Custom Badges & Emblems

Brand marketing through awareness and presence is more important than ever. When you place a badge, nameplate or label with your logo or slogan on it you're talking to future buyers rather than those who are in the market at the moment. Why? Because your goal is to make future customers aware of who you are and would like them to take your business into consideration when they are ready to buy. How else can this be achieved other than through brand marketing? It is very difficult to do. Using badging for awareness and as a recall trigger you are able to build trust with future clients.

Here are some other benefits:

• Consistency across platforms and products and can be applied to products, packaging and other marketing materials.
• Visual connection with future customers. Your business name may sit in their subconcious until it's time for them to purchase your product when they may remember seeing your branding.

The key here is to think of future revenue that may only be possible if they are aware of your business name, logo or slogan.

In the ever-evolving landscape of brand representation, custom badges and emblems emerge as a powerful tools that not only signifies identity but also elevates brand aesthetics to new heights. Explore their creation, significance, and impact on brand perception.

A Deeper Dive
Meticulously crafted insignias that can be utilized visual ambassadors for your business. They're more than the traditional concept of branding, becoming tangible representations of your company values, identity, and uniqueness. They aren't just random symbols; they're narrative tools that communicate your unique story in a glance.

Methods of Creation
Their creation is a true art form, with various methods at play. Traditional materials like brass and aluminum provide a classic touch, while contemporary options like acrylic and ABS plastic offer versatility. One method that stands out is electroforming—an advanced technique that combines innovation and precision. Electroforming involves depositing metal layer by layer onto a mold, which results in a premium piece that possess intricate detailing, durability, and an undeniable visual allure.

Electroforming
Electroforming is a marvel of modernity. This method allows for intricate designs and dimensional effects that traditional methods may struggle to achieve. The outcome not only captivates with their visual appeal but also stand the test of time. Electroforming offers robust, resilient, and visually captivating—a perfect blend of form and function.

Aesthetics
Imagine your logo, your mark, carefully etched onto metal that embodies the very spirit of your business. Personalized items bridge the gap between branding and aesthetics, fostering a connection that goes beyond words. They are more than embellishments; they're silent narrators that showcase your dedication to quality and detail.

Lasting Impressions
In a world where first impressions matter, they shine as essential tools for enhancing perception. Whether they adorn uniforms, products, or promotional materials, they catch the eye and invoke curiosity. A well-designed piece speaks volumes about your professionalism and authenticity, leaving a memorable mark on your clients and partners.

The Revolution
As you explore the myriad options for crafting your personalized markings, remember that these insignias are more than just accessories. They're statements of identity, gateways to conversation, and expressions of your commitment to excellence. Embrace the world of customization— where innovation meets aesthetics, where brand perception transforms, and where your story comes to life in intricate, tangible detail.

As a custom badge manufcaturer, we offer a specialized service to replicate your badging, ensuring your requirements are met with precision and care. If you have a 3D file, we can use it to create a close to exact replica, capturing every detail meticulously. Alternatively, you can send us a physical sample of your badge, and we can utilize specialized equipment to scan them, however it is difficult to create an exact replica using this method. For an even more thorough replication process, providing both the 3D file and a physical sample allows us to cross-verify every detail, allowing to get as close as possible to the originals.

Trailblazer offers you comprehensive artwork assistance to make the process as easy as possible for you. A vector or source files are required for manufacturing; however, if these are unavailable, simply provide a picture of your logo, design, or text, and our expert designers can convert it to the proper format. Even a sketch on a napkin can be transformed into a production-ready design.

Turn around time is going to vary for each project, but lead times for most items are 3-4 weeks from the time we have received your artwork approval. If samples are required before mass production the lead times will be extended an additional 2 weeks.

We're committed to providing you with as much value as possible, which is why we offer complimentary artwork services. This means that the artwork conversions process comes at no additional cost to you. We understand the importance of getting every detail just right, and our team of skilled designers will work closely with you to bring your vision to life.

Maintain the pristine appearance of your badge by periodically cleaning it with gentle soap and lukewarm water, followed by drying with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Avoid using jewelry polish, brass cleaner, toothpaste, or any aggressive abrasive or chemical cleaners, as these can harm your finish.

When designing, you have a wealth of font options at your disposal to match your companies style or personal preference. Should your design require a unique or less common font that's not readily available in our collection, simply send us the font file, and we'll seamlessly integrate it into your design.

Flat maintains a level surface and is typically used where your badge will be applied to a flat object or when a more traditional, classic look is desired. In contrast, a curved is designed with a slight arc, allowing it to contour to curved surfaces, like a car's body or a cylindrical object, providing a more integrated appearance. The choice between a flat and a curved often depends on the application surface and aesthetic preference. Curved can offer a more ergonomic and seamless fit on rounded surfaces, enhancing durability and visibility, while flat provide a timeless and versatile option for various uses.

The proper adhesive is an important decision that hinges on various factors to ensure optimal attachment and longevity. The choice of adhesive depends on different influences such as:

• Surface Energy
• Surface Material
• Curved or Flat Surface
• Environment - rain, snow, heat, wind, etc.
• Chemical Exposure
• High Temperatures
• Low Temperatures
• Moisture
• More!

Each adhesive is meticulously chosen based on the factors above. Our primary goal is to ensure that your badging remains securely affixed, maintaining its aesthetic and functional integrity over time.

