How the Marines Use Their Challenge Coins to Commemorate Where They Have Served

For decades, challenge coins have been a symbol of hope and perseverance during difficult times.  Military units deployed in combat zones hold fast to these items because they remind them of the time that they spent defending our country and the people that they encountered along the way.

In addition to their sentimental value, challenge coins are known to be a positive tool used by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.  The verifiable symbols of accomplishment have been used to motivate troops worldwide and are extremely beneficial in building personal and professional relationships.

As a designer and manufacturer of custom challenge coins, we have had the pleasure of working with different military units throughout the years.  We created the following design for the US Marines as a way of solidifying the unit and giving them a keepsake that they could bring back with them to the States.  In addition to highlighting the Marine Corp logo on one side, we were able to include the country where the troops were stationed on the other side.

Benefits of Custom Challenge Coins

Double-sided challenge coins are great for this reason.  They essentially serve as two different designs on one coin.  This is especially beneficial for groups with local chapters or units of nationally known organizations.  These challenge coins are often used to form friendships with local people in the countries where the troops are stationed.  This can be advantageous for many reasons.  Having some local friends can help a person adjust to different environments easier.

In addition to their potential to establish relationships with foreigners, custom challenge coins can be used to promote teamwork and camaraderie within a unit.  Members of the military learn to trust and believe in the men and women that are stationed alongside them.  This is especially helpful in war zones where security is of utmost importance.

Designing a Coin for Your Unit

There are a number of ways to make your challenge coins distinctive.  You can customize the size, shape, colors, and style of your products.  You can also include whatever identifying information that you feel is appropriate for your military unit.  This can be a symbol, photograph or motto.  These items serve as a direct reflection of the type of message that you are trying to convey.

For a truly personal way to commemorate your troops, consider the positive impact of custom challenge coins.  Call 1-800-480-6822 or email info@lapelpinsrus.com for a quote today.

 

Commemorative Lapel Pins to Raise Funds for and Remember a Worthy Cause

Non-profit and charitable organizations benefit tremendously from word-of-mouth advertising.  The simple act of announcing an upcoming event or media strategy has measurable positive results.  From launching a successful fundraiser to drumming up support in a community, custom lapel pins from Lapel Pins R Us are worth looking into because they serve as a visible marketing tool for groups like The Alex Foundation.

What Is the Alex Foundation?

The Alex Foundation, a customer of Lapel Pins R Us, is dedicated to supporting the research necessary to expand the knowledge surrounding the cognitive and communicative abilities of parrots.  Alex, an African Grey Parrot, demonstrated his vocal skills by memorizing and speaking the vocal labels for a number of objects, actions, and colors.  He was known around the world for his achievements and was the source of inspiration for the Foundation.

Custom lapel pins featuring his image and name as well as an awareness ribbon were created in an attempt to keep the parrot’s memory alive.  Alex passed away in 2007 after living an incredibly motivating life.  The Alex Foundation continues to praise the benefits of its research through a variety of vehicles.  In addition to its website, people can learn more about the organization’s role by attending sponsored events and wearing their own Alex lapel pins.

How Do Custom Lapel Pins Help Non-Profits and Charitable Organizations?

Custom lapel pins help non-profit and charitable organizations in the following ways:

• They can be attached to a piece of custom cardstock for an effective and professional presentation option.
• They can be sold to attendees of events in an attempt to raise funds and awareness.
• They can be handed out to donors as a way of expressing gratitude.
• They can be given to volunteers as a form of identification and a thank you gift for participating in a fundraising event.

For even the most seasoned philanthropist, donating to a worthy cause takes time and research.  Groups like the Alex Foundation, although monumental in their efforts, are often overshadowed by larger charitable organizations with full-scale advertising campaigns.  Custom lapel pins help smaller charities step out of the shadows by drawing interest in their cause and giving the community something to stand behind.

To learn how you can make your non-profit shine, visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com for a free quote.

 

Show Your School Spirit By Starting a Recognition Lapel Pin Program

The increased scrutiny our schools are under can make it hard to keep morale high.  Standardized tests remind students and teachers that their performance is constantly being monitored. If they let it, this added pressure can dampen any school’s spirit.  To combat this effect, more schools should follow the example of Chatham County, Virginia.  The academic institutions in this district use personalized lapel pins to support their students and faculty.

When Pittsylvania County Schools developed and launched a new countywide reading program, they took advantage of a unique opportunity by using the customizable lapel pins to boost their schools’ morale.

