Short answer: Soft enamel has recessed color you can feel. Hard enamel is polished flat and smooth. Die struck is raised and recessed metal with no color. At 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, Colucci Custom Awards charges $4.74 each for die struck, $5.40 for soft enamel and $6.04 for hard enamel, plus a $75 one-time setup. Choose the style that fits your artwork first, then check it against your budget.
This guide compares soft and hard enamel coins with die struck and Xpress coins so you can order the right one the first time.
Manufacturing Facts and 100-Unit Pricing
Colucci Custom Awards makes custom challenge coins in the USA at our Columbia, South Carolina facility, with no minimum order. Here are the production facts and published prices to know before you compare styles.
- Made in the USA: Every coin is made at our Columbia, South Carolina facility.
- Four styles: Soft enamel, hard enamel, die struck and Xpress photo-etched.
- Eight sizes: 1-1/4 inches to 3 inches, in quarter-inch steps.
- No minimums: The minimum order is 1 coin.
- Free 3D digital proof: You see your coin in 3D before any money is committed. Revisions are unlimited until you sign off on the design.
- Soft enamel: Soft enamel challenge coins cost $5.40 each at 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, plus a $75 one-time setup.
- Hard enamel: Hard enamel challenge coins cost $6.04 each at 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, plus a $75 one-time setup.
- Die struck: Die struck challenge coins cost $4.74 each at 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, plus a $75 one-time setup.
- Xpress: Xpress photo-etched custom coins cost $6.00 each at 100 pieces in the 1-3/4 inch base size, plus a $50 one-time setup.
- Setup fees: Setup is charged per decorated side, so a two-sided coin doubles it. Enamel and die struck tooling runs $75 to $175 per decorated side, depending on size. The Xpress page lists $50 per decorated side. Confirm two-sided Xpress pricing on your quote.
- Size and design: Larger coins cost more per piece. Custom orders vary with the customization and design.
- Turnaround: Turnaround depends on the customization and design, and overnight shipping is sometimes possible. Request a free quote to confirm your date.
| Colucci Custom Awards coin style | How the color sits | Surface feel | Look | Best for | Price at 100 pieces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Enamel | Recessed below the metal | Textured and dimensional | Classic dimensional | High-contrast designs | $5.40 each + $75 setup (1-1/4 in.) |
| Hard Enamel | Flush with the metal | Smooth and flat | Polished, jewelry-like | Formal presentation | $6.04 each + $75 setup (1-1/4 in.) |
| Die Struck | No color added | Raised and recessed metal | Classic metallic | Memorial pieces and crests | $4.74 each + $75 setup (1-1/4 in.) |
| Xpress Photo-Etched | Etched and color-filled | Etched artwork on a set blank | Gold or silver plating | Lower setup, no die to cut | $6.00 each + $50 setup (1-3/4 in.) |
Common Difficulties When Ordering Custom Challenge Coins
Coaches, athletic directors and event planners ordering custom challenge coins in the USA tend to run into the same four problems. Spot them early and you avoid delays.
- Matching the design to the method: Enamel needs a raised metal line between every color, so tiny text and color gradients don’t translate well. A flat 2D design and a sculpted 3D relief also need different die work, so decide which look you want before the proof. If the artwork ignores these limits, you’ll need revisions and production gets pushed back.
- Balancing budget and finish: Many teams want the smoothest coin on a fixed per-piece budget. Setup is charged per decorated side, and a second side doubles it. You also choose the plating and the edge (standard, rope or diamond cut) on each coin page, so list your choices on your quote request and price both sides before you commit.
- Hitting the banquet date: Your ceremony date won’t move. Every day a proof sits unapproved comes out of the production window. Turnaround varies with the customization and design, so confirm your date on the quote.
- Picking the right size: A coin that looks right on screen can feel small in the hand. A 1-1/4 inch coin and a 2 inch coin make different impressions. Hold a ruler or a coin you already own next to the proof before you approve it.
Soft Enamel Challenge Coins
Soft enamel challenge coins give you color you can feel. The minting process starts with CAD engineering, which turns your artwork into a die. A press stamps the design into the metal, leaving raised borders and recessed cavities.
Enamel fills the recessed areas, and then the coin is baked to cure it. The color sits below the raised metal lines, so your thumb catches the ridge between each color.
The result is a textured coin with strong contrast. It suits bold colors and designs with clear separation between elements. At the same size and quantity it also costs less than hard enamel: $5.40 versus $6.04 each at 100 pieces.
