Q: What type of information do I need to provide for you to create a design for me?

If you have an idea for a challenge coin already, we’re ready to put together a custom quote and proof (a digital representation of what your finished coin will look like). We do not need finished artwork to begin the process. Our artists have created amazing coins with nothing more than written descriptions or rough sketches on napkins. With that being said, any images of logos or emblems that you’d like to see featured on the coin are greatly appreciated! After deciding what art elements and text your design will have, decide what colors, metal plating, coin edge, and size you’d like for your coin.

Question 1

What is a challenge coin?

Accepted Answer

A challenge coin is a custom made coin designed to represent an organization or team. The people in a team are given challenge coins as proof of membership, and as a mark of respect and honor. Read more &ldquo;What is a Challenge Coin&rdquo;.
The purpose of many military coins is to build camaraderie, celebrate team history, and honor service.
Fortune 500 companies have custom coins made for branding purposes. Corporate coins are sometimes given to employees for recognition and appreciation.
Challenge coins are also made to commemorate special events and in honor of important achievements. For more custom coin uses click here.
Traditional custom coins are round, and feature custom artwork. Thanks to advancements in the molding and minting process, today&rsquo;s coins are more intricate with 3D art, dual plating, engraving and have dual functions.
There are several origin stories regarding the history of challenge coins, but the first recorded use of challenge coins custom made for a unit came from the United States Army during the Korean War (17th Infantry) and the Vietnam War (10th Special Forces Group-A).

Question 2

What type of information do I need to provide for you to create a design for me?

Accepted Answer

If you have an idea for a challenge coin already, we&rsquo;re ready to put together a custom quote and proof (a digital representation of what your finished coin will look like). We do not need finished artwork to begin the process. Our artists have created amazing coins with nothing more than written descriptions or rough sketches on napkins.
With that being said, any images of logos or emblems that you&rsquo;d like to see featured on the coin are greatly appreciated!
After deciding what art elements and text your design will have, decide what colors, metal plating, coin edge, and size you&rsquo;d like for your coin.

Question 3

Do you sell or stock the designs that you show on your web page?

Accepted Answer

Any stock coins for sale are found here: personalize coins.
If the coin you like on our site isn&rsquo;t on this stock page, it&rsquo;s not for sale as it was a custom project ordered by a customer. That said, we can use the design as an inspiration for your custom project or alter the designs from one of our stock coins we are offering on that page.
If you would like to reach out to our sales team for help redesigning a custom coin, please email info@signaturecoins.com or call us at &#43;1-800-953-3607.
Please keep in mind that custom orders do require a minimum of 50 coins.

Question 4

How do you get challenge coins?

Accepted Answer

Fill out a quote form and send us your ideas. If you prefer to speak to a representative you can call us at &#43;1-800-953-3607 or email info@signaturecoins.com. One of our sales associates will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Our artists will send you a design proof (via email) within 48 hours. If you approve of the art sent, order your quote via website or phone.
If there are any design changes you&rsquo;d like see, send us an email describing what changes you would like to make and include any reference images or sketches that you think will help our art team.
After a payment is made, production will begin. You should receive your coins no later than 14 days.

Question 5

Do you offer a rush service?

Accepted Answer

All of our products are manufactured in the fastest possible time frame of 14 days or less as we do not offer a rush service. However, if you have a time frame constraint you are working under, please let your salesperson know and we will do all that we can to meet that time frame.

Question 6

What is the minimum number of coins that I can order?

Accepted Answer

Our minimum quantity for custom coins is QTY100.
However if buying one of our fundraiser stock coins, there are no minimums.

Question 7

Do you guarantee your products?

Accepted Answer

Signature Coins backs each and every product we manufacture with our 100% Quality Guarantee. We will replace (at no additional charge to you) any defective custom product. We only require that you submit your written claim of the defective product to us within 30 days of receipt. For purposes of this question, the term &ldquo;defect&rdquo; or &ldquo;defective&rdquo; means a manufacturing error.

Question 8

What materials are your coins made from?

