We’re well known for our challenge coins, but
are another specialty of ours. We’ve created military belt buckles that soldiers wear with their uniforms, custom trophy buckles for competitions and rodeo events, and custom engraved belt buckles for every kind of special occasion you can imagine. If you have an idea for a belt buckle design of your own, reach out to us today!
Creating your own custom belt buckles is quick and easy. Just tell us about your ideas by filling out a free quote form, and we’ll create a free artwork proof for you. We’ll make as many revisions as you need to get the design just right, and once the buckles are finished, we’ll ship them to you for free via priority air.
Custom belt buckles are designed for all kinds of different groups, but Navy buckles are by far the most popular. This custom Navy buckle is crafted using 3D artwork and high polished silver plating. Sandblasting the recessed areas of the artwork helps the raised parts of the design stand out beautifully.
Custom Navy belt buckles are designed for sailors all throughout the service. This antique gold buckle has incredibly detailed 3D artwork and translucent red enamel paint. The complicated pattern in the background of the design shows just how detailed our production team can be when creating a custom design.
USSOCOM Belt Buckle
The black enamel used throughout this custom belt buckle design adds contrast to the design, helping the text and artwork stand out in beautiful detail. High polished silver plating is very reflective, so without the dark enamel paint, the artwork and text would be difficult to make out.
Custom made belt buckles are created using similar methods as challenge coins. We start by making a digital proof of your design, and then our production team creates a mold that we’ll use to die strick or die cast the buckles. All you need to do to make a set of custom buckles is fill out a quote request form on our website and let us know what type of design you are looking for.
We’ll have your first free proof of artwork ready in 48 hours, and from there, we’ll help you make as many small adjustments and revisions as you need to get the artwork just right! If you need some more inspiration for unique design ideas or if you want to learn more about engraving belt buckles, read on!
The design process for any Signature Coins order is a lot of fun. You get to take a jumble of ideas and see how they flesh out, and the result is always something unique.
To make sure you have the best experience possible during the design process, we like to provide as much information as possible about the custom options we offer. This way, you have more resources at your disposal to help you create an original design.
When it comes to custom belt buckles, one of the most popular add-ons is laser engraving. You can engrave any kind of message or emblem into a design, but most choose to engrave things like dates, names or initials.
Besides for engraving your belt buckles, another great way to personalize your design is to offer a variety of metal plating options or to create a duel plated version of the design. Metal plating is the custom option that will serve as the base of your design. We have variations of gold and silver plating, as well as black metal, nickel plating and copper plating.
The artwork will, of course, be completely custom made for you and your team. However, how that artwork is presented on the buckles may look different depending on your preference. For example, many of the custom made belt buckles we help design have 3D artwork. This gives the design more depth and detail than a 2D belt buckle, but 2D artwork is just as capable of capturing intricate design elements.
Choosing between 2D and 3D artwork is mostly a matter of personal preference. If you’re not sure which would look better for your design, just let us know, and we’ll be happy to provide more examples for you to compare and contrast.
All of these options, and many more, are completely customizable during the revisions process. We'll set to work once you send us a few of your ideas, and together, we’ll be sure to create something remarkable.
However, before you finish up the design, you need to decide on the attachment option you prefer for your buckles.
There are two main types of custom buckles: box frame and hinge and hook buckles. You’re free to choose whichever you prefer, but the way you plan on using your custom buckles will most likely determine the type of attachment option you choose.
Custom box frame belt buckles are the most popular choice for soldiers because they’re required for military uniforms. No matter the branch of service, custom military belt buckles need to follow strict guidelines for size, shape and design. Box frame buckles attach to web belts using a hinge with teeth on one end that bite into the fabric of the belt. The belt itself slides into the box frame that’s secured to the back of the belt.
A hinge and hook attachment is more popular for custom western belt buckles and trophy buckles that will be attached to a leather belt. These buckles have a metal loop attached to a hinge that the belt can slide through, and a small hook, or nob, that you can easily use to secure your belt.
Here at Signature Coins, we have years of experience creating just about every type of metal-based custom product you can imagine. When it comes to buckles, it doesn’t matter if you need a uniform ready military belt buckle, a custom western belt buckle or any other type of custom buckle: We have got you covered.
All artwork and revisions are completely free, and every order comes with a 100% quality guarantee. We also offer free priority air shipping to the continental United States. To get started on a unique design of your own, just fill out a quote request form on our website, and we’ll have your first free proof of artwork ready within 48 hours. Once you have a chance to look over the design, be sure to let us know how we can improve it.
You won’t have to pay a dime until the design is perfect and you’re ready to order. So, if you’ve thought about how to make custom belt buckles, look no farther than Signature Coins! We have everything you need to create a unique and memorable design. Give us a call today to get started!
