Soft Enamel vs Imitation Enamel vs Die Struck – Choose Your Custom Pin

Not sure which pin process fits your project? Compare soft enamel, imitation enamel, and die struck pins – their look, feel, durability, and best use cases.

Introduction

You have a logo, a message, or a design. You want to turn it into a custom metal pin. But when you start talking to manufacturers, you hear words like "soft enamel", "imitation enamel", and "die struck". What do they mean? And which one is right for you?

In this guide, we will explain the three most common custom pin processes – in plain English. By the end, you will know exactly which one to choose for your brand, event, or promotion.Soft Enamel vs Imitation Enamel vs Die Struck – Choose Your Custom Pin.

Let's dive in.

1. Soft Enamel Pins – The Colorful, Textured Choice

How it works: Soft enamel pins are made by stamping a metal die, then adding liquid enamel into the recessed areas. The enamel is baked but does not fill the cavity completely. As a result, the metal edges stand slightly higher than the enamel.

Look and feel:

• Textured surface – you can feel the raised metal lines between colors.

• Bright, bold colors – the enamel has a glossy, eye-catching finish.

• Slightly recessed color areas – gives a classic, industrial badge look.

Pros:

• Most affordable option for colorful custom pins

• Excellent color brightness and detail

• Can achieve a wide range of Pantone colors

• The textured surface hides minor wear well

Cons:

• Not completely smooth – the raised metal can catch on fabric

• Colors may feel less "premium" compared to imitation enamel

Best for:

• Event badges and music festival passes

• Club pins and team spirit wear

• Promotional giveaways where budget matters

• First-time buyers testing a design

Jin Yi Dian says: Soft enamel is our most popular choice for customers who want high color impact at a reasonable price. Around 60% of our corporate clients start with soft enamel for their first order.

2. Imitation Enamel Pins – The Smooth, Premium Look

How it works: Imitation enamel (also called "fake enamel" or "polished enamel") starts with the same metal stamping process. However, the enamel is filled flush with the metal edges, then polished to a completely flat, smooth surface.

Look and feel:

• Perfectly smooth surface – like a glass-topped table.

• Hard, durable finish – the enamel is baked harder than soft enamel.

• Premium, high-end appearance – often mistaken for real cloisonné.

Pros:

• Smooth surface feels more luxurious

• Harder and more scratch-resistant

• Colors remain brilliant without a textured feel

• Can achieve fine detail with crisp edges

Cons:

• Slightly higher cost than soft enamel

• Requires more production time

Best for:

• Corporate gifts and executive lapel pins

• Luxury brand merchandise

• Award pins and anniversary commemoratives

• Any project where "premium feel" matters

Jin Yi Dian says: Many of our clients upgrade to imitation enamel for their second or third order, once they have seen the quality difference. It is our top recommendation for brand image pins.

3. Die Struck Pins – The Metallic, No-Color Classic

How it works: Die struck pins are made by stamping a metal blank with extreme pressure, creating a raised (embossed) or sunken (debossed) design. No enamel is added. Instead, the pin gets its beauty from the metal itself – often finished with plating like gold, silver, nickel, or antique bronze.

Look and feel:

• Metallic-only finish – no colors, just the beauty of raw metal.

• Strong 3D depth – the design literally stands out from the surface.

• Heavy, solid feel – more weight than enamel pins.

Pros:

• Extremely durable – will last for decades

• Elegant, timeless appearance

• Feels substantial and high-quality in hand

• No enamel to chip or fade

Cons:

• No colors – design relies entirely on metal contrast

• More expensive than soft enamel

• Not suitable for complex, multi-color logos

Best for:

• Annual awards and hall of fame inductees

• Financial institutions and law firms (classic look)

• Vintage-style merchandise

• Projects where "metal" is the main feature

Jin Yi Dian says: Die struck pins are often chosen for executive gifts or milestone awards. They say "prestige" without saying a word.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Soft Enamel	Imitation Enamel	Die Struck
Surface Feel	Textured (raised metal)	Smooth (flush)	Metallic (raised/lowered)
Colors	Bright, bold, any Pantone	Bright, hard, any Pantone	None (metal only)
Durability	Good	Very good	Excellent
Cost	$ – most affordable	$$ – mid-range	$$$ – premium
Production Time	Fast	Moderate	Moderate
Best Use	Events, promotions, clubs	Corporate gifts, brand pins	Awards, executive gifts

How to Choose – A Simple Decision Guide

Still not sure? Answer these three questions:

1. Does your design rely heavily on many colors?

• Yes → Choose Soft Enamel or Imitation Enamel

• No (metal-only design) → Choose Die Struck

2. What is your target price per pin?

• Under $2.00 → Soft enamel is your best bet

• 2.00–2.00–4.00 → Consider imitation enamel

• Over $4.00 → You can afford die struck or premium imitation enamel

3. How will the pin be used?

• Worn on backpacks or hats daily → Soft enamel (texture hides wear)

• Worn on suits or uniforms → Imitation enamel (smooth, won't snag)

• Presented as an award or kept as a collectible → Die struck (classic, heavy feel)

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right pin process is about matching your design, budget, and use case.

• Start with soft enamel if you want bold colors at a low cost.

• Upgrade to imitation enamel if you want a smooth, premium feel.

• Go with die struck if your design is metal-focused and needs a classic, heavy look.

At Shenzhen Jin Yi Dian Crafts, we help you make the right choice. We can even produce a sample of each process for your design, so you can see and feel the difference before placing a large order.

👉 Ready to turn your design into a custom pin?[Contact us today] for a free quote and expert advice – no obligation.

About the Author

Andy Kong – Sales Manager at Shenzhen Jin Yi Dian Crafts Co., Ltd., a custom metal gifts manufacturer with 20+ years of experience. Andy has helped hundreds of global clients bring their pin and medal designs to life.

Welcome to our website： www.jydcrafts.com