Accepted Answer

The base metal of our coins is either brass, zinc or, on rare occasions, copper. Each coin is then either plated or powder coated in another metal/material, and, when necessary, painted.
Why Do You Choose Those Materials? There are different qualities to each of the metals that make them perfect for different types of coins. The production team looks at the proof of the coin and determines which base metal is best to use.
Brass An alloy of copper and zinc, brass is perfect for 2D coins up to 2.50". Brass has higher malleability than zinc, making it perfect for the die striking method used to create most coins. It is also a quite dense metal, which gives the coins a good weight in hand. This heft is one of the key determinants of increasing perceived value with recipients.
Zinc A naturally occurring element, zinc&rsquo;s strength and durability make it perfect for high relief 3D coins, large coins and even 360° Molds. As a harder metal, zinc is used in the die-casting process used to make certain coins. It also has a relatively low melting point which makes it perfect for this application. Creating a coin out of zinc gives us incredible flexibility in design, and we&rsquo;re able to incorporate details that wouldn&rsquo;t be possible in a traditional stamped (die-struck) coin.
Copper Not a very common base metal used in coins, copper is only used by special request and is perfect for coins that are going to be turned into jewelry. You can choose between an antique copper or a high polish copper look for your coins. One key use case is when a customer wants us to make a custom coin for them, and then they want to use those coins to make custom rings.

Question 9

What is the most popular size for a challenge coin?

Accepted Answer

Challenge coins are typically 1.5" or 1.75" in size. This makes them larger than the coins in circulation around the U.S., but they easily fit in the palm of your hand. Most people carry these types of challenge coins in a pocket or wallet. Click here for more challenge coin size information.

Question 10

What is the average weight of your standard size custom challenge coin?

Accepted Answer

Our standard coin sizes are 1.50", 1.75" and 2.00". We measure weight in ounces, and the figures below can be used as a general rule of thumb for knowing how heavy your coins will be.
Coins with cut out designs will be much lighter than the standard weights listed above. If you want your coins to have more weight, choosing a design that is 4mm thick, as opposed to the standard 3mm, will increase the weight of each coin by 33%.

Question 11

How thick are your challenge coins?

Accepted Answer

The standard challenge coin is usually 3 mm thick. Here at Signature Coins we can make custom coins with thicknesses that range from 1.2 mm - 6 mm thick. The thicker the coin the heavier your coin will feel.

Question 12

What presentation options do you offer?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to protecting your collectibles, we offer plastic coin envelopes, acrylic cases, coin capsules, plastic stands, velvet coin bags and velvet coin cases.

Question 13

What is coin plating?

Accepted Answer

Plating is a manufacturing process by which a layer of metal is added onto another item. For example, jewelry is often plated in gold or silver as opposed to being made completely out of those precious metals.
Each challenge coin produced by Signature Coins is made from a base metal of brass or zinc alloy. We choose these metals because of their overall durability and because they are the best for the die-casting and die-striking processes used to create your coins. While these metals are perfectly serviceable on their own, here at Signature Coins, we believe customers should have as many options for the final look of their coins as possible. That&rsquo;s where coin plating comes in.
Coins that are not put through the plating process will retain the original look of the base metal used to create them.
Improved Corrosion Resistance
Decorative Appeal + Far More Visual Options
Increased Solderability
Enhanced Strength
Reduced Friction
Altered Conductivity
Enhanced Paint Adhesion
These benefits are some of the reasons plating is used on metals and objects in car manufacturing and the creation of electronics parts. But aspects like corrosion resistance, decorative appeal, enhanced strength and paint adhesion are some of the reasons we recommend coin plating so highly.

Question 14

Are any of the materials used to create my coin toxic?

Accepted Answer

No. Signature Coins only uses the safest, non-toxic and highest quality materials in the creation of your challenge coins. Our factories are inspected and certified regularly to ensure that exceptional level of safety.

Question 15

Do you make custom poker chips?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we make custom poker chips. Our designs can be used for home gaming sets or special events such as fundraising, team building, event hosting and in countless other settings.
Signature Coins can create custom poker chips designed to showcase sponsorship names and venues. Dates can be added to mark to occasion, as well as numbering to make each coin unique. These durable ceramic coins are sure to remain a precious keepsake, and you can be confident of their longevity.