Apart from adhesives, there are various other attachment options available for your custom badges, which include:

• Rivet Holes - Mounting Holes
• Tabs
• Pin & Safety Catch
• Magnetic
• Clips
• Lugs
• Notches
• Molded Carrier
• Wires
• Welding
• More!

At our manufacturing facility, we predominantly utilize 3M adhesive for most products, renowned for its exceptional bonding strength and reliability. The type of adhesive we use on your product will be dependent on many factors, but here are some common models we utilize:

• VHB
• 467MP
• 468MP
• 200MP
• 9471LE
• 9472LE
• Many More!

In addition, here are some other adhesive brands we work with:

• Avery
• FlexCon
• General Formulations

Contact us to for the ideal adhesive for your specific application.

There are different methods that can be utilized to add color and the adequate method will depend on your application. Two popular options are hard enamel and soft enamel:

Soft Enamel
Soft enamel is colored epoxy paint that is applied to the recessed areas of the design. After application, the badge is baked to cure the enamel, resulting in a textured finish where you can feel the raised metal edges around the colored areas. Soft enamel is substantially more cost effective than hard enamel.

Hard Enamel
Hard enamel involves filling the recessed areas with melted glass particles and then polishing down to a smooth, flat finish. The result is a durable, premium piece with a sleek and glossy appearance. It is known for its longevity and resistance to fading and scratching. Only a diamond can scratch hard enamel and is the traditional method for manufacturing badges and other decorative pieces such as jewelry. Its origins are in antiquity and has ben around for 1000's of years. Very few manufacturers have the capability to manufacture using this method. Most companies who claim to use "hard enamel" are really using "imitation hard enamel", which is epoxy paint.

Zinc is a commonly used materials for personalised badges in different industries.

Zinc is a suitable material for manufacturing custom metal badges. Known to provide excellent durability and crisp details. Custom textures, 3D, attachments are applied directly to the tooling, allowing for superior consistency when compared to other manufacturing methods. Zinc is commonly die cast. Some custom finishes that are available:

• PVD
• Plating - Chrome & Nickle
• Paint Injection
• Brushing
• Enamel
• More! - Soft & Hard

Zinc is commonly used both indoors and outdoors and in these industries:

• Promotional Products
• Medallions
• Automotive
• Motorcycle
• Construction
• Appliance
• Transportation

In bespoke branding, custom brass badges are a favored material for decorative and industrial applications. Brass has a long history that dates back 5000+ years. Let's explore its captivating characteristics.

Brass is used in a large range of industries and in many sectors, stamped brass is considered the pinnacle of manufacturing. For example, medallions are made using a wide range of materials with the most common in the US being die cast zinc alloy. While zinc alloy isn't a bad material, it's not on the same level as brass and is most commonly used because it is substantially cheaper than brass. At the present time, August 2024, the price of brass is 3 times that of zinc. In addition, zinc is typically die cast, which means the image won't be as clear or consistent.

Other examples where brass is commonly used:

• Police Officer Badges
• High-End Medallions
• Security Badges
• Name Badges
• Custom Nameplates
• More!

Types of Processes Used:

• Photo Etching
• Metal Stamping
• Enamel
• More!

Durable Craftsmanship
What makes custom logo badges made from brass truly remarkable is their longevity. Known for its durability, ensures that your products stand the test of time, maintaining their pristine appearance even in the face of daily wear.

Automotive grade acrylic (PMMA), where transparency meets innovation, where your business identity is encapsulated within the elegance.

Acrylic is another frequently utilized material and is typically used for different reasons such as:

• Cost effective
• Lightweight
• Durability
• Smaller quantities
• If you need the printing on the backside for added surface design protection
• Crystal clarity, clear see through for added effect for your design or logo.
• Customization
• Visual Depth
• More!

Industries where custom acrylic badges are frequently utilized:

• Automotive
• Name Tags
• Equipment/Machinery
• More!
  

Acrylic is the most frequently utilize material when smaller quantities are desired since no molding is required and pricing is tied to amount of material used.

Electroforming is the pinnacle of product branding and product identification and is our premium offering. Commonly used by luxury brands across the world such as Canon, Bentley, Taylor Made and more. Electroforming is able to create even the most intricate details with precision that other manufacturing methods can't replicate.

Electroformed badges are typically manufactured using nickel, but copper is also utilized depending on the application.

Best suited for smaller pieces, but can also be combined with other materials such as ABS plastic, aluminum and more to create thicker products.

Commonly used in the following industries:

• Automotive
• Sporting Goods
• Electronics
• Motorcycle
• Appliance
• More!

Process
The process involves depositing metal layer by layer onto a meticulously crafted mold. This method ensures not only intricate detailing but also dimensional effects that traditional methods struggle to replicate. The result are products that boast remarkable precision, captivating even the most discerning eye.

We offer two different types of chrome options to suit your business needs. One is utilizing traditional electroplating for that delivers a classic, high-gloss finish known for its durability and premium look. Often using for OEM car badges. For a more environmentally conscious option, our FlexiChrome™ (flexible badges) are crafted using innovative materials and processes that are more eco-friendly compared to traditional electroplating. FlexiChrome is flexible chrome that can be applied to curved surfaces. Both options provide exceptional durability and long-lasting shine. Perfect for logos and decorative purposes to marl cars, boats, machinery, interior , rv, special editions and more!