What Is Reverse Enamel Lettering on a Custom Badge?

Have you seen a police or fire badge with black or blue lettering panels and bright gold or silver letters? This style is called reverse enamel lettering, and it's a popular feature on many traditional public safety badges.

Customers sometimes ask why they can't select this option when customizing a badge on our website. 

The reason is that reverse enamel isn't simply a different lettering color. It requires a different manufacturing process, and the badge may need special lettering panels made specifically for your department.

Badge & Wallet offers reverse enamel badges from Smith & Warren, but they require a custom quote rather than an order through our online badge designer.

What Is the Difference Between Engraved and Reverse Enamel Lettering?

Most custom metal badges use engraved lettering. This is the standard lettering style offered in our online badge designer. 

Engraved lettering:	Reverse enamel lettering:
Letters: color (usually black or blue) Panel: gold or silver.	Letters: gold or silver. Panel: color (usually black or blue)

Both lettering types are durable and can be manufactured with a smooth, polished surface. The main visual difference is whether the enamel color appears in the letters or in the background around them.

How Are Reverse Enamel Badges Made?

Many reverse enamel badge designs use applied-panel construction. The badge is assembled from a metal base and several separate lettering panels that are soldered into place.

A typical badge might have four lettering panels:

• A rank or title, such as CHIEF, SERGEANT, or OFFICER
• The agency name, such as EMANON or SPRINGFIELD
• A department designation, such as POLICE DEPT. or FIRE DEPT.
• A state abbreviation or badge number

Smith & Warren manufactures many of these panels using steel dies that form the raised lettering and recessed background.

Why Does Reverse Enamel Lettering Cost More?

Reverse enamel badges generally cost more than comparable badges with engraved lettering because of the additional manufacturing processes and specialized lettering panels involved.

With engraved lettering, a department can typically specify its own wording without paying for custom lettering dies.

Reverse enamel lettering is different. Each unique lettering panel requires a steel die to manufacture it.

Smith & Warren already has dies for many commonly used ranks and department titles, so not every panel requires new tooling. However, an agency-specific name will generally require a custom die.

For example, a department ordering a reverse enamel badge with the wording:

• CHIEF
• EMANON
• POLICE DEPT.
• 101

may be able to use existing dies for some of the common wording, but will need a custom die for the name EMANON.

Unusual ranks, specialized department names, or other unique wording may require additional dies.

The total setup cost depends on the badge design, panel arrangement, and wording requested.

How Much Do Custom Reverse Enamel Panel Dies Cost?

Custom reverse enamel lettering dies typically cost $200–$250 per new die, depending on the size and shape.

We offer a $50 discount on each custom panel die for every five badges ordered. This means that a custom panel die costing $200 is free with an order of 20 badges, while a $250 die is free with an order of 25 badges.

For example, if your department needs 20 badges with the same city name, the tooling charge for that custom name panel may be completely waived.

Smith & Warren keeps your dies indefinitely, so you won't need to pay for the same tooling again when you reorder badges.

Why Can't I Select Reverse Enamel in the Online Badge Designer?

Our online badge designer allows customers to personalize more than 1,400 metal badge styles with a wide range of wording, colors, finishes, and center seals, without minimum order quantities or setup fees.

This flexibility is possible because engraved lettering can accommodate personalized wording without requiring new custom lettering dies.

Reverse enamel is different. Smith & Warren has existing dies for many common titles, such as CHIEF, SERGEANT, and POLICE DEPT., but agency-specific wording generally requires custom tooling.

That's why reverse enamel isn't offered as a standard customization in our online badge designer. Our team needs to review the badge design, lettering panel shapes, and required wording before providing a quote.

Can I Order Just One Reverse Enamel Badge?

It may be possible to order a single reverse enamel badge, but the cost depends on whether the necessary lettering dies already exist.

If your department has previously purchased reverse enamel badges and the custom dies are already available, ordering an individual replacement badge may be straightforward.

If you're creating a new reverse enamel badge for your agency, you'll generally need to pay for at least one custom lettering die, even if you're ordering only a few badges.

Because these setup charges are separate from the cost of the badges themselves, reverse enamel is often more economical for departments ordering multiple badges with the same wording.

Do I Have to Pay for the Custom Dies Again When I Reorder?

No. Smith & Warren keeps custom reverse enamel lettering dies indefinitely, allowing departments to reorder badges without paying the same tooling charges again.

This is particularly valuable for departments that plan to use the same badge design for many years.

Once the agency's custom lettering dies have been made, they can be reused for future orders, including badges for new hires, promotions, and replacements.

New tooling charges may apply if the department changes its name, requests different wording, or selects a badge design requiring different panel shapes.

Is Reverse Enamel Better Than Engraved Lettering?

Not necessarily. Both engraved and reverse enamel lettering are durable, high-quality options.  Reverse enamel provides a unique look at a premium price.

How Do I Order a Reverse Enamel Badge?

Reverse enamel lettering isn't currently available through our online badge designer, but our team can help you order it.

If you've found a badge style on our website and would prefer black or blue lettering panels with gold or silver letters, please contact us before placing your order.

Let us know which badge model you're considering, the wording you'd like on each panel, and approximately how many badges you need. We'll review the available panel options, identify any custom dies needed, and prepare a quote.

You don't need to know which dies or panels are required. That's our job!