Question 16

What kind of poker chips do you make?

Accepted Answer

We make ceramic poker chips. Designs are heat transferred onto blank ceramic chips through a dye sublimation process. This creates a seamless and permanent finish. We do not use stickers to transfer designs onto stock chips.

Question 17

Do you sell cases for custom poker chips?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not sell any poker chip cases. We handcraft custom artwork and deliver the finished ceramic chips in individual PVC pouches to protect them during shipment.

Question 18

What exactly is included in my belt buckle order (do you sell belts?)

Accepted Answer

All of your custom belt buckles will be secured in bubble wrap to protect them from scratching, and the entire order of buckles will be shipped together. All of the buckles are good to go as soon as they come out of the box, so make sure to have some belts handy to try them out!
Unfortunately, we do not sell belts along with our custom belt buckles.

Question 19

How big is too big for a custom belt buckle?

Accepted Answer

We offer belt buckle sizes that range from 2" - 6." Please see Belt Buckles page for pricing.

Question 20

What kind of belt buckles do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We make box frame belt buckles and hinge and hook belt buckles.
Box frame belt buckles have a hollow box on the back side with a sliding lock pin inside, and are used with webbed belts.
Hinge and hook belt buckles have a hinge for the belt to slide through and a hook, or pin, that secures the buckle to the belt on the back side. This will work with any belt that has traditional prong holes on the strap.
Like all of our products, the belt buckles we make are completely custom and designed to meet the specifications of individual clients.

Question 21

What is a hinge and hook belt buckle?

Accepted Answer

Hinge and hook belt buckles are used with any type of belt that has prong holes on the strap. The front is custom molded with any kind of artwork imaginable, while the back has only a hinge to loop the belt through and a hook, or pin, to put through the prong holes on the belt strap.
A hinge and hook belt buckle is the most common style of belt buckle found on belts sold in stores. Chances are when you think of a belt buckle, this is the style you&rsquo;re imagining.

Question 22

What is a box frame belt buckle?

Accepted Answer

Box frame belt buckles are designed for webbed belts. There is a hollow box on the back side of the buckle that has two windows for the belt to slide through. Inside the box frame is a lock pin that the belt slides over to get to the other side. The inside of the box frame is cut to allow the lock pin to slide from left to right with the belt as it is inserted and pushed through the buckle.
The lock pin is lined with teeth that catch the fabric of the belt and hold it in place. By sliding the lock pin to the right, you can secure the belt from slipping. To take off the belt, slide the lock pin to the left and the webbed belt will be able to slide freely out of the box frame.
Box frame belt buckles do not work with leather belts or traditional style belts with prong holes on the strap. They only work with webbed belts, which are made from fabric and do not have prong holes on the strap.

Question 23

Do you offer other products besides challenge coins?

Accepted Answer

Yes, here at Signature Promotional Group we offer custom lapel pins, challenge coins, embroidered patches, lanyards, charms, medallions, wristbands and more.

Question 24

Do you charge for artwork made?

Accepted Answer

No, our artists create a custom design based on the ideas and image references you send us. The more details and notes you send us the better. A full color digital proof is sent to your email within 48 hours. If you&rsquo;re not happy with the custom coin design, simply request a revision and we will happily make changes until you&rsquo;re happy with the challenge coin design.

Question 25

Can I pick custom colors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can select a custom Pantone® color and our factory will match the colors using the Pantone Color Matching System.

Question 26

What are my coin edge options?

Accepted Answer

Styles of Challenge Coin Edges That You Can Choose From
If you&rsquo;re looking for a way to make your custom coins stand out in the crowd, you may want to think about selecting a decorative edge to incorporate into your design. Certain styles of edges have the ability to accentuate the artwork featured on your custom challenge coins by giving them a distinguished and regal look.

Question 27

Can I create a custom design to go around the edge of my coin?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Our art team can make an edge design from scratch, or you can choose one from our six main styles. Just let our sales team know what kind of edge you are looking for, and we will prepare a custom edge design for you.
For example, this custom shape coin has a textured edge with metal studs designed to look like authentic armor rivets.
Some of our customers get really creative with their edges, like this dragon and scorpion design coin edge. Whatever you can think of, our art team can make it work.
Read &ldquo;A Not-So-Flat Edge&rdquo; for more examples.

