Is Die-Struck Metal Safe for Daily Wear?

Yes. This lapel pin is made from high-grade zinc alloy through a professional die-striking process — the same method used for military badges, police insignia, and official government medals worldwide. The metal is lead-free and nickel-safe, making it suitable for everyday wear on uniforms and clothing.

Physical Properties of Die-Struck Zinc Alloy

Durability Highlights

· Die-struck relief is permanent — The raised text and shield emblem are physically pressed into the metal, not stamped on the surface. Details will not wear off or fade with use.

· Antique silver finish is electroplated — The brushed silver tone is applied through electroplating with a protective clear coat. The darkened recesses are achieved through controlled oxidation for an authentic vintage look.

· Corrosion-resistant and tarnish-proof — The plating layer protects against moisture, sweat, and daily exposure. Wipe clean with a soft dry cloth to maintain luster.

· Back attachments are securely soldered — All post/clutch mechanisms are welded to the pin back using high-temperature silver solder. No glued parts that could detach.

· Edge-to-edge detail — The raised border ring and wing tabs are formed as one solid piece from the same metal blank. No separate parts to break off.

Can I Customize the Police Academy Lapel Pin?

Absolutely. We can modify every aspect of this pin to match your academy, department, or organization. Here is what we can customize:

1. Design Customization

The metal die-striking process allows for complete custom design. Send us your existing badge artwork, shield emblem, or logo, and we will create a production-ready 3D mold:

· Top arc text — Replace "NATIONAL POLICE ACADEMY" with your academy name, department name, or organization title

· Bottom arc text — Replace "EST. 1974" with your founding year, unit number, or event date

· Center emblem — Replace the shield and NP logo with your actual police department badge or organization seal

· Pin shape — Keep the round + wing tab silhouette, or choose oval, shield, star, or custom contour shape

· Raised border ring — Keep or remove the outer border; increase or decrease border thickness

2. Finish & Color Customization

3. Back Attachment Customization

All three attachment types are interchangeable. Choose one or offer your customers options:

· Butterfly clutch — Standard pin-back with metal butterfly clasp. Easiest to put on and remove. Most popular for bulk orders.

· Screw back — Threaded post with a separate round screw-on cap. Most secure attachment. Ideal for high-security uniforms where pins must not fall off.

· Safety pin — Horizontal bar pin with locking clasp. Best for heavy use, thick fabrics (jackets, coats, duty vests), and repeated attachment/detachment.

4. Design Specifications

How Are the Lapel Pins Packaged and Shipped?

Packaging Options

Shipping Options & Delivery Estimates

Lead Time Summary

· Sample order (new mold): 7 – 10 working days (mold creation 5 – 7 days + sample 2 – 3 days)

· Bulk order (100 – 1,000 pieces): 10 – 15 working days after sample confirmation

· Bulk order (1,000 – 5,000 pieces): 15 – 20 working days

· Bulk order (5,000+ pieces): 20 – 25 working days

What is the minimum order quantity for a custom die-struck lapel pin?

For a brand-new custom design (your own artwork and shape), the MOQ is 100 pieces per design. If you want to use our existing "National Police Academy" mold with only text or color changes, the MOQ is 50 pieces per variation. For enamel color fill options, the MOQ is 200 pieces per design.

How long does a sample take to arrive?

Once artwork is approved, we create the die-struck mold in 5 – 7 working days and produce the sample in 2 – 3 days. Shipping via DHL/FedEx takes 3 – 5 working days. Total: approximately 10 – 15 working days.

Can I get this pin in different sizes?

Yes. The standard size is approximately 1.0" – 1.2" (25 – 30 mm) width. We can produce pins from 0.6" (15 mm) up to 2.0" (50 mm). Larger sizes require more material and a new mold.

What is the difference between die-struck and enamel lapel pins?

Die-struck pins have bare metal raised relief with no color fill — the metal itself is the design element. Enamel pins have colored enamel baked into the recessed areas. This pin uses die-struck technology for a classic metal badge look. We also offer enamel fill as an option.

Will the metal pin tarnish over time?

The antique silver finish includes a protective clear epoxy or lacquer coating that significantly slows oxidation. Under normal wear (stored dry, not exposed to chemicals), the finish maintains its appearance for 3 – 5+ years. Wipe with a soft dry cloth to maintain luster.

Can I add color enamel to this design?

Yes. We can convert this design to a hard enamel or soft enamel lapel pin by filling the recessed background with colored enamel. The raised text and shield would remain polished metal while the background is filled with your choice of color.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept T/T bank transfer (30% deposit + 70% balance), L/C at sight above $5,000, Western Union for samples, and PayPal (for orders under $1,000). All payments processed securely.

Can I mix multiple pin designs in one order?

Yes. You can mix different badge designs, finishes, or attachment types in the same production batch, as long as each unique design meets its MOQ. This is ideal for creating a full set of academy pins (e.g., student, graduate, instructor, command rank).

What if there is a quality issue after delivery?

We offer a 100% quality guarantee. If the pin shows material defects (cracking, plating peeling, broken clutch) within 6 months of delivery, we replace defective items free of charge.

Do you offer custom packaging with police department branding?

Yes. We can print custom presentation cards, boxes, or pouches with your academy logo, seal, or event name. MOQ for custom packaging is typically 500 units. Send us your packaging artwork for a quote.