Cloisonné
It is also called Hard Enamel, a kind of Chinese ancient art developing in Yuan dynasty (14th century end) and prevailing in Ming dynasty, some 650 years ago.
Beginning as a die-struck first from a metal piece and then separate, delicate molds. Colors are hand-filled with a powder glass-like mineral ore. Each color is fired at temperature some 1500°F (=800°C) one color at a time with connoisseur craftsmanship. This repeated process ensures that bleeding of colors does not occur. It also helps colors last long and keep its brilliant hue. Following is to individually hand-polish and plating gold, silver, bronze or rhodium so that Cloisonné products will be jewelry-like, a fine made Cloisonné masterpiece will not fade for decades. So it’s more expensive than imitation enamel or soft enamel which is popular nowadays.
Imitation enamel
Also known as Soft Cloisonné, Semi Cloisonné, Imitation Hard Enamel, Synthetic Enamel as well as Epoxy Colorfill, it has become so popular since in 1985 due to the markets supply of cloisonné was diversified into price demands.
It is made mostly the same labor processes as cloisonné only to change processing orders in-between military clutch welding and color-firing due to the color pigment material difference. While providing incentive price yet never will it lose its color to rival shining against real Cloisonné, this competitiveness also allows a wider colors selection,matched to Pantone Colors (PMS).
Soft enamel
Soft enamel is a die cut to the image of your design, hand-filling every individual softer enamel color onto the recessed and separated metal piece. Colors are inserted one at a time then baked at 450°F (=230°C) and finally hand-polish.
It can be plated in gold, silver, bronze, and other different finishes to meet your own occasion needs. It is affordable and alternative to many applications, with optional epoxy coating for an even more durable finish to protect the color enamels from fading or cracking over time. The price is lower than Cloisonné or Imitation enamel.
Photo etched
Photo etched are made in an acid surrounding: first transfer your photo negative image as the design onto a metal surface, then to use acid-reaction process allowing your design "set" in metal piece. , the acids and other impurities are carefully rinsed off after etching done.
Etched indentations will be filled with enamel colors by hand, one at a time, using different sized syringes. The sheet of metal is then baked at 450°F ( =230°C ) till the color nicely fixed on the products and finally cut out of the sheet according to your custom design. The raised sections (those without color) will be plated in shiny gold finish. Epoxy coating dome as option to protect the color enamels from fading or cracking over time. In default etched product is filled with a thin epoxy, it looks and touched smooth.
Die struck
It gives appearance of your design being like "carved" into the metal surface, creating illusion of sculptured piece of jewelry. The process is to stamp your image on a sheet of iron or copper then cut outline of the design shape. Plating to be done with options as gold, silver, bronze, copper or black nickel.
Finally, to highly polish the raised metal surfaces while recessed areas are left with a sandblasted look appealing "tone on tone" looks.
Silk Screen Printed
When intricate designs require precise and color-on-color detailing, this process is best solution The colors are printed in a thin layer one at a time through a mesh screen directly on to a brass metal base. An epoxy coating applied over to protect the colors and finish at no additional charge.
Silk screen process allows designs that need exact replication or very small details such as registered trademarks.
Offset Printed
By transferring your design image from a photo negative onto a metal surface, and cut out of the sheet, non-colored (raised) sections edges are plated to your choice of metal. If your original design has color gradient or if you need to retain the integrity and detail of your artwork, this process is an excellent choice.
This process enables to print the designs with gradual colors that make it difficult for customers to provide accurate artwork. This is also true for designs that other printing methods cannot elaborate.