The old adage size doesn’t matter is not applicable in the realm of customized lapel pins. Several months ago, the case where the elementary student ordered almost a three-foot lapel pin illustrates the importance of precise dimensions. [Click lapel pin gaffe to review the story]  Indeed, size influences a slew of the facets pertaining to the final lapel pin product.

For obvious reasons, size and quantity influence the final cost of any customized lapel pin order. Depending on the design and format of the lapel pin (die struck, etched, hard enamel), different sizes are more suitable. For example, die struck metal; lapel pin ½ -inches would be the appropriate size for a customized lapel pin recognizing employees and associates for providing exceptional service.

Intricate details is also better suited for a larger sized lapel pins, one-inches or more, ideal for promotional and fundraising purposes.  The smaller the customized lapel pin, the more challenging it is to replicate elaborate artwork.

How to Measure Accurate Customized Lapel Pins?

To measure the size of the customized lapel pin you plan to create, Sienna Pacific advises to follow the instructions, detailed below:

1)     Using the artwork, logo or design of the lapel pin, adjust the size of the image to the actual size intended for the final product.

2)     Next, print the image of the customized lapel pin.

3)     Next, draw a rectangle or square around the proposed lapel pin.

4)     Measure the longest side of the lapel pin

This will provide the actual size of the customized lapel pin. (Do no take a diagonal measurement).

For additional size and design assistance, contact the lapel pin experts at 888.720.2115.

With August being the month for creating awareness about cataracts, the leading lapel pin corporation, Sienna Pacific created the proceeding slogans to help brainstorm a tagline for the cause.

Here are 10-ideas:

• I survived cataract surgery

• Say no to cloudy vision

• Eye exams save vision

• Don’t let cataracts cloud your vision

• Cataract surgery is a slice of life

• See beyond the clouds

• Clear vision sees all

• Save vision. Reserve sight

• See clouds clear

• Cataracts are an eyesore

Once a slogan or tagline is decided, develop a design that incorporates the concept..

The image of an eye, reading” “Clear vision sees all,” would make a striking lapel pin, in the die-struck embossed soft format.

For the slogan: “Cataracts are an eyesore,” the design accentuated in photo etched lapel pin would be stunning.

For additional design concepts or assistance, contact the lapel pin people at 888.720.2115.

Senior citizens are not the only people to develop cataracts. The eye disease can happen at any age.

Designated by Prevent Blindness America, August marks Cataract Awareness Month. In commemoration of the annual event, some chapters of the organization will produce lapel pins to fund research and expand awareness.

As seen with scores of non-for-profit organizations, customized lapel pins are emblematic of important causes, evoking curiosity and cultivating contributions.  Refer to the following facts to help develop a slogan for your lapel pin:

• Cataracts are not contagious

• Cataracts don’t spread from one eye to the next

• The Lions Clubs International Foundation is lauded the official charitable entity forfunding a program named the “Sight First” mission

Did you know? Cataracts are clumps of protein, which naturally form on the lens of the eye, rendering cloudy vision.

• Surgical procedures used to diminish the medical effects of cataracts, have paved the way for improving other eye related disorders

• Cataracts are so common that more than 50 percent of people over 80 years of age require cataract surgery

Don’t miss the second part of this post where we will come with some slogans to help brainstorm a tagline for the cause…

Continuing with our past week post about branding causes with custom lapel pins. This week, we would like to talk about some important tips on how to start your own cause.

• Select a cause, an activity of interest – What are the cause-relevant things happening in your area? For instance, if your cause is alcohol abuse, call your local Alcoholics Anonymous and ask about the details of alcoholism in your area.

• Recruit members.

• Determine how you plan to create awareness about the cause.

• Set specific goals (i.e. target fund raising objectives).

• Set a date for an event to commemorate the cause.

• With the help of the group, develop an awareness campaign to expand membership and raise contributions.

• Chances are there are tons of people out there who don’t know much about your cause or how many people it affects. Make some catchy flyers so they can learn how to make a difference too.

• Remember that in order to make this campaign effective, you have to vary your strategy. So, think about making a few different kinds of signs:
  • Big, colorful posters to post on telephone polls: you want these to grab the attention of the people driving and/or walking by.
  • Informative flyers to post on cork boards or town message boards.
  • Lapel pins to be worn by members. They can be easily attached on t-shirts, jackets, sweaters, etc. Lapel pins are an economical and subliminal advertising tool very helpful in creating awareness for any cause.

