What are Pin Plating Options?
When it comes to custom enamel pins, plating is an essential element that influences the final look and feel of your design. This guide will help you navigate the different pin plating options and choose the best fit for your needs.
Table of Content
1. What Is Pin Plating?
Plating/Electroplating is the process of applying a thin metallic coating to enamel pins. The process involves submerging the pins into a chemical solution containing the metal to be plated and applying an electrical current. This causes the metal ions to stick to the pins surface.
This coating not only determines the pin’s color but also adds durability by creating a protective layer from corrosion and scratches.
2. Types of Pin Plating
Plating options can be broadly classified into Shiny, Antique and Dye Plating.
Shiny Plating- If you want a bright, shiny, and modern look, go for the most popular plating options. The high-gloss finish makes your details really pop.
TIP - This plating option is available for both Soft Enamel Pins and Hard Enamel Pins.
2. Antique Plating - Designed for a vintage, aged look, this plating method involves submerging the pins in chemicals to create a rich contrast between raised and recessed areas. This creates darker recessed areas than raised areas for designs, giving them the antique finish.
TIP - This plating option is available only for Soft Enamel Pins, Die Struck Pins and Die Cast Pins .
ImageSource- Gold & Silver Antique Pins
3. Dye Plating - With advancements in technology, you can now go beyond traditional shiny and antique finishes by changing the entire plating color. Instead of metallic gold or silver, the raised areas take on the selected dye color, creating a bold and uniform look.
TIP - This plating option is available for Soft Enamel Pins only.
Example 1 - Let’s see example of the most popular dye plated pin.
Black Dye Plating- It’s a solid black metal finish, where the entire plating is coated in deep, mate or glossy black. Often removing the metallic shine in these pins.
Example 2
PMS Dyed Plating- This allows you to customize the plating color to match a specific Pantone Matching System (PMS) color. In simple words you can select from over 2000+ colors from Pantone Matching System (PMS).
A Pink dyed plating done for a pin. ImageSource - Pink Dyed Lapel Pin
Few examples of how Dyed Plating will looks like. ImageSource - Metal Finishes
3. FAQs
Q1. What Is Rainbow Plating?
A: Rainbow plating (also called anodized plating) features an iridescent, color-changing effect. The pin reflects various colors at different angles.
Q2. What is two-tone plating or dual plating?
A: Two-tone plating, also known as dual plating, combines two different metal finishes on a single pin. This technique creates contrast by using two distinct plating colors, such as gold and silver, within the same design.
It has two types of metal in one pin- here it’s gold and silver yet you can still differentiate the metal. ImageSource - Lapel Pin Plating
