Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A lapel pin is the smallest brand carrier in the wardrobe – and one of the most visible. Fixed to the lapel of a suit jacket, blazer or coat, it sits at eye level and tells everyone who the garment, the team or the event belongs to. Polkom is a manufacturer of metal accessories with over 30 years of experience and makes decorative lapel pins with a clutch back – in classic shapes, with a monogram or entirely to your logo. In this article you will see what a lapel pin is, how it is attached, which shapes and finishes are available and why it is such a strong branding tool.
What is a lapel pin
A lapel pin is a decorative metal piece with a pin post on the back. The post goes through the fabric of the lapel and a clutch is pressed onto it from behind, holding the pin firmly in place. No sewing is needed, the fabric is left unmarked and the pin moves easily from one garment to another. Buyers search for it under different names – lapel pin, pin badge, enamel pin, lapel brooch – but it is the same product: a small metal emblem worn on the lapel or on the chest.
Unlike metal logo plates, which are sewn or fixed permanently to the product, a pin is a removable accessory. That makes it suitable as a gift, for a uniform worn every day and for a limited series tied to a specific collection.
How the pin is attached – post and clutch
The mechanism is simple and therefore reliable. A metal post is soldered to the back of the pin. To wear it:
- choose the position – usually on the left lapel, level with the buttonhole or slightly above it;
- push the post through the fabric from front to back;
- press the clutch onto the post from the inside until it sits tight;
- check that the pin is straight in relation to the edge of the lapel.
The clutch keeps the pin steady during everyday wear, and when the pin is removed it leaves nothing but the small hole from the post, which the weave closes by itself. Heavier pins or pins with a larger surface are best made with two posts so they do not rotate – this is agreed when the pin is made to order.
Shapes and motifs – from classics to monograms
The gallery shows some of the shapes we make. Each of them can be the starting point for your own design.
Symbols and nature motifs
The snowflake and the maple leaf are typical seasonal motifs – suitable for winter collections, holiday gifts and campaigns. They work well in light and classic gold, because the metal brings out the fine outlines.
Symbols of profession and club
Crossed keys, a currency sign or an aeroplane are recognisable symbols of a profession, club or community – hospitality, finance, aviation. Pins like these are often worn as a distinguishing mark on a uniform.
Letters and monograms
A monogram is the most personal pin. One or two initials, with or without a decorative wreath, turn a standard jacket into a personal piece. Menswear ateliers use monogram pins as the signature of a made-to-measure suit, and brands use them as the mark of a capsule collection.
Custom logo pins – why they are a strong branding tool
A brand label is usually hidden on the inside of the garment. A pin is the opposite: it is on the outside, in plain view, and people wear it by choice. That is why custom logo pins are used wherever a brand needs to be seen and remembered.
- Fashion brands – a logo pin on a jacket or coat is the signature of the collection and a detail the customer keeps long after the garment has gone out of fashion.
- Corporate wear and uniforms – hotels, restaurants, banks and airlines give the team a uniform look with one small metal pin.
- Events – conferences, anniversaries, weddings and sports tournaments get a memorable keepsake that guests wear during the event and afterwards.
- Clubs and associations – the pin is a sign of membership that members wear with pride.
- Personal orders – the customer's monogram as the finishing touch of a made-to-measure suit.
If you are building a complete identity on the garment, combine the pin with other branded details – see metal accessories with a logo for clothing and logo buttons for uniforms.
Finishes and colours
The pins are made of metal with different finishes. In the photos you will see gold, light gold, matt gold and silver, and for custom logo orders antique brass, gunmetal and black are also available. The surface can be glossy, matt or brushed. All our metal finishes are nickel free, so the pin is also suitable for summer garments worn directly against the skin.
| Finish | Look | Best combined with |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | warm, classic shine | navy, black and camel jackets and coats |
| Light gold | lighter, fresh tone | light fabrics, summer and festive collections |
| Matt gold | discreet, no glare | wool jackets, tweed, velvet |
| Silver | cool, modern look | grey and charcoal suits, corporate wear |
| Antique brass | aged, vintage character | tweed, velvet, hunting and country styles |
| Gunmetal and black | dark, contemporary accent | black and charcoal garments, streetwear |
For a finished look, choose the same finish for the pin as for the buttons of the jacket. How metal tones are combined is explained in the article gold buttons for a navy blazer, and for the silver range in silver buttons for blazers and jackets. The full range of tones is in the colour chart of metal finishes.
How to order custom lapel pins with your logo
- Send the logo in vector format (AI, PDF or SVG) and state the required size of the pin.
- Choose the execution – raised logo, cut-out outline or logo with enamel – and the finish.
- Specify the fastening – one or two posts depending on the size and weight of the pin.
- Approve the sample – before the series you receive a sample to place on the actual garment.
- Series production – after approval, production of the full quantity begins.
If the logo will have coloured enamel, read more about the technique in the article metal plate with enamel – the same principles apply to pins.
Practical tips for choosing
- Think about size in relation to the lapel – the narrow lapel of a modern jacket needs a smaller pin than the wide lapel of a classic coat.
- Simplify the logo – fine details and very thin lines get lost in a small format, so it is worth preparing a simplified version of the mark.
- Choose a finish that matches the buttons and buckles of the garment.
- For gift pins, think about the packaging too – a small cardboard box or a card with the logo completes the impression.
Lapel pins from the manufacturer
Polkom is a manufacturer of buttons and clothing accessories based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We make lapel pins in classic shapes, with a monogram or entirely to your design, in a finish of your choice and with a sample before the series. Browse the lapel pins in the gallery and send us the logo, size and quantity – price and lead times depend on the model, so send us a request for a quote.
