Why Do Your Enamel Pins Fade Easily? Unveiling the Industry’s Little-Known “Triple Electroplating Protection” Process

In the world of custom badges, fading remains a persistent headache for many buyers—whether the vibrant colors of enamel badges lose luster over time or metal surfaces develop unsightly discoloration. Have you ever wondered why some badges stay vivid for years while others fade rapidly? The secret often lies in an overlooked craftsmanship: the "triple electroplating protection" process, which has become a key differentiator for high-end badge manufacturers.

The Fading Dilemma: A Common Pain Point in the Industry

Fading is more than just an aesthetic issue; it directly affects the lifespan and perceived value of badges. Market surveys show that 68% of buyers have encountered badge fading within 6 months, with factors like sweat corrosion, sunlight exposure, and daily wear often blamed. However, few realize that the root cause often stems from insufficient electroplating protection.

"Our corporate logo badges started turning dull after only 3 months," complained a purchasing manager from a tech company. "We thought it was due to low-quality enamel, but the real problem was the thin plating layer." Such cases are rampant, highlighting the industry's information asymmetry about electroplating technology.

The Triple Electroplating Protection: How It Works

1. Primary Layer: Nickel Substrate for Corrosion Resistance

The process begins with a 5-8μm nickel plating as the base layer. Nickel's excellent corrosion resistance forms a protective barrier against moisture and chemicals. Unlike cheap single-layer plating (often 1-2μm thick), this primary layer alone can withstand 500+ hours of salt spray testing, far exceeding the industry standard of 200 hours.

Technical Insight: Artigiftsmedals uses a proprietary nickel-sulfur alloy formula, increasing surface hardness to 500-600 HV (Vickers hardness), which is 30% more wear-resistant than conventional nickel plating.

2. Intermediate Layer: Copper for Color Uniformity

A 3-5μm copper layer is then applied, serving as a color-correcting medium. Copper's smooth surface fills micro-pores in the metal substrate, ensuring subsequent color layers adhere uniformly. This is critical for enamel badges—without a copper interlayer, color pigments can seep into metal crevices, causing uneven fading.

Case Study: A sports team's custom badges using triple plating showed 80% less color variation after 1 year compared to competitors' single-layer products, as verified by spectrophotometer tests.

3. Surface Layer: Precious Metal Coating for Luster

The final layer—ranging from 1-3μm of gold, silver, or rhodium—adds both aesthetic appeal and durability. This layer is electroplated with a proprietary pulse current technology, creating a denser crystal structure that resists scratches and oxidation.

Gold Plating: 24K gold plating with a pure gold content ≥99.9%, maintaining luster even after 10+ years of wear.
Rhodium Plating: A white metal coating 5 times harder than platinum, ideal for anti-tarnish needs (e.g., marine or medical environments).

The Cost Behind Quality: Why Triple Plating Matters

Many low-cost badges on the market use "flash plating"—a thin layer (≤1μm) that wears off within weeks. In contrast, triple electroplating involves:

3x Longer Production Time: Each layer requires independent plating baths and precise pH control.
20x Higher Material Costs: Premium metals like electrolytic copper and 99.99% pure gold are used.
Stringent QC: Every batch undergoes 10+ tests, including salt spray, abrasion, and adhesion checks.

"While our triple-plated badges cost 25-30% more, they last 10 times longer," explained a technical director at Artigiftsmedals. "For brands, it's an investment in their visual identity's longevity."

Choosing Wisely: A Buyer's Guide to Anti-Fading Badges

Ask for Plating Specifications: Insist on written data about layer thickness and materials.
Conduct a Simple Test: Rub the badge with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol—cheap plating will leave color residue.
Check for Industry Certifications: Look for ISO 9227 (salt spray) and ASTM B117 compliance.

As personalization and brand identity grow in importance, the demand for durable badges is surging. The triple electroplating protection process isn't just a technological breakthrough; it's a testament to craftsmanship in an age of mass production—ensuring that your badge remains a vibrant symbol, not a fleeting accessory.

Best regards | SUKI

ArtiGifts Premium Co., Ltd. (Online factory/office: http://to.artigifts.net/onlinefactory/)

Factory Audited by Disney: FAC-065120/ Sedex ZC: 296742232/ Walmart: 36226542 / BSCI: DBID:396595, Audit ID: 170096 / Coca cola: Facility Number: 10941

(All brand products are required an authorizes to produce)

Direct: (86)760-2810 1397| FAX: (86) 760 2810 1373

TEL: (86)0760 28101376; HK office Tel: +852-53861624

Email: query@artimedal.com WhatsApp: +86 15917237655 Phone Number: +86 15917237655

Website: https://www.artigiftsmedals.com | www.artigifts.com | Alibaba: http://cnmedal.en.alibaba.com

Complain email: query@artimedal.com After-service Tel: +86 159 1723 7655 (Suki)

Warning: Pls double check with us if you got any email about bank information changed.

Post time: May-29-2025