10 Types of Lapel Pin Backings and How to Choose

Most lapel pin backings are clutches: a short metal post on the back of the pin pushes through the fabric and a clutch grips it from behind. Butterfly and rubber clutches are the everyday options, and both come free on our pins. Beyond those you've got locking deluxe clutches, screw backs, magnets, safety pins, stick pins and bent legs, each built for a different fabric, activity level or price point.

The backing is the least exciting part of a pin order and the part people most often regret. A pin that falls off at the first handshake, a magnet that slides down a silk blouse, a safety pin tugging a hole in a thin shirt. None of those are design problems. They're backing problems, and they're decided on the order form.

Lapel pin backings at a glance

• Butterfly clutch: spring "wings" grip the post. Hold: fair. Pierces fabric: yes. Best for everyday pins, clusters of pins. Cost on our pins: free.
• Rubber clutch: friction. Hold: fair. Pierces fabric: yes. Best for casual, colorful and kids' pins. Cost on our pins: free.
• Deluxe (locking) clutch: internal lock. Hold: strong. Pierces fabric: yes. Best for awards, gifts, tie pins, valuable pins. Cost on our pins: small upcharge.
• Screw back: threaded nut on a threaded post. Hold: strong. Pierces fabric: yes. Best for pins that should stay on for good. Cost on our pins: quoted.
• Long-post (stem) clutch: longer post + clutch. Hold: depends on clutch. Pierces fabric: yes. Best for thick fabric, ties, several layers. Cost on our pins: quoted.
• Two-piece magnet: magnet behind the fabric. Hold: light. Pierces fabric: no. Best for delicate or expensive clothing. Cost on our pins: about $1 per pin.
• Magnet bar: wider bar magnet. Hold: medium. Pierces fabric: no. Best for larger pins, name badges. Cost on our pins: quoted.
• Safety pin: hinged pin and catch. Hold: fair. Pierces fabric: yes, twice. Best for temporary badges, button-style pins. Cost on our pins: quoted.
• Stick pin: single long pin, capped. Hold: fair. Pierces fabric: yes. Best for hats, ties, lapels as jewelry. Cost on our pins: quoted.
• Bent legs: metal legs folded behind. Hold: strong. Pierces fabric: no, the legs go through a buttonhole or around a band. Best for uniform buttonholes, hat bands. Cost on our pins: not a standard option; ask.

"Free" and the magnet price come from our published FAQ. Anything marked "quoted" is priced on your quote.

The 10 types of lapel pin backings

1. Butterfly clutch

The butterfly clutch, also called a military clutch, is the most common pin back in the world. A small nail-like post on the pin goes through the fabric, and a round metal clutch with two spring "wings" catches it. Squeeze the wings to put it on. Pinch them again to pull it off.

It's light and cheap, and it sits flat enough that you can wear several pins side by side. The downside is grip. The wings loosen with use, and a butterfly clutch that isn't pushed all the way down, or that's holding thick fabric, can slip off when the pin gets bumped. Some people also find it fiddly because it's so small.

2. Rubber clutch

A rubber (PVC) clutch does the same job as a butterfly clutch but holds the post by friction instead of springs. That makes it softer against skin and easy to make in almost any color, so it can match a bright, fun pin instead of flashing silver behind it. Rubber clutches are also free on our pins.

They're light, and a new rubber clutch often feels snugger on the post than a butterfly, which makes it a good match for pins on bags and jackets. Over time, in our experience, the two hold about equally well. The rubber one wears differently though: take it on and off enough times and it loses friction. If the pin goes on and stays on, that doesn't matter much. On a pin that moves from jacket to backpack every week, it does.

3. Deluxe (locking) clutch

This is the one we steer people toward when losing the pin would really hurt: service awards, anniversary pins, gifts, anything plated in 14k gold. A deluxe clutch looks like a brushed metal cap and has a spring-loaded lock inside that clamps the post. It's very hard to knock off by accident. It comes in two common shapes, a flat head and a ball top (the ball version is sometimes called a jewelry clutch because it looks the part).

It costs a little extra per pin and it's a bit bulkier than a butterfly clutch. It's also confusing to remove the first time. Hold the flat top between thumb and finger and push the center section away from it to release the lock. We wrote up the whole process in how to get a locking pin back off.

4. Screw back

A screw back replaces the clutch with a small nut that threads onto a threaded post. You twist it tight against the fabric. It's slower to put on and take off than any clutch, which is the point: once it's on, it isn't coming off by accident. It suits a pin that will live on one jacket or one uniform for a long time.

5. Long-post (stem) clutch

Same idea as a standard clutch, but with a longer post so it can pass through thick fabric or more than one layer. Our standard lapel pin post is 8 mm. Tie pins use a 10 mm post, because the pin has to go through the tie and into the shirt behind it, paired with a locking deluxe clutch so it can't fall off. If you're pinning through a heavy wool coat or a lanyard plus a jacket, ask about the longer post. More on that in 8 things to know about tie pins.

6. Two-piece magnet

A magnet back has one magnet attached to the pin and a second that goes inside the garment. Nothing pierces the fabric, so it's the backing for silk, leather, fine suiting or anything else you don't want to poke holes in. Every backing that goes through the fabric leaves some kind of hole; see do lapel pins leave holes on clothing for which fabrics show them.

