5 Steps to Creating a Custom Challenge Coin

Challenge coins are a timeless and iconic way to commemorate special events or corporate groups, like military units, police departments, businesses—even hobbyists and sports enthusiasts. Their ability to craft a unique design can serve as a symbol of camaraderie, achievement, and spirit that’s unique to your organization.

If you’re interested in creating your own challenge coin, you’re only five easy steps away from making it a reality! Here’s your guide from the Galaxy Design Squad:

Step 1: Develop Your Coin Design Idea

The first step in creating a challenge coin is to imagine it. Try brainstorming with others, or simply write down what kind of imagery or text you’d want to include. Many challenge coins have symbols or logos that are meaningful to the group or event they represent, such as a military unit insignia, or the name and logo of a business.

The most important thing is to have an idea. At this stage, you’ll want to develop it further.

Step 2: Sketch It Out or Design on Your Computer

Once you have your initial idea, it’s time to start visualizing it. Sketch it out, or if you can, design a draft using your favorite tool: iPad, computer, or PowerPoint. Whether it’s on a napkin or a digital design file, the most important part is to have some visual idea of what you want to accomplish. Anything helps our design team have a starting point to realize your vision.

Also, keep in mind the size and shape of your coin as you design, as well as any specific color or text requirements. The sky’s the limit when it comes to imagining your coin. Have more space to be creative with the freedom to choose any size or shape your design might require. You can make note of this by adding a swatch of color themes or fonts that you want to include.

Step 3: The Galaxy Design Squad Design Phase

No matter how well defined your design is, the team of design pros at Galaxy Design Squad can take it from here! Using the ideas you have provided, we create a finished digital mockup so you will have a clear vision of what your final coin will look like, including all finishes, metal colors, and other specifications. We specialize in creating custom challenge coins and will work with you to ensure that your design is accurately and beautifully reproduced on your coin.

We walk you through the entire process, because after all, we want to help bring your dream challenge coin to fruition!

Step 4: Review Design, Pick Your Options, and Hit Order!

After your design is finalized during our collaboration and review, you’ll receive a final proof of your coin. After we send the initial design, we then go through a design review process. Here you can provide unlimited thoughts or suggestions on revisions you would like to make to explore other options and finishes. Constantly communicating about your design and discovering what is possible is all a part of our process to ensure you get the most out of your custom coin.

You’ll be able to make any necessary changes before placing your order. We also have a large variety of options to choose from including metal types, single or dual-sided color, finishes, options for custom shapes and size, edging, and packaging.

After you place your order, our team will be in communication about delivery timelines and when you’ll receive your incredible challenge coins in the mail!

Step 5: Gift or Trade your Custom Coins

Once you receive your challenge coins, it’s time to let your coin shine! Coins can be high ticket items for collectors, enthusiasts, and loyal followers of an organization looking to collect the most unique pieces. Custom coins can also be perfect for a new product launch, add a unique stretch goal to a crowdfunding campaign, honoring an employee, or simply surprising a loved one.

Another fun opportunity coins provide is trading with your friends. Challenge coins are often used in a “coin check” game, where one person pulls out their coin and “challenges” others to do the same. If someone doesn’t have their coin on them, they have to buy a round of drinks or perform another agreed-upon task.

Start Creating Your Custom Challenge Coin Today

In conclusion, creating a challenge coin involves developing a unique design idea, sketching it out, sending it to our professional team, reviewing, ordering, picking options, and finally, letting it shine.

It’s a meaningful way to commemorate special events or groups and serves as a symbol of pride, community, and passion. With the help of the team at Galaxy Design Squad, creating a custom challenge coin can be a smooth and enjoyable process.

Start designing your challenge coin today!