their loyalty to their favorite team. With a colorful enamel lapel pin depicting the team’s logo or mascot, they can do exactly that. With an offset-printed pin, they can do even more – i.e., sport a high-resolution photographic image of their favorite player.

If you are not with the team’s organization, make sure your imagery has been licensed by the relevant sports league or association before you produce any of these pins.

  • Fans of College Teams: Few fandoms are as enthusiastic as collegiate sports fans. Especially in regions where college football and basketball play prominent roles in the local culture.  

    If you’re in the marketing department of a collegiate soccer, tennis, golf, lacrosse, or other team, consider creating a series of sports lapel pins for every phase of the season – including playoffs and championships – as well as every athlete.
  • Fans of School Teams: Parents and students alike appreciate lapel pins celebrating middle and high school sports like soccer, football, baseball, basketball, track, tennis, golf, wrestling, and gymnastics. Pins can depict anything from the school mascot to a ball, glove, or helmet inscribed with the team name or logo.
  • Professional Team Executives and Staff: Even when sports execs are sporting business suits, they still want to promote their teams. How can they do so professionally? With lapel pins, of course. Hard enamel pins are ideal: With their brilliant colors and glossy shine, they convey elegance and class. Yet, at the same time, they definitely get the point across.

  • Coaches: From preschool T-ball to pro basketball, every sports team has a coach. Usually more than one. According to IBISWorld, as of 2023, there are 322,629 sports coaches in the United States. Many of those coaches may be looking for creative ways to honor, reward, and recognize their high-achieving players. Lapel pins are perfect for this purpose. They can be customized to show team colors and logos along with messages like “MVP” or “Outstanding Catcher/Kicker/Whatever.”

  • Sports Clubs: Do you belong to a local softball league, golf club, or pickleball association? Or do you market to these informal amateur groups? You may want to consider ordering a batch of custom lapel pins. Such pins provide these regional sports clubs with an easy, effective way to forge a group identity, build a unique brand, and connect with other members.

  • Pin Traders: Nowadays lapel-pin trading has become a booming business. At online sites like Amazon, and eBay, sellers feature pins everything sports. Why not get in on the game with attractive enamel pins promoting popular players, clubs, and teams? (If you are a reseller of sports pins, make certain you have proper licensing approval before ordering.)

Choose From Several Alternatives

Once you’ve decided to offer lapel pins with a sports or athletic theme, what’s the next step? Decide what kind of pins you want. At Sunset Pins and Coins, we offer a range of options:

  • Soft Enamel Pins: Known for their richly textured beauty, these budget-friendly pins boast higher raised ridges and lower recessed hollows. Brilliant colored enamel fills the recessed areas – but never comes up to the rims – to create a unique, distinctive 3D look. Best of all, these pins can be manufactured quickly at quite affordable prices, so they’re the perfect choice when you’re in a pinch.

  • Hard Enamel Pins: Also known as cloisonné, these jewel-like pins are famous for their solid, durable finish. Unlike soft enamel pins, they’re sleek and smooth all over, with a beautifully buffed sheen. Yes, they cost a little more to produce, but if you’re selling to major teams or sports CEOs, you’ll find that the customers’ smiles are more than worth the modest additional price.

  • Die-Struck Pins: Technically, most pins are die-struck. But these pins differ from their enameled counterparts because they contain no colored enamel at all. Instead, they simply consist of an engraved steel base plated with a decorative metal like gold, silver, or copper. Sometimes they’re antiqued for a vintage effect or trimmed with fancy finishes. But basically they’re elegant monotone pins, ideal for sports execs who prefer a refined, understated look.

  • Offset Printed Pins: Yes, they’re exactly what they sound like – lapel pins incorporating full-color photography printed with offset technology. Perfect for showcasing individual players.

Have questions? We are here to help. Leave your comment below or contact us for assistance at 800-890-2789 or email info@sunsetpinsandcoins.com.

Soft Enamel Lapel Pins: What Makes Them Such a Popular Choice?

Soft Enamel Lapel Pins: What Makes Them Such a Popular Choice?

