Published on: 27 Sep 2022
Last modified on: 14 Aug 2024
Creating a custom challenge coin can be easy. You don’t even need to know how to use graphic design programs to create your designs, as we can help design the challenge coin for you based off your ideas. In this blog post, learn how to create a custom coin with Custom Challenge Coins.
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Challenge coins can be given for a variety of purposes and organizations. Typically, challenge coins given to those of a lower rank have less personalization, as each member of the team or unit receives the same one. Challenge coins given uprank to supervisors might be larger, with more personalization and upgrades. By identifying the purpose of your custom challenge coin, you can decide what type of coin you want and how personalized you want it to be.
One of the first important decisions you’ll make when creating a custom challenge coin is related to the coin’s appearance. The style of coin you choose will have a lot to do with how you’re able to design it.
Soft enamel is the most common design style used in challenge coins. It uses raised metal to separate the enamel paint in the recessed areas. This gives the challenge coin a textured finish.
Hard enamel challenge coins are similar to soft enamel challenge coins. However, with hard enamel coins, the enamel and the recessed sections of the coin are made flush with each other. This gives the coin a nice, smooth finish.
Die struck challenge coins do not use any enamel paint and feature the look of the metal itself. The design is displayed with the raised and recessed areas of the coin. Many people prefer the look of die struck coins. The raised sections of your design are typically polished, while the recessed areas feature a sandblasted finish.
Another option of coin we offer at Custom Challenge Coins is the ceramic coin. This is often referred to as a poker chip. Most poker chips are round, but we can accommodate different sizes and shapes, too. Ceramic coins have full color printing.
The plating is the layer of metal added to the outside of the coin. There are many different options to choose from. The type of plating you choose has a big impact on how your finished custom challenge coin looks.
Polished platings are reflective and shiny. Custom Challenge Coins currently offers polished platings in gold, copper, brass, silver, nickel, and black nickel.
Antique platings are not reflective. With antique platings, your design will have a darker finish in the recessed areas. This creates a more eye-catching level of contrast. This makes it an ideal plating for designs with many intricate details. Custom Challenge Coins currently offers antique platings in gold, copper, brass, silver, or nickel.
If you have difficulty deciding between two platings or want to create a unique look, we also offer two-tone platings. This is where you choose two different platings to be used on the same challenge coin.
Rainbow plating is a unique and beautiful plating choice that shifts color when you view it from different angles.
There are different designs that you can select for the coin’s edge. This includes the standard flat, rope, chain, spur, bevel, scallop, crosscut, oblique line, and reeded. We also offer custom edges.
Once you have an idea of what kind of plating, style, design, and purpose you have for your custom challenge coin, you can finalize the design of your coin. This can happen in one of two ways. Some customers already have a design in mind for their coin, whether it’s a full graphic image or their company’s logo. In this case, you would submit your files to the graphics team and they would send you a proof of your image before production.
Sometimes, customers do not know what they want the design of their custom challenge coin to be. In these cases, our graphic design team is happy to help you. You can set up a consultation with our designers or you can work from a database of existing designs for inspiration.
At Custom Challenge Coins, we offer several premium upgrades that you can consider. These include:
After you have an idea of the design and upgrades, you need to choose and finalize the size of your coin. You get to choose the size and the thickness of your final coin. Just remember that more intricate designs look better on larger coins where there is more space to feature the design.
You can opt to order different presentation items for your custom coins. These include:
Custom Challenge Coins offers PVC envelopes at no cost to customers. It is the default presentation option available.
Deciding what you want to do with your custom challenge coin is an important aspect of the coin’s design. Knowing what your coin’s purpose is, choosing the right type of plating, and deciding how you want to design and present your token will all impact how it looks and what it means to you. Custom Challenge Coins understands your needs and wants when building a custom challenge coin.
At Custom Challenge Coins, we can help you create a custom challenge coin. We can turn your vision into a stunning challenge coin. If you aren't able to develop a concept on your own, contact us or chat with us to get in touch with our graphic design team. We can work together to create a custom challenge coin.
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