Paying a Little More to Get the Best Quality Coins
There are definitely ways of keeping costs down when ordering a set of custom challenge coins, but when all is said and done, there is something to be said about paying a little extra for a quality product. And there are more reasons than just high-quality when it comes to choosing a coin company with a proven track record as opposed to a cheaper alternative that makes coins that are “good enough.” Things like all-inclusive pricing, turnaround times, quality guarantees and coin construction options need to be accounted for as well.So, where to start? The first thing to know is that high-quality custom coins are not exactly cheap. That does not mean you can’t find what you need at a fair price. What it means is that deciding on who will be making your custom coins should not be based on price alone. Chasing the smallest price tag can hurt more than just the final quality of your coins. It can affect how long it takes to receive your coins and the customer service you receive.
Cheap Coins That Cut Corners
Some cheap coin suppliers are not as inexpensive as they may seem at first glance. A lot can change from an initial quote to the final bill. One of the most important things to consider is how much shipping will cost. Most companies offer some form of free shipping, but it can take up to 12 weeks. Events and celebrations that use challenge coins can sometimes come up last minute, so a full three months of waiting is nowhere near fast enough.
This is when cheap coins get more expensive. Some custom coin makers have up to four different tiers of shipping, with rush services being extremely expensive. The end result is that a lot of money is going towards shipping when it could have been put towards better quality coins.
Choosing a cheaper option also sacrifices longevity and overall design. Artwork will be less refined and the coins are more likely to fade over time. Coins should be designed to last, but cheap coins will need repair or replacement as they begin to lose their vibrant colors and their surfaces start to scratch.
Another thing to watch out for is QuickFAST service. If you really need coins fast, QuickFAST services look attractive at first because they can have your coins delivered within a week. The only issue is that the suppliers have to cut a lot of corners in design to make that production window work. What you end up with are photodome coins, which are nothing more than stickers placed over a blank metal coin and sealed with a polyurethane coating. They lack the depth, detail and feel of real challenge coins.
All of the products we make are true, die-cast challenge coins that require a custom mold. We never reuse our artwork or use stock designs. Everything is tailored specifically to meet the specifications of our clients, and that's not even the best part: Our standard free shipping of 14 days or less is faster than most company’s rush services.
Why You Should Choose Signature Coins
We do not have the cheapest prices when it comes to making completely custom coins, but we do have the best service and quality in the industry. When it comes to making custom challenge coins, the focus is always on creating something meaningful for a group or organization. They are viewed within a team as a symbol of trust and acceptance, and the final quality should be a reflection of that team’s value and service. A few benefits for choosing our services over a cheaper alternative are:
Longevity
- If you decide to order a cheaper product, you are more likely to have coins chip, scratch and fade over time. What you need is a product that never loses its vibrant colors, intricate details, or shape. We use metals like zinc, brass and steel because of their durability.
- We do not have any templates or stock designs. Every coin is thoughtfully crafted by our experienced art team and is completely unique. Even if you are not sure what kind of design you want, we can work with any ideas and outlines that you provide about your team or group. Revisions are free, so make as many adjustments or changes as you like to get the design perfect.
- Everything can be customized from intricate edging details to the metal plating across the coin faces. Full 3D options are available and varied color schemes can give coins even more pop. On top of that, central cutouts or bottle opener designs can be incorporated to your coins. Even if you are not looking for a rounded coin, you can create shields, stars or even more unique shapes or objects.