Once again we are reviewing our top performers for last’s months views.

Our popular Velcro Patches post is still holding its title of best performer. Our military customers need this velcro feature added to their patches, as it helps them remove them with ease.

Next inline is our Biker Jacket Patches : Custom Jacket Patches blog post, where we give an example of a typical motorcycle patch configuration, which we can create with their club’s logo or design.

People seemed to like our  Employee Recognition Pins – 3 Tips That Will Guarantee Your Success post, where we give out some tips on how proceed when creating your own recognition lapel pins.

From our main site, our Custom Iron On Patches page reported an increase in popularity, which is not a surprise, since a lot of people like the convenience of ironing a patch instead of sewing them.

Our customers who are starting out, or simply want professional looking woven clothing labels in their product, with the convenience of small quantities, free design and friendly customer service, keep preferring the damask labels to represent their product, and so do we.

And that’s it for this month’s recap. We love to highlight our customer’s favorite choices and to support their preferences.

If you need help creating your custom products, give Sienna Pacific a call at 1.888.720.2115

Have a great month!

From golf to spinal muscular atrophy, a wealth of notable causes and commemorations are recognized during the month of August. Across America, non-profits, foundations and other associations brand their cause with the production of a branded lapel pin.

As far back to the 1800s, lapel pins have played an essential role in promoting causes, inspiring team spirit and motivating unity. In recent years, the lapel pin has become an abounding source for fund raising. While political candidates use the lapel pin to fund a campaign, non-profit organizations use these “mini-sized” billboard (lapel pins) serve as fundraises and donations to further research, awareness and care.

Earth Calendar.net maintains an annual roster of noteworthy causes. Each month of the year, national and international organizations use lapel pins to stir awareness and generate donations. For the month of August, the following list of causes often used and interests are oftener causes are recognized:

Health and Medical Awareness

• Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month – Prevent Blindness America
• Cataract Awareness Month – Prevent Blindness America
• Foot Health Month – Dr. Scholls
• Medic Alert Month – Medic Alert Society
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness – Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Recreation and Human Interest Groups

• National Cat Fish Month – Loyal Order of Catfish Lovers
• National Golf Month – Professional Golfers Association
• National Parks Month – National Parks and Conservation

As the aforementioned causes are not the only events and initiatives that transpire during the month of August.

Who would ever think that purchasing lapel pins could be a little confusing? But, selecting the design schematics of the pins is not as straightforward as sending artwork and selecting one of the following processes:

• Cloisonne
• Photo etched
• Die-struck cut metal

Even though most manufacturers provide details describing the process and various purposes, consumers should be cognizant of the communication breakdowns, illicit fabrication practices and inept customer service.

Use these consumer tips for purchasing logo or promotional pins for whatever the organizational cause calls for:

Exacting measurements make for precise satisfaction.

Based on the aforementioned processes, creating a pin with appealing features means understanding how the design will ultimately appear on the pin. The problem is that quite often – some shoppers don’t check the dimensions.

A responsible lapel pin manufacturer will have their processes well established, which will help avoid these lost in translation mishaps by confirming the original order, double checking the size, and sending a mock-up of the design for approval.

Consumers should ask the company to create an actual size proof so they can print it and cut out the pin mockup to ensure that the size is what they expect.

Prevalently, the way the size appears on a computer screen differs from the actual print out.

Honest pin companies don’t mislead their customers. Without mentioning any companies, who are misrepresenting hard enamel and antique lapel pins for cloisonne, consumers beware!

Although the cloisonne lapel pin production is considered the premium type of, not all companies provide the true essence of the product. Since cloisonne pins production dates back to ancient China, the only authentic cloisonne pins are made in China.

Certain companies misrepresent hard enamel pins as a cloisonne. And, since hard enamel pins resemble the cloisonne, a lot of consumers are paying more than necessary for a knock off.

Pin Production Fact: Original Cloisonne Pins are manufactured in China for authenticity.

Expert, professional customer service speaks for the final product. In-house design, accessible customer service and customized lapel pin production, crafted to the consumer’s specifications is what defines professional customer service.

Lapel pins are not a straightforward purchasing decision. Sienna Pacific, a major lapel pin wholesaler advises consumers to begin the process by answering the following questions:

What is the purpose of the lapel pin?

Will the pin be used to create brand awareness?

Will the pin represent an award, recognizing employees for outstanding performance?

