For this project, we made 50 shield-shaped hard enamel pins for Skagit Premier Soccer Club. Each pin measured 1.5 inches and kept the main details from the original design, including “MASTER OF THE PITCH,” the club name, the mountains, and three different-colored tulips. Each pin also had its own number from 1 to 50 laser engraved on the back.

Now, let’s take a look at how VeperPins brought this pin order from artwork to finished pieces.

Project Overview

Quantity

50 Pieces

Size

1.5 Inches

Shape

Custom Shield Shape

Pin Type

Hard Enamel

Metal Finish

Silver Metal

Attachment

Two Pin Posts

Numbering

Laser Engraved 1–50

Front Design of the Skagit Premier Pin

The front of the pin kept the main details of Skagit Premier’s original logo. The curved “MASTER OF THE PITCH” text sits at the top, with the mountains and three different-colored tulips in the center, and the club name below.

Because the pin is only 1.5 inches, the small lettering at the top and the mountain lines needed extra attention. At this size, very thin lines or tight spacing can easily look crowded, so we checked those details again during the artwork stage.

The front was made with hard enamel, with silver metal lines separating the color areas. The enamel colors followed the Pantone colors approved by the customer. After grinding and polishing, the finished surface came out smooth and close to the look they wanted.

Back Design

We used standard metal butterfly clutches on the back and added individual laser-engraved numbers from 1 to 50.

Skagit Premier originally wanted the numbers on the front, but since every pin needed a different number, that would have meant the full set couldn’t share the same mold. It also would have added extra cost.

After talking it over with the customer, we moved the numbers to the back instead. That way, the front design stayed the same and all 50 pins could be made from one mold. Once the pins were finished, we laser engraved the numbers 1 through 50 on the back.

Production and Quality Check

Once the artwork was approved, we moved on to mold making, enamel filling, plating, grinding, and polishing. On this hard enamel pin, the plating was done after the enamel filling, which is different from the process we normally use for soft enamel.

When the pins were finished, we first checked the small curved lettering at the top. At this size, those letters could easily lose definition if the spacing or metal lines were not clean enough. We also checked the mountains and tulips to make sure the thinner lines stayed separate and the enamel had not crossed into the wrong areas.

The polished surface and silver metal were checked for obvious scratches, uneven areas, or color problems, and we made sure both posts on the back were straight and secure.

The numbering was checked last. After engraving, we looked at each number to make sure it was clear and in the right position. Then we laid all 50 pins out in order from 1 to 50. That made it easy to see if a number was missing, repeated, or engraved incorrectly. Once the full sequence was confirmed, the pins were ready for packing.

The Finished Skagit Premier Soccer Pins

In the end, the project was completed successfully. All 50 Skagit Premier hard enamel pins were made according to the approved design, and the whole process—from artwork approval to production and delivery—took 15 days.

For numbered pin orders like this, confirming the number placement before production helps avoid unnecessary changes and extra cost.

At VeperPins, we aim to make custom enamel pins that are well made and reasonably priced. If your team or club is planning a similar project, feel free to send us your idea and requirements. We can review the design with you and help work out the best way to make it.

Planning a 5K or marathon is exciting, but there are a lot of moving parts. Between registration, volunteers, timing, course setup, and race-day logistics, merchandise can easily become one more thing to worry about.

Finisher medals, shirts, bibs, pins, and race packets all need to be designed, ordered, and delivered on time.

And for many runners, these are the pieces of the event they remember long after race day is over.

5K and Marathon Finisher Medals

Finisher medals are usually at the top of the list. If runners take one physical reminder home from the finish line, it is often the medal they earned after completing the course.

According to Running USA’s Global Runner Survey, 16% of runners consider the medal or finisher award when deciding which race to enter, ranking it ahead of whether an event uses chip timing.

A good race medal should feel specific to that event. The logo, year, distance, local landmarks, or even part of the course can all become part of the design.

At VeperPins, we recommend finalizing the size, shape, ribbon, and quantity early. Medals are one item you do not want arriving late.

Custom Keychains for Race Giveaways

Personalized keychains are a simple way to give runners something they can actually use after the event. They are less formal than a medal, but that is part of the appeal.

Runners can attach them to keys, gym bags, backpacks, or zipper pulls, giving them a small reminder of the race that does not have to sit on a medal rack.

They are also flexible from an organizer’s point of view. A keychain can go inside the race packet, be handed out at the finish line, or be used as a small gift for VIPs, sponsors, or staff.

For events working with a tighter merchandise budget, they can also be an easy way to add another keepsake without competing with the main finisher medal.

Enamel Pins for Marathon Events

Enamel pins work especially well as wearable race memorabilia.

