Enamel Pin Backing Types: Rubber vs Metal Clasps Guide

Quick answer

Choose rubber backs when you want a low-profile, comfortable pin that sits close to fabric and you rarely remove it. Choose metal butterfly clasps when you swap pins often or want a firmer grip on thick jackets and bags. Add locking pin backs when the pin is valuable or worn in crowds, because they resist falling off better than friction clasps.

How the three common pin backs actually work

Rubber backs are a rubber or PVC clutch that pushes onto the pin post and grips by friction. They are lightweight, sit flat against fabric, and are easy to remove with a firm pull. Metal butterfly clasps use two spring-loaded wings that bite the post; they hold tighter and are the classic backing on many collector pins. Locking pin backs add a small set screw or key mechanism, so the clasp cannot slide off until you loosen it.

The trade-off is simple: friction backs are easy on and easy off, which also means they can work loose. Locking backs are the most secure but need a tool or deliberate unlock step. None of these change the pin face itself, so you can often swap the backing to match how you wear the pin.

Rubber vs metal pin backs: grip, comfort, and fabric wear

Rubber backs win on comfort and low profile. They do not dig into your chest through a shirt, and they add almost no bulk, which matters on lanyards and lightweight denim. The downside is grip: on smooth or stiff fabric, a rubber back can creep along the post and eventually slip off, especially if you brush against people or bags.

Metal butterfly clasps hold harder and stay put on thicker materials like canvas, wool, and leather. They are also easier to pinch and remove repeatedly, which is why traders like them. The trade-off is pressure: the metal wings can press into skin and leave marks on thin shirts, and the clasp can scratch if you stack pins tightly.

If you wear a pin on a lanyard all day, rubber is usually the more comfortable choice. If you wear it on a heavy jacket and move through crowds, metal is the safer default.

When locking pin backs are worth the extra step

Locking pin backs are the right call when losing the pin would be expensive or upsetting. Limited-edition pins, pins with sentimental value, and pins worn at conventions or on busy transit all benefit from a lock. The lock also stops casual theft, because the clasp will not slide off without the key or tool.

The cost is convenience. You need to keep track of the tiny key or Allen wrench, and removing the pin takes longer. For a pin you move between bags every day, that friction can be annoying. A practical compromise is to use locking backs on the pins you wear most and keep a small pouch of spare rubber and metal backs for the rest.

Match the backing to the pin and the place you wear it

Pins with a single post are the most common and work with all three backing types. If a pin has two posts, use two backs of the same type so the pin sits level and does not rotate. Heavier or larger pins put more torque on the post, so a metal or locking back is the better match than a single rubber clutch.

Fabric matters too. Denim, canvas, and leather hold a metal clasp well. Thin T-shirts, silk, and synthetic lanyards are gentler with rubber. If you are not sure, start with the backing that came on the pin, then change it after you notice slipping or discomfort.

Decision rules for choosing a pin back

• You wear the pin daily on a lanyard or thin shirt: Pick a rubber back for low profile and comfort, and check the post tension once a week. Comfort first, but replace the rubber clutch if it starts sliding.
• You swap pins often or wear them on a heavy jacket: Use a metal butterfly clasp for stronger grip and easier removal than a locking back. Metal is the best balance of hold and convenience for most wearers.
• The pin is limited, licensed, or expensive to replace: Use a locking pin back and keep the key or tool with your pin supplies. Security beats convenience when losing the pin would be a real loss.
• The pin has two posts or is large: Fit two matching backs so the pin sits flat and does not rotate or stress one post. Match back types on multi-post pins to avoid wobble.

Pins in the store and how their backs fit real use

• Lost Tome of Heroes: Tiefling Bard: Lost Tome of Heroes: Tiefling Bard is part of the Lost Tome of Heroes line, made of durable metal and enamel, and designed to be worn on clothes, bag, or lanyard as a pin and then folded into a miniature when you are ready to play. Because it is meant to move between display and table use, a backing you can remove and reseat easily, such as a metal butterfly clasp, is practical for game night.
• Lost Tome of Heroes: Half-Orc Barbarian: Lost Tome of Heroes: Half-Orc Barbarian is also from the Lost Tome of Heroes line, made of durable metal and enamel, and can be worn as a pin or folded into a miniature. If you wear this on a heavy bag or jacket between sessions, a firmer metal clasp or a locking back reduces the chance of losing it in transit.
• Dungeon Crawler Carl: Hi Zev! Glitch Enamel Pin: Dungeon Crawler Carl: Hi Zev! Glitch Enamel Pin is an officially licensed enamel pin that rewards the wearer with a visible fan badge. Licensed pins are often the ones collectors least want to lose, so a locking pin back is a sensible upgrade for convention or everyday wear.

Who should choose which backing

Best for

• Collectors who wear licensed pins in crowds and want theft-resistant locking pin backs
• Traders and players who move pins between jackets, bags, and lanyards and prefer metal butterfly clasps
• Casual wearers who want a low-profile, comfortable rubber back on a thin shirt or lanyard

Not for

• Anyone who wants a single backing to solve every situation, because grip, comfort, and security trade off against each other
• Wearers who dislike small tools or extra steps and would rather accept a friction clasp