Both start as the same die struck pin — the difference is the enamel and how far it is filled. On a soft enamel pin the color sits below the raised metal borders of the design, so the surface has texture you can feel. On a hard enamel pin, also called cloisonné, a glass-like enamel is filled level with the metal and polished smooth, which reads as jewelry-quality and costs more per pin.
Soft enamel is the better choice for colorful, detailed artwork on a budget, and hard enamel is the better choice for awards and long-service recognition pieces. If you want a smooth face without the hard enamel price, add an epoxy dome — we include those at no additional charge.
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