A member of the district’s staff contacted us with their ideas and we were able to come up with a design that highlighted their achievements as an educational community.  These lapel pins were then used throughout the different schools in the county as a way of recognizing those individuals committed to achievement.

Custom Lapel Pins As an Incentive

School lapel pins are a great way to recognize outstanding students and faculty. Pittsylvania started its own lapel pin program by using custom quality lapel pins from Lapel Pins R Us.  The extraordinary gold star lapel pin, with its bold message and emphasis on excellence, is a direct reflection of Pittsylvania’s commitment to its students and teachers.

Students are given award lapel pins to recognize excellence in their academic studies while teachers receive their own pins for going above and beyond what is being asked of them as educators. Some additional uses for a service lapel pin program are volunteer lapel pins to promote the good deeds of extracurricular clubs and sports lapel pins to encourage and reward your school’s athletic teams.

Whatever the reason or occasion, Lapel Pins R Us, can help you design a custom lapel pin that is guaranteed to keep your school’s spirit alive.  To find out more about our recognition lapel pin designs or to submit your creative ideas to us, email info@lapelpinsrus.com or call 1-800-480-6822 toll-free.  Our professional sales team will offer their expert advice on ways to make your school’s award pins spectacular.

 

Stand for Something or Fall for Anything: Showing Support Using Custom Awareness Wristbands

Donning colored silicone wristbands has not only become a fun fashion trend but also promotes awareness while boldly displaying one’s involvement and support in a cause. Youth groups, church groups, non-profit organizations, sport teams, fraternities, and individuals have all begun to take part in what seems to be a common practice among marketing strategies and awareness campaigns. In addition to publicizing your stance, awareness silicone wristbands tend to inspire a lot of curiosity.

Custom made silicone wristbands send vastly different messages depending on their color and text. As a silicone wristband maker, Lapel Pins R Us, can tell you firsthand how unlimited color options and custom techniques effect how silicone wristband bracelets are perceived. Being a reputable wristband manufacturer we help groups and organizations create flawless and unique custom made wristbands by offering:

• Free artwork
• Adult and children’s sizes
• Countless solid and multiple color choices
• Several styles including, Glow in the Dark
• Use of silk screen techniques
• Raised, recessed or imprinted text or logo of choice

The commitment one has made is clearly evident when a particular wristband or multiple bands are worn every day. In order to withstand the test of time, offer the individual years of wear ability, and preserve the memories of each wristband, it is important for it be of durable quality. Custom silicone wristbands from Lapel Pins R Us are made from 100% silicone and come with a quality guarantee that ensures all the workmanship and materials put into your custom made wristband will last for years to come.

Do you want to be the leader of your own revolution?  If so, submit your custom wristband ideas to info@lapelpinsrus.com or call us toll free at 1-800-480-6822.

 

How Custom Biker Patches Have Become a Part of Motorcyclist History

Custom embroidered patches are a big part of a motorcyclist’s heritage.  They help identify the different organizations that they are involved with as well as make a distinctive souvenir to wear on a jacket or vest.  Ranging in size, shape, style, color, and design, the versatile products are rich in personal meaning as well as historical symbolism.  Generations of bikers have proudly created custom patches to wear decade after decade.

Patches for Fundraising Purposes

In addition to providing identification for motorcyclists and clubs around the nation, the small pieces of memorabilia have been created and sold at fundraisers for family members of fallen riders.  These items help keep the memory of a motorcyclist alive.  They also assist the spouses and children of bikers by providing them with everyday necessities.

Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) patches are very commonplace in biker communities.  These items help show support and keep the memory of our soldiers fresh in our minds.  In fact, the slogan, “You are not forgotten,” sums up this sentiment entirely.

Promoting Strength and Camaraderie

Biker patches promote strength and camaraderie.  They have become a symbol of friendship and goodwill.  Many motorcycle clubs have a big presence in their communities.  They remain active citizens by being involved in charitable events.  Custom patches can be created as a way of announcing each event before it happens.  This helps generate interest in the group and the message that they are trying to promote.

Biker Patch Symbolism

From a historical aspect, biker patches have been created in one to three pieces.  A one-piece patch signifies a motorcycle association with ties to a manufacturer like Harley Davidson.  A two-piece patch is ordinarily affiliated with a riding club.  A three-piece patch is common with “outlaw,” military, and veteran’s club.

Patches R Us offers a variety of options that can help make your biker patches unique and memorable.  Decorative edges, custom backings as well as over 200 thread colors and 96 mesh colors help create the look and appeal that you are trying to accomplish.  To learn how, visit http://www.patchesrus.com.