Hard Enamel Challenge Coins
Hard enamel challenge coins start the same way, with a stamped die, raised borders and recessed cavities. The difference is in the finish. The enamel is filled flush with the metal and polished smooth.
Because the color and metal sit on the same level, the surface is flat and even and your finger slides across it without catching. That smooth, jewelry-like finish suits formal corporate awards and end-of-season ceremony pieces.
A flat surface also resists scratches better than recessed soft enamel. At 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, hard enamel costs 64 cents more per coin than soft enamel, the price of that extra polishing step.
Die Struck Challenge Coins
Die struck challenge coins use no enamel at all. The press stamps the design into the metal, creating sharp raised details and deep recessed backgrounds. All of the contrast comes from the metal itself.
The finish is what makes the design readable without color. A common treatment sandblasts the recessed areas to a matte texture and polishes the raised areas bright. Antique plating darkens the recesses and brings out the 3D detail.
Die struck suits memorial pieces, crests and logos that look best in gold, silver or bronze tones. There is no paint to chip, so it holds up to years of handling. It is also the lowest-priced of the three stamped styles, at $4.74 each for 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size.
Xpress Photo-Etched Custom Coins
Xpress photo-etched coins skip the custom die. Each one is a photo-etched custom coin made on a set blank with a flat setup per side, so there is no die to cut.
The artwork is etched and color-filled, then finished in gold or silver plating. Plating options are polished gold, polished silver, antique gold, antique silver, copper and black nickel.
With no die to make, setup drops to $50, compared with $75 or more for the stamped styles. At 100 pieces in the 1-3/4 inch base size, Xpress coins cost $6.00 each. Choose Xpress when keeping setup cost low matters more to you than a struck relief.
Four Decisions That Settle Your Coin Order
Start with your artwork. If every color can be separated by a metal line, any enamel style works. If the design relies on metal tone rather than color, choose die struck.
Set your quantity. Count the full roster, the coaching staff and support personnel. The minimum order is 1 coin, so you never have to over-order to hit a threshold.
Price the setup. Setup is charged per decorated side, so a two-sided design doubles it. Decide whether your budget covers two sides or whether one side does the job.
Lock your date. Turnaround depends on the customization and design. Request your quote well before the ceremony and approve your proof promptly.
Ready to order? Request a free quote and get a free 3D digital proof with exact pricing for your coin.
Questions buyers also ask
Is hard or soft enamel better for a challenge coin?
Neither is better for every design. Soft enamel sits below the raised metal lines, giving a textured coin with strong contrast for bold colors. Hard enamel is polished flat and smooth, which suits formal presentation pieces.
Why does hard enamel cost more?
Hard enamel adds a finishing step: the enamel is filled flush with the metal and polished smooth. At 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, hard enamel costs $6.04 each against $5.40 for soft enamel, plus a $75 one-time setup per decorated side for either style.
Which lasts longer?
Die struck has no paint to chip, so it holds up well to handling. Between the two enamel styles, the flat, polished surface of hard enamel resists scratches better than recessed soft enamel.
What does a hard enamel coin feel like?
Smooth and flat. The color and metal sit on the same level, so your finger slides across the surface without catching. Soft enamel feels different, because your thumb catches the raised ridge between each color.
When is die struck the better choice?
Choose die struck when the design relies on metal tone rather than color, such as memorial pieces, crests and logos in gold, silver or bronze tones. All of the contrast comes from raised and recessed metal, with no enamel added. It is also the lowest-priced stamped style, at $4.74 each for 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, plus a $75 one-time setup per decorated side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which coin style suits a team, unit or corporate award?
Let the design decide. Crests and fine metal detail suit die struck, where the contrast comes from raised and recessed metal. Bold color contrast suits soft enamel, and a smooth, polished finish suits hard enamel.
Do I need an epoxy dome coating on my soft enamel coins?
Not always. An epoxy dome is a clear coating laid over soft enamel. It fills the recesses, protects the color from scratches and leaves a smooth, slightly domed surface. It also removes the textured feel that sets soft enamel apart. If you want a smooth coin, ask about epoxy when you request your quote and compare it with hard enamel.
How much do challenge coins cost?
At 100 pieces in the 1-1/4 inch size, die struck costs $4.74 each, soft enamel $5.40 and hard enamel $6.04, plus a $75 one-time setup per decorated side. Size, style and quantity drive the final price. See our guide on how much challenge coins cost or price your order with the coin cost estimator.
Can I order just one custom coin?
Yes. Colucci Custom Awards has no minimums on custom coins, so you can order a single piece. Setup still applies per decorated side, whatever the quantity.
