Challenge coins date back several centuries. In the past, they were used as an award for military men to appreciate their efforts and milestones. However, things have changed, and they are now trendy among civilians. This popularity raises the question: How to design and order custom challenge coins?
This question is confusing because of their association with the military and armed forces. People believe that these coins are only made by official institutes. This is wrong, as anyone can design and produce custom challenge coins. This guide will explain their design and custom ordering. Let’s jump right in!
Overview of Custom Challenge Coins
Challenge coins are small tokens that are used to appreciate someone’s success or milestone. The military uses these coins to increase soldiers’ morale when they achieve something special. However, civilians use custom challenge coins. These coins can have custom designs, logos, and slogans.
In the past, the challenge coin was associated with the armed forces. However, it has now become trendy among civilians as well. Businesses and companies use custom challenge coins to appreciate the efforts of employees. For example, a business generally sets milestones for its workers. If a worker achieves that milestone, he gets this award.
Awarding this coin to any individual indicates his honor and recognition of this work. Different institutes and companies use custom challenge coins to commemorate special memories. Here is the primary purpose behind designing and using these coins:
- Enhance the motivation of individuals
- Ignites spirit and unity within the team to work hard
- Recognizes the efforts of individuals who do extraordinary work
- The memory of something that an individual, either civil or military man, achieves
Companies increasingly use custom challenges to show appreciation for their employees. This ignites motivation in workers, and they put in more effort due to inspiration. Custom challenges can have custom designs, logos, and slogans. There is no restriction; you can get anything designed on those coins.
How To Design and Order Custom Challenge Coins?
First, let me debunk a myth that civilians cannot make Challenge coins. This is wrong, as anyone can design them. You can get your custom design, logo, and slogan lines on those Challenge coins. There is no issue at all. Let’s dive deeper and discuss the design and manufacturing processes.
1- Understand purpose
The creation of custom challenges starts with design. A good design ensures a beautiful coin and vice versa. But how would you make a design if you don’t understand your purpose? As I said, every coin has its purpose. It can consist of unique logos and slogans to convey messages about specific purposes.
Are you running a company? Are you the head of the school and want to give appreciation coins to teachers? Are you part of any private company that provides security? Whatever business you are in, define the design of your coins. You can add the logo, slogan, or motive of your company.
| Point to Remember: Keep the design descriptive but straightforward to explain the coin’s purpose. If you want to give a coin to show appreciation for workers, you can add a motivational slogan. Depending on your purpose, you can also add a logo and other text. |
2- Creation of Designs
The second step is to create a custom design. This starts with brainstorming ideas. Let me give you a simple method to get started. Take a pencil and paper and start making your design on it. It is raw practice, but it works like a charm. Remember that challenge coins are generally one and a half or two inches in size.
So, you should make a design with 2 inches of space. Once you have your desired design, it is time to switch on the computer. Many online software-based tools allow you to create your design in digital form. Take your design (made on paper) as inspiration and create a digital design.
The famous tools you can use include Adobe Illustrator and Canva. Make sure that you make the design carefully, including spacing and lining. If you don’t know the tools, you can hire a designer to make the design. One thing that you should care about is the quality of the design. Don’t make low-quality designs that are pixelated.
3- Design Proofing
Once you have created a design, it must undergo rechecking and proofing. You can also check how your design will look on the coin. But how would you check and see design quality? Different websites allow you to make mockups. Simply upload your design on those websites and create mockups of coins.
Those online websites show you mocks by putting your design on different coins. If you like the design on the coin in mockups, you are good to go. If your design does not fit on a coin, you must modify the design or its size. During mockup creation, keep the coin’s size similar to yours.
Mockup creation is the easiest way to get the feel of your design. However, you can also send the design to the manufacturer you chose. If something is wrong with the design, the manufacturer will spot it. If your design has some colors on it, make sure to use the proper color scheme.
4- Hire Manufacturer & Place Custom Order
Many people ask whether they can create custom challenge coins by themselves. The answer is NO! Creating a challenge coin requires many tools and equipment that the ordinary person doesn’t have. So, hiring a professional coin manufacturer is a must.
Does your country have coin manufacturers? If yes, this is good news, as you can contact them. However, many countries don’t have these manufacturers. If this is the case in your country, I recommend you contact a manufacturer outside your country. China is a country that produces and exports coins, and it has many manufacturers.
