Making the right choice of accessories can tell a lot more about the person wearing them than even the whole outfit. The smallest but most symbolic of accessories are the lapel pins.
This small lapel pin is attached on the collar or the lapel of a coat and serves as a symbol of achievements, affiliations, ideologies, and personal preferences.
We here at Eagle Patches UK make custom lapel pins for individuals, corporations, regiments, educational institutes, and charities in the United Kingdom.
This article is all about what you should know about them, from their history and construction to who wears them and why.
What Are Lapel Pins and Where Did They Come From?
A lapel pin is a small badge, generally pinned to the lapel of a jacket via either a pin back or butterfly clutch. Lapel pins have been an important aspect of British fashion and society for over a hundred years.
They date back to military medals and badges from the armed forces, along with political rosettes and trade union badges from the nineteenth century.
Antique lapel pins from this period are greatly sought after by collectors, and vintage lapel pins made in England during the Victorian and Edwardian periods can actually command quite a price at an auction house, particularly those made of enamel and precious metal.
The modern lapel pins UK production has come a long way since hand engraving, but the basic function remains the same.
The pin is simply a portable and wearable piece of expression, be it patriotic, professional, sentimental, or merely decorative.
Read our in-depth comparison guide on pins vs. badges to understand the differences in detail.
Types of Lapel Pins
The lapel pins are categorised based on the nature of materials and manufacturing methods used to create them, with each one having a unique appearance. The table below provides the main choices one can make when placing orders for pins in the UK.
| Type | Description | Typical Finish | Best Suited For |
| Hard enamel lapel pins | Enamel is fired into engraved recesses and polished flush with the metal for a smooth surface | Glossy, jewellery-like | Corporate branding, formal awards |
| Soft enamel lapel pins | Enamel is poured into recessed cells but left slightly below the metal edges, giving a textured surface | Textured, raised metal lines | Bold logos, colourful designs |
| Wooden lapel pins | Laser cut or engraved from timber, often finished with a light varnish | Natural, matte | Eco-conscious brands, rustic themes |
| Silver lapel pins | Cast or stamped from sterling silver or silver-plated metal | Bright, reflective | Formal occasions, gifting |
| Gold lapel pins | Cast or plated in gold tone for a premium appearance | Warm, luxurious | Executive gifts, luxury branding |
| Designer lapel pins | Produced with unconventional shapes, layered elements, or mixed materials | Varies widely | Fashion houses, statement pieces |
There are many customers who look for luxury lapel pins UK, where precious metal plating is combined with enamel or crystal decorations, and men’s designer lapel pins, where minimalistic designs go better with a tailored suit rather than anything flashy.
How Lapel Pins Are Made
The steps involved in the manufacturing process of custom enamel lapel pins are usually consistent irrespective of the manufacturer.
The initial step involves designing an image or an illustration, converting it into a digital format and then developing a metal mould from the outline of the design through the process of either etching or casting.
Metal blanks are then stamped from the die, and the enamel colours are then applied manually, cell by cell, before the process of firing or curing the pin.
Plating comes next, which may be done using gold, silver, nickel or any antique colour. The pin is polished, and the backing mechanism is attached.
If you are a business looking for logo lapel pins, the design process will prove to be very important. A logo with intricate writing or thin lines might have to be simplified for use with enamel since enamel cannot produce detail as intricate as printing can.
Reputable suppliers will provide you with a digital proof at no cost prior to the start of manufacturing your enamel pins.
The very same principle applies to generic logo lapel pins, which are used on employee uniforms, in sales conferences, or in franchises, where consistency of all pins is just as important as the design itself.
In the case of ordering custom logo lapel pins, it is also important to pay attention to the artwork part. There may be complex designs or thin lines in your logo.
Hence, it needs to be modified to
make it simpler for the process of creating enamel pins since enamel pins are not as intricate as the printed one.
You will be provided with the free digital proof from the supplier so that you can make all the changes prior to metal cutting.
Who Wears Lapel Pins and Why
While lapel pins can be worn in a much broader range of situations than is commonly thought, the reasons for wearing one can be just as varied.
Lapel Pins for Men
Lapel pins for men have historically always been related to the occasions where there is formal wear. The use of men’s lapel pins can be seen in weddings, in the city, in Parliament, and even in ceremonial situations for the military and civic organisations.
Men’s lapel pins are also commonly used as gifts on occasions such as retirement presents, groomsmen tokens, or corporate recognition awards.
Searching terms like men’s lapel pins UK and mens lapel pins UK will yield results that involve searches for lapel pins that include regimental, Masonic, and flag designs, which indicates a market interested more in symbolism than decorative items.
The term lapel pins men also yields similar results and is usually used by buyers looking through diverse collections rather than a specific style.
Lapel Pins for Women
The variety of lapel pins for women has increased significantly and gone well past the realm of the standard brooch.
The ladies’ lapel pins can range from floral themes to birthstones to simple geometric designs suitable for blazers or jackets as opposed to formal dresses.
Many women opt for lapel pins to subtly indicate a milestone or a particular cause without the weight of a full brooch.
Lapel Pins for Suits
As lapels are a part of jackets, lapel pins for suits form the largest application by number. Suit lapel pins generally are found on the left lapel around the buttonhole height.
Lapel pins for men’s suits normally are made rather small in size in order not to conflict with the tie or pocket square.
Whenever a pin is said to fit well to lapel pins on suits, customers usually mean that the size and weight should match the fabric instead of making the lapel sag or pull.
Themed and Purpose-Driven Lapel Pins
Demand for pins that carry a specific meaning, cause, or heritage is greater than the demand for pins that are worn for the sake of fashion.
