Badge Introductory

badge introductory

Badge Introductory, Uncovering The Mystery Of Ordering A Blackinton Badge


The first time you order a custom law enforcement badge or fire badge it can be confusing. We will try and make it simple for you by first outlining the options you can choose. Second, and most important, outlining the manufacturing steps. We believe, if you understand what it takes to make a badge then your decisions become easier. Furthermore, timelines and budget will make more sense. Outlined below are a few things to consider when planning for your custom law enforcement badge. We suggest you watch our video series “A custom badges journey to Police Week” click here to watch.

Once You Are Ready Contact Our Sales Group.

 

Badge Introductory, The Making Of A Badge...

Why Blackinton


Experience and Capabilities​

We have experience dating back to 1852, as well as a nationwide distribution network with more than 800 dealers.  Because we work to bring your vision into a reality our quality custom law enforcement badges and fire badges are the best in the industry.

In addition to our experience the below attributes also set us apart from the competition.

  • Made in the USA, Since 1852
  • Order capacity, We can handle an order of 1 badge or 1,000’s of badges
  • Superior quality
  • Green operations, 100% wastewater recycling, Solar Field, recycling of all scrap metal
  • Security
  • and much much more

Badge Style


Time Line And Budget Will Guide Us

Determining budget and timeline help to narrow down the scope of your new custom badge project.
  • Personalized Catalog Badge is the most economical and fastest approach. (3 weeks).
  • Semi-Custom is our mid-tier option utilizing existing dies with one custom panel, or perhaps a custom seal  (4-5 weeks).  If you order 25 or more badges the custom seal is FREE!
  • Custom is a unique design. (6-8 weeks). To start determine the graphic elements you would like included in the design of your custom law enforcement badge or fire badge (building, patch, landmark, etc).  Then our designers turn your ideas into artwork, and eventually a custom badge.

Pricing and Budget


What Effects The Cost Of A Badge?

Badge cost is driven by the finish of the badge.  Equally important is the quantity, enamel type, and seal.  Thus, understanding your choices will help you create the badge of your dreams while staying within your budget.
  • Badge Finish 
  • Applied Seals are graphical metal emblems applied to the center of a badge.
  • Quantity Discounts  We offer quantity discounts for the same style badges if they are ordered on the same PO#.  You can mix finishes, titles, and numbers only – not names.
    • 1-12 Badges = Net          – 13-24 Badges = 5%
    • 25-49 Badges = 10%       – 50-99 Badges = 15%
    • >100 = 20%

Enamel


Vibrant Colors Enhance A Badges Beauty

  • Plain is typically a badge with raised lettering or no lettering.   As a result the manufacturing process is faster because it skips the enamel process.
  • Regular Enamel
    • Paint is flowed into letters, and the letters are not flush with metal.
    • This is our standard enamel for our lower end finishes like; Nickel, Rhodium, and gold plated badges
  • Dura / Hard Enamel
    • Color is flowed into the letters, and then a 1500 degree oven fires the badge.  After the oven excess enamel is stoned down until the letters are flush with the metal.  This enamel is like hard fired glass.
    • Because there are 17 extra manufacturing steps, add five business days to manufacturing the badge.
    • This is our standard enamel for our high-end badge like; Hi-Glo, Rho-Glo, Two-Tone, and VHB KK
      • If you request hard enamel on a lower end finish there is a small add on cost.
  • Standard Colors for lettering are Blue, Black, Red, Green, Brown, and White lettering.

Badge Back Options


Shell Back Badge is terrific for law enforcement hats, because it is light weight.  Since there is less metal to press the badge has a lot of detail.  In addition, you see a reverse impression of the front if you look at the back of the badge.
law enforcement badge

Solid Back Badge is a heavier badge because we press more metal.  Resulting in a more durable non-snagging finish.  Because the back of the badge is smooth we recommend solid back if you plan to engrave the back of the badge.

law enforcement badge

Understanding Panels


What is a panel?  The area on a badge that takes or has lettering for instance rank, department, city, state, name, etc.  Additionally a panel can have lettering in the die or engraved.

  1. One Piece Badge the badge is made from one piece of base metal and the panels are in the die.
  2. Applied Panel Badge assembled using different panels (pieces).  Below is an example of a panel badge.

custom applied panel badge

What type of panel would you like?

  •  Incised panel has the lettering in the die or it can be engraved.  Additionally, incised panels have color inside the letters.
    incised panel
  •  Reversed panel is when color is flowed into the panel, and the letters are the color of the metal.  Consequently lettering in always in the die of a reverse panel.
    reverse enamel panel

Engraving and Text Separators


Lettering personalizes your badge.  In fact there can be up to 7 lines of lettering on a badge.  Additionally, count panels out starting from the seal which is line 4 (see below).

Also, A circular panel can have text separators, see the below outline.  For example either a circle or star.
badge outline