You can contact and hire a manufacturer from there. Is that so easy? Certainly NOT! When hiring a manufacturer, ask for its previous work and a sample. If you like their portfolio, only then make a deal. Once all the quotes and requirements are discussed, you can send them your design. It would take a few days for them to create your coins.
5- Coin Material, Size & Finishing
The material of coins is essential. The wrong material selection will make your coin fragile and less durable. There are different types of materials available for making challenge coins. For example, brass, iron, stainless steel, and so on. You must tell the manufacturer what material to use in coin making.
Brass and iron are generally inexpensive. If you want a cheap coin, prefer these materials. However, stainless steel is costly, and its usage makes the coin premium. Coins made with this material are very durable and robust. It is up to you to choose a material that suits you.
The next step is to define the sizes of the coins. Generally, smaller sizes of around one and a half inches are suitable. You should not increase the length by more than two inches. Let’s discuss the finishing. Different metals to finish the coins. What kind of color do you want in the coin? Choose the metal finishing accordingly. Coins with silver colors have a silver finish.
6- Check the Quality of Coins
The quality of different manufacturers varies depending on their production process. I recommend you check your first design first. Ask the manufacturer to create one coin and show it to you. This way, you’ll be able to see quality. If you agree, you can ask the manufacturer to produce more coins.
This is the final step in the manufacture of the custom challenge coin. Whatever design you give the manufacturer, he will put it on the original coin, consisting of your chosen material. So, your logo, slogan, and design will be on your custom coin. You can now use it to award anyone or gift them based on any specific purpose.
Can a Civilian Gift a Challenge Coin?
Yes, civilians can give these coins as gifts to anyone. The trend of using these coins is increasing. Their usage is usual among large businesses and small companies. Even if you are an individual, you can design one according to your needs and gift it to someone for his special achievement.
Imagine one of your friends has passed a specific examination or got a promotion in his job. A gift is due to you, right? In such a case, you can order a custom challenge coin with your friend’s memorable slogan or name. If you gift such a coin to a friend, it will remain a memory for years.
As I said, these challenge coins were famous for military use only. However, the creation of custom challenge coins has changed things. You can make a coin with a specific message, which has broadened its scope of usage. Interestingly, due to their durability, they remain for a long time.
| Quick Highlight: Gifting this coin to your friend will make him feel special. It will serve as a lasting reminder of his significant achievement. |
How Much Do Custom Challenge Coins Cost?
The average price of the custom challenge coins ranges from $2 to $6. However, their prices depend on the material you choose. The iron coins are generally inexpensive. On the flip side, stainless steel coins are super expensive.
Moreover, the complexity of your design also impacts the cost. A complex design will make the coin expensive. Similarly, a simple design with a smaller size will keep the challenge’s price low. How can we forget the impact of manufacturers’ quality? Experienced and top-notch manufacturers will have high quotes and vice versa.
Quick Tip: I have a tip to help you keep the cost of challenge coins low. Never buy or place an order for a few coins. Instead, you should always place bulk orders (many coins at a time). This will reduce the cost per challenge coin. Manufacturers give heavy discounts on bulk orders.
Frequently Asked Question
Can a civilian make a challenge coin?
Yes, there is no restriction on the manufacturing of challenge coins. Whether you are a civilian or a military man, you can make them. However, you will need the help of an expert manufacturer to get the job done.
How do you design a challenge coin?
The design of the challenge can be tricky. However, you can brainstorm ideas and try them on paper first. Once you get your concept right, you can use online tools to make digital designs. Make sure to use the correct font size and excellent color scheme. In this process, you can use tools such as Adobe Illustrator.
What Equipment Is Needed to Make Challenge Coins?
The making of challenge coins is a very complex process. You will need many expensive tools to complete the job. This is why professionals manufacture these coins. Here is the list of equipments:
- Engraving tools
- Plating equipment
- Die-cutting machines
- Die-cutting machines
- Enamel color machines
- Enamel color machines
- Metal stamping equipment
Can Anyone Make a Challenge Coin?
No, making challenge coins requires the use of many premium tools. Not everyone can afford that equipment and tools, so expert manufacturers make these coins.
Conclusion
Making and designing custom challenge coins is easy. However, it can be confusing for someone who doesn’t understand the primary process. All you have to do is to create a beautiful design of one or two inches.
You can even hire an expert designer. Once the design is ready, it’s time to place the customer order. You can contact multiple manufacturers and ask for quotes. Do you agree with any manufacturer’s terms? It is time to place the custom order. I recommend you place a bulk order of coins, which will help you save some bucks by reducing the cost per coin.