Epoxy Dome Pins: What It Does and When You Need One

An epoxy dome is the clear, slightly raised coating poured over the face of a custom pin. It protects the printed or enameled design underneath from scratches and wear, and it gives the pin a smooth, glossy surface with a little extra depth. If you've ever called it "the clear bubble" on a pin, that's the epoxy dome.

Most people don't know the name, so they describe it as best they can. The bubble has a job, though, and whether your pin needs one depends almost entirely on how the design is made. Epoxy dome pins are standard for printed designs. On enamel pins they're a choice, and not always a good one.

What an epoxy dome does

Its main job is protection. Ink printed on metal scratches easily, and a clear dome over it works as a shield.

It also changes how the pin looks and feels:

• Depth. A flat printed pin gains thickness and a raised, finished look.
• A smooth surface. The dome fills any texture below it, so the face feels like glass.
• A magnifying effect. Because the dome is curved, it slightly enlarges what's under it. That's why glitter under epoxy sparkles more.

Each of those makes a pin feel better made in the hand. Protection is still the reason it exists.

Which pins get an epoxy dome?

There are two families of custom pins: printed pins and enamel pins. Epoxy means something different for each.

• Offset printed: standard, and strongly recommended. It protects the ink from scratches and fading.
• Photo dome: always, it's in the name. The dome covers a printed image on the metal.
• Soft enamel: optional. It gives the textured surface a smooth, glossy top.
• Soft enamel with glitter: recommended. It keeps rough glitter smooth and secure.
• Hard enamel: rarely. It's already polished flat and smooth.
• Die struck (metal only): no. There's nothing to protect.

Printed pins: almost always

Printed pins have no enamel and no depth. The design sits on the surface of the metal, which makes it easy to scratch. That's why we put a clear epoxy dome over our printed pins.

The printed family includes:

• Offset printed pins. The design is printed directly onto the metal, then covered with an epoxy dome. It's the method for photos, gradients, shading and tiny text that metal lines can't hold. Can you order one without epoxy? Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it. Without the dome, the print is exposed to scratches.
• Photo dome pins. A full-color image on a metal pin, sealed under a clear dome. Same idea, and the name says it: the dome is the point.
• Silkscreen. Details are stenciled onto the face of the pin. Silkscreen is usually paired with an enamel pin and most often doesn't get epoxy.

Printed pins are also our fastest option. Our in-house offset printed pins can usually be delivered within 72 hours with a rush fee, in stock square, rectangle, circle and oval shapes. And they aren't expensive: 100 one-inch offset printed pins are $289 on our price list, slightly less than the same order in soft enamel ($292).

Hard enamel: rarely

With hard enamel, the enamel is baked at high temperature and polished flush with the metal. It's already smooth and scratch-resistant, so a dome adds nothing protective. The only time we'd put epoxy on a hard enamel pin is when the design itself calls for a bubble effect.

Soft enamel: optional

Soft enamel leaves the metal lines raised and the enamel sitting slightly below them. That texture is part of the appeal. Some people want the soft enamel price with a smooth face, though, and an epoxy dome does exactly that: it fills the recesses and levels the surface. That's the main reason to add epoxy to soft enamel today. The enamel is durable on its own and doesn't need the protection.

If you're still deciding between the two enamel styles, our soft enamel vs hard enamel comparison has prices side by side.

Glitter pins: yes, add it

This is the one case where we recommend epoxy on an enamel pin every time. Glitter is made of little flecks, and mixed into soft enamel they leave a rough surface. Soft enamel isn't ground smooth the way hard enamel is, so that roughness stays. It feels gritty, and the glitter enamel can pop out over time.

A dome solves both problems. It seals the glitter in, and the magnifying effect makes it sparkle more. We offer glitter on both soft and hard enamel, and you can combine glitter with glow-in-the-dark enamel too.

Why epoxy isn't standard on enamel pins anymore

Not that long ago, an epoxy dome was standard on most pins. That changed as enamel pins took over. The modern enamels are colorful, they have depth of their own, and they're durable without a coating.

Epoxy has also got one real weakness.

Does epoxy yellow over time?

Yes. Something in the chemical makeup changes as it ages. You won't see it right away. But put a pin with a year-old epoxy dome next to a brand-new one and the older one is distinctly yellower. That slow yellowing is a big part of why epoxy has become less and less common on enamel pins. People would rather not have a pin that discolors.

Epoxy vs acrylic: is there a coating that doesn't yellow?

There is. Some manufacturers have developed an acrylic blend that gives the same protection and glossy dome without yellowing. In our experience, factories in China mostly use epoxy, and acrylic is mostly used on photo dome pins produced in the US. If you're ordering printed pins anywhere, ask which coating they use. That includes us.

Can epoxy dome pins get wet?

Yes. The epoxy itself holds up in water and keeps protecting the print. A little rain won't hurt a pin.

What we'd avoid is leaving any pin wet for long stretches or storing it damp. The risk there isn't the epoxy, it's the metal underneath. If the base metal is iron, it can eventually rust. Our general advice for every pin is the same: they're built to last, but avoid extended exposure to extreme conditions. See how to keep enamel pins looking like new and whether you can wash enamel pins.

Is an epoxy pin a quality pin?

It's a different kind of pin, so comparing them on quality isn't quite fair. Printed pins with epoxy and enamel pins each have strengths.

That said, most people prefer enamel pins. They're more colorful, more interesting to look at, and perceived as better quality. We'd steer you toward enamel whenever the design allows it.

Sometimes it doesn't. Choose a printed pin with an epoxy dome if:

• your design has very small details or small text
• it uses gradients, shading or a photograph
• you need pins in a hurry (the 72-hour rush is printed pins only)
• you're producing a large volume very quickly

FAQ

Is epoxy the same as enamel?

No. Enamel is the colored fill inside the metal lines of an enamel pin. Epoxy is a clear coating that goes on top of a finished design. A soft enamel pin can have both.

Does an epoxy dome make a soft enamel pin look like hard enamel?

It makes it feel smooth, which is the main thing people are after. The look is different: a dome is rounded and glossy, while hard enamel is polished flat and level with the metal.

Does adding an epoxy dome cost extra?

Offset printed pins already include it in the price on our pricing page. On soft enamel it's an option you choose, so mention it when you request a quote and we'll price your order with it.

Can I add an epoxy dome when I reorder?

Tell us when you reorder. We keep your artwork on file for 10 years, we send the digital proof again for approval before production starts, and we'll let you know if a change to the design affects the price.

Not sure if your pin needs one?

Send us the design. Our team will tell you whether it's a printed pin, an enamel pin, or an enamel pin that would look better with a dome, and send a free proof, usually within 4 hours. Minimums start at 50 pieces, and every order includes free design and free US shipping. Get your free quote.