Question 28

What's the difference between a 2d and a 3d coin?

Accepted Answer

Traditional challenge coins are round, and they feature custom artwork of a team&rsquo;s emblem, mottos, important locations, and the dates of special events.
The difference is that 2D challenge coins have two levels of metal, the raised and recessed areas (striked and non-striked).
While traditional 2D challenge coins offer plenty of room for intricate artwork, a 3D Challenge Coin allows for realistic detail. 3D coins have an unlimited number of levels which means we can round edges and create smooth gradations between the raised and recessed areas on 3D challenge coins.
Both 2D and 3D coins have physical characteristics that change the look, feel and weight of your coin. Neither options are necessarily better than the other and both are effective for creating different designs. Ultimately, deciding which is best for you is an important part of the initial design process.

Question 29

How do I ensure the colors are right on my coins?

Accepted Answer

In order to ensure that the particular shade of blue that you had in mind for your challenge coins is the exact shade that gets added to the final version of the coin, we use a Pantone Color System.
Everyone sees color differently. In addition to that, each computer screen displays colors differently. The only consistent way around this problem is with Pantone Color Systems. Since 1963, Pantone has worked to standardize color communication through the invention of a universal color language.
This means that the color you describe to us and the color you see in the proof we send to you is sure to be the exact same color you see on your finished coin. If there&rsquo;s a professional or college sports team or Fortune 500 company that uses a color in its branding that you&rsquo;d like to use for you coin, simply tell your sales team member, and they&rsquo;ll be able to match it to the exact Pantone color for your coin.

Question 30

What type of format does my artwork need to be in?

Accepted Answer

Signature Coins has a full graphic art department. To best prepare the artwork for your challenge coin designs we prefer vector art.
We can accept and work with any of the following type of files: .jpeg .ppt .doc .pdf .tiff .psd (ver9) .pub .stl
If you send vector art it is best saved as: .ai, .eps, or .cdr with outlined fonts and curves saved down to CS2

Question 31

What metal plating should I choose for my coins?

Accepted Answer

Gold plating with Signature Coins is offered in either Antique or High Polish options. This plating is most popular with the United States Army and Coast Guard.
Like gold, silver plating is offered in both the Antique and High Polish options. Antique silver gives your coin a sense of age and durability. Both are extremely popular with Naval customers and corporate clients.
Also available in antique or high polish. Each coin is plated in copper and then polished to a beautiful bright reddish shine.
Black metal conveys strength and durability. The matte-like finish of black metal lends itself perfectly to brighter colored paints and designs.
Nickel plating is something everyone should be familiar with as it often coats household products. With Signature Coins, our nickel plating options include both Antique and Black Nickel.
On standard sized coins, multi-plating is generally kept down to two metal platings. Larger coins can use more than 2 platings. In general, multi-plating adds time to production time.
For a more psychedelic look, you can choose our rainbow metal plating option. This effect is achieved when the coin is plated in certain reactive metals (aluminum, steel or titanium most often), and then exposed to extreme heat.
With the colored metal options, you can apply a base color to the coin that will allow your logo or custom colors to pop.
For more pricing visit our Custom Challenge Coin Pricing.

Question 32

Do you have a coin design template?

Accepted Answer

Our challenge coin design template was designed by Signature Coins artists to be easy to use and to give you the opportunity to include all of the needed information for getting the first proof of your coins designed and delivered quickly. With sections for marking which plating, edge and other customization options you&rsquo;d like to make use of are included towards the bottom of the page. Also, our handy size guide is included. We know it can be difficult to get an accurate mental image of what a 2" coin really looks like, but with our visual references, you&rsquo;ll be better able to get an idea.
Download
Draw your design and check all that apply in the bottom portion
Take a photo or scan
Attach to your email or upload when filling out the quote form.

Question 33

How do I start a price quote?

