Have you ever had to rush to get something done at the last minute and worried it wouldn't be ready in time?
There's no other way of putting it: it sucks.
Thankfully, at Badges And Medals, we know how to avoid this problem.
We've helped hundreds of clients get their custom challenge coins on time and want to do the same for you.
In this article, you’ll discover how long it takes to make challenge coins and the best time to order them.
This way, you can avoid last-minute stress and ensure a smooth experience.
How long does it take to make custom challenge coins?
Making custom challenge coins takes about 30 days from start to finish.
This includes the time it takes to design the custom coins, make them, and ship them to you.
However, not all orders are created equal. More complicated designs can take up to five days longer to make.
Shipping times can also vary depending on where you live and the time of year. For example, your coins may take longer to arrive during school holidays.
To get a quick rundown of the entire production process, check out this timeline:
The ultimate challenge coin order timeline:
Now that you know how long it takes to make a custom challenge coin, let's look at how that affects when you should place your order and what steps to take before then:
- 40-45 days before the event: Come up with a unique design
- 37-40 days before the event: Choose a challenge coin supplier
- 37 days before the event: Order your custom challenge coins
40-45 days before the event: Come up with a unique design
Even though most suppliers - like us at Badges And Medals - can create a design for you, having your own ideas can speed up the process and make the final product better.
Spend a few days brainstorming with your team and compile your ideas. Your ideas don’t have to be perfect; even a drawing on paper will help the supplier.
Here’s an example of a simple collage you might send your supplier:
Having trouble brainstorming ideas? Here are some questions to help spark some inspiration:
- Who is the intended recipient? Consider the age, interests and tastes of the recipients to make your challenge coin more personal and relevant. For instance, if the challenge coin is for bartenders, then perhaps you could add in a bottle opener.
- What colours or symbols are important to your event? Think about if these can be added to your design. For example, the Melbourne Marathon included the Melbourne Cricket Ground on its coin because that's where its races start and end.
- How can you make your challenge coin stand out? Consider what unique materials, shapes, or designs you could use to make your coin pop. For a list of ideas, read our article, '11 Challenge Coin Ideas To Impress [With Examples]'.
- What can you afford? If you're stuck for ideas, then think about your budget. This can help you narrow down your options. Read our article, 'What Do Custom Challenge Coins Cost?' for a breakdown of what specific design ideas can cost.
37-40 days before the event: Choose a challenge coin supplier
The next step is to choose a reliable supplier who designs and makes custom challenge coins. There are many suppliers out there, so here's how to narrow down your list:
- Look for companies with a long history in the industry. They have had longer to refine their skills, often resulting in better designs and faster production times.
- Check the quality of a supplier’s work by requesting samples or viewing their past products online. Make sure that their design standards meet your expectations.
- Investigate a supplier's reputation by reading customer reviews and case studies. This can help you find red flags that may conflict with your event's goals.
- Choose a supplier whose values align with those of your event. For example, if sustainability is important, choose a supplier that practices eco-friendly manufacturing.
- Check if the supplier has a product guarantee or refund policy. These policies protect you in the event that your custom challenge coins arrive broken, wrong or late.
- Make sure the supplier's pricing aligns with your budget. Request a free quote and ask about any extra costs, such as shipping, to prevent any surprises later.
- Reach out directly to suppliers to discuss your specific needs. This can help you gauge how quickly they respond to inquiries and how well they answer questions.
37 days before the event: Order your custom challenge coins
Now that you've chosen a reliable supplier and picked a design, it's time to place your order. To be safe, order your custom challenge coins 37 days before your event. This gives enough time for your supplier to design, make, and send your coins. Plus, it includes a week as a backup in case there's a delay in shipping.
However, if your design is more complicated add an extra three to five days.
What happens if you don't follow this timeline?
If you order your challenge coins less than a month before your event, you'll probably need a "rush order". This can be a problem because it limits the time the supplier's design and production teams can work on your coins. With less time, you might have to settle for a simpler design, which can make your coins less special. Plus, rush orders cost more because suppliers have to prioritise your request over others.
On the flip side, ordering your coins earlier than 37 days has no downsides. Challenge coins don’t expire, so if you have a design you love, you can order it anytime. In fact, ordering earlier reduces stress and gives you time to ask your supplier for a sample coin to see if they meet your expectations. It can even save you money since suppliers have more time to bundle your challenge coin order with others, lowering shipping costs.
How to quickly find the best day to order?
Understanding the process of making custom challenge coins is essential for ordering them on time.
By knowing when to choose a supplier, brainstorm designs, and finalise your order, you can avoid any last-minute rushes or delays. Badges And Medals has taught you the best dates for each step so you can easily stay on track. To make things even easier, we’ve created a free calculator to help you figure out the best time to order your challenge coins, without guessing. Just enter your event date and the calculator will tell you your perfect order date. This way, you'll have everything ready for your event!