Soft Enamel Pins

Did you know that most of the lapel pins you see have one main thing in common?

They're made of soft enamel.

Soft enamel is by far the most common material used for custom lapel pins. It's easy to see why:

  • It's affordable.
  • It's beautiful.
  • It's vividly colorful.
  • It's extremely durable.
  • It features a rich embossed texture, with raised edges that keep the colors from bleeding into each other.

Best of all, it's incredibly versatile. Since it's not polished like hard enamel, it's more flexible and malleable, so it allows for a wider range of customized designs.

All things considered, then, if you're seeking premium pins at a price that won't bust your budget, you may want to consider soft enamel.

What Exactly Is Soft Enamel?

 For starters, it's not actually soft. So, rest assured your lapel pins can stand up to years of daily wear!

Unlike hard enamel, soft enamel:

  • Is layered, not smooth
  • Is baked at a lower temperature
  • Captures subtler design details
  • Has more vibrant colors
  • Can be painted a wider range of custom hues, including black and even rainbow finishes
  • Is faster to produce

 Our Die-Struck Process for Creating Soft Enamel Lapel Pins

 At Sunset Pins & Coins, it all starts with your design.

If you already have your own custom design, we can most likely work with it. Just make sure it's relatively simple, without too many thin lines.

If you prefer, you can choose from our in-house collection of customizable designs. Or you can develop a custom design “from scratch” with our expert help and guidance.

Once you've chosen your design, we'll create a steel mold – or die – that precisely captures its every contour in reverse relief. Then, we'll stamp this die onto a sheet of metal – usually brass, copper, or iron.

To do this, we'll use a hydraulic press, which drops hundreds of tons of pressure onto the metal base. This intense pressure literally molds the metal into the shape of the die, with ridges for sharp definition and cavities in between.

Next, we'll pour colored enamel into the recessed cavities. A different brilliant color will fill each separate section, depending on the design. The process is so precise that even the tiniest cavity will receive its own enamel hue. (Remember, the design's raised edges will prevent the various colors from getting mixed together.)

Finally, we'll fire the pin, then allow it to cool and cure (harden). As the enamel cures, it will settle down at a lower level than the surrounding metal edges. This will give your pin its signature textured look, with that subtle 3D effect which conveys exquisite artistry. You'll see and feel the difference!

If you like, we can also apply custom trims, such as gold or silver plating or painted finishes. These options will add extra expense, but they can also make your lapel pins gleam with special splendor.

Of course, you'll also need strong, secure backings to attach your pins to the lapels. We offer:

  • Free of charge: your choice of rubber clutch backs or butterfly clutch backs
  • For an additional charge: deluxe clutch backs, jewelry clutch backs, or safety pin backs

 Flag Pins and More: A Few Select Examples of Soft Enamel Pins

 What sort of lapel pins work well with soft enamel? Practically any kind you can think of. Here are just some of our high-demand options:

  • Flag Pins: Whether it's Old Glory, your state flag, or any other state or national banner, it will translate beautifully into soft enamel. Classic American flag pins provide a perfect example. The white stars and stripes will be slightly raised, while the red stripes and star-spangled blue background will be filled with brilliantly colored enamel. The end result will be impressively patriotic!
  • Badges: Do you belong to a club, professional group, or service organization? Show off your membership – tastefully – with a soft enamel lapel pin. Our hydraulic dye-stamping process produces clear, crisp edges, so it's ideal for logos and lettering.
  • Sports Team Pins: Ready to showcase your team's logo or motto? Soft enamel is the perfect medium. Available in virtually any shape and size – ranging from .75" to 2" – it captures every detail, from the contours of a helmet to the whiskers of an animal mascot.
  • Fundraising, Promotional, Corporate, Commemorative, and Cause Awareness Pins: Simply bring us your idea – even if it's just a rough sketch – and our skilled, experienced team will work closely with you to create an eye-catching professional design that clearly conveys your message.

And remember, soft enamel pins are easier to produce than some other types of lapel pin, so they're more budget-friendly. Delivery is also faster. At Sunset Pins & Coins, we deliver in 10 to 12 business days after you place your order.