Badge Guides & News
Enamel vs Printed Badges: Which Should You Choose?
Oct
Enamel and printed badges can both carry your logo, but they are made differently and suit different designs. Enamel uses raised metal lines to separate solid colours. Printed badges carry your artwork as a print, so gradients, photos and fine detail come through. This guide compares them side by side so you can choose with confidence.
The quick answer
Choose enamel if…
Your logo uses a few solid colours, you like the classic badge look with metal outlines, and you want a plated finish such as gold, silver or antique.
Choose printed if…
Your artwork has gradients, shading, a photo or lots of colours that need to come through as a print.
The badge types explained
Enamel badges
Coloured enamel fills the recesses between raised metal lines. Leave it textured, or add a smooth epoxy dome for extra protection. Colours are matched to Pantone. See enamel badges
Premium enamel badges
Polished flat so the colours sit level with the metal, for a smooth, jewellery-like finish. Also called imitation hard enamel. See premium enamel badges
Printed enamel badges
An enamel base with a full-colour print added on top, for detail that enamel alone can’t reproduce. See printed enamel badges
Printed metal badges
Your design printed in full colour onto a brass (gold-coloured) or steel (silver-coloured) base, with a clear epoxy coating. Choose with or without a metal edge. See printed metal badges
Express badges
Printed 25mm badges with up to four print colours, for events and campaigns with a tight deadline. 1 to 2 weeks for up to 250. See express badges
Enamel vs printed at a glance
| Enamel badges (enamel and premium enamel) | Printed badges (printed metal and printed enamel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Raised metal lines around each colour; textured, domed or polished flat | Smooth and glossy, with your artwork reproduced as a print |
| Best artwork | Bold shapes and solid colours | Gradients, photos, shading and lots of colours |
| Fine detail | Soft enamel handles fine line detail well and is ideal for intricate artwork and small text | Reproduces gradients, shading and photographic detail |
| Colours | Matched to Pantone solid coated shades | Full-colour print (printed enamel combines both) |
| Metal finish | Polished, antique, dyed or iridescent plating | Brass or steel base (printed metal); plated base (printed enamel) |
| Feel | Tactile ridges, unless domed or polished | Usually smooth, with a protective epoxy coating |
| Timescale | Usually 3–4 weeks, or 4–5 weeks in busier periods | Usually 3–4 weeks, or 4–5 weeks in busier periods; express 1 to 2 weeks |
Timescales are counted from artwork approval. A complex design or bigger badge can add time.
Which suits your project?
| Your project | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| Staff or corporate badges with a simple logo | Enamel or premium enamel |
| Club, society and membership badges | Enamel, with a plating to suit your colours |
| Illustrations, photos or full-colour artwork | Printed metal |
| A crest with bold colours and fine detail | Printed enamel |
| An event or campaign with a tight deadline | Express badges (1 to 2 weeks) |
| Long-service awards and premium gifts | Premium enamel |
Make it yours
Plating
Polished, antique, dyed or iridescent finishes for enamel badges. Explore finishes
Epoxy or not
A smooth domed epoxy for extra protection, or a traditional textured finish. Epoxy badges · non-epoxy badges
Fittings
Fittings vary by badge type. Enamel, premium enamel and printed enamel offer the full range of nine; printed metal offers six (no 2-piece fittings or screw and nut).
Packaging
Backing cards, velvet pouches, plastic or leatherette boxes, or custom packaging.
How ordering works
Pricing: get a tailored quote
Every badge is made to your design, so we quote for your exact type, size, colours, finish, fitting, packaging and quantity. Not sure whether enamel or printed is better value for your design? Ask us to quote both. There’s no minimum order, design is free, and our Lowest Price Guarantee means we’ll beat or match any legitimate lower quote.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, enamel or printed badges?
It depends on your design, size, number of colours and quantity, so there is no single answer. Ask for a quote and we can price both options for you.
Can I put a photo on a badge?
Yes. Choose printed metal or printed enamel. Enamel alone works best with solid colours.
Can you match my brand colours?
Enamel colours are matched to Pantone solid coated shades (see our Pantone guide). Printed badges use full-colour print.
Do printed badges wear well?
Printed metal badges are finished with a clear epoxy coating that protects the print from scratches and fading. Printed enamel badges can have an epoxy dome too.
What’s the difference between soft and hard enamel?
Soft enamel has a textured surface with raised metal lines; hard-style (premium) enamel is polished flat. Read our soft vs hard enamel guide.
What’s the minimum order?
There isn’t one. There’s no minimum order on any of our products.
How long do badges take?
Usually 3–4 weeks from artwork approval, or 4–5 weeks in busier periods. Express badges take 1 to 2 weeks for up to 250, and express engraved badges 1 to 2 weeks for up to 250.
Can I see a sample first?
We send free samples of our existing products, so you can see and feel the quality first. A sample made to your own design is also possible. It’s charged, and we’ll quote it just like an order.
Not sure which to choose?
Send us your logo and we’ll recommend enamel or printed, with a free design proof and quote. No minimum order.
Get a quoteor call 01922 285 582