I once went to a game where it did not matter what color the chip was, it counted as 1 chip. Blinds were 1/2 and you got 50 chips. At some break points, all chips were reduced 5/1 and then again 5/1 so as to not have the final table be filled with 1000 chips (20 person tourney). This is the only way those OP chips could be used, as "a chip is a chip".
I do not begrudge someone who cannot afford paulsons or bud jones or even chipcos. These things are not cheap. Forget custom sets, even more expensive. You first have to love the chip, then the game, then hosting the game, and then and ONLY then, invest in a chip set worthy of that game. If your game is low stakes and the people are slobs and steal/drop/drool on your chips, perhaps something dishwasher safe. If they are captains of industry who jet in for your game (looking at you Mr. Tree) then a quality custom or expensive casino set is in order.
I will suggest, if you want to get a good set, write a post with your budget and size requirements, and 20 experts here will tell you the best chip you can get, the breakdown you will need, and probably other tips and tricks to help you.
I was hoping this thread would show casino/card room sets and say what was wrong with them, or how fugly they were.
BiGGyT