Abstract:
This article explores the benefits of using pins and patches to build brand loyalty while also examining which option is best suited depending on your business type. While pins offer versatility, cost-efficiency, and durability, patches have larger design space, and greater longevity, and can help boost brand visibility. These are all advantages businesses will need to consider when choosing their brand strategy, including pins and patches.
Article:
The emergence of online shopping and a more international market has resulted in brands needing to find the best possible customizable branding so as to separate themselves from the rest. These solutions do not only need to be specific to the business, but also need to be affordable, accessible to their target audience, and inspire brand loyalty. Above all else, all branding needs to be created to increase visibility as this will help a company become a recognizable brand.
Two of the best options for customizable branding can be found through pins and patches. These products have the benefit of being small, while at the same time being uniquely customizable. As such, different branding elements can be worn by employees, brand ambassadors, and customers. Still, deciding whether pins or patches are the right branding for your business can be challenging. This is why we have put together the perfect guide to help make the decision that much simpler for you and your business.
In this guide, we will cover all of the benefits and main differences between pins and patches. By the end of it, you will not only be an expert on these products but will also have all the information on hand to make the perfect choice for your business.
Benefits of Pins
Custom enamel pins can offer several benefits, especially as over the last few years they have started to grow in popularity among younger audiences. But still, you may wonder, why should you choose pins for your business.
- Versatility
One of the best things about pins is that they are removable. This means that customers who have purchased your pins can keep buying new products with each new collection. Because they are small and lightweight these pins can be placed on most products, from clothes to bags without any issue. This is perfect for customers who do not want to permanently alter their items but still want to show brand loyalty and sport one of your collections and designs.
Apart from wearing a brand’s pins, customers also have the option of collecting different pins. This is perfect for creating a structure that encourages brand loyalty with pins as incentives. Customers can also trade pins among themselves to ensure that they have collected all available items. This can be done by including pins with every purchase or loyalty milestone, acting as a further incentive for purchases.
It is this versatility in the types of usage that separate pins from patches and other branding items that are more permanently altered to clothes and bags.
- Cost-Efficiency
Pins can be inexpensive to make. Especially if you have the right manufacturer in your corner, this affordability will not be paired with subpar quality of materials or productions. This means that with the right manufacturer, your pins will be generally cheap to produce in bulk. When choosing the manufacturer you should focus on not only the price but also the quality of the sources. Manufacturers like Vivipins can help ensure that the quality of your products is excellent at a low cost.
If you are creating a pin collection to inspire brand loyalty having these items, which will often be gifted, be cheaper can be essential as you don’t want to be giving away thousands of dollars worth of product.
Another key benefit is that if you have not yet decided on a branding campaign you have the option of coming up with several campaigns and running with them. The low cost means that you are not locked in on any single product and can instead make changes as necessary to ensure that your branding is as successful as possible at a relatively low budget.
Finally, the cost-efficiency aspect of these pins can allow companies to create unique designs for different events or periods and include them as freebies. These pins can help increase brand exposure while attracting new customers or further loyalty from established customers.
- Durability
The majority of custom enamel pins are made of metal, which can be an extremely durable material. Pins unlike patches in that sense, can be removed from clothing during wash cycles to protect them from harsh water and soaps. Metal pins are also unlikely to be damaged when exposed to different weather conditions and will not wear over time.
Durability is a huge benefit when it comes to branding, as the last thing any business wants is for its branded products to fade over time. Fading and other wear and tear will make customers think that the items are of lower quality, when in reality it could be just a side effect of the conditions they are in. Still, it could be damaging to the brand inspiring confidence in its clients, which is why an option like pins could be best because of its long-lasting effects.
Benefits of Patches
Patches do not only serve a utilitarian purpose but can also help offer brands a unique option for marketing their brand and increasing brand visibility.
- Long-Lasting
Patches manage to combine durability with longevity as they can either be sewn or ironed on different clothing. Especially when sewn on, patches can remain secure in their spot for extended periods. This is particularly great when patches are used as part of your employees’ uniforms, as you can ensure that they will remain on for a long time.
For companies that inspire strong brand loyalty, patches can be a great option for ensuring that their customers always have their branding on display. This is particularly desirable for lifestyle brands, fashion brands, and music merchandise, as customers and fans are more likely to want to be in constant association with these brands.
