How Do I Stop My Pin Badges from Falling Off?

If you enjoy wearing badges, you’ve likely come across the common issue of having them fall out when you least expect it. The worst part is that they often have high sentimental value, whether it’s a limited edition piece, a gift or a souvenir related to a favourite memory. 

This is likely why we often receive the question: how do I stop my pin badges from falling off? We’ve put this handy guide together to let you know why they tend to fall off in the first place and what techniques you can use to make sure they’re properly secured!

How to Stop Pin Badges from Falling Off: Key Takeaways

• Use quality clasps
• Consider using a little bit of super glue to secure the piece
• Avoid placing these accessories on high friction areas
• Make sure to place them on sturdy, durable fabrics 
• Use rubber washers or foam disks to reduce wiggling and pivoting

Why Do My Pins Keep Falling Off?

Worn Out or Insecure Pin Backs

Pins can sometimes come with lower quality backs that aren’t very secure which is why pieces that use them fall off easily. However, even quality clasps suffer wear-and-tear over time. Butterfly and rubber backs in particular may require swapping for new ones more often.

Movement and Friction

If your badge is placed in a high friction area that often gets moved around or knocked (on a bag, for example), this can make it easier for it to fall off, especially if the clasp isn’t tight/secure enough.

Unsuitable Fabric Thickness

Some types of fabrics aren’t suitable for metal accessories as they struggle to hold them, e.g. lightweight and thin fabrics and fabrics prone to stretching. Badges can damage these and end up falling off as a result.

Pin and Clutch Misalignment

If the clutch has been bent during manufacturing or due to wear and tear or you simply haven’t attached your badge properly, the fastening post and clutch can become misaligned making it that much easier for the accessory to fall off. Make sure the clutch is straight and has enough bite.

How Do I Stop My Pin Badges From Falling Off?

Here are our top tips to help you stop pin badges falling off and enjoy peace of mind:

Use High Quality Pin Badge Clasps

The type of fastening back you use makes a real difference when it comes to how securely your badge is attached. Locking clasps (also known as ‘deluxe locking clutches’) are the most secure type of fastening back as they use a mechanism that requires an action e.g. pulling a ring or using a tool to remove. You can also opt for high quality rubber backs or clasp style options, just make sure you keep an eye on them for wear and tear and swap them for new ones when necessary.

Apply a Little Bit of Super Glue

If you plan on permanently keeping the piece in the same place, then you can use a drop of super glue on the post before you attach the back. For a lower-commitment option, you can also use clear nail polish as this can be removed with nail polish remover. Avoid using this technique on high value/collectible pieces, however, as it can damage the materials over time.

Avoid High-Friction Areas

Avoid placing these accessories on areas that often bend, rub or stretch e.g. collar tips/cuffs, pocket edges and seams, backpack straps and belts. To keep them safe it’s best to place them in areas with lower movement and if possible double-layered fabrics like inside jacket lapels or the upper chest area of a coat/jacket. If placing a badge on your bag, make sure it’s towards the centre of the bag rather than near the edges.

Place on Suitable Fabrics

To stop pins from falling off consider the types of fabrics you tend to place them on. Ideally, you want to place those on thick, solid fabrics that won’t tear or stretch under the weight of the accessory e.g. denim, leather, wool, heavy cotton, etc. Canvas is also a good option for bags/tote bags as it won’t sag. 

Avoid silk, chiffon, lace or knits/elastic materials, those’ll stretch from the weight of the piece causing it to loosen and potentially fall off.

Use Rubber Washers or Foam Disks 

If you tend to place these accessories on areas that have lots of movement like a backpack or jacket for example, placing rubber washers/foam disks or even felt pads behind the accessory can really help stabilise it as it’ll stop it from wiggling as much. An item like that creates a spring-like force against the fabric and absorbs most of the friction and vibrations that would otherwise loosen the clasp.

Consider Displaying Your Pins (Rather Than Wearing Them)

If you’re a collector, you might consider displaying the badges e.g. on boards or banners instead of wearing them. It’ll let you enjoy your collection visually and you can organise it by theme or colour without constantly having to worry about the pieces snagging, falling off, being hit against objects, getting scratched, etc. Plus, if stored in a dry indoor area, you’ll also avoid the risk of corrosion which can cause rusting on older products. 

Maintain the Pin Badge Clasps

Try to regularly take a good look at the clasps so any damage is caught early on and give them a wipe down every once in a while. However if you notice any corrosion or stretching/tension loss, it’s best to replace the clasp. Or why not upgrade to a double clutch? Two posts can make the piece much more secure as it’ll have a lower chance of pivoting or loosening.

Order from Trusted Manufacturers

The one thing that can make the most difference if you’re looking for advice on how to keep lapel pins from falling off is to order from trusted manufacturers. The materials and techniques used when crafting your accessory are of the utmost importance to how it performs especially if worn on a daily basis and can make the difference between a piece becoming loose in the first few weeks and providing years of secure use.

How to Stop Pin Badges from Falling off with Badges Plus

Badges Plus has decades of experience crafting premium custom pins and badges for individuals and businesses across the UK using only the highest quality materials, state of the art machinery and trusted methods that our expert technicians have perfected over the years. If you’re looking to have bespoke badges manufactured that won’t easily loosen or fall, we can help. We also offer a free design service and can help you make your vision a reality. Make an enquiry online today or get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help!