 

Creating Custom Lapel Pins for Fish and Wildlife Organizations

Protecting our wildlife has become a priority in this country. Organizations designated to preserve the natural habitat of fish and game work hard to ensure that rules and regulations are met year-round. These men and women become crusaders for the animals whose lives they try to protect. Not only do they spend a majority of time promoting the cause, they spend equal amounts of time educating the public and fundraising.

Custom lapel pins serve as a verifiable marketing tool in these instances.  The small pieces of memorabilia serve many uses. Due to their size and portability, many people feel comfortable wearing and displaying their pins on a day-to-day basis. This can help an organization to:

• Promote the Cause.

• Educate the Public.

• Serve as a Token of Appreciation at Fundraising Events.

Getting the Word Out About the Cause

Well-designed lapel pins generate interest wherever they go. Members of the public are made aware of an issue once they are visually able to picture it and the group that is involved with it.

Fish and wildlife organizations can then use these pins in a number of different ways. Once they have grabbed the public’s attention, it is easier to educate them and solicit funds for conservation and preservation purposes.

Helping the Community Understand the Importance of the Cause

Once the community is familiar with an organization, they will be more receptive to the message that is being promoted. Fish and wildlife groups can employ a variety of different methods to help educate theirpublic. They hold workshops, conferences, and lectures as a way of gettingthe message across. They can also hand out custom lapel pins featuring their unique image or logo with packets of information that they distribute. This is one of the fastest ways to make a really great impression.

Thanking Donors for Their Support

Every successful fundraising event is largely in part to private donors. Fish and wildlife organizations can show their gratitude to contributors of their cause by designing and awarding them custom lapel pins. The tokens of appreciation work wonders in generating a positive spirit. Many conservation and preservation attempts are richly rewarded by repeat donors who know the value of the work being put into fundraising efforts.

Fish and wildlife organizations around the nation take pride in their work. With the help of custom lapel pins, they can achieve far more positive results by reaching more people and teaching them about the benefits of conservation and preservation attempts.

 

How We Took One Design and Created a Collector’s Set of Five Lapel Pins

Customer SIS contacted us with their custom lapel pin idea.  Rather than request five different designs, they wanted to use one image and create the design in five different ways so they could offer the pins in a collector’s set for their employees. We were able to offer the design of the lapel pin with five different variations of finishes.

The set of custom lapel pins were designed with the company’s employees in mind.  They were used as an incentive for SIS team.  We also offered them a unique way to present the pins in their own acrylic presentation case to add even further value to the pin. These items were ordered from Lapel Pins R Us promptly after approving the full color proof that we sent them.

Why Create a Set of Lapel Pins?

Many companies like the novelty that goes with collecting pins.  Employees must complete a specific task or attend an event to obtain each lapel pin offered by the business.  This poses a challenge for some individuals while simultaneously heightening the perceived value of the set.

Team members who collect all the individual pins in a set have a reminder of all of their accomplishments and can put these items on display in their homes or offices.  Others might choose to wear them on a jacket or shirt.  No matter where they are displayed, one thing is certain.  The appeal of custom lapel pins is timeless.  Generation after generation can find uses for our unique products.  In fact, that is why we have seen so much repeat business throughout the years.

One Design, Many Different Finishes

Like SIS, you can create several different lapel pins using one design.  We offer the following metal plating color choices to our customers:

• High polished gold metal
• Antique gold
• High polished silver metal
• Antique silver
• Polished copper
• Antique copper
• Polished black metal
• Black nickel

Each finish has its own look and appeal.  To find out how to create your own set of lapel pins in different metal plating colors, visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com.

 

How To Select the Size of Lapel Pin That Best Showcases Your Design and Text

Choosing the right sized lapel pin is important for conveying your message to your audience or customers. A bold design can help get your name out and even draw interest in the events that you sponsor and the items or services that you have to offer. For those customers that are unsure of what size to order, the following information can serve as a guide. For a decade we have manufactured and designed lapel pins and in that time period, here is what we have learned:

.75″ size lapel pin-works best for logos only. If text is required then we recommend that you create the text in the same metal as you have selected for your design.

1.0″ size lapel pin-you can include your logo and add a small amount of text above or below the design. We recommend a limited amount of text and text that is created with a metal wrap.

1.25″ size lapel pin-you can add a logo with text above and below the logo or design and it usually is easy to read. This size also allows you to have the option of color fill of your text to add that something extra to the pin.

