The prime difference between hard and soft enamel badge is of the finished texture. Soft enamel badge has raised metal edges that create a textured finish. For example, when the enamel is placed in the recessed areas of the pin badge, the enamel remains lower than the metal walls of the pin.

This gives the soft enamel the ‘bumpy’ feel when you hover your finger over the surface of the badge.

For hard enamel pins, the enamel is added over into the recessed areas of a pin several times to raise the enamel surface higher to the level of pin’s walls and then it is heated at a very high tempreture to make the enamel surface hard. Following the heating process, polishing process begins until the pin’s surface becomes smooth and glossy.

Hard enamel pin badges are the most durable enamel badges due to the process that the enamel goes through. If you hover your finger over a hard enamel pin badge it will feel smooth all over.