Lapel Pin vs Enamel Pin - What’s the Difference?

If you're into collecting pin badges or are thinking about designing your own pins, you've probably heard the terms "lapel pin" and "enamel pin" used interchangeably.

But which should you be saying? How do lapel pins and enamel pins differ? And which do you need for your next product?

Stick with us to find out.

Spoiler alert: This is going to be a seriously short blog.

Is There Any Difference Between Enamel Pins and Lapel Pins?

Not really. A lapel pin is ultimately any pin badge that you can wear on a jacket lapel (but you don't have to). Of course, enamel pins use enamel paint to add colour to the badge design, but they're still lapel pins. Whereas the term "lapel pin" encompasses any badge with a pin post or stick pin that you can wear on your lapel.

Think "All thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs" (Thanks, Big Bang Theory), and that should paint the right picture.

So What's With The Two Different Terms?

"Lapel pins" is a phrase most commonly used in America, while "pin badges" is preferred in the UK.

Some people consider lapel pins to generally have a more classic design with elegant aesthetics that can be used as fashion accessories, whereas pin badges tend to be more a brightly coloured and bold way of expressing yourself; at Made by Cooper, if we say lapel pin or pin badge, we mean the same thing.

There are a ton of different pin badge styles that you can use to make lapel pins, but 3D die-cast badges are our most popular product when it comes to designing classical-looking lapel pins for late-night soirée or swanky cocktail parties.

Key Takeaways

Whether you're after custom lapel pins or enamel badges, our expert team can help you bring even the most outlandish ideas to life.

Our free design service with every order gives you unlimited design revisions and advice to ensure your lapel pins and enamel badges come out exactly as you hoped they would.