MADE FOR YOUR DESIGN

Lapel Pin Materials.

Chosen for your design.

Start with the shape, artwork and feel you want. Explore material options for pins, medals, coins and keychains.

Materials at a glance

A quick look at texture and design possibilities.

Metal

Metal feel & formed detail

Soft PVC

Soft feel & molded color

Acrylic

Illustration & transparent edges

Fabric

Thread texture & textile use

Leather options

Surface texture & debossed marks

METALS

Each metal has its strengths.

For metal designs, look at forming, detail and feel. The finished color is a separate choice.

Zinc alloy medal · Relief and cutout details

Sculpted shapes · Die casting

Zinc Alloy

Consider die-cast zinc alloy when your design emphasizes sculpted relief, distinctive outlines or cutout details.

Relief & depth

Raised figures, layered landscapes and cutout details create depth, with highlights changing as the piece turns.

Weight & feel

The body thickness can be planned around the desired weight and feel, together with the attachment.

TYPICAL USE

Medals, dimensional commemorative coins and medallions, badges and metal keychains.

Iron badge blank · Outline and recessed areas

Stamped detail · Budget in mind

Iron

Iron is an option for stamped designs with clear outlines and separated color areas, balancing a metal feel with the project budget.

Clear artwork

Stamped outlines and shallow recesses suit simple logos, geometric emblems and separated color areas.

Metal body

A rigid base gives the piece a solid feel; the face and edges need suitable protective finishing.

TYPICAL USE

Stamped pins and metal keychains; die-struck medals can be reviewed for the design.

Brass commemorative coin · Lettering and relief

Die-struck detail · Substantial feel

Brass

Consider brass for commemorative pieces where defined metal artwork and a substantial feel are part of the appeal.

Defined relief

Die-struck lettering and relief carry the design even when filled color is kept to a minimum.

Base & finish

Its natural yellow tone may be retained or covered by a finish; an exposed brass look needs suitable surface protection.

TYPICAL USE

Commemorative coins and medallions, die-struck pins and metal keychains; medals can be reviewed for the design.

Copper badge blank · Raised dividing lines

Warm base tone · Vitreous enamel

Copper

For a pin project that specifically calls for vitreous enamel, copper can be considered as the base material.

Warm metal tone

The naturally reddish tone distinguishes the unfinished base from brass, although a later finish may cover it.

Formed detail

Its formability helps create the dividing lines and relief in a badge; the enamel process is confirmed for the project.

TYPICAL USE

Selected vitreous enamel commemorative pins.

Aluminum keychain blank · Outline and attachment hole

Lightweight sheet · Flat artwork

Aluminum

Aluminum sheet is an option for flat badges and selected keychains when comfortable wearing or carrying weight matters.

Graphic space

A relatively flat face provides space for printed or marked logos, illustrations and identification graphics.

Shape & thickness

Thickness is chosen around the outline and openings, balancing a light body with suitable rigidity.

TYPICAL USE

Lightweight badges and selected flat keychains.

Stainless steel · Sheet and metal card blanks

Flat sheet · Metal texture

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel sheet is an option for flat designs that combine surface texture, lettering and logos. The application depends on the design and intended use.

Flat structure

The flat body provides space for logos and text. Thickness, outline and edges are reviewed with the design.

Surface character

Surface texture and simple graphics create a clean metal appearance; the texture and marking method are confirmed with the sample.

TYPICAL USE

Metal business cards and membership cards; selected flat keychains can be reviewed for the design.

These are typical applications, not an exhaustive compatibility list. Commemorative coins here refer to craft keepsakes. The final material and process depend on the artwork, size and use.

OTHER MATERIALS

A different material. A different feel.

Explore flexibility, transparency and texture.

Soft PVC keychains · Molded color and dimensional details

Flexible body · Molded color

Soft PVC

Choose soft PVC for keychains and logo badges with a soft feel, bold color areas and distinctive silhouettes.

Flexible feel

The flexible body has a smooth, nonmetallic surface; thickness and shape influence how easily it bends.

Layered color

Molded color sections and raised or recessed areas help bring out simple logos and recognizable shapes.

TYPICAL USE

Event souvenir keychains and molded logo badges.

Acrylic keychains · Printed artwork and transparent edges

Printed artwork · Clear edges

Acrylic

Acrylic suits designs where colorful illustrations and transparent areas are central to the finished appearance.

Printed detail

Flat printing can show fine artwork without raised metal lines separating every color area.

Clear outline

The rigid sheet creates a defined edge and visible thickness; transparent areas and the reverse view are planned together.

TYPICAL USE

Museum souvenir keychains and printed badges.

Embroidered patches · Thread texture and edge finishing

Embroidered texture · Woven detail

Fabric

Fabric suits patches and keychains where thread texture and a textile feel are part of the design.

Embroidered texture

Visible stitches and raised threads give simple symbols a tactile surface, with a finished border defining the shape.

Woven surface

Woven designs offer a flatter appearance; small lettering should be reviewed in thread at the finished size.

TYPICAL USE

Uniform patches, club patches and embroidered keychains.

Leather keychains · Debossing, stitching and hardware

Surface texture · Debossed branding

Leather Options

Consider leather options for gift keychains with a pressed logo and visible texture. The exact material is confirmed with the sample.

Debossed logo

A pressed mark gives a simple logo depth while leaving the surrounding surface texture visible.

Finished details

The body shape, finished edges and selected metal hardware work together to define the completed accessory.

TYPICAL USE

Corporate anniversary gifts and branded keychains.

Leather specifications and textile construction are confirmed with the chosen sample.

MATERIAL & PROCESS

The material is just the start.

Gold, silver and antique bronze describe the finish, not necessarily the base metal. For enamel pins, choose the metal base, color fill and surface finish separately.

Base material

Feel and structure

Forming

Outline and relief

Color

Filling or printing

Surface finish

Metal tone and gloss

LET’S MAKE IT YOURS

Not sure which material to choose?

Send your artwork, size, quantity and intended use. HDB will help you choose a suitable direction.