10 Stages to Creating the Perfect School Badge

Badges Plus is the leading manufacturer of personalised school badges in the United Kingdom. School badges and emblems are a tradition in Britain. These may be prefect badges, primary school badges, or general school badges worn by students. Badges Plus has the process of creating custom school badges refined and perfected so that their badges are of the highest quality. The following is an overview of their badge manufacturing process.

Step 1: Tooling Production

The first stage in the badge manufacturing process is tooling production. Metal is shaped into cylindrical portions roughly the size of the badge. They are then ready for the next stage which is pressing.

Step 2: Pressing

In the pressing process, the design of the badge is imprinted into the tooled metal. This is done with a high powered metal press. This press is capable of exerting as much as 250 tons of pressure. This high pressure insures a good, crisp imprint in the metal. The design is imprinted in sharp and clear outline.

Step 3: Clipping

The next stage is clipping. Clipping is the process of removing excess metal and cutting the badge to its final shape and size. This is considered another tooling or metal shaping, process. It must be done cleanly and accurately because it results in the final form of the badge in terms of its outline.

Step 4: Soldering

Most school badges have pins on the back so that they can be pinned to coats, hats, or other articles of clothing. Thus a type of solder is placed on the backs of badges following the clipping process and this solder is used to attach pins. This occurs by way of a baking process in which many badges are put in an oven with the solder. When they emerge the pins are soldered onto the backs of badges.

Step 5: Polishing

Next, the personalised school badges are polished. One way of doing this is with a three stage barrel polish. Another way is to simply polish them by hand. Either way the badge is shiny and sparkling when it is finished.

Step 6: Plating

Now the badges are cleaned and attached to wires in readiness for the plating process. They are then plated with whatever plating metal was selected. When the process is complete they will have a gold or silver finish.

Step 7: Enamelling

Majority badges requested are enamel school badges. These badges are brightly coloured with enamel. This stage follows the plating stage. The badge moves onto enamellers who hand apply enamel according to the design of the badge. These artisans must make sure that the detail of the enamelling is accurate and well executed.

Step 8: Inspection

Next the enamel school badges are inspected. They are checked for any defects or errors in manufacture. It is important that the badges are of the highest perfection level when complete so that product quality is maintained. If the badges pass inspection they move on to the next stage.

Step 9: Packaging

The enamel school badges are now packaged according to the specifications of the customer. They are made ready for shipping in the amounts specified.

Step 10: Despatch

Finally, the school badges move on to dispatch, where they are put in boxes for shipping. They are then shipped to the customer, ready for use in the school setting.