- Larger Design Area
Unlike pins which tend to be very limited in size, patches can be quite larger allowing for more intricate designs and detailed branding. This is perfect for brands that want to incorporate messages, logos, or more complex artwork in their branding.
The extra space also allows brands to include more of their messaging within on single branding item. What’s more, because patches tend to be larger they are a lot more noticeable which helps enhance brand visibility. This is not something to be dismissed, as with pins customers can often take them off and not have to commit to any branding items, with patches these same people will commit to the artwork, logos, and text of the brand as they will need to have them on them daily.
Patches in that sense are particularly important for brands that wish to make a bold statement or offer styles that distinctly cater to their customers.
- Affordability
Despite the fact that patches are larger they remain affordable to produce, especially when ordering in bulk. Patches can be made from woven or embroidered material and can easily be produced at low costs, making them a perfect option for businesses of all sizes.
As patches tend to be very durable and have great longevity as products, they are also seen as a great value-for-money option for your business. Customers who either buy or receive their patches as part of giveaways, promotions events, or collections that inspire brand loyalty, will get to keep the patches for a long time, rather than quickly throwing them away or hiding the item, which could result in the brand spending money but not getting any brand visibility out of their products.
Which to Choose Based on Your Business Type?
With all of these benefits considered you might be wondering which of the two is best for your business brand. The answer to that question will most likely be found based on your business type, as that will be the biggest indicator of the type of customers you usually have.
- Fashion brands
Fashion brands can benefit from both the inclusion of pins and patches. Depending on the demographic that they cater to with their collections they might be better off with choosing pins or patches. For example, those brands that are mainly used by a younger audience would be better off selecting pins as they can be customizable and can act as collectibles. Brands for an older demographic might prefer a more vintage and rugged aesthetic on the other hand, which can usually be found through the use of patches.
- Corporate Businesses
For corporate businesses pins are often better as they do not cause permanent damage or alterations to any of the clothing. Instead, they are a polished way of representing the brand through custom enamel pins that can be used during networking events, conferences, or as gifts to clients and employees. Patches on the other hand can look too informal and rugged in most cases, but could work on company bags or uniforms.
- Outdoor and Active brands
For active and outdoor brands patches are the right choice as they can be more durable. Unlike pins which are not securely attached to clothing, patches will remain applied on gear for a long time. They are also perfect for harsher environments and are unlikely to be damaged by the conditions outdoors.
Patches are the perfect option for brands that are focused on resilience and longevity, which are two qualities that most outdoor brands are actively trying to associate their brands with.
- Music and Art brands
In the creative industries, both pins and patches have a strong tradition of being used by brands to promote greater fan loyalty. Fans often love to show their support for artists, bands, and other creative brands through branded items, especially as they see their brand loyalty as being closely associated with their identity and the popularity of their favorite artists.
Pins can be an excellent option for selling merchandise in that case, as collections can be built for different tours, events, albums, or concerts. Fans will not be forced to decide to wear only a single one of these items but instead can collect all of them and swap them out as wanted on different occasions.
Patches in these cases tend to be more premium items, with more intricate and delicate designs. With patches, fans have to commit to only one design as they are not able to just switch them around as wanted. This can be both great, in the case of a distinct logo, but also limiting in the case of an event or an album.
- Nonprofits and Philanthropic Organizations
With philanthropic organizations choosing between pins and patches will often be the case of choosing based on the type of organization and the work they are promoting. Pins can be easy to distribute at different events and can be worn with any outfit to promote brand loyalty while doing work. Patches on the other hand can help bring a sense of unity, especially when paired with specific outfits during the activities of the organization. Patches are more vocal statements, but at the same time, they are limited in that they need to be permanently attached to a clothing piece. However, with pins people can showcase their work and brand loyalty by switching the pins to any bag or clothing they have on them.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between pins and patches can be a tough decision for businesses, but is one that is largely going to be based on the type of business you are trying to promote. While pins can be great because of their versatility, they can also be easily forgotten in a cupboard which would mean wasted money for a business. Patches on the other hand are more permanent but are limited to only one item.
These along with the durability, longevity, and affordability of these items are all things that brands will need to consider when choosing the items that will help enhance their brand visibility and help them build brand loyalty.
Zaid Ahmed