Runners can add them to backpacks, running vests, hats, or jackets and show where they have raced without pulling a medal out of a drawer. For events with a strong running community, a small pin can also become a subtle badge of belonging.

They do not need to replace the finisher medal. Instead, they work well in race packets, volunteer gifts, staff kits, or VIP packages.

Some events also create different versions for runners, volunteers, or special groups, giving the pin both a commemorative and practical role.

Patches for Running Clubs and Trail Events

Patches are a natural fit for trail races, endurance events, themed runs, and running clubs.

They have more of an outdoor and team feel than a typical giveaway and can be sewn or attached to running packs, jackets, hats, or vests. That makes them especially suited to events built around course difficulty, club culture, or a strong sense of tradition.

They can also represent a specific achievement. Different distances, routes, elevation challenges, or difficult stages can each have their own design.

In that case, the patch says more than “I was there.” It says, “I completed this challenge.”

Race Coins as Finisher Keepsakes

Custom sports coins are another solid option for race merchandise. They are smaller than traditional finisher medals but have a substantial metal feel, which makes them well suited for special awards, limited-edition keepsakes, or collectible race memorabilia.

Both sides of the coin can be customized. The front might feature the event logo, year, and distance, while the back can include the course, a local landmark, race motto, or finisher details. This gives organizers more room to tell the story of the event in one compact piece.

Cups, T-Shirts, and Race Bags

Running USA also found that 57% of runners would like race organizers to offer keepsakes beyond a standard finisher shirt.

That does not mean every event needs a bag packed with merchandise. Cups, tote bags, drawstring bags, and other useful items can be selected based on the audience, budget, and how they fit into the event itself.

A bag, for example, can double as packaging for packet pickup. A T-shirt can carry the event identity and sponsor logos. Cups can be useful around aid stations, the finish area, or after the race.

The goal is to choose items that have a clear purpose instead of filling a packet with things runners will throw away.

Real Race Merchandise Examples

Talking about it is one thing. Here are a few real examples shared by runners on Instagram.

Finisher Medal

A runner shared her growing race medal collection and joked that it was finally time for a medal rack.

Race Keychain

One race calls its finisher keychain “always a hit” and even upgraded it to a metal version.

Enamel Pin

This 7K event included a finisher enamel pin as part of the race experience.

Race Patch

A runner added her second finisher patch directly to her vest, turning each race into something she can wear and display.

Race Swag

A Bentonville Half Marathon runner shared the race swag she brought home before race day.

What Good Race Swag Can Do for Your Event

Well-planned race merchandise does more than give participants another free item. It can shape how runners remember the event and how they talk about it afterward.

Make registration more appealing: A distinctive medal, shirt, or finisher item can be one more reason a runner chooses your event over another.

Extend sponsor visibility: Shirts, bags, and drinkware can keep event and sponsor branding visible long after race weekend.

Encourage runners to keep and share it: A well-designed medal or memorable piece of race swag is more likely to be photographed, posted, and saved.

Build an annual collecting tradition: Keeping a consistent style while changing the year, color, or event theme can give returning runners something new to collect each season.

Plan to order race merchandise at least six weeks before the event whenever possible. That leaves more room for artwork approval, production, shipping, and any last-minute changes.

Choose the Right Race Merchandise Partner

Once you know what you want to offer, the next step is finding a supplier that can turn the idea into something production-ready.

VeperPins creates custom race medals, keychains, enamel pins, and patches for running events of all sizes.

Send us your event logo, race date, estimated quantity, and any design ideas you already have. We can help turn them into a finished product that fits your event.

Contact VeperPins today and save 20% on your custom order.

Why Does Artwork Affect the Challenge Coin Production Process?

The final result of a custom challenge coin depends not only on its size, colors, or plating finish, but also on the original artwork. Different types of designs are better suited to different production methods. A simple logo, a portrait, a photograph, or a complex architectural scene all require different considerations during production.

If the wrong process is chosen at the beginning, the finished coin may have unclear details, poor color reproduction, weak dimensional effects, or costs that exceed the budget. On the other hand, choosing the right production method based on the artwork can improve the final result while avoiding unnecessary costs.

In this article, we will help you understand which production method or combination of processes is more suitable for different types of artwork, so your custom challenge coins can look clearer, more attractive, and better aligned with your budget.

For a broader overview of sizes, materials, pricing, and the full production process, you can also visit our custom coins guide.

Simple Logos, Emblems, and Text Designs

If your artwork mainly consists of a simple logo, text, or emblem, you usually do not need complicated 3D sculpting. For this type of challenge coin design, a 2D structure with soft enamel filling is often a very suitable choice. It uses clean metal lines to separate different color areas, making the logo, text, and graphic edges look sharp and well-defined while still keeping a clean metallic texture.

