Full Sail University’s TechFest Coins - A 10-Day Turnaround Success Story

5-minute read

Inspiring the Next Generation With Custom Coins

At Full Sail’s TechFest, participants dive deep into the cutting-edge world of virtual innovation, but they leave with something real - a custom challenge coin made of polished steel. The coins are a testament to the skills on display during TechFest and the creative journey that lies ahead for the next generation of great minds in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

The school created these coins specifically for the High School Invitational, which is an esports event that marks the end of the TechFest season. Students participating in the event compete for scholarship funds and get a chance to explore the facilities at Full Sail University with teachers and STEM professionals. It’s all designed to engage young students and get them involved in emerging technologies they might otherwise never get exposed to.

But when the team at Full Sail reached out to get custom coins for the event, they had just over a week left before they needed the coins delivered. Normally, it takes between two and three weeks to produce and ship an order of custom coins, so we had to get creative if we wanted to meet their deadline.

Tight Deadlines Call For Rush Challenge Coins

The first step was making sure the design of the coins was conducive for a rush order. That means limiting options like 3D artwork and colors - either enamel or UV print - to cut down the production time. Sticking with 2D artwork and high polish plating can reduce production time exponentially without compromising quality.

So, we designed a 2D, high polished silver coin that with all the most important details the Full Sail team needed. But we still needed to work some magic to get the coins produced and delivered in time for TechFest. The solution we came up with was turning to domestic production. Unlike traditional challenge coins made from brass, the American-made challenge coins we ended up creating for Full Sail are made from steel. It turned out to be the perfect alternative because the TechFest coins needed to have a polished silver appearance.

We coordinated with our local foreman, and he was able to shuffle some projects around and get these coins stamped and ready to ship as quickly as possible. When all was said and done, it took less than 10 days for the project to go from creating the initial artwork to having the finished coins in the hands of the Full Sail team for TechFest. It was an amazing turnaround, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the Full Sail team being upfront with their deadline and communicating with our sales team to ensure the order was placed as quickly as possible.

Another reason this project came together so quickly is that Full Sail University was close enough to our production facility that a member of the Full Sail team was able to pick up the coins personally, removing the need for shipping altogether! While that’s not an option for many of our customers, it made a big difference in this case.

Getting Started On Your Own Rush Order of Challenge Coins

We are proud of how this project came together and excited that all the participants at this year’s TechFest were able to take home a cool reminder of all the exciting things Full Sail has to offer. If you have an idea for a custom coin of your own, but you’re not sure if there’s enough time left to get them made, give us a call anyway! We can create a beautiful coin design and get your order delivered faster than you might expect!

The Full Sail University coins were each stamped using a custom die, but we have other options for rush orders as well. If you need color in your design, it’s still possible to get expedited production by choosing domestic UV-printed designs. UV-printed coins have simulated depth and texture thanks to layered enamel colors. While not the same as a stamped coin like the Full Sail University coin, UV-printed coins still have amazing detail and high-quality artwork that’s perfect for fast production.

Whichever route you choose, it’s important to be upfront with your deadlines when creating a new project. Our sales team will share all the options available and let you know if we can meet your deadline. Ready to create a design of your own? Let’s get started together! Submit a quote today!