Accepted Answer

Online Quote Forms Filling out a quote form on our website is the best way to get a fast and accurate quote. Just select a few of the options you want for your design, and click the &ldquo;Upload Artwork&rdquo; button to attach any files you have ready for us to use as a reference. Provide your contact information at the end of each form so a sales representative can contact you in case more design details are needed.
Via Phone To speak with a representative call us at &#43;1-800-953-3607 Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM. Para español, pregunta por &ldquo;Eli&rdquo;.
Email Send us an email at info@signaturecoins.com. You will need to provide the qty needed, size, edge option, desired metal plating and a phone number within the message. One of our sales representatives will contact you if more details are needed before they can send you a quote. Attach any files you have for us to use as a reference.
Para español pon &ldquo;Attencion: Eli&rdquo; en el línea de asunto
Social We do accept messages on our social platforms, however a quote will not be sent via DM. Instead our social media team will forward any information you provide (incl. images) to one of our sales representatives so they can better assist you.

Question 34

What happens after I submit a quote?

Accepted Answer

Once we receive your ideas, an artist will be assigned to your project and begin crafting the design. A member of our sales team will reach out if we need more details about your design.
We&rsquo;ll send you a digital proof of artwork via email, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Make sure to CHECK ALL SPELLING and design elements like plating, colors and size to make sure we got your vision just right.
Let us know what you think about the design through email or by calling our sales team. We&rsquo;ll send your notes to the artist working on your project and have a revised proof ready in about 24 hours.

Question 35

What items should I look for on my proof once I receive it?

Accepted Answer

Check for spelling This is always an important step, but it&rsquo;s particularly important for designs with text in any language other than English. Our artists will double check to make sure all spelling matches the designs you send over, but a second pair of eyes is always a good idea.
Make sure that all brand specific guidelines were followed.
Brand Guidelines Our artists will make sure to follow any brand specific guidelines you set forth, but you know your team and your company better than we do. Double check that all brand colors, logos and needed trademarks are properly in place.
If you&rsquo;re unsure about any specific Pantone color, be sure to ask.
Review Specs You should also check for accuracy of colors, coin size and design. The bottom portion of your proof displays the size, chosen coin edge, the chosen colors on both sides of your coin, plating, and any upgrade options you have selected.
It&rsquo;s important to remember that artwork is not to scale in proof images. Check the graph on the lower left-hand side of your proof image for the best reference to your coin&rsquo;s size.
Make Changes If any of that information is different from what you requested, contact your sales representative and send over any revisions. Our artists will revise based on your feedback free of charge. We will make as many revisions necessary until your design is perfect. Review Order Details Double check the quantity you&rsquo;re ordering, as well as the final size of your custom coin. Make a Payment If you&rsquo;re happy with the design proof, and your order details are correct, click &ldquo;Order this Quote&rdquo; at bottom of your quote. You will be directed to a checkout page where you can then make a payment and provide shipping info. Production starts as soon as a payment has been made. Changes are not accepted after production has started.

Question 36

Can I receive more than one quote or design?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can receive more than one quote or design. We are happy to make as many pricing quotes and as many design revisions as you need. To view past orders, login to your account with the email you used when submitting a quote.

Question 37

What is the best way to make a revision request for my design?

Accepted Answer

The best way to give revisions on your design is to send us an email describing what changes you would like to see and to include any reference images or sketches that you think will help our art team bring your custom coin to life.
Be sure to include your quote number so we can look up your order.
You can also give us a call, and a member of our sales team will be able to help you.

Question 38

Can I still receive a quote for less than minimum quantity?

Accepted Answer

We cannot make a quote for a below minimum order. Due to the inherent cost of designing and manufacturing custom coins, the lowest number of coins we can make in a single run is 50 coins.
Please refer to our pricing page for more details.
If buying one of our fundraiser stock coins and semi-custom coins, there are no minimums.
Our minimum order is 50 coins, however, we can deliver small orders of 5 coins as a pre-production sample. It is not a cost-effective option, and we recommend that our clients adhere to our minimum order quantity to get the most cost-effective results.
How Can I Get a Below Minimum Order of Coins? If you want an order of coins akin to a pre-production sample (5 coins), there will be a mold fee and a $75 sample fee to cover production and shipping.
Payment is required before the artwork is produced, unlike our usual orders, to cover the cost of creating artwork, producing the coins and shipping the coins. For orders of 50 coins or more, we offer free artwork, revisions and shipping.

