Shiny gold
Shiny silver
Shiny copper
Antique gold
Antique silver
Antique copperAntique finishes darken the recessed metal, so they are made on soft enamel and die struck pins, not hard enamel. Our sample pack includes real plating samples.
Shiny platings
Shiny gold. Warm and classic. The default for awards, service pins, nursing pins and anything formal. Pairs with deep reds, navy and greens.
Shiny silver. Cool and clean. Suits corporate logos, police and EMS pins, and blue palettes.
Shiny copper. Warm with a pinkish tone, softer and more modern than gold. Popular for cheer, bridal, beauty and creator pins.
Antique platings
Antique gold, silver and copper. The recessed metal is darkened and the raised areas polished, so detail and relief stand out. Antique silver is a dark pewter gray that makes bright and pastel colors pop; antique copper and antique gold give a vintage, heritage look. They are made on soft enamel and die struck pins, not on hard enamel, which is polished flat.
How to choose
- Choose the enamel colors first. Then pick the plating that gives the best contrast.
- Light colors need darker metal. Pastels, yellows and white disappear against shiny silver; they pop against antique silver.
- Dark colors need bright metal. Navy and black look best framed in gold or silver.
- Match the occasion. Shiny gold reads as an award; shiny copper and antique silver read as merch; antique gold reads as heritage.
Is the gold finish real gold?
Our standard gold finish is a gold-tone electroplate, not solid or karat gold. A thin layer of real karat gold can be applied for award and keepsake pins at extra cost; ask on the quote form.
Will plating tarnish?
Modern plating is sealed and resists tarnish in normal wear. Keep pins dry and see our enamel pin care guide. Compare finishes in hand with our sample pack, or see photos on plating and metal finishes.
Plating and enamel style
On soft enamel, the plating shows on the raised lines, so it frames every color. On hard enamel, polished lines are flush with the colors, so the plating reads as thin bright outlines. On die struck pins, plating is the whole surface, which is why antique finishes are so effective there.
Plating for common projects
| Project | Popular plating |
|---|---|
| Years of service and retirement | Gold, or copper/silver/gold by milestone |
| Nursing pins | Gold |
| Corporate logo pins | Gold or silver to match the brand |
| Trading pins | Shiny gold or silver; antique silver for dark team colors |
| Creator and retail pins | Antique silver, shiny gold, shiny copper |
| Military and fire pins | Antique gold, antique silver |
Plating on the back
The back of a pin is plated with the same finish as the front. A laser backstamp shows up best on shiny finishes; on antique finishes it is subtler.
Written by the Enamelore team, who proof every order. Questions about this guide? Email hello@enamelore.com.
