Hard enamel pin construction

Both the number and order of steps it takes to make a hard enamel pin are different.

1. Enamel filling
Unlike in soft enamel pins, each cavity of a hard enamel pin is overfilled with enamel. Also, note that the enamel filling happens before electroplating in this process.

2. Baking
Hard enamel pins are baked after each color of enamel is added. So if a pin has five unique colors, it will be baked five times.

3. Polishing
The enamel that’s been overfilled and baked gets polished down, so it’s level with the plating. You can still see the metal plating; it’s just smooth so there are no raised edges.

4. Electroplating
The magic of electroplating still allows you to add a thin veneer of metal over the exposed iron or zinc edges of a hard enamel pin. But you’re restricted to only shiny metals like gold or silver.