Question 39

What is the turnaround time for a challenge coin order?

Accepted Answer

Through years of experience, we&rsquo;ve been able to streamline our process and deliver a superior product faster than any other company.
After the custom coin design (Proof) is approved and ordered, the project goes directly into production, and depending on the design, it can take around 2-5 weeks to manufacture the products!
For instance, a non-colored antique design with no upgrade features, could take us only 3 weeks to produce! If you have a special design, the process will take a few days longer.
Check in with us for more information regarding our timelines for your specific design and our Rush options!

Question 40

How are challenge coins made?

Accepted Answer

If you are ready to start a quote and receive FREE ARTWORK within 24-48 hours click here

Question 41

What kinds of paints are used to add color to my coin?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to picking the best colors for your challenge coins, we offer more than just the spectrum of Pantone colors.
Soft Enamel Soft enamel colorfill is a process by which paint is added to the recessed areas of your coin. The raised metal within the design are used to keep the colors from bleeding into one another.
Cloisonné (Hard Enamel) With this process, paint is still added to the recessed areas of the coin, but unlike with soft enamel, the color is added in layers until it reaches the top of the metal lines.
Read Soft vs Hard Enamel for more differences between soft and hard enamel.
Translucent Enamel Solid enamel doesn&rsquo;t allow light to pass through, whereas translucent colorfill allows some of the coin&rsquo;s metal plating to shine through from underneath.
Read Adding Translucent Colorfill for more on translucent enamel.
Glitter Enamel To create glitter enamel, our production team carefully mixes glitter and a clear adhesive into the enamel paint. The adhesive makes sure that the glitter binds with the enamel paint. The pieces of glitter mixed into the paint create a textured, sandy feeling surface.
Read Glitter vs. Translucent Enamel to know which one is right for your custom coin.
Black Matte While soft enamel has a glossy finish, matte enamel has a flat finish, providing a unique look and feel.
Glow in the Dark Enamel Our glow-in-the-dark enamel uses high-quality phosphorescent paint that charges best under direct sunlight and emits a vibrant glow in the dark. We offer a curated selection of 10 proven glow colors to ensure consistent brightness and quality. Due to the naturally gritty texture of this specialty paint, we recommend adding an epoxy coating for a smooth, polished finish.
For Glow in Dark examples visit Shedding Some Light on Glow in the Dark Challenge Coins.

Question 42

What is sandblasting?

Accepted Answer

Also known as abrasive blasting, sandblasting is a process by which an abrasive media (typically sand) is forcibly propelled against a surface. Often, this process is used to strip down and clean a surface much like pressure washing.
As it relates to your challenge coins, sandblasting is texturing applied to the recessed areas of the coin to increase contrast. This is especially important on coins making use of the High Polish plating options. The sandblasting texture is built into the coin mold used to create your coins.

Question 43

What is die casting?

Accepted Answer

Unlike die striking, die casting is a metal casting process used for 3D custom coins. A metal cast is made with smooth and highly detailed surfaces of the coin design. Molten metal is then forced into the cast then cooled to create a 3D coin, medallion, or pin.

Question 44

What's the difference between a cloisonne, die struck and standard soft enamel?

Accepted Answer

Soft Enamel After a custom coin is electroplated in your choice of metal plating, enamel paint is added to the recessed areas of your custom coin. The raised metal lines within the design are used to keep the colors from bleeding into one another. Once all the colors are added to these recessed areas, the coins are heat treated to get the paint to dry quickly and to strengthen it against chipping or other wear and tear.
Cloisonné (Hard Enamel) Just like soft enamel, enamel paint is added to the recessed areas of the custom coin, but unlike with soft enamel, the enamel paint is added until it reaches the top of the metal lines. Each color is heat treated before applying the next color. Metal plating occurs after the color filling, so when the coins enter the polishing process, the final result is a smooth flat surface.
Read Soft vs Hard Enamel Blog Post
Die Struck Die striking involves using a freshly made coin mold to stamp artwork into brass. Unlike soft and hard enamel, after the metal plating process, no paint is added to the custom coin.