Three catches. First, magnets hold best on thin fabric with a little texture. On smooth, slippery material the pin can creep downward because nothing is physically holding it in place, and they won't reach through several thick layers (coat, shirt and undershirt, say). Second, they cost more. On our pins a magnet back typically adds about $1 per pin. Third, safety: strong magnets can interfere with pacemakers and similar implants, and a swallowed magnet can seriously injure a child or a pet. We don't recommend magnet backs for people who wear their pins around small kids or animals all day. Magnet vs. pins goes further into the trade-offs.

One more practical note: our in-house rush printed pins, the ones delivered in under 10 days, can't be ordered with magnetic backs.

7. Magnet bar

A magnet bar is a longer, stronger version of the two-piece magnet, usually used on larger pins and name badges. The bigger magnet takes more pull before it lets go. The same rules apply: one layer of average-thickness fabric between the two halves, and keep it away from pacemakers. It also isn't a good match for someone wearing a lot of hanging metal jewelry, which the magnet can grab.

8. Safety pin

A safety-pin backing is a hinged pin with a catch, exactly like the safety pin in your drawer, soldered or glued to the back of the pin. You see it most on button pins, but it works on enamel pins too, and many people find it easier to put on than a clutch.

It's the least secure backing for anything that moves. A lot of motion can pop the catch open. It also goes through the fabric twice, so it leaves two holes instead of one and can stretch the weave if it snags. We'd use it for one-day things like event name tags.

9. Stick pin

A stick pin is a single long straight pin with a cap on the end, more jewelry than hardware. It's the traditional choice for hats and a classic look on a lapel or tie. The hold depends on the cap, so it's best for pins that won't be knocked around.

10. Bent legs

Instead of a post, a bent-leg backing has two short metal legs. You push them through a buttonhole or around a thin band and fold them flat behind. Done properly, it's one of the sturdiest backings there is, which is why it shows up on uniform and rank insignia and on hat bands. The weak point is the legs themselves: bend them open and closed too many times and they can snap. Bent legs aren't on our standard backing list, so if your project needs them, ask when you request a quote.

Attachments that turn a pin into something else

The same pin face doesn't have to be a pin. We also fit custom designs as tie clips, cufflinks and keychains, and we can leave the post off entirely, which gives you something closer to a small single-sided coin or a golf ball marker. If you're ordering one design for a few different uses, ask.

Metal, rubber or magnet: what the backings are made of

Almost every lapel pin backing is metal, rubber (PVC) or a magnet. Metal clutches look the most finished and are the norm on professional pins. Rubber is softer on skin and easy to color-match to the pin. Magnets cost more than clutches and are the only material that doesn't go through the fabric. The pin itself is a separate question; see how thick are custom lapel pins for what the pin face is made of.

How to choose a lapel pin backing

Which lapel pin backing should I choose? Match it to the fabric and the wearer. Use a free butterfly or rubber clutch for everyday wear. Upgrade to a locking deluxe clutch when the pin is valuable or the wearer is active. Choose a magnet for delicate or expensive fabric, unless the wearer has a pacemaker or is around small children.

A few questions settle it quickly:

• What is it pinned to? Silk, leather or a good suit points to a magnet. A thick coat or a tie points to a longer post. A hat band or buttonhole points to bent legs or a stick pin.
• How much will the wearer move? Nurses, coaches, kids and trade show staff knock their pins all day. Give them a deluxe clutch, not a butterfly.
• What happens if it's lost? A giveaway pin can ride on a free clutch. A 25-year service award shouldn't.
• How big and heavy is the pin? A larger pin puts more weight on one post. Look at a locking clutch or a magnet bar, and read our lapel pin size guide before you settle on dimensions. Larger pins are often made with two posts instead of one, so ask about that on your quote too.
• What's the budget? Butterfly and rubber are free. Magnets add about $1 a pin, which on 500 pins is real money.

Whatever you pick, it's written on your digital proof next to the size and finish. Check it before you approve; it's number nine on our list of things to check in your art proof, and it's the one people skip.

FAQ

What is the most common lapel pin backing?

The butterfly clutch, also called a military clutch. It comes free on our pins, as does the rubber clutch.

What is the most secure pin back?

A locking backing: the deluxe clutch or a screw back. Bent legs through a buttonhole are also very secure.

Which pin backing won't leave holes in clothes?

Only magnetic backings. Every clutch, safety pin and stick pin passes through the fabric.

How much does a magnetic pin back cost?

On our custom pins, a magnet back typically adds about $1 per pin.

Can I switch the backing on my order?

Yes, up until you approve the proof and production starts. The backing is listed on the proof, so change it there.

What's the difference between a clutch and a pin back?

"Pin back" is the whole attachment. The clutch is the part that grips the post from behind the fabric.

Order pins with the right backing

Tell us what the pin is for and where it'll be worn, and we'll recommend a backing on your free digital proof, usually within 4 hours. Butterfly and rubber clutches are included. Our minimum is 50 pieces, shipping to one US address is free, and most orders arrive 10 to 15 business days after you approve and pay. See pricing or get a free quote.