Poppy lapel pins are worn throughout the United Kingdom each November leading up to Remembrance Sunday to commemorate those members of the military that have made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting.
Military lapel pins take this further by commemorating a particular regiment or campaign or even veterans’ societies all year round.
They are often created using designs of Scottish lapel pins like the thistles, tartans, or clan crests for Scottish regiments and heritage groups.
Charity lapel pins are sold by non-profits as a relatively cheap way to raise money as well as build awareness at the same time.
Christian lapel pins or angel lapel pins are ideal gifts for churches or baptism and confirmation ceremonies that may be adorned with crosses, doves, or wings using soft enamel.
Flag lapel pins are made to express patriotism, especially during sports events and national holidays.
These are probably one of the easiest lapel pins to manufacture because they generally use flat colour blocks rather than fine detail.
The importance of Masonic lapel pins is highlighted in the context of Freemasonry because there are certain symbols that indicate membership of the lodge, rank or achievements in the organisation.
Often many lodges order custom Masonic lapel pins to commemorate some important dates or appointments of officers, and precision in reproducing traditional symbolism is essential for this category.
School lapel pins are used to mark prefects, house captains, and academic awards in order to enable students to possess something as a recognition of their responsibility or excellence.
In marriages, wedding lapel pins are increasingly being adopted in place of buttons as something that can be remembered much longer than the actual occasion, as the bride and groom, together with the groomsmen, are gifted with such pins on their weddings.
Commemorative lapel pins encompass anniversaries, jubilees, sports successes, and company milestones, functioning as a small piece of history that recipients tend to keep for years.
Finally, floral designs always stay in style based on their inherent qualities. Flower lapel pins and lapel pins flower styles vary from one simple flower design to a botanical replica, and they fit in well with both male and female markets mentioned above.
Custom Lapel Pins for Businesses and Organisations
For businesses, custom lapel pins have a different use from those used for personal purposes.
These items promote recognition, encourage loyalty, and create a feeling of belonging among employees, members, and supporters.
To order custom lapel pins UK, it is necessary to send artwork, choose the plating, select the backing, and specify the quantity before production is started.
One of the most frequently asked questions regards minimum order quantity. It is often assumed by smaller organisations like charities, clubs, and startups that minimum volume needs to be high.
However, custom lapel pins no minimum services are offered specifically to cater to this segment and allow ordering just one piece or a trial order before committing to bulk ordering.
On the other hand, for big companies and event organisers, custom lapel pins wholesale pricing can be obtained to benefit from lower per-item prices.
The more units are ordered, the more pins become cost-effective and efficient promotional items. Individual customers or clubs, on the other hand, tend to be searching for personalised lapel pins.
These pins are made for special purposes, like a sports team ordering baseball pins or hat pins for team branding and morale.
They are basically interchangeable in UK terms with customised lapel pins since such a lapel pin would be designed from a specific name or date or motif and not an off-the-shelf generic product.
The custom made lapel pins and the shorter lapel pins custom phrasing refer to the same bespoke manufacturing process, whether the final output is just one gift for an anniversary or an entire batch for the product launch.
How to Choose the Right Lapel Pin
Selecting among the choices listed above can be determined through answering three basic questions.
First, one needs to consider the setting, where a Masonic/military pin requires precision and a traditional finish, whereas the charity fundraising pin can be done with a cost-efficient soft enamel process.
The second is the finish: gold and silver lapel pins go well with formal dressing and gifting, whereas wood and matte finishes go with casual dressings and environmental consciousness.
The third is the number of products: a single item of a gift favours no minimum order, whereas a staff recognition award programme or giveaway favours wholesale ordering.
Collaborating with a company that provides full design support services, from initial artwork to proofs, takes away much of the guesswork and helps ensure the pin that is created matches the concept behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between hard enamel and soft enamel lapel pins?
The hard enamel pins are then polished flat after the firing process. This makes them have a smooth and glass-like appearance, which is not easy to scratch and resembles fine jewellery. The soft enamel pins have metal ridges visible between colours, making them have a rough texture. The hard enamel is better for formal or high-class branding, while the soft enamel is cheaper to produce with bold and colourful designs.
How long does it take to receive custom lapel pins in the UK?
The turnaround time is dependent upon the complexity and the finish, but typically UK manufacturers will want an initial design proof before proceeding to manufacturing after approving the artwork. Simple designs with normal finishes will process faster than pins which require multi-layered plating or hand setting. Rush manufacturing is generally available for an extra cost.
Is there a minimum order quantity for custom lapel pins?
Not necessarily. There are a number of manufacturers in the United Kingdom that provide very small minimums, or even no minimums at all, including us. This makes it possible to purchase required quantities of sample pins or small quantities first before placing a larger order. Higher numbers usually translate to lower costs, which is why large orders from clubs, schools and companies typically wait for their final figures.
Which lapel should a pin be worn on?
According to tradition, a lapel pin is placed on the left lapel, in alignment with the button hole or above the button hole, just as a boutonniere would be worn traditionally. It will be seen without impinging on a tie, a pocket square, or the jacket itself. The same rules apply for military, corporate, and wedding settings in the UK.
Buy Lapel Pins Custom-Made For You
Lapel pins have emerged as one of the most versatile accessories, which have been in existence from the time of regimental history till today. They have become a part of various events, including weddings, military occasions, academic achievements, and corporate successes.
Whether it is a few luxury pins to give personally or a whole batch of custom lapel pins ordered for the workplace, it is easier to pick the right pin for the right occasion after learning about the materials, styles, and uses described in this guide.
Eagle Patches UK manufactures various bespoke lapel pin types throughout the UK for all personal and organisational orders. View our complete selection of lapel pins and request a free design proof today by contacting us.