Depending on the cause, specific types of lapel pins are preferable, for example:

Brand Awareness / Marketing Campaigns

For advertising and marketing purposes, the die-struck promotional iron pin is quite appropriate. Essentially, this type of pin features appealing qualities for any awareness campaign. Given the pin’s low cost and lightweight characteristics, it fits the marketing budget, saving on shipment costs and allowing for bulk orders. The caveat is that this pin is not intended for the production of high-quality detailed productions.

Corporate Identity

For the company logo or it to inspire team spirit, die-struck soft enamel and offset- printed pins offer several underlying benefits. For a finished product with vivid colors and an abundance of texture, the die-struck, soft enamel pins are one way to promote the corporate identity.

In situations, whereby the logo has several colors, and/or is very detailed intensive, the offset-printed (silk-screened printed) pins are ideal; particularly, when the artwork is a photograph, or a color-on-color image.

Recognition / Award

Award employees, team players, and other individuals for outstanding achievements with an honorary lapel pin. Select between the die struck soft enamel, Classic Hard Enamel and cloisonne pin. Both types create high caliber pins. To create a die struck pin, choose between a silver, bronze or copper plating, which is then filled with various colors and finishing preferences. The ancient process, cloisonne pin is another top-notch option, costing a little more.

Political Campaigns / Philanthropy

The die-struck promotional iron pin fits almost any cause for awareness.

Nowadays, most company award and employee recognition programs include lapel pins. Many businesses, from small to mid-size companies all the way up to corporate organizations use lapel pins as a tool for recognizing their employees.

All of your employees, from administrative and sales personnel and managers and CEOs, will proudly wear their recognition pins on their suits and jackets.

There are several different design options from which to choose when creating your recognition lapel pins. The specific details of the recognition program for your company should be analyzed in order to determine what type of pin will best suit you.

You should be sure to consider the number of recognition awards, frequency of the awards, the general layout of your logo, the practicality of your pin and your company’s budget.

Size

The usual size for a recognition lapel pins is somewhere in between 3/4″ to 1″. Anything bigger than this will make the pin look ‘funny’ in someone’s suit or jacket.

Finish

Using different platings, engraving, or gemstones to symbolize the levels of achievement adds an extra element of appreciation and results in an elegant-looking pin.

Choosing a plating finish is based primarily on what feeling you want the pin to convey. Some logos lend themselves well to using metal plating colors (silver, gold, etc) in the place of the actual logo colors.

Layout & Design

There are several different possible combinations for your design and its results will depend on both the designer (usually provided by your manufacturer) and the freedom to adjust the needs of the client (logo, colors, etc) to the general lapel pin manufacturing process.

The degree of success of your recognition pins will be determined by the right combination of the factors. It is, therefore, very important that you use an experienced recognition and award pins manufacturer that will effectively asses your needs and provide you with the best product that your budget can buy.

Perhaps you want to include a lapel pin in your recognition program. You can use lapel pins for your fund raising efforts. In any of the above cases you face the decision of buying stock lapel pins or having your pins custom made with your logo and message.

In some cases it is less expensive to purchase stock lapel pins but if you want to enhance the image of your company or organization there is nothing better than a custom made lapel pin. With a custom made lapel pin you can have your logo displayed proudly.

How much could you save if you were to buy stock lapel pins?

It will vary but, how much can you win if you include your logo on it? I would say a lot. What would you like better if you were the one receiving it? You know the answer. Now let’s say you decided to get your company’s lapel pins custom made, and lets assume you have no idea where to start.

First you need to get all the specifics you can think of from your company or organization, and then submit them to your sales rep.

What are the lapel pins going to be used for?

This is a very important piece of information that will help your sales rep recommend the style, size and finish that will suit your needs.

How many pins you are thinking of purchase?

As the price breaks depend on the quantities, maybe you will only need to buy a few more and save the big bucks.

When is the latest day you need to have your lapel pins in hands?

Maybe your are planning ahead (good for you) or maybe this is a last minute thing.
As in any other manufacturing process, there is a certain time frame in between placing the order and shipping it to your location so it is important to communicate it in advance.

Do you have artwork ready?

Maybe all you have is a drawing, or an idea, or just the logo and will need some help creating the art, or perhaps your company has its media kit with all the specifications for its logo.

In any of these situations, it is important you communicate them to the sales rep so he/she can have the artist work on your project in the most efficient manner.

How are you going to pay for them?

Credit card, check, purchase orders, it is advisable that you check on the type of payment accepted,

These are questions that are often asked and will help guide you and make the best of your buying experience in your quest for the “perfect lapel pin”.