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Great branding isn’t just about logos and color palettes—it’s about creating moments that stick. Whether you’re trying to wow your customers or build a stronger, more connected team, the right touchpoints can make all the difference.
Enter the challenge coin: a small but powerful way to make your brand unforgettable. With deep roots in military tradition and a growing presence in the business world, these custom coins are more than just keepsakes—they’re symbols of belonging, pride, and purpose.
Curious how a challenge coin maker can help boost your brand? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Challenge Coins, and How Can They Benefit Your Brand?
Challenge coins are custom-made tokens that usually feature a company logo or emblem – and they’ve got a pretty cool backstory. Although representatives from the Department of Defense doesn’t know exactly when the tradition started, members of the military used to carry coins representing their units. Military leaders also received custom challenge coins for service anniversaries and other important milestones.
Today, these coins have made their way into the business world—and for good reason. Unlike generic swag (looking at you, branded pens), challenge coins are collectible, meaningful, and memorable. They’re perfect for recognizing milestones, celebrating team wins, or even rewarding loyal customers. Bottom line? They make people feel like they belong—and that’s the kind of emotional connection great branding is built on.
How Challenge Coins Foster a Sense of Community and Loyalty
One of the biggest benefits of issuing custom challenge coins is that they foster a sense of community and loyalty. When you give someone a challenge coin, it tells them that they belong to your community. If you produce personalized challenge coins for every event, customers are also more likely to be loyal.
Disney is just one of the major corporations using challenge coins to build community. The security teams at Disneyland and Walt Disney World trade challenge coins with each other, creating a sense of camaraderie. Team members also give challenge coins to park visitors. Disney typically has three or four official challenge coins in circulation at one time, but employees often create their own coins, making their bonds even stronger.
Choosing the Right Challenge Coin Maker: Key Factors to Consider
Custom challenge coins should reflect your brand’s culture, values and overall identity, so it’s essential to partner with the right challenge coin maker. Consider these factors when choosing a design firm:
- Experience. Look for a company with experience creating custom designs and producing high-quality products. Galaxy Design Squad has been in business since 2018, so we know how to bring your design ideas to life in a cost-effective manner.
- Reputation. The challenge coin maker you choose should have a reputation for excellence. Read online reviews or ask someone you trust for a referral.
- Design options. Your challenge coin should be as unique as your brand. Rather than partnering with a company that offers two or three stock designs, look for a challenge coin maker with flexible design options.
- Turnaround time. If you need a challenge coin for an event, make sure you ask about turnaround times. Some companies offer rush shipping or expedited production to help you meet your goals.
- Customer service. You should feel comfortable asking questions or requesting assistance, so choose a design company known for personalized service.
Designing a Challenge Coin That Reflects Your Brand Identity
Before you begin the design process, think about the following:
- What’s the purpose of this coin—recognition, marketing, celebration?
- Who’s receiving it—employees, customers, partners?
- What story should it tell—your mission, your values, your journey?
- Is it tied to an event or occasion?
Your challenge coin should reinforce your brand identity, so consider adding your logo and using your company colors for all design elements. You can also add symbols related to your core mission and values. For example, if you’re designing a challenge coin for a law firm, you might want to use the scales of justice to represent the mission of getting justice for your clients.
And don’t overlook practical details like size and portability. You want something compact but impactful—a keepsake worth holding onto.
How Galaxy Design Squad Ensures Quality and Customization in Every Coin
Galaxy Design Squad has a team of artists who are passionate about helping you build your brand. We ensure a high level of quality by providing our expertise at every stage of the design process. When you partner with us, we’ll provide expert recommendations and top-notch customer service, making it possible to bring your vision to life.
Rather than using the same templates over and over, our team creates every design from scratch. By the end of the process, you’ll have a completely unique challenge coin that tells the story you want the world to hear.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Get a free quote today and see how Galaxy Design Squad can help you stand out.
