Free artwork and design · No minimum order · Stock pins made in 3–4 business days · Decorated in Victoria
Lapel pins, pin badges, lapel badges: what's the difference?
None. Whatever you call them, a lapel pin is a small metal badge carrying your logo or design, worn on a jacket, shirt, cap or lanyard. Recognition ID supplies custom lapel pins to businesses, schools, sports clubs and events across Australia from our base in Hallam, Victoria.
The main types of lapel pin
- Soft enamel: coloured enamel sits between raised metal lines, giving a textured feel and sharp detail. A popular, cost-effective choice for clubs, schools and events.
- Hard enamel: the enamel is filled level with the metal and polished flat for a smooth, glossy, durable finish. Suits corporate and long-service pins.
- Die struck: your design is stamped into metal with no colour fill, for a classic, understated look.
- Die cast: metal is cast in a mould, allowing sculpted 3D shapes, cut-outs and fine detail.
- Printed: full-colour or photographic designs, including gradients, printed onto metal and protected by a clear epoxy dome.
- Stock metal resin pins: standard round, oval, square and rectangle pins in gold or silver, with your logo printed in full colour under a clear resin dome. No mould is needed, so they're the fastest option.
Special finishes are also available, including glitter enamel, glow-in-the-dark colours, spinning or sliding parts, hinged pins and two-tone plating.
How to choose the right lapel pin
- By design: bold, solid colours suit soft or hard enamel; fine detail, gradients or photos suit printed pins; a metal-only look suits die struck; sculpted shapes suit die cast.
- By quantity and timing: for a few pins or an urgent order, choose stock metal resin pins (made in 3–4 business days). For hundreds or more, custom enamel pins give the best price per pin.
- By budget: soft enamel is usually more affordable than hard enamel; stock pins have no mould cost at all.
Plating, backings and finishes
Custom pins can be plated in gold, nickel (silver), copper, brass, imitation rhodium (nickel free), chrome, black nickel or dye black, with antique gold, antique silver, antique copper and antique bronze finishes for a traditional look, and satin gold or satin nickel for a softer sheen. Sandblasted backgrounds (2D designs only) and textured backgrounds are also available. Finishes on 3D and antique designs can vary slightly from the chart.
Pins come with a butterfly clutch on the back as standard, and magnetic backs are available on request.
What do lapel pins cost?
Stock and ready-made metal lapel pins are $4.50 to $7 + GST each. Custom enamel pin prices depend on your design and quantity, and include the one-off mould cost, so the price per pin falls as quantities rise. Contact us for a free design and quote.
How long do lapel pins take?
- Stock metal resin pins: made in 3–4 business days in our Victorian facility. This is the best option for rush orders.
- Ready-made pins (such as our Pride, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Māori flag, eucalyptus and SDG pins): held in stock and dispatched within 1–2 business days.
- Custom enamel pins and custom coins: about 4 weeks from approval of your design.
Is there a minimum order?
No, there's no minimum order on any lapel pin. Custom enamel pins have a one-off mould and setup cost for each design, so they're most economical in larger quantities.
Free artwork and design
Our specialist art department designs your pin for free, and you approve a proof before anything goes into production.
How to wear a lapel pin
On a suit or blazer, wear the pin on the left lapel, roughly in line with the breast pocket and above the heart. On a shirt, polo or uniform, place it on the left side near the collar. Magnetic backs avoid making holes in delicate fabrics.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get custom lapel pins?
For small quantities, stock metal resin pins from $5.50 + GST each with no mould cost. For large quantities, custom enamel pins, where the price per pin falls as the quantity rises.
How fast can I get lapel pins?
Stock metal pins are made in 3–4 business days; ready-made pins are dispatched within 1–2 business days. Custom enamel pins take about 4 weeks.
Do you charge for artwork?
No. Our specialist art department designs your pin for free, and you approve a proof before production.
Is there a minimum order?
No. Order one pin or thousands.
Can lapel pins have a magnetic back?
Yes, magnetic backs are available on request instead of the standard butterfly clutch.
Ready to start? Browse our custom enamel lapel pins, stock metal lapel pins or all lapel pins, or contact us for a free design.
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