What's the Difference Between Enamel Pins and Button Pin badges?

September 7, 2026

Both fasten the same way and both cost less than a round of drinks, but enamel pins and button pin badges are made completely differently — and that changes how they wear, what they cost and who they suit.

This guide covers the practical bits: what each one is made of, how long it lasts, what it costs to post, and which to pick depending on whether it's a keepsake or a handful for a leaving do.

Everything we make is designed in house and posted from the UK, so if you want to see the difference in person, one pin badge posts for the price of a card.

What an enamel pin is

These premium metal pieces are perfect for collectors who appreciate weight and texture in their accessories. Choose them when you want to celebrate a major milestone, such as a graduation or a new job, as they are built to survive daily wear. For a neat styling tip, try pinning yours onto a sturdy denim jacket collar to keep it secure without pulling the fabric.

A metal body — usually cast then plated — with coloured enamel filled into the recessed areas.
Heavier in the hand, with a raised metal outline you can feel across the design.
Hard wearing: the colour is set into metal rather than printed on top, so it survives coats, bags and years of use.
Better suited to keepsakes — the pin badge someone still has on a jacket five years later.
Costs more per pin badge, because the metal and plating cost more to make.

What a button pin badge is

These lightweight classics suit students, music fans, and anyone who loves expressing their personality through a crowded backpack. They are the ideal choice when you are organising a large event, a Hen do, or a school reunion. As a quick tip, place them away from heavy friction to keep the clear protective layer looking clean and bright.

A printed design sealed under a thin clear layer and wrapped over a metal or plastic shell.
Light, flat and cheap — the reason they've been the standard band merch pin badge for fifty years.
Ideal for detailed artwork and photographs, which enamel can't reproduce cleanly.
Best when you want several: a set for a team, a party, or a bag covered in them.
Less hardy over time, since the surface can scuff where enamel wouldn't.

How to choose in ten seconds

This quick decision guide suits busy shoppers who are stuck between two lovely options and need a fast answer. Use these simple rules when you are short on time and want to make the right choice first time. To make your decision even easier, always consider how long you expect the recipient to keep the gift.

One person, one meaningful gift: enamel pin.
Ten people, one occasion, one budget: button pin badges.
Detailed illustration or lots of colours: button pin badge.
Bold shape, few colours, needs to last: enamel pin.
Going in the post with a card: either — both are flat and light enough.

Looking after a pin badge

This maintenance advice suits anyone who wants to keep their collection in pristine, gift-worthy condition. Refer to these steps whenever you are reorganising your wardrobe or preparing a badge for everyday wear. Our top tip is to inspect the fastenings regularly to prevent your favourite designs from accidentally slipping off whilst you are out and about.

Wipe enamel with a dry cloth; skip the polish, it dulls the plating.
Add a rubber or locking back if it's going on a rucksack that gets thrown around.
Pin through a seam or a thicker layer of fabric so the hole doesn't show on fine knitwear.
Store spares in a tin rather than loose in a drawer, so the pins don't scratch the faces.

Key things to remember

Buying for a team? Mix one enamel pin for the leaver with button pin badges for everyone else.
Photographic or highly detailed artwork always reproduces better as a button pin badge.
A pin badge plus a card is usually cheaper than a single gift and gets opened twice.

Frequently asked questions

Are enamel pins worth the extra cost?

If the pin badge is the gift, yes — the colour is set into metal, so it survives daily wear on a coat or bag for years. If you need several for one occasion, button pin badges do the same job for less.

Will a pin badge damage clothing?

Pinning through a seam or a thicker fabric avoids visible holes. On fine knitwear, pin it to a bag, lanyard or coat lapel instead.

Can I post a pin badge with a card?

Yes. A pin and a card ship together as one order with one delivery charge. Worth knowing if you are posting one yourself: the pin makes the envelope too thick for a standard letter, so it needs large letter postage.

What size are your pin badges?

Most sit around 25mm to 45mm across, with the small designs at the lower end. Each product page lists the exact size.

Do pin badges come with a standard pin back?

Yes, every pin badge has a standard pin fastening that works on coats, bags, lanyards and hats.

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