Question 45

Where are your coins made?

Accepted Answer

Our customer service, art, and admin teams are all 100% based in Orlando, Florida. The majority of challenge coins (including ours) are made in China but we do also offer made in the USA options. We&rsquo;ve produced at our same factory for the last 18yrs for all branches of the DOD, a number of different federal, state, and municipal entities, unions, and Fortune 500 companies. Regardless of location of manufacture, we guarantee the quality of your finished product and ship fast and for free to all locations in the USA.

Question 46

How long do you retain my coin mold once an order is placed?

Accepted Answer

We store all coin molds at our production facility for two years after an order is placed. Due to limited storage space, if the coin molds expire, we recycle the materials to use for new projects. If a reorder is placed while the mold is on file, there is no mold fee and the 2-year storage term begins again!

Question 47

How long does it take to make a challenge coin?

Accepted Answer

The challenge coin manufacturing process is dependent on your design and current order volume. Most orders take between 2 and 5 weeks.
Design and current production load dictate how long a coin takes to make. While most coins could be made in 10 days, if they move right from one step to the next, there is often a pause between processes due to order volume.
The first order of business is creating a custom mold for the design. After that, all of the coins need to be stamped, plated, deburred, individually colorfilled and put through quality control before shipping out.
Here is what the whole process looks like:
First 12 hours Artwork goes through quality control where one of our production managers ensures that the coins can be produced accurately and consistently. Once this is finished, we start making the custom mold.
Day 1 For most orders, molds are ready within the first 24 hours and all of the coins are stamped and ready to move to the deburring stage of production.
Day 2 By the end of the second day, all of the coins will have gone through the deburring process, which involves smoothing out any rough edges, ridges or imperfections from each coin. Once this is complete, coins move onto the plating stage of production.
Days 3 - 5 Plating can take anywhere from one to two days. The process involves running an electrical current through a solution containing a customer&rsquo;s chosen plating option and then adding the bare metal coins. The time this takes can be dependant on the number of coins and the complexity of the plating chosen (dual plated coins take longer).
Days 5 - 8 The colorfilling process is the last major part of coin construction. For designs made up of individual colorfill areas, those areas need to be painted one by one.
Days 8 - 10 The last two days of production are spent adding any finishing touches to the coins, polishing the entire set of coins and going through one last quality control check. Once everything is checked and packaged, the coins are mailed out via UPS next day air.
Days 10 and Up Some orders can be completed and delivered within just three days and others take 4-6 weeks. The most important thing is to communicate your expectations and needs to the sales team!
Things that can extend the length of production are options like 3D designs, dual plating and colorfilling. 3D coin molds take longer to machine than 2D molds, and dual plating can take twice as long as the single plating process. Coins with a large number of individual colorfill areas will take more time as well since each colorfill area is completed individually.
Things that help shorten production time are choosing 2D and bare metal designs that do not require special plating or painting. These types of coins can be finished and shipped out within one or two days.

Question 48

How do I know when my coin mold is going to expire?

Accepted Answer

An email reminder will be sent to you before your mold expires. We keep all coin molds for two years after an order is placed, so check the date of your order. If a reorder is placed while the mold is on file, there is no mold fee and the 2-year storage term begins again!

Question 49

Where can I find my referral code?

Accepted Answer

You can find your referral code in your email. Our system will automatically generate a unique code for you after your first order and send it to the email we have on file. Codes go out Tuesdays at 10 am so it might take a few days before you get your code, depending on what day of the week you order.

Question 50

How can I see how much is available to me?

Accepted Answer

You can create an account or log in to our website and see your rewards balance at any time. If you are having trouble logging in or have not set up an account, you can send us an email or chat with a member of our sales team on the phone, and they will be happy to look up your rewards balance for you.

Question 51

What do I get if someone uses my referral code?

Accepted Answer

When someone uses your referral code, you receive a $50 credit on your account. That credit can be used on any future orders, no matter the size.

Question 52

Does the money I earn via my referral code ever expire?