| Size | 25 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 300 | 500 | 1,000 | 3,000 | 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | $19.17 | $9.71 | $6.06 | $5.89 | $5.61 | $5.31 | $4.98 | $4.61 | $4.20 |
| 2.25" | $19.44 | $10.18 | $6.97 | $6.71 | $6.47 | $6.00 | $5.53 | $5.13 | $4.57 |
| 2.5" | $19.98 | $10.81 | $8.39 | $8.09 | $7.50 | $6.90 | $6.36 | $5.71 | $5.13 |
| 2.75" | $20.25 | $11.40 | $8.88 | $8.63 | $8.07 | $7.44 | $6.84 | $6.33 | $5.90 |
| 3" | $19.94 | $12.81 | $9.66 | $9.10 | $8.65 | $7.96 | $7.29 | $6.47 | $6.21 |
| 3.25" | $20.47 | $16.17 | $10.32 | $9.33 | $8.94 | $8.46 | $7.73 | $7.21 | $6.86 |
| 3.5" | $20.57 | $16.58 | $10.68 | $9.74 | $9.51 | $9.07 | $8.42 | $7.83 | $7.33 |
| 3.75" | $22.65 | $17.25 | $11.29 | $10.10 | $9.71 | $9.08 | $8.88 | $8.33 | $7.60 |
| 4" | $23.22 | $17.55 | $11.61 | $10.37 | $9.94 | $9.71 | $9.08 | $8.78 | $8.09 |
| 5" | $27.54 | $21.87 | $15.93 | $14.69 | $14.26 | $14.03 | $13.40 | $13.10 | $12.41 |
| 6" | $31.86 | $26.19 | $20.25 | $19.01 | $18.58 | $18.35 | $17.72 | $17.42 | $16.73 |
A challenge coin is usually a metal coin or medallion, bearing an organization's insignia, emblem or logo and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, challenge coins were used by the military and displayed by service men and women to prove exclusive membership when challenged, and to enhance the military units' morale.
Historically, challenge coins were awarded by military unit commanders in recognition of special achievement made by a member of the unit. They are also known to be exchanged and traded during recognition visits to different international organizations, bases and service tours. These coins have been heavily collected by active and retired service members and law enforcement personnel for years.
Modern challenge coins are made in a variety of sizes and often include popular culture references such as superheroes as well as known characters in a parody. Many companies today are using them to build morale in teams, link people with similar interests and even to promote their brand. Challenge coin designs today are pushing the boundary of what a challenge coin could mean or be used for. One thing is for sure, personalized coins further strengthen the sense of bond within people that both give and receive them.
Challenge coins are often used as a physical token or symbol to represent membership to an organization, unit, or team.
Challenge coins also serve as a lasting personal award for anyone that has received one. Since they are custom and long lasting, challenge coins serve well to commemorate the time and experience put in to overcome overwhelming obstacles or the extraordinary effort and sacrifice needed to reach a given achievement. These keepsake coins become a life long reminder of the achievements made.
Challenge coins can also be used as a token to commemorate a special event or anniversary. You can view some of our commemorative coins here.
Our bravest first responder services also have a history of using challenge coins. Whether for fire departments, emergency medical technicians or law enforcement officers, challenge coins have been used to award bravery, acts of heroism and department camaraderie.
Many companies today have been started by veterans, or are veteran owned and are beginning to use the challenge coin tradition to help represent accomplishments in their businesses. This modern approach to awarding challenge coins has garnered some criticism from the traditionalists. Signature Coins has been making challenge coins for 20 plus years, and we see more and more companies joining in on awarding custom challenge coins to customers, staff, and volunteers. They are using them to build morale in teams, link people with similar interests and even to promote their brand or charities.
Generally speaking you give someone a challenge coin when you want to honor them for a good deed or for their hard work.
Challenge coins still play a major role in the military today, much like a "Thank you Plus" or "Great Job Plus". In the armed forces not every action rates an honorable medal or certificate, for those moments when someone is deserving of more than a thank you, awarding them with a challenge coin fills the gap.
As a very simple miltary example. You're out on a 3 day field op. One of your guys or gals busts their butt during a particularly stressful couple hours of it. Shows great attitude, effort, and was overal top notch. If you tried to write it up, it wouldn't "quite" be "award worthy" but definitely deserved "recognition."
Now even if you’re not a veteran or a member of the armed forces, you can still recognize and award someone with custom challenge coins.
You can use challenge coins to reward employees after the completion of a special project or if huge accomplishments have been made company wide. The coin design can be representative of the achievement, the employee or the company goals. Studies show when employees are recognized for a job well done, they feel more satisfied with their job performance, are more likely to reach for higher goals, and are more loyal to their organizations.
Finding the right time and place to give someone a challenge coin can be, well, a bit challenging.
Military tradition has a few ways of approaching this honor. One being "The Secret Handshake" where commanding officers, department officials or the president himself would shake a soldiers hand and "slip" them the coin via the handshake. Transferring the coin shouldn’t be dramatic or obvious, like a quiet wink and a nod, this honor is more personal to the people giving and receieving the award and less ceremonial. Although a bit more obvious, another military tradition is to hand them out in front of a formation or during a meeting, but it's more commonly done one on one.
As more civilians and businesses use challenge coins, they have taken a more ceremonious and inclusive approach to awarding them. When looking to give a challenge coin to an employee or team member most businesses will do it during a team meeting. Some businesses have even integrated their employee award recognition into their annual and quarterly ceremonies. Awarding their employees in front of others can be a great way to show the rest of the team that you too can be "recognized" if the effort is there.
Modern marketers are also finding that custom challenge coins make for great business cards, so many high end service providers, such as lawyers, accountants and commercial developers are now giving their custom coins out as a means of promoting themselves or their business offerings.
Challenge coins typically cost $3.00 -$5.00 per coin for a full production run of 100 coins generally speaking.
More specifically though, it depends. Challenge coin pricing is dependent on a variety of factors including size, quantity, and coloration. Your organization’s insignia or logo, as well as the brand standards surrounding it, will often dictate coloration. The level of complexity, industry standards, and personal preference will dictate the size of the coin.
You can view our challenge coin pricing here.
Designing challenge coins is a lot of fun, but there’s also a ton of things to think about before getting started. Luckily, we have years of experience making custom coins, and we’re happy to help you every step of the way.
We have put together a how-to guide that will tell you everything you need to know about challenge coin design.
Challenge Coin Design 101: A How-To Guide For Creating Challenge Coins
