Jewelry Processes Comparison Chart

Process Name	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages	Epoxy Dome	PMS Matching	Shape options	# Colors Included	Plating Options	Common Usage
Real Cloisonne	A glass impregnated material is hand filled into the recesses of die-struck brass. It is then fired, polished, & plated creating a smooth jewelry-like finish.	High perceived Value; durable; custom shapes avaliable	No PMS color matching; fine detail (such as lettering) cannot be color filled	No	No	Custom	4	Gold, Silver, or Black Nickel	Awards & Recognition
CloisonneXtra	Identical to Cloisonne using special polymer material that can be PMS color matched	High perceived value; jewelry like finish; PMS color matching; custom shapes available	Fine detail (such as lettering) cannot be color filled	No	Yes	Custom	4	Gold, Silver, or Black Nickel	Awards & Recognition
Laser Fired CloisonneXtra	An Add-On to CloisonneXtra. Color is Screen or Pad printed onto the pin when details are too small for the colors to be separated by metal	High perceived value; jewelry like finish; small areas can have color	Silk-screened areas are susceptible to scratching	No	Yes	Custom	4	Gold, Silver, or Black Nickel	Awards & Recognition
Die Struck 2-Tone	Created in the same manner as Cloisonne and Die Struck Soft Enamel. The background is generally sandblasted or textured and the highlights polished. Areas may be color filled or antiquated	High perceived value; jewelry like finish; custom shapes		No	N/A	Custom	0 (Colorfill Available)	Gold, Silver, or Antiquated	Awards & Recognition
Spincast	Each design is made into an model and then a rubber mold. Hot zinc is poured into the mold. After cooling, the casting is tumbled for polishing and silver or gold plated.	Dimensional; cut-out letters; custom shapes	3D castings require more costly tooling. Delicate detail is difficult to obtain.	No	Optional	Custom	0 (Colorfill Available)	Gold or Silver	Less expensive Awards & Recognition
Die Struck Soft Enamel	The base metal is die struck in the same manner as Cloisonne, however it is color filled with soft enamels.	Economical substitute for Cloisonne; PMS color match; custom shapes	An optional epoxy dome is usually applied to protect the piece	Optional	Yes	Custom	4	Gold, Silver, or Black	Less expensive Awards & Recognition
Die Struck Economy Iron Soft Enamel	Die Struck Soft Enamel except the piece is struck in iron and then barrel plated in imitation gold or silver.	Most economical Die Struck Pin; Great for large scale promotions	Not hand polished therefore finish is less smooth	Optional	Yes	Custom	4	Imitation Gold, Nickel, or Brass	Large quantity promotional programs
Photo Etched Soft Enamel	Designs are chemically etched into a sheet of brass creating raised and recessed areas. Colors are filled into the recessed areas. An optional epoxy dome is usually applied to protect the piece.	Econmical substitute for Cloisonne; PMS color match; custom shapes	Color separated by thin metal walls; small areas cannot be color filled	Optional	Yes	Custom	4	Gold, Silver, or Black	Less expensive award & recognition
ScreenArt	Colors are silk-screened onto flat metal findings. This eliminates the need	PMS color match; colors register without metal between colors; fine detail printing; unlimited number of colors.		Recommended	Yes	Stock #	Dom = 3 Imp = 4	Polished Brass or Stainless Steel	Promotional Giveaways
PhotoCrest	A miniature photographic print is made from your artwork and adhered to a brass or steel finding. A perfect solution for reproducing photographic or designs with half-tones. Stock shapes used (200+ shapes), but custom shapes available. Made in USA	A full color pin; perfect registration; unlimited colors; color gradation possible	Custom shapes require special tooling; no metallic or PMS color matching	Recommended	No	Stock #	Unlimited	Polished Brass or Stainless Steel	Promotional giveaways requiring halftones or photoreproduction
Offset Printed	Photographic quality pin. Using a modified printing press, the image is printed directly onto a brass sheet. The sheet is then cut into individual pieces. As with paper printing, the CMYK colors create a fine dot pattern to produce the image.	Extremely economical. Full color photographic images, custom shapes.	Offset dot pattern may cause image to be less "crisp". As in any offset printing, make ready and setup charges require larger print runs	Recommended	No	Custom	Unlimited	Polished Brass or Stainless Steel	Large quantity promotional programs requiring halftones or photoreproduction