The finishing of the badge is the first thing people notice, and it distinguishes one emblem from another. It is the most essential part of the design process of a logo and immediately gives it character, shine, and depth. Making the right choice at this stage will elevate your simple badge into a work of art. You should select the finish according to aesthetic purposes and by understanding the practical implications.
In this blog, we’ll guide you on choosing the best finish for your badge and letting it look eye-appealing.
7 Steps To Select The Suitable Finish For Your Badge
1. Material Matters
The first step when it comes to selecting the finishing type is to consider the materials used in the making of a badge. Suppose a polished gold, silver, or nickel finish complements well with a metal emblem and offers a touch of timeless elegance. For enamel insignia, the addition of epoxy coatings becomes essential to shield the vibrant colours from external elements and wear. Therefore, consider the material of your motif to choose the finish type that suits it the best.
2. Purposeful Finish Selection
As discussed in this blog’s introduction, defining your badge’s purpose is the most critical factor in making the right choice. Consider durability while selecting whether the emblem will be made for daily use. In such cases, opt for a hard enamel or epoxy coating to ensure resilience against scratches, fading, and the wear and tear of everyday life.
In comparison, you can embrace more delicate finishes for insignia made for decorative or occasional uses. In such a scenario, the main focus is usually on maintaining eye-catching aesthetics over achieving robustness for custom badges. So, always keep the purpose of your motif in mind throughout the design process to make suitable choices.
3. Types Of Badge Finishes
Here are the four most common yet popular finishing types for badges:
- Shiny Finish
The shiny finish is the all-around choice for any badge. It is a popular and go-to standard choice for countless professional emblem manufacturers to design an artistic design. This type comes in various colours, such as gold, silver, copper, brass and chrome.
Apart from its versatility, it is also easy on the pocket, making it great for giveaways and promotions. If these reasons aren’t enough, there is one more to it! Its glossy finish is durable and doesn’t get dull quickly over time, so your logo will retain its flashy and lustrous appearance over the long term.
- Misty Finish
The misty finish is a viable option to give your badge an elegant look. It is one of the tasteful and exquisite ideal coatings for notable designs and corporate use. Traditionally, there are no colour choices for this type. However, the raised areas are sandblasted, which creates a textured background. As a result, the logo is delicate and decorative in appearance. The misty finish also achieves a magnificent appearance, an excellent choice for corporate logos or jewellery and staff recognition awards.
- Antique Finish
If you feel passionate about products with a vintage touch, so go for an antique finish. It will give your badge the perfect retro vibes. Traditionally, there is no colour on top of emblems with an antique finish. However, the modern version offers antique gold, silver, copper, brass, tin, and gun options. Think about the objective you want to achieve for your emblem and your target audience to choose the finishing type accordingly.
Whatever choices you make, ensure all factors, like sizes, shape, and completeness, complement each other to create an enthralling product. Use them wisely to represent your brand and convey a compelling message. If your business has been serving in your industry for many decades, opting for an antique finish would be the best decision. This option is also ideal for unique occasions and sports emblems, such as football badges UK or presenting to senior-level positions on commemorative events.
- Black Dye
Black dye is one of the boldest finishes, made of black enamel. It adds an eye-catching and unique twist to badges, perfect for innovative and creative brands like breweries and bands. The black colour will add a cool factor to your motif and make it stand apart from other collectable ones.
4. Keep Budgetary Realities In Mind
Budget constraints are one of the crucial aspects of the decision-making process that you should always acknowledge. While researching it and exploring all types, you’ll come across both expensive and economical ones. Premium ones, such as precious metal plating, may offer a luxurious appeal to the emblem but also come at a higher price. On the other hand, a shiny finish is the cost-effective choice. Hence, consider your budget constraints and choose a visually appealing, durable option, yet don’t break the bank.
5. Durability And Maintenance Matters
Inspecting the durability of the chosen type is paramount for badges subjected to the severity of daily use. Epoxy coatings act as a shield against scratches and provide longer life to the product. Additionally, a tarnish-resistant finish is essential for maintaining the emblem’s shine and ensuring it stands the test of time.
You may be purchasing your emblem from professional patch manufacturers. Sometimes, their product’s quality and durability may not meet their claims. Consequently, prefer the online reputable supplier that allows you to buy metallic or embroidered badges small quantities. It will help you examine your customized product’s durability and quality standards. Once you feel satisfied with it, you can order as much as you require, thus protecting your investment from going down the drain.
6. Customization Opportunities
The level of customization a finish allows greatly matters the overall design of your product. For instance, you should opt for a soft enamel emblem if you want it to achieve intricate designs and textural details. This material is an excellent choice for those seeking a personalized touch and fine details. Similarly, matte, polished, or antique finishes also embrace depth and fascinating texture to the emblem’s design.
7. Practical Testing With Samples
Irrespective of how carefully you make and inspect the decision, you can only know the exact result once it is put to practical testing. Select the professional manufacturer that offers you a sample you can test in real before placing a sizeable order. This hands-on approach comprehensively evaluates how each finish interacts with lighting and other external conditions. By examining it in real-time, you will quickly assess its resistance to scratching and overall aesthetic appeal.
Summing Up
Choosing the best finish for your badges is an artful exploration that requires a delicate balance between aesthetics, functionality, and financial considerations. You can confidently craft emblems by considering the material, purpose, and vast array of finishing options. It will help you to ensure that the end product captivates visually and endure the tests of time with resilience and grace.
You can pick one of the finish types we shared in this blog while considering the needs of your emblem to pick the viable one. As a result, you’ll have the most enticing emblem that will perfectly meet its purpose and help you achieve your objective.