Creating memorable keepsakes that the recipient will cherish calls for artistry and thoughtful design. Most print-on-demand that produces these unique tokens require you to design the keepsake. Unfortunately, that’s where the problem lies, especially if designing isn’t your forte. You will likely face design challenges such as getting the size and details right, symbolism alignment, color selection, and cohesiveness. This article details the tips and tricks for overcoming such design challenges.
1. Understanding of the Purpose
Start by clearly understanding, especially when designing a unique token like a custom challenge coin. This entails considering the significance of the event, organization, or what you have in common with those to whom you want to give these unique tokens. Doing so will clarify objectives like boosting morale or signifying membership. With that, you will have it easy to draft a design with depth and meaning. The tokens will also be relevant to the audience as you will appropriately design the keepsakes.
2. Incorporate Relevant Symbol
Symbols like logos, emblems, or those representing specific groupings are crucial to these keepsakes. Unfortunately, as mentioned, getting the symbolism wrong is commonplace. Therefore, it will help if you understand the meaning of the symbol you intend to use through thorough research on the cultural and historical context. Doing so will help you attain accurate representation. While at it, identify the themes associated with the purpose of the unique token, which will make choosing the symbol easy.
3. Choose High-Quality Material
Material selection also poses a significant challenge in the design process. The keepsakes should be made of material that can withstand frequent use, be exchanged, and be cherished. Therefore, you should choose high-quality material that can withstand wear and tear. Choose metal alloys like brass or zinc, stainless steel, iron, nickel silver, or hard enamel. And for longevity, go for an epoxy coating or complement the design with antique finishes of gold and silver. Such coating will prolong the unique token’s lifespan and hide scratches or abrasions. You can also choose a hard plate to enhance resistance to tear.
4. Explore Ways to Personalize
Personalization entails adding unique features like names, individual achievements, or dates. It’s another crucial area where you are highly likely to get wrong. This is because meeting personal preferences isn’t a walk in the park. In addition, you must balance design unity to achieve cohesion while incorporating unique personalization features. You can find a way around this problem by simply consulting the print-on-demand company.
5. Engage in Collaborative Design
Going on the design process alone will complicate the process with costly mistakes. Therefore, you should collaborate when designing a unique token like a custom challenge coin. This is particularly essential when designing keepsakes for a group. It will help to involve the other members. Doing so will avoid design flaws and foster a sense of ownership.
Keepsakes are essential as they help commemorate special events. They also help in showing membership in particular groups. However, designing them is more challenging than you might be mistaken. You are likely to face the mentioned challenges. That’s why you should use the tips and tricks you have read here to overcome those design challenges.