Accepted Answer

The money you earn via your referral code does not expire. It will always be available for you for any future purchase. You can find out more about your rewards by logging into your account and viewing your balance. Find out how here.

Question 53

How do I know when my referral code is used?

Accepted Answer

You can log in to your account on our website to check your balance and see if your friends have been using your referral code. If you are having trouble logging in or have not set up an account, give us a call, and our sales team can look up your information.

Question 54

Is the money I earn via my referral code transferable?

Accepted Answer

The referral rewards you earn when someone uses your referral code are non-transferable.

Question 55

Do referral codes work on any kind of order?

Accepted Answer

Referral codes only work on first-time orders that exceed $300 in total. Any order priced under $300 will not receive the $50 credit against the final bill, even when using a referral code.

Question 56

Do my rewards stack up?

Accepted Answer

All referral rewards stack up, so the more people you refer to Signature Coins, the more you save! As an example, if 10 people use your code, you will have a total of $500 to put towards your next order of coins!

Question 57

If I'm a customer with my own referral code, can I use a friend's referral code to place an order?

Accepted Answer

Once you are issued a referral code, you will not be able to use other referral codes in your future orders. You will, however, be able to use all of the referral rewards you have collected on orders of any size.

Question 58

Can I get a specific/unique referral code?

Accepted Answer

The referral codes we send out are automatically generated and cannot be customized. The system ensures that no two codes are ever the same and allows our team to keep track of your referral rewards accurately.

Question 59

Once I approve the proof, how do I place my coin order into production?

Accepted Answer

Production starts as soon as a payment has been made. Changes are not accepted after production has started. If you&rsquo;re happy with the design proof, and you reviewed your order details, you may place your order one of the two ways:
Via Email Locate the quote we emailed you.
Click &ldquo;Order this Quote&rdquo; at the bottom of your quote, or click on your image thumbnail.
You will be directed to a checkout page, provide shipping information and choose your preferred method of payment.
Via Website Login to your account here. Log in with the same email you provided when you submitted a quote, or sign up with the same email.
After logging in click &ldquo;Quotes & Proofs&rdquo; on the left side of the page.
Locate the quote you&rsquo;d like to order and click &ldquo;Add to Cart.&rdquo;
In the checkout page, provide shipping information and choose your preferred method of payment.

Question 60

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Due to the custom nature of the products we manufacture, all sales are final. Once an order has been placed, it may not be canceled for any reason. If one of the products we manufacture is found to be defective, we will gladly replace it (at no additional charge to you). We only require that you submit your written claim of defective product to us within 30 days of receipt. Signature does not issue refunds, give credits or offer discounts.

Question 61

Is it possible to reorder the same coin design later down the line?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we store every customer&rsquo;s coin molds for up to two years between every order. If you would like to reorder the same coins within that two-year time frame, production will take less time, and there will be no additional mold and set up fees because everything is already prepared for our production team. After a coin design is reordered, we will restart the clock and hold your coin molds for two years starting on the date of the reorder.
If you reorder a design outside of the two-year time frame, our production team will have to recreate the molds for you.
Reordering with Changes It is important to know that for a two-sided coin design, there are two coin molds. If you would like to reorder a coin design but change one of the sides, our production team will only have to create one new mold for the second order of coins. Take this design as an example:
If you don&rsquo;t make any art changes, you can change the plating of your coin design, without paying a new mold fee.
For more on reorders read &ldquo;Updating Your Challenge Coin Design Without Changing the Mold&rdquo;

Question 62

Do you offer APO/FPO shipping service?

Accepted Answer

We do! We can ship to any APO, FPO, or DPO address. We do charge for shipping to these addresses.

Question 63

Do you offer overnight shipping service?

Accepted Answer

We ship all orders UPS International Red Label or Fedex direct from our factory to you. This is the fastest possible shipping method available and is usually a 2-3 day service pending customs clearance. We ship for free to US addresses and offer reasonable shipping rates to international addresses.

Question 64

Challenge Coin Checklist

Accepted Answer

We&rsquo;ve built a checklist with the most important coin elements that make the order process easy and painless.

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