Custom enamel pin guide
Soft Enamel vs Hard Enamel Pins: What’s the Difference?
Enamel pins are more than accessories. They are a canvas for self-expression, branding, community, collecting and creativity.
If you are designing custom enamel pins, one of the first choices you will make is soft enamel vs hard enamel. Both styles can look beautiful, but they differ in finish, durability, cost, detail and best use case.
Quick answer
Should you choose soft enamel or hard enamel pins?
Choose soft enamel pins if you want a textured finish, bold metal lines, strong colour contrast and a more budget-friendly option. Choose hard enamel pins if you want a smooth, polished, premium pin that feels more durable and professional.
Choose soft enamel if…
You want a textured, detailed, colourful pin with raised metal lines and a lower unit cost.
Choose hard enamel if…
You want a smooth, glossy, premium-feeling pin for branding, awards or long-term keepsakes.
Best beginner option
Soft enamel is often easier for first-time makers because it is flexible, popular and budget-friendly.
Best premium option
Hard enamel is ideal when the pin needs to feel polished, formal, durable and gift-ready.
In this guide
Compare soft enamel and hard enamel pins
Soft enamel pins
What are soft enamel pins?
Soft enamel pins are known for their vibrant colours, raised metal outlines and textured surface. The coloured enamel sits slightly lower than the raised metal lines, creating a dimensional feel that many collectors love.
- Great for designs with strong outlines, details and bold colours.
- Often preferred for artist merch, community pins and collectible drops.
- Can support a fun, tactile, handmade-feeling finish.
- More scratch-prone than hard enamel because the enamel sits lower than the metal.
Hard enamel pins
What are hard enamel pins?
Hard enamel pins, sometimes associated with a cloisonné-style finish, are known for their smooth, polished surface. The enamel is filled to the top of the recessed areas and polished flat so the enamel and metal sit level.
- Best for simple, clean, premium-looking designs.
- More resistant to surface scratches than soft enamel.
- Great for corporate pins, anniversary pins, awards and high-end merch.
- Can be less suitable for very detailed artwork, shading or gradients.
Side-by-side comparison
Soft enamel vs hard enamel pins
Both enamel pin styles are high-quality options. The better choice depends on your design, audience, budget and how premium you want the final pin to feel.
| Feature | Soft Enamel Pins | Hard Enamel Pins |
|---|---|---|
| Surface finish | Textured, dimensional and tactile | Smooth, polished and flat |
| Look and style | Bold, colourful, playful and collectible | Premium, clean, glossy and professional |
| Design detail | Great for detailed artwork and strong raised outlines | Best for clean lines and simpler colour areas |
| Durability | Durable, but recessed enamel can scratch more easily | More scratch-resistant due to the polished flat surface |
| Cost | Usually more budget-friendly | Usually higher cost due to extra finishing |
| Best use case | Artist merch, fandom pins, giveaways, colourful drops and large runs | Corporate pins, awards, premium merch, formal gifts and keepsakes |
Decision guide
How to choose the right enamel pin type
When deciding between soft enamel and hard enamel pins, think about your artwork, audience, budget and how the final product should feel in someone’s hand.
Simple rule: choose soft enamel for bold, textured, budget-friendly pins. Choose hard enamel for smooth, polished, premium pins.
Helpful pin resources
Plan your custom enamel pin project
Once you know which enamel type suits your design, the next step is preparing your artwork, selecting pin size, choosing plating, deciding packaging and requesting a quote.
Custom enamel pins
Create soft enamel, hard enamel or custom enamel pins for artists, brands, events and communities.
Create custom enamel pins →Free design templates
Prepare artwork for production with free design templates for custom products.
Browse free templates →All custom products
Explore pins, stickers, patches, acrylic charms, packaging, apparel and more.
Browse custom products →Product catalog
Compare product ideas before choosing your next custom merch item.
View product catalog →Extra design tips
Tips for designing better enamel pins
Whether you choose soft enamel or hard enamel, your final pin quality starts with your artwork. Use clear lines, strong contrast and production-friendly shapes.
- Use clear outlines so colour areas are easy to separate.
- Avoid tiny details that may disappear at small pin sizes.
- Choose fewer colours if you want a cleaner and more premium look.
- Use a design tool like Adobe Illustrator, Canva or Procreate to prepare your artwork.
- Review your proof carefully before approving production.
Create with confidence
Ready to make soft enamel or hard enamel pins?
YourStuffMade helps artists, brands, events and small businesses create custom enamel pins with ethical manufacturing support, artwork guidance and clear production steps.
Helpful links
Resources for custom enamel pin design
YourStuffMade custom enamel pins
Start your soft enamel or hard enamel pin project with ethical custom manufacturing support.
Create custom pins →Custom ethical products
Browse pins, patches, stickers, acrylic charms, packaging and more.
Browse custom products →Free design templates
Download templates to prepare production-ready custom product artwork.
Explore templates →Adobe Illustrator
External vector design tool commonly used for production-ready artwork.
Explore Illustrator →Pantone
External colour system often referenced when discussing colour matching and design consistency.
Explore Pantone →FAQs
Frequently asked questions about soft enamel vs hard enamel pins
What is the main difference between soft enamel and hard enamel pins?
Soft enamel pins have recessed enamel with raised metal lines, creating a textured finish. Hard enamel pins are filled and polished flat, creating a smooth, glossy finish.
Are hard enamel pins more durable?
Yes, hard enamel pins are generally more scratch-resistant because the enamel and metal are polished flat. Soft enamel pins are still durable, but the recessed enamel can show wear more easily over time.
Are soft enamel pins cheaper than hard enamel pins?
Generally, yes. Soft enamel pins are usually more budget-friendly because they require fewer finishing steps than hard enamel pins.
Which enamel pin type is best for detailed artwork?
Soft enamel is often a better fit for more detailed or textured artwork because the raised metal lines and recessed colours can help the design feel more dimensional.
Which enamel pin type is best for corporate or professional use?
Hard enamel pins are usually better for corporate branding, awards, recognition pins and formal designs because they have a smooth, premium and professional finish.
Can YourStuffMade help me choose the right pin style?
Yes. YourStuffMade can help recommend soft enamel, hard enamel, plating, sizing, packaging and finishing options based on your artwork, budget and goals.
From YourStuffMade
Both enamel pin styles can bring your idea to life
There is no single “best” enamel pin type for every project. Soft enamel is bold, textured and budget-friendly, while hard enamel is smooth, polished and premium.
The best choice depends on your design, audience, budget and how you want the final pin to feel. Either way, custom enamel pins are a powerful way to express creativity, build community and create something people love to collect.
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