Closionne vs Enamel

[lizanne]

I'm not sure but I believe there is a difference between a Cloisonne Pin and an Enamel Pin. Could someone please explain the difference?

Thanks,
Betty Anne

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Cloisonne = metalic. You can recognize them by the shiny luster.
Enameled = coated.
I prefer enameled pins, actually. I don't have to be turning them against reflective rays to appreciate the image.

Wanda

 

[lizanne]

Thanks Wanda. My Husband is actually the collector/trader in the family, but he wasn't positive that his answer was correct. It was.

I knew if I came to these boards I could find out. Thanks again.

Betty Anne

 

[Dom13]

After going through the design process for the Pin Pics I learned about some of the different processes used.

Cloisonné is the most expensive process. It uses ground glass to produce the colored areas of the pin. The choice of colors is somewhat limited compared to Enamel.

Enamel, a synthetic cloisonné, is the most common process used today. It is more economical and versitale with a larger range of colors.

As far as I know they look similar to Cloisonné and only a trained eye can tell them apart.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Hum.. Interesting...

So, Dom, when the coating is obviously thick and stands out, how is that pin different from the enameled type that you describe? Is the same type of coating used, only thicker?

Whatever they use, I prefer them. I hate to jiggle a pin side to side to see what is in it.


Wanda

 

[Dom13]

They print those pins using a proces similar to the way t-shirts are printed and coat them in an epoxy to protect the printing. These can be made faster and less expensively than either of the other processes.

I prefer the enamel/cloisonne type myself.