Why Blackinton is the Largest and Oldest Technology Innovator in Badge Manufacturing
V. H. Blackinton & Co., Inc. is a privately held family owned company that has been around since 1852. We are the leaders in bringing the new technologies that are surfacing today in the badge manufacturing market. So, how has the name stamped on the back of your badge remained an industry leader since 1852?
At Blackinton we are focused on you, and developing solutions that help portray professionalism, community commitment, and societal awareness, while ensuring the solutions stand up to the rigors of your job. We remain the leader in the industry because Blackinton has been first to market with industry changing innovative solutions. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. You will find a lot of copycat products on the market. If American-Made, durable, quality products with no hidden fees are important to you, Blackinton is your company!
Commendation Bar Slide Holder
Over the years our loyal customers have complained about pinning multiple commendation bars on their uniforms. Oftentimes, pining bars beside each other is challenging. It is hard to line the bars up evenly, resulting in a messy uniform. Not to mention, the many nails (2/bar) making holes in their uniform.
To solve this issue, Blackinton developed commendation bar slide holders. The holders can hold anywhere from 1-15 bars, so that they slide in and line up neatly on a uniform. Resulting in less nails poking through the uniform. A holder with 15 bars has just 3 nails compared to the 30 nails that 15 individual bars would have. Blackinton was the first manufacturer to create, and bring to market, this innovative solution. Click Here to learn more.
High Security Badges
Corruption and police impersonation are a big problem for customers outside of the United States, specifically in Latin America. Latin American police agencies are continually looking for technologies and products to help curve this. Technologies that can help the public and agencies identify who is a real police officer, and who isn’t, has been desperately needed.
All officers wear badges, so Blackinton pursued making a badge that has a tamper proof way to identify an individual as a police officer. This resulted in SmartShield, which consists of an RFID chip embedded into the back of your typical metal police badge. The SmartShield badge acts as a portal to an officer’s information. By scanning the badge with an RFID reader you can access your existing officer database. Thus, identify the wearer as an officer. Depending on the data you collect, you can quickly see a picture, ID number, name, etc of who the badge is issued too!
Blackinton also developed a way to visually verify that a badge is authentic. Blackinton incorporated Secureshift® color shifting enamel into its badges. Secureshift microflakes are embedded into the color region (enamel) of the badge. When the badge is slightly turned the enamel shifts from one color to another; i.e., blue to purple, black to red, silver to green, etc. SecureShift is used in 80% of the worlds currency. Blackinton is the first, and only, badge manufacturer in the world licensed to use SecureShift. Click here to read about their solutions.
SecureShift® is a registered trademark of JDS Uniphase Corporation
QuickShip
Ever get discouraged and frustrated with how long it takes to receive a custom metal badge? Blackinton understands that the typical 3 week manufacturing cycle for a custom badge isn’t always acceptable for its customers. Sometimes badges are needed sooner, rather than later. This is especially true if being used for a ceremony, funeral, or when a badge is lost and a replacement is needed.
Blackinton started a QuickShip program as a means to get a badge in the hands of its customers in 5 business days. The program offers Blackinton’s most popular badge styles, finishes, and seals. QuickShip 5 day shipping has been successfully operating for over 25 years. Under the QuickShip program if Blackinton doesn’t meet the 5 days the badge is free! To meet this turn-a-round Blackinton dedicates a special area in the factory (a cell) to create custom QuickShip badges. Badges are made faster due to a dedicated staff and dedicated machinery. Blackinton does not skimp on quality – the same care and quality goes into QuickShip badges that also goes into its standard badges! Blackinton is the first and only badge manufacturer to create a 5 day program that does not include expediting fees of any sort. There are no extra charges for a QuickShip badge! Check out the program details here.
Breast Cancer Awareness
As Breast Cancer has become so prominent in society pink has become a symbol of support. Eventually public safety professionals started wearing pink to show support. Because Blackinton’s customers desired and searched for ways to bring awareness to Breast Cancer, Blackinton did too. Knowing awareness is one goal, and the other is raising money.
Blackinton was the first badge manufacturer to develop a vibrant pink finish for its badges. Resulting, in a line of badges and insignia to sell in support of the cause. As part of this program Blackinton donates 10% of the sales from this line to both Gloria Gemma and the Firefighters Cancer Support Network. Learn more.
FlexBadge
The traditional police and fire patch, and direct embroidery, don’t always look as professional as our customers would hope. Also, there is a lack of detail in embroidery.
Blackinton knew they could come up with a better solution. They jumped into the patch and embroidery market with the development of FlexBadge. FlexBadge is a customizable 3D metallic emblem. FlexBadges 3D makeup shows much more detail then thread can. Also, its metallic finish makes FlexBadge look like a real metal badge. This conveys authority and professionalism. FlexBadge is light weight, and does not buckle, for comfort. As FlexBadge grew in the market tactical forces looked to get more subdued finishes, thus we have come out with satin, black and other more subdued finishes. The Velcro backing allows Public Safety professionals to easily exchange a FlexBadge from vest, to outerwear etc. There are copy cat products, so be sure to ask for FlexBadge. FlexBadge is American-Made with no minimums, and has been proven to be the most durable and most authentic looking product on the market! Learn More
Unlimited Coloring
Adding color to a badge has always been an option. Traditionally adding color or design to a metal badge has had some restrictions. Forms of color a badge could take on is a finish, or enamel placed between the metal walls on a badge. In the past if a customer wanted to add color to a new region on their existing badge, a new die would need to be created, which can be expensive.
Blackinton’s, first of its kind, Unlimited Coloring technology allows customers to add color and/or a design to an existing metal badge without the expense of a new die. We are the first and only company to offer such a service! This technology is allowing departments to show support for various causes, ethnic celebrations, and more. We have developed a way to add designs like; Autism Puzzle, American Flag, Camouflage, Color patterns over your metal badge without compromising the integrity of your badges underlying design details. Are you curious what Blackinton can do with color? Click Here.
Blackinton is here to stay, and will continue to pursue innovative solutions to everyday public safety badge and insignia needs. Thank you to all past and present partners and public safety professionals who are the root of our success. Browse our website and follow us on social media to learn more, and certainly reach out to our SALES TEAM for help with your badge and insignia needs.