Electroplating is a must-have process for custom enamel pins. It can add a layer of metal color to your enamel pins, enhancing their appearance and durability.
For different pin designs, there will be different metal edge colors, and the electroplating colors used will also be different.
Some custom pins are finished with gold or silver plating on the surface, that makes the pin looks like a gold pin or silver pin. Actually they are not the real gold pins or silver pins. The raw material of the pins can be brass, iron, zinc alloy, after gold or silver plated on the surface, it’s hard to distinguish the material of the pins.
Both the front and back sides of the pins are electroplated with the same metal colors. For some special design, double electroplating may be required, for example, both gold and silver plating are included on one pin. Two levels metal is necessary in order to do 2 electroplating on one pin. By the way, it costs more for double plating.
Here are some electroplating options commonly used for enamel pins.
Gold plating
Gold plating is one of the most popular choices for electroplating enamel pins.
- Classic and luxurious finish.
- Available in various colors, including shiny gold(also called bright gold), rose gold, matt gold, and antique gold.
- Adds a touch of elegance to the pins.
Note: the recessed parts are with sandblast effect.
In addition to standard gold plating, we also offer 18K and 24K real gold plating.
This finish delivers a richer, warmer tone with a smooth and refined appearance that stands out from imitation gold finishes. For quality assurance, all real gold plating undergoes gold content testing to ensure the plating meets the specified karat standards.
This option is well suited for high-end awards, commemorative pins, and luxury accessories where premium appearance and material authenticity are essential.
Nickel Plating
- Offers a silvery finish with a slightly warmer tone than silver, also called shiny silver
- Provides a durable and corrosion-resistant coating.
- Commonly used as a base for white metal borders.
Nickel plating is also a common electroplating color for metal lines of enamel pins.
Matt Nickel
Matt nickel finish is obviously different from nickel finish. It delivers a subdued, frosted appearance that presents a softer and less reflective finish than its shiny counterpart. See below image to show you the effect:
Black Nickel Plating
If your design has black metal lines, black nickel plating is just for your pin. The raised metal is with black color, other recessed areas can be filled with different enamel colors. The back of the pin is also with black nickel plating.
- Dark metallic finish that can create a bold contrast.
- Works well with vibrant or pastel enamel colors.
- Gives a sleek and modern appearance.
Silver Plating
Silver plating is a little different from the nickel plating, nickel plating is more shiny than silver plating. If you like a bright shiny finish, nickel plating is better than silver plating.
- Clean and timeless appearance.
- Enhances details and complements a wide range of enamel colors.
- Versatile and popular for various designs.
Antique Plating
- Mimics the appearance of aged or weathered metal.
- Often applied over other platings for a vintage effect.
- Enhances the details of the design.
- Include antique gold, antique silver, antique copper, antique bronze, antique nickel
Please note that antique plating is generally not recommended for hard enamel pins. Learn more: Can Hard Enamel Pins Use Antique Plating?
Two-Tone Plating
Two-tone plating (also called dual plating) is a finishing technique that applies two different metal platings to one enamel pin.
By selectively plating different areas—such as raised metal lines, borders, or specific details, this process creates contrast and adds depth to the design.
Common combinations include gold with silver, black nickel with gold, or antique finishes paired with bright plating.
This option is often used for logos, commemorative pins, or premium designs where visual hierarchy and detail separation are important.
The above pin has two-tone platings, 2 finishes. The middle part is gold plating, other areas are antique-silver plating. By the way, the cost is higher for dual platings.
Compared to standard single-tone plating, two-tone plating involves additional masking and plating steps, so it increases production time and cost, but the final result is more refined and visually distinctive.
Final Thought
Each plating option can significantly impact the visual appeal and style of your pins. When choosing an electroplating option for your enamel pins, we will consider your overall design and theme. And we will choose the best plating for your pins based on your design.
Built to last: EnamelPinCustom use 5 layers of electroplating to keep the finish bright and smooth. Every pin is tested with a 48-hour salt-spray test to make sure the color stays stable and won’t fade or change.
If you need another electroplating color or have any questions, feel free to contact us for further discussion.