1.5″ size lapel pin-allows you the most options when it comes to text and design as you have a larger area to work with. We can also make pins or badges from 1.75” up to 3 inches in size for those with a “big” message or a lot of information.

Our team of sales professionals have enough experience creating and manufacturing custom lapel pins to know what size best fits your design. You can inquire about our services by visiting http://www.lapelpinsrus.com, calling 1-800-480-6822 toll-free or emailing info@lapelpinsrus.com.

 

The Day I Saw My Trading Pin Designs Come to Life

By Nick C.

For the last 5 years at Lapel Pins R Us, I have been designing baseball and softball pins for USSSA teams across the nation. Usually my only contact with the team is what I read in their emails and quote requests. Occasionally, I’ll check out the team website for more info but nothing is like actually going to one of these tournaments which I had the privilege of doing at the end of July.

I’ve been to Little League baseball and softball games before I was a pin artist but I never really noticed how seriously these kids take their game. They travel from all over the country to one central location just to play baseball and softball with kids their age. It took me back to the days when I was 14 and it made me wish I could go back in time and play ball again.

Now that I’m a little older, I’ve got a whole new perspective on this kind of youth tournament. I realized that these girls and boys are having the time of their lives and they’ll remember these hot days in Florida (playing ball, eating hotdogs, getting dirty and sweaty) forever. While sitting at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, I realized that my work as a graphic artist was going to play a small part in their memories.

After the girls play each game, they of course shake hands on the field, give each other “good-games”, and congratulate one another. They then like to find a shady spot near the stands or concession area so they can trade their pins. I noticed that each girl was equipped with between 50-100 pins with their team’s logo on them. Some had special towels completely covered with other team’s pins. Most girls had lanyards for carrying their access IDs and every one of those lanyards was covered in pins. I got a nice close look at one of those lanyards. That was when my heart jumped: Right there on that lanyard covered in trading pins, were two of my original designs (Bay City Bombers and Miami Wildcats)! Until that moment, I really had no further contact with the pin design after I submitted the proof to the customer. But now everything was different. I was actually witnessing the trading process of the finished product. If that wasn’t exciting enough, a few of the most coveted designs were mine!

All in all, it was a very interesting experience. I think it’s going to help me as a designer. Now, I can actually picture these kids in my head as they’re passing my designs back and forth, looking for the coolest ones. It’s more fulfilling to draw these baseball and softball designs now that I have had this experience and I can’t wait to go back and see them play next season!

 

Revamping Your Wardrobe Using Custom Embroidered Patches

Today’s consumer knows the importance of having stylish clothing to wear.  That is one of the many reasons why so many savvy shoppers have grown accustomed to making their own from scratch or revamping and embellishing their wardrobes one item at a time. 

For those who are not skilled with a sewing machine, there are a number of things that they can do to achieve a fresh look.  One of them is to create custom embroidered patches with Patches R Us to use to embellish jeans, jackets, baseball hats, and accessories like purses and bags. 

These items are incredibly popular because of their unique appearance and ability to increase the longevity of apparel.  In fact, there is no need to throw clothing out when holes start appearing.  Just cover them with a patch and wear them again and again.

What Makes Embroidered Patches Fashionable?

Custom embroidered patches are the ultimate fashion statement.  They are incredibly attractive and easy-to-use.  Optional iron-on backings make it possible to update a wardrobe in a matter of minutes.  This is especially of interest to young adults who are looking for ways to set themselves apart from their peers.

Clothing that needs repair or appears drab can get an instant facelift with embroidered patches.  These colorful items contain eye-catching graphic and personal messages.  For the pacifist, peace sign patches can spruce up a jean jacket or pair of vintage bell bottoms.  For the rockstar-in-the-making, patches with his or her band’s name or logo are a great conversation starter.  Fans will show interest by offering to buy embroidered patches with duplicate designs.

Where to Wear Patches

There are a number of different ways to wear patches.  Some of the most popular ones that we have encountered include:

• On a baseball hat worn on the head.
• On a jacket, parka or cardigan.
• Over a hole in a favorite pair of jeans.
• On a polo or woven shirt.

How to Customize Patches

We offer a variety of choices that will help our customers personalize your patches the way that they see fit.  We can create them in a number of different sizes, shapes, and colors to accentuate the artwork that is included on them.  We also have a variety of different styles of backing to make the application process as simple as possible.

To learn more about updating your wardrobe with custom embroidered patches, visit us at http://www.patchesrus.com.