We recently had the pleasure of creating 3D badges for the 200^th anniversary of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts.

The Society was founded in 1821, dedicated to ‘useful arts’ which is now called science, technology and engineering. The main goal of the Society used to be promoting invention and improvement. Now, they focus on lectures given by expert and distinguished speakers.

This was a special occasion for them, so we knew we had to make a badge that was just as special. Creating a 3D badge meant that the details stood out more than it would on a regular enamel badge.

The RSSA put together a few words for us to explain their company and the background of commissioning their badge:

“The Royal Scottish Society of Arts (RSSA) – which showcases Scotland’s science, technology and innovation – celebrates its 200^th anniversary in 2021. COVID affected many of the planned commemorative events, so it was important to mark the occasion in other ways.

“The Society commissioned i4c Publicity to produce a commemorative pin badge, which was distributed to all Fellows of the Society. RSSA Council member Dr Beverly Bergman designed the badge, and it features the head of Minerva, goddess of wisdom. It was based on the neck badge and chain worn by the President on formal occasions.”

Dr Alison Morrison-Low, the President of the RSSA, says:

“We are delighted with the way i4c Publicity interpreted our design and created a beautifully sculpted 3D cameo-style badge for us. Feedback from our Fellows has been extremely positive. We recommend i4c Publicity to anyone looking for a high-quality badge at a very competitive cost”.

To find out more about the RSSA, visit their website: www.rssa.org.uk

Here at i4c Publicity, we offer a range of different pin badge finishes. However, we often get asked which finish is best, and the truth is that it all depends on your project and the look that you desire. 

Below, we’ve gone into more detail of the pin badge finishes that we offer… 

How to Choose Different Pin Badges 

Soft Enamel 

This is a popular finish for badges, as it is high quality but low cost. The process to make this involves stamping the design onto your chosen metal, and then filled with coloured enamel. This creates a dimensional look, as the metal borders surround each colour. This can get finished with an epoxy resin coating, making it appear with a smooth finish whilst also having a protective coating. Without this, soft enamel badges will appear with a textured and bumpy finish. 

Soft Enamel is perfect for: 

• Charity Badges 
• Lapel Badges 

Hard Enamel 

With hard enamel, the enamel is added to the same level as the metal die lines, and each colour is baked individually. This can mean that there is a greater cost involved. Once complete, the badge is polished to finish the process. Because there are so many polish steps involved, the badge can sometimes achieve less detail however the polishing effect does leave a high shine, smooth finish.

Hard Enamel is perfect for: 

• Awards 
• Corporate Lapel Badges 
• Traditional Badges

Vitreous Enamel 

Vitreous enamel starts in the form of powdered glass, which is stamped into the metal. It is then fired at a high temperature until it melts together, and polished to a high standard. This is therefore a very durable badge finish and also gives you that extra wow factor. 

Vitreous Enamel is perfect for: 

• Car Bonnet Badges 
• Replica Badges 

Die Struck 

These are very economical and great for 3D designs. They are made by pouring molten metal into pre-prepared moulds and then fired and end up looking slightly recessed. The design is stamped onto metal and can be finished in various metals such as gold, bronze and silver or antique gold, antique silver and antique bronze, these are ideal for Award Badges and replicate logos perfectly.

Die Struck is perfect for: 

• Promotional Pins 
• Sports Pins 

Printed Metal 

Printed metal finishes are recommended for intricate designs and detailing, as well as shades or gradients. The design is offset printed on metal, with an Epoxy coating then added to increase durability. 

Printed Metal is perfect for: 

• Complex designs 
• Charity Badges 
• Promotions & Giveaways 

If you’re still not sure which pin badge finish you should choose, contact our friendly team of experts now who will be happy to advise you. 

Building a buzz for your brand is a powerful way to generate awareness and promote your business, and to increase the interest of potential customers. There are a number of tactics you can use to build your brand buzz, and using merchandise such as badges is a low cost way of doing this.

3 Ways to Building a Brand Buzz using Badges

1. Freebie Badges 

As badges are extremely low cost, giving them away is a great way for your business to get your brand out in the hands of potential customers whilst keeping costs low. Also, offering free merchandise is a great way to start building customer relationships, showing that you’re there to help them. This also helps increase brand visibility when customers wear their free badges on their bags or jackets.

2. Team up with a Blogger or Influencer 

With the rise of bloggers for every industry and market, they are a great way to get your brand heard amongst competitors. Bloggers are people that run blogs, and you can often team up with them and offer them your badges for free, where they can write content about you for their readers to see. This helps get your brand out there to a large audience.

3. Business Gifting 

If you are a business to business company, gifting them your badges is a great way to get your brand promoted to a wider audience, as well as strengthening your business relationships. This is because people feel happy when they receive something for free, as well as feeling appreciated. Of course, you can send these to other businesses within your industry, not just those that you already work with.

It’s easy to build a brand buzz with personalised badges, and with their smaller size, low cost and creative design, it’s a great way to get a competitor edge and get potential customers excited about your company and the products/services that you offer. Get in touch today to see how our badges can help your business.

With Christmas approaching, you may need to get badges printed quickly for gifts or for promotional events.

Christmas badges are the ideal way to celebrate the festive season, as well as being great for gifts. Not only that, but they are great for charity events and corporate events – which come around at this time of year. Badges are a great way to get exposure for your brand, as well to give to your employees to wear to such events – helping brand awareness.

Express Delivery

We realise that you may have an influx of orders whilst approaching the Christmas Period, meaning that you need your badges delivered fast. To help with this, we now offer Express Printing in time for Christmas – with you in mind.

If you usually order enamel badges, printed badges may be a greater alternative, as they are a lot quicker to be delivered. This will cut 2 weeks of lead time, meaning that you can have your order for when you need it most.

Delivery is usually 7-10 days, which allows you to get your stock quickly. However, if you need to meet a deadline, or need your delivery quicker, then please contact us  and we will do our best to get your order completed quicker.

You can also choose whether to have standard printed badges or bespoke cut to shape printed badges, both are great for all occasions. Although prices do vary for bespoke badges, they are a great way to make a statement for your brand.

Whether you need badges for corporate events for your workforce, or for individual customers, we offer the perfect solution by providing quick lead times and delivery times. Order your badges today, or contact us for more information.

Here at i4c Publicity, we offer many types of badges, including soft enamel and hard enamel lapel pins. But one of the most common questions we get asked is: What’s the difference between hard and soft enamel? And what’s more, which should you choose? Here’s everything you need to know.

Soft Enamel

Soft enamel pins are more cost-effective and versatile. Despite their name, they are raised and recessed – and lend a precise and polished look.

Soft enamel pins are stamped into gold or nickel, where the enamel is added in the recessed area and put through ovens to make this hard.

Hard Enamel

Unlike Soft enamel, with hard enamel pins the enamel is added before the plating is added. This means that it is polished flat to the same level as the metal die lines, giving them a flat, smooth surface. Hard enamel pins can creare slightly less detail than soft enamel, also meaning that the outlines may be thicker than in the design.

Whether you chose soft or hard enamel for your pins, we will ensure that they are of high quality and match your designs. If you’re still not sure on which type to go for, get in touch with our friendly experts to answer your questions on 024 7666 7440 or email us at sales@i4cpublicity.co.uk