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A year can fly by in the blink of an eye, so it’s best to place your custom lapel pin orders as early as possible. Whether you need employee recognition gifts or event prizes, early planning allows you to take advantage of current pricing and use up your 2025 budget. Learn more about why you should order custom pins as early as possible.
Why Should You Start Your 2026 Custom Orders Now?
Custom products require collaboration with designers and other creative professionals, so you need plenty of lead time to get each design just right. Starting early gives you some breathing room.
Another benefit of ordering early is that you can take advantage of 2025 pricing and budget allocations. If you have funds to use up, you can reduce your 2026 expenses without skimping on custom pins and challenge coins.
It’s also common for design and manufacturing companies to increase their prices at the beginning of a new year. Ordering before 2025 ends locks in lower prices, helping you stay within your budget.
Finally, ordering now can help you avoid delays caused by factory closures during Chinese New Year. These closures are expected to begin in mid-February and last until at least March 3, which is when the Lantern Festival takes place.
How Long Does It Take to Make Custom Pins and Coins?
It can take 8 weeks to design, produce and ship an order of custom pins or challenge coins. The exact timeline depends on the shipping method you choose, how many people are involved in your project and how long it takes to approve the design.
Galaxy Design Squad aims for a total turnaround time of 4 to 6 weeks, but there are many factors we can’t control, such as shipping delays due to bad weather. We highly recommend that you order at least 8 weeks in advance to avoid these issues.
What Events Should You Be Planning Custom Products for in 2026?
Custom pins and challenge coins have many uses:
- Corporate event planning. Pins and challenge coins make great employee recognition gifts. Try incorporating them into your next awards banquet, sales competition or other business event.
- Fundraisers and galas. Nonprofits can benefit from using challenge coins as donor gifts or event giveaways.
- School activities: Pins and challenge coins with your school’s logo and team colors are ideal for boosting school spirit. Use these items as rewards for honor roll, commencement and other achievements.
- Sports. Acknowledge coaches and players with team pins or tournament coins.
- Nonprofit campaigns. Nonprofits can also use custom pins and challenge coins to recognize volunteers or boost awareness of a cause.
Are Bulk Orders Cheaper If You Order Early?
Ordering early increases flexibility, so it can make bulk orders cheaper. Not only does buying in bulk reduce the unit price of custom pins and challenge coins, but it also helps you avoid rush shipping fees.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Order?
If you wait too long to order, you may have to pay rush fees to ensure you receive your merchandise on time. There’s also a risk of higher prices, limited material availability and delayed shipping.
FAQs About Planning 2026 Orders
Can ordering early help you avoid tariff increases?
Tariffs raise the cost of imports, making it more expensive to buy many products. We recommend ordering before the end of 2025 to avoid the potential for more tariff increases in 2026.
How much do custom lapel pins cost?
The cost of a custom lapel pin depends on several factors, including your design, the material you choose and the quantity ordered. For instance, a 1.25-inch pin made of soft enamel costs $2.70 if you order at least 100. A 4-inch pin made from the same material costs $6.95.
What is your typical shipping timeframe?
It typically takes 1 to 2 weeks for an order to arrive at your business.
How much flexibility do you offer during the design process?
Galaxy Design Squad offers plenty of flexibility during the design process. You get to choose everything about your design, including size, shape, material, color scheme and pin attachment.
Start Your 2026 Custom Project with Galaxy Design Squad
Galaxy Design Squad has a team of artists and other creative professionals who are committed to bringing your unique idea to life. We also offer free digital proofs and detailed quotes to ensure you understand what to expect at every step of the design process.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Get a free quote today and see how Galaxy Design Squad can help you stand out.
