One of the most expensive parts of ordering a challenge coin is getting the custom molds created. The good news is that once you’ve ordered a set of coins, you don’t need to pay for the molds again when you reorder the same design. We keep all coin molds on file for two years after the most recent order.
So, as long as you order another round of the same coins every two years, you won’t have to pay any additional mold or set up fees. The only issue that comes up at this point is that people tend to get tired of the same old design.
However, just because you reorder a set of coins doesn't mean they have to look exactly the same. If you want to change up the color scheme or even the metal plating, we can still use the same mold. So the next time you’re getting ready to reorder an old favorite, consider updating the design.
Using New Colors in Your Old Coin Design
The biggest reason that people reorder challenge coins with updated colors is that they want to add a little more life to the design. Sometimes, all of the colors and plating are just right, but they're looking for a way to make the artwork pop a little more.
If this is the case, you can change the type of enamel paint we use on the reorder of coins. We offer everything from soft and hard enamel to translucent and glitter enamel, and trying out new versions of the same color can make a world of difference.
These air force coins were originally ordered with soft enamel, but another version of the coins was created with translucent enamel instead. Both versions of the coin use the same shades of color, but changing the type of enamel adds a whole new element to the design. Translucent enamel allows a little bit if the metal plating to shine through from underneath the colors, giving the artwork a unique appearance.
You can also do a complete color pallet swap on a reorder of coins. This will change the entire appearance of the design. It's a lot of fun to mix and match different types of colors to give your old design a new edge, but something else to keep in mind is that subtle color changes are possible as well.
The coin on the left is the original. The blue around the edge of the artwork and in the center of the Secret Service star is Pantone 302c. The contact on this project requested this color, but once the coins were produced, he thought that they looked just a little too dark. So, when they reordered the coins, they change the blue to Pantone 287c, a slightly brighter shade of blue commonly used in law enforcement coins all around the country.
Choosing a New Style of Metal Plating
Changing colors is a lot of fun when reordering challenge coins, but choosing a new style of plating will change the entire character of a design. In some cases, it looks as though you’re getting an entirely new coin.
Ordering the same design in multiple plating options is popular among members of the 501st Legion. It’s a great way to add variety to the unit coins members of a garrison receive, while not straying too far from a team’s emblems or banners. The Outer Rim Garrison has been ordering custom Star Wars coins from us for years, and these are just a few different versions of one of their most popular unit coins.
The benefit of keeping the same design is that you don't have to pay mold and set up fees a second time, but using different plating on a reorder of coins makes it look as though you created a new mold for an entirely different set of coins.
It’s important to keep in mind that different styles of metal plating have different prices. Antique metals, for example, cost more than standard high polish plating. So, the unit price of your coins may go up depending on what type of plating your originally ordered. Dual plating will cost even more than an antique metal finish. However, the money you save by avoiding the mold and set up fees on a reorder is almost always enough to make up the difference.
Add a Fresh Look to Your Old Design on Your Next Reorder
If you reorder coins a few times a year, ask us about ways to change things up without increasing the price of the design. Especially if you’re coins are designed for employee recognition programs or as collectible coins for members of a team, creating some variety in the design can make a big difference in how people respond to them. As long as you remember to reorder your coins at least once every two years, we’ll always have the mold on file. Put a fresh spin on your favorite coin design today!
