Minuteman Precision Engravings Get a quote

Guide

What is 2.5D engraving?

2.5D engraving is raised, layered relief you can feel. It sits between flat engraving, where every line is cut to one level, and a full 3D sculpture. On a Minuteman Precision Engravings brass challenge coin, 2.5D means a recessed, textured background, stepped layers at different heights, and sculpted high points inside a raised rim.

Flat engraving vs 2.5D relief vs full 3D

Flat engraving, 2.5D relief and full 3D sculpture compared
FeatureFlat engraving2.5D reliefFull 3D sculpture
HeightsOne level: lines cut into a flat faceSeveral layered heightsFully sculpted, continuous form
FeelSmooth, with shallow linesRaised layers you can feelFully sculpted
Look on a coinLines onlyDepth, shadow and highlights as the coin turnsNot what we make

See the difference, side by side

Flat engravingOne levelLines are cut into a flat face. Everything sits at the same height.
Flat engraving, side view A cross-section of a coin with flat engraving. The face is one flat level with thin, shallow lines cut into it, so it feels smooth. One level, edge to edge Shallow lines Smooth to the touch
Minuteman 2.5D reliefLayered heights you can feelA recessed, textured background, stepped layers and sculpted high points inside a raised rim.
2.5D relief, side view A cross-section of a Minuteman coin. A raised rim surrounds a recessed, textured background. From the background the design rises in stepped layers to a sculpted, polished high point, so you can feel every level. Sculpted high point Raised rim Recessed, textured background Stepped layers

Side-view illustrations, not to scale. Below: real close-ups of our coins.

Close-up of the Desperado UAS Platoon coin: the face and goggles are sculpted and stand above the background, with polished high points
Raised high pointsPolished tops catch the light.
KRF17 coin seen at an angle: the sergeant chevrons rise in stepped layers, each one a different height
Stepped layersTilt it and you see each step.
Close-up of the Desperado coin edge: matte, blackened textured background between raised drones, inside a raised polished rim
Textured backgroundMatte and darkened so the design pops.

What makes up 2.5D relief on our coins

  1. Textured background. The background is recessed, matte and darkened so the design stands out.
  2. Stepped layers. Each part of the design sits at its own height, so you see each step when you tilt the coin.
  3. Sculpted high points. The highest areas are rounded and polished so they catch the light.
  4. Raised rim. A polished rim frames the design.

How we make it

Each coin is brass, fiber-laser engraved in 2.5D relief, then given an antique finish: the recesses are blackened and the high points polished, so the relief reads clearly. Coins come in 30 mm and 50 mm, single- or double-sided.

See it on your own design

Start a free quote with your logo, sketch or photo. Your digital draft shows the layout before anything is engraved, and you can ask for changes until it’s right. Per-coin prices are in Pricing on the home page.

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