The focus of this type of design is clarity, color separation, and brand recognition, rather than complex dimensional details. 2D soft enamel allows the metal borders and enamel colors to create a strong contrast, making the overall design more eye-catching.

You can refer to this coin we produced for OpenText:

Its design mainly features a logo, text, and clear color blocks, so it does not require complex 3D relief. With standard metal lines and soft enamel color filling, the coin can clearly present the brand message and commemorative purpose.

Portraits, Animals, Vehicles, and Architecture

If the artwork includes portraits, animals, vehicles, buildings, or complex scenes, 3D relief is usually more suitable than a standard 2D effect. These types of designs need to show contours, shadows, and depth, and 3D sculpting can make facial features, vehicle lines, or architectural details appear more dimensional.

For commemorative pieces, 3D relief can also enhance the overall texture and collectible value. However, if the original artwork is very simple, there is no need to force a 3D effect, as it may only increase the cost without significantly improving the final result.

You can refer to this challenge coin we made for the S.C.A.R.E. 75th Anniversary:

The portrait on the coin uses high-relief sculpting, which helps present facial contours, expression details, and carved layers more clearly, making the commemorative theme stand out.

Photos, Gradients, and Complex Color Details

If your artwork includes photographs, gradients, complex shadows, or very small color details, UV printing is usually more suitable than traditional enamel. Enamel is better for clean solid-color areas, but it is not ideal for reproducing photo-level color changes.

UV printing can better preserve the color layers, light and shadow, and fine details of the original artwork. It is suitable for portrait photos, animal portraits, event key visuals, complex emblems, or full-color designs. Some designs can also combine metal relief with UV printing, giving the finished piece both a metallic texture and richer color presentation.

You can refer to this police K9 NADO challenge coin:

For this type of police dog portrait design, UV printing is more suitable than enamel. The dog’s fur, eyes, tongue, and the background leaves contain many color variations. If enamel were used, many details would need to be simplified. UV printing can better reproduce the original colors and shadows, making the finished coin look closer to a real photo.

Premium Corporate Gift Designs

If the coin is used for a company anniversary, client gift, employee award, or business event, the focus is usually not complex dimensional detail, but a clean, refined, and professional appearance. Corporate designs often include logos, brand slogans, commemorative years, or project names, so hard enamel, polished gold, polished silver, or black nickel finishes are often better choices.

These coins need to reflect the brand image, so the surface finish and overall details are important. Hard enamel creates a smoother surface, while polished plating enhances the metallic shine, making the finished coin look more formal and suitable as a premium business gift.

For example, this Molten volleyball-themed hard enamel commemorative coin:

The design mainly consists of a brand logo, volleyball graphic, and large solid-color areas. The color boundaries are clear, and the artwork does not require photo-level gradients or complex shadows. Therefore, hard enamel is a good choice to highlight the brand’s refined appearance and make the finished coin look clean, premium, and timeless.

Military, Vintage, and Strong Relief Designs

If the artwork includes shields, badges, weapons, flags, buildings, character silhouettes, or rich carved textures, antique plating is usually more suitable than standard polished plating. Antique gold, antique silver, and antique copper finishes create darker recessed areas, which make the relief layers more visible and give the design more depth and commemorative value.

This effect is ideal for military, police, firefighter, historical, or vintage-style designs. For relief designs with many details, antique plating not only highlights the lines but also reduces strong reflections that may hide fine details, making the overall appearance heavier, clearer, and more powerful.

For example, this military police special operations challenge coin:

The skull, shield, laurel leaves, pistols, banner, and rope edge all use layered relief details. The raised areas look sharp and strong, while the recessed background works with the antique plating to create light-and-dark contrast, giving the entire coin a bold and rugged appearance.

How to Decide Which Process Is Suitable Before Production

Before making a custom challenge coin, it is better to evaluate the artwork itself instead of deciding from the beginning whether to use 2D, 3D, or UV printing. For example, if the design mainly contains a clear logo and text, 2D soft enamel is usually enough. 

For artwork with people, animals, vehicles, or buildings, 3D relief is a good choice because it adds depth and detail. For photos, gradients, or full-color designs, UV printing usually gives a more accurate result.

For corporate gifts, hard enamel or polished plating can make the coin look cleaner and more premium. For military, vintage, or detailed relief designs, antique plating helps bring out the texture.

Not sure which process fits your design? Send us your logo, sketch, or design file, and we’ll recommend a suitable option based on your artwork, budget, quantity, and intended use.