As a professional challenge coin manufacturer, we’ve worked with military units, police departments, firefighter organizations, corporations, and even local clubs. One thing we’ve learned is: every great coin starts with a clear purpose. Whether it’s to honor bravery, commemorate a mission, or represent a team, your coin’s design should reflect the story behind it.
If this is your first time creating a custom challenge coin, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through each part of the design step by step, just like we’ve done for thousands of clients before.
1. Choosing the Right Shape and Size
The most common shape is the classic circle. Whether it’s for military or commercial use, a round coin simply works. If you’re going with a circular coin, we usually recommend either 1.5 inches or 2 inches in diameter. These sizes feel just right in hand—not too heavy, not too light.
If your design includes a lot of details or text, then 2 inches is a great option. A larger coin gives you enough room to include a border of custom text or extra symbols around the edge without crowding the main artwork.
Another popular shape—especially for law enforcement or military units—is the shield. Shield-shaped coins often measure 2.5 inches or more. They offer a bold presence and make a strong visual statement about the nature of the organization. However, keep in mind that larger, more unique shapes like shields aren’t quite as pocket-friendly as a standard round coin.
2. Selecting the Metal Finish
You’ll find a lot of metal plating options out there, but here are a few that are consistently favored by our clients:
- Antique Gold: This finish is less shiny than pure gold and gives the coin a distinguished, timeless look—perfect for police or military coins.
- Antique Copper: A classic and versatile choice that works especially well for coins meant to honor bravery and public service.
- Silver: Clean and neutral, silver plating is often used as a base to bring out the colors and design details above it.
If you’re not sure which one fits best, think about the tone you want your coin to convey—serious and respectful, or bright and celebratory. Each finish gives a different impression.
3. Incorporating Meaningful Symbols and Text
The icons and words you choose depend on what story you want the coin to tell. A police badge, an eagle, a unit insignia—these are more than decoration; they hold significance.
As a rule of thumb, try to keep the text within 30% of the coin’s surface area. This keeps the design clean and balanced. Also, always check whether your symbols will still look good when scaled down to the coin’s size.
If we notice something might be too small to reproduce clearly, we’ll let you know right away and recommend adjustments—sometimes that means increasing the size, or simplifying the artwork. But ideally, designing with clarity in mind from the start saves time and preserves your original vision.ates, mottos, or phrases that resonate with the purpose of the coin.
Keep the text brief, impactful, and legible.
4. Deciding on Color Enamel
If your design is clean and simple, you might not need enamel at all. A plain stamped metal coin can still look stunning with the right finish. But if you want more vivid detail or to communicate more emotion through your design, adding enamel color is a great choice.
There are no strict rules here—just make sure the colors work together and support the overall message of the coin. We’ve seen coins use only two colors to incredible effect, and others that blend five or six for a more complex look. It all depends on what feels right for your story.
5. Adding Edge Design
Edge detailing is a small feature, but it helps reinforce the coin’s overall identity. Whether it’s a rope edge for a military-themed coin or a reeded edge for something more traditional, the edge style should fit the purpose of the coin and the organization it represents.
- Standard Edge: Clean and simple, suitable for straightforward designs.
- Rope Edge: Adds a decorative touch, often used for maritime-themed coins.
- Diamond-Cut Edge: Enhances the coin’s elegance with reflective cuts.
- Beveled Edge: Provides a modern and polished appearance.
6. Considering Additional Features
Want to make your coin extra memorable? Here are a few effects we often recommend:
Bottle Opener Function: A fun and useful twist! It works best with round coins, since the shape doesn’t require much modification. This means it won’t significantly increase your production time or cost. If you use a more complex shape, we’ll need more time to engineer it properly.
3D Relief: Adding three-dimensional raised elements can make logos or emblems really pop. We’ve made 3D coins to showcase everything from helmet crests to building façades.
Cut-Out Areas (Cutout): Cutting out a section of your coin creates visual contrast and helps emphasize key elements—whether it’s a symbol, a letter, or a silhouette.
7. Choosing a Reputable Manufacturer and Partnering for Success
Selecting the right manufacturer is crucial for bringing your design to life.Your choice of partner will determine the quality and craftsmanship of your final product.
At Factorypin, we’ve helped over 1,000 clients—including scout groups, veteran associations, police departments, and more—bring their designs to life. We’re proud to serve customers all over the world.
Our philosophy is simple: we want your coin to look exactly the way you imagined it—without you having to worry about production limits or hidden costs. If your design includes complex effects or if you’re working with a tight budget, just let us know. We’ll do everything we can to balance cost and quality to give you the best result possible.
Click here to tell us what you’re envisioning—we’re ready to help.
