This is a custom plastic medal case for an Australia customer. The customer is the founder of a large dancing school called Dancesport Challenge in Australia. He planned to customize a batch of dance medals for the regular events, he provided a complete design idea and confirmed the following information:
- Size: 61mm diameter round medal
- Design: convex and concave logo design on both sides
- Quantity: 1,000 pieces
- Thickness: slightly thicker to give the medal a distinct 3D feel
During the whole communication, the customer expressed that he had several pain points and wanted to hear our opinions:
- Ordinary metal medals are heavy, which is not a good choice for students to wear or transportation costs;
- The medals to be used in this event need to be unique, and students can also hang them directly on their school bags.
1. Solution recommendation
From the perspective of wearing and cost, we directly skipped the option of metal medals. We provided two options for customers to choose from:
- PVC medals: Its characteristics are light weight, soft surface, moderate mold fee and unit price;
- Plastic medals: Its characteristics are very light weight, hard texture, cheap unit price, expensive mold fee, and by easily recyclable materials.
After we analyzed the SWOT for the customer, the Australia customer finally chose custom plastic medal from the perspective of environmental protection and cost.
For those kids who prefer hanging the medal on the school bags, we can equip it with a lobster clasp. Simply replace the medal ribbon with the lobster clasp, and you can perfectly present it in school bags, key chains and other places suitable for display.
2. Cooperation process
Since the customer gave us a complete logo design, we didn't need to work hard on the design. But how to make the medal look distinctive? We communicated with him about several schemes:
- Initially, we tried a medal with the same color as the logo, which only looked more beautiful, but not very attractive;
- Finally, under the customer's suggestion, we used a new injection molding method to make the plastic medal with irregular patterns.
Since we had experience in producing such irregular patterns before, it didn't look complicated. After confirming the production plan, our sales actively communicated with the workshop and arranged proofing as soon as possible.
When the mold was ready, we started to test the pattern on the machine. This has extremely high requirements for the color, proportion and injection temperature of the raw materials. The injected color of the plastic medals at first was blended too perfectly to keep the pattern. After repeated debugging, the pattern gradually became clear, and then irregular color also gradually appeared. Also, it looks transparent under lights. Once the sample was sent to the customer, the customer immediately said that we could arrange the mass production.
3. The production processes
The Australian customer was ordering custom plastic medals for the first time, so we sent him updates on the mold-engraving, testing, injection molding, and finished medals to help him understand the production process. The customer have further confidence in our service and quality while knowing the production schedule.
（Another related client case: Custom Medal Project From Spain)
4. Frequently Asked Questions During Cooperation
Q: How do you deal with urgent orders?
A: We support rush orders. We usually handle urgent orders by working overtime, adding people, adding machines, etc., and will meet customers’ schedule.
Q: I only have photos, can you help me reproduce the actual medal? Is there a fee?
A: We have an experienced design team that focuses on the graphic design of metal crafts. Taking into account various factors such as understanding customer needs, highlighting themes, and enriching details, we provide free design schemes and can make unlimited revisions to the design details as requested. If you would like to reproduce the medals, you must ensure the ownership or rights to use the medal designs that belongs to you. We will not infringe or piracy.
Q: Do you do a thorough quality inspection on every medal order I place?
A: We will conduct a full inspection of each process, and repair it immediately if any defects are found. Before shipment, professional QC will also inspect strictly to ensure that the finished products sent to customers fully meet the quality standards.
Q: What shipping methods do you support?
A: For lightweight packages, we usually use FedEx, UPS, and DHL Express, 3-8 days of transit, which not only guarantees delivery time but also reduces a lot of troubles for customers by door-to-door express. In some countries and regions, we also support door-to-door, double-clearance, and tax-free express delivery. If enough time is reserved for the event, we also support sea shipping for heavier medal cargo to reduce the customer’s budget.
（All the FAQs About SICpin Products: SICpin Product FAQs ）
5. The Customer’s feedback
It must be said that the weight of the plastic medal is indeed much lighter, which helps customers save some shipping costs. In addition, the texture of the plastic medal is particularly eye-catching, especially the medal with patterns, which has a great visual impact. After receiving the school dancing medals, the customer expressed that the whole board were very satisfied with their first brave attempt and definitely would continue to consider making similar plastic medals in the future.
6. The Summary
Why are we favored by customers and have long-term cooperation with them?
- Our handicrafts are not limited to metal, but cover a variety of materials such as metal, acrylic, PVC, plastic, paper, etc., and we have rich design and production experience in each process.
- We have a fast response and fast delivery team. From business communication and order production, to express delivery, timely communication and rapid response can be achieved.
- The cooperation of the whole production line is highly efficient and not dragged. From artwork details to items finished, our colleagues coordinate very well.
- In terms of quality, we have always been adhering to the meticulous craftsman spirit. At each product step, a full inspection has to be done to ensure high-quality finished products before leaving our factory.
As an experienced medal manufacturer, whether it is hardware equipment, service concept, staffing, or quick response, we are very confident in providing customers with a full range of services, that greatly exceed customer expectations.
SICpin has a workshop area of 2300 square meters, 42 employees, and 26 sets of production equipment. We always maintain technological innovation in the metal manufacturing industry and guarantee product quality with advanced equipment and strict management concepts.
At least 30,000 medals are produced and exported per month, involving marathons, Ball games, Dance, Martial arts, Bodybuilding, Swimming, and other fields. We maintain in-depth cooperation with customers in more than 40 countries and regions.