The Manufacturing Process
of LindenLine's
Various Pins

  1. Cloisonne` Hard Fired Enamel
  2. Semi-Cloisonne`
  3. Misty Finish (Stamped Without Enamel Colors)
  4. Die Struck Soft Enamel
  5. Brass Photo Etched Soft Enamel
  6. SilkScreen or OffSet Printing on Cloisonne`
  7. Iron Stamped Enamel

Cloisonne` Hard Fired Enamel


Our Cloisonne` pins continue the fine art of glass enameling started in China centuries ago. The pins are made from hand-pouring powdered glass into the recesses of a die struck brass base.

The brass can be plated in gold, silver or nickel. After baking at a very high temperature, the glass enamel is sanded and polished to be flush with the metal lines that separate the colors. This gives the pin a smooth, lustrous quality making them prized by collectors.

Colors available are limited to a select group of colors of genuine cloisonne` glass powders.


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Semi-Cloisonne`


Semi Cloisonne` pins are made using the same technique as the Cloisonne`, but the recessed spaces are filled with a hard epoxy enamel rather than glass. These pins have all the aestetic beauty of true classic cloisonne` with the benefit of Pantone color matching.

The recessed color wells are filled, one color at a time, with enamel. When completed, the pin is placed into an oven to harden. Finally, the product is then ground to remove any excess enamels and carefully polished.


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Misty Finish (Stamped without Enamel Colors)


This process is sometimes called "Tone on Tone". The pin is die struck and shows off the high polished metal set against the dull matte or sandblasted textured background.


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Die Struck Soft Enamel


For a less expensive version of our Semi Cloisonne` pin that has the same look and color options, try our Die Struck Soft Enamel. With this style, a softer enamel is painted into the recesses of the brass die struck base, leaving a relief effect that lets you feel the die struck pattern.

Gold, silver or nickel plating is available. Add a clear epoxy dome for long lasting durability and a shiny finished look.


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Brass Photo Etched Soft Enamel


This process is a good, inexpensive way to show off small details in a pin. This process is most like cloisonne`. Instead of being stamped, the impressions are made by acid etching, enabling better, small-detailed reproduction.

This process can be used only on brass. A thin wall of brass separates each color. The pin is then baked for durability. PMS color matching is available at no extra charge using this process. This process is available with or without epoxy coating.


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Silkscreen or Offset Printing on Cloisonne`


Pins can also be produced by printing inks directly on a base metal via silkscreen. The colors are silkscreened on one color at a time. This process works best for solid color designs.

Offset is produced by printing the four primary colors (cyan, yellow, magenta, and black) through a silkscreen directly on a metal base one color at a time. It works best for reproduction of photography or designs with gradients or color blends.


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Iron Stamped Enamel


This production process is similar to the one used in copper stamped pins. It is generally used for large quantity orders because of the economic cost of iron.

The iron stamped pin is brass plated. Epoxy coating is also available with this process.


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Revised: 4/23/2007 3:40:27 PM