When it comes to commemorating achievements, custom medals provide a tangible, lasting reminder of success. Whether they’re awarded for sporting events, academic accomplishments, or corporate recognition, custom medals play a significant role in making individuals feel celebrated. However, the process of ordering custom medals can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-timers. With so many options, vendors, and design choices available, it’s important to understand every step involved to ensure your medals come out just right.
This in-depth guide will walk you through the entire process of ordering custom medals, from the initial concept to final delivery. We will cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision, including factors that affect cost, lead times, and vendor selection. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to confidently order medals for any event or occasion, ensuring the finished product is something to be proud of.
The Fundamentals of Custom Medals
What Are Custom Medals?
Custom medals are tailor-made awards that can be designed to your specifications, reflecting the theme of your event or organization. These medals allow you to incorporate unique design elements like logos, event dates, or special imagery, which helps set them apart from generic, off-the-shelf options.
Key Features of Custom Medals:
- Design Customization: You have control over the shape, size, material, and engraving.
- Ribbon Personalization: You can choose from a wide range of ribbon colors, textures, and attachments.
- Finishes and Plating: Whether you want a shiny gold finish or a matte antique look, the finish of your medal can be tailored to your preferences.
Why Choose Custom Medals Over Generic Options?
Custom medals allow you to convey a message of thoughtfulness and attention to detail. They’re often more meaningful to recipients because they’re designed specifically for the event or achievement. Generic medals, while cheaper, lack the personal touch that comes from custom design. When recipients look at their custom medals, they’ll be reminded not just of their accomplishment but also of the event’s uniqueness and significance.
The Custom Medal Ordering Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Define the Purpose and Goal of the Medal
Before diving into the design process, it’s crucial to define the purpose of your custom medal. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the occasion? (e.g., sports, academic, corporate event)
- Who is the audience? (e.g., children, adults, professionals)
- What message do you want the medal to convey? (e.g., elite performance, participation, or team effort)
Determining the Purpose Helps in:
Selecting the appropriate design elements (e.g., a sleek, minimalistic design for corporate awards or a colorful, playful look for children’s events).
Deciding on materials and finish (more prestigious events may require heavier, metal medals, while participation medals may benefit from more budget-friendly materials like acrylic).
Step 2: Conceptualize the Medal Design
This is where creativity comes into play. Depending on the nature of the event and your budget, you can choose from a wide variety of design options to create the perfect medal. Common design aspects include the medal’s shape, size, and how well the design fits into your event’s theme.
Popular Design Elements to Consider:
- Shape: Medals don’t always have to be circular. Consider custom shapes that fit your event’s theme, such as stars for excellence or shields for a sports competition.
- Text and Logo: Incorporating event names, logos, and even the date of the event can make the medal much more meaningful.
- Texture and Depth: Adding raised areas and textures can make your medal stand out and feel more professional.
Step 3: Choose the Right Material
Choosing the right material for your custom medal can be tricky but is essential in determining both the final look and the cost. The material you choose can affect the weight, durability, and overall feel of the medal.
Common Materials Used for Custom Medals:
- Metal: Medals made from metals like zinc alloy, copper, or brass are durable and offer a more prestigious, high-quality feel.
- Wood: Wooden medals are growing in popularity, especially for eco-conscious events, and provide a natural, rustic look.
- Acrylic: Lightweight and versatile, acrylic medals are perfect for budget-conscious events or larger orders.
- Resin: Resin medals allow for intricate designs and are often used for 3D or complex shapes.
Step 4: Pick the Right Size
The size of your medal can convey its importance. Larger, heavier medals are generally reserved for top-tier awards, while smaller, lighter ones are used for participation or smaller events.
Recommended Sizes:
- Standard Medals: Between 50mm to 70mm in diameter.
- Large Medals: 90mm and above, used for prestigious or high-level achievements.
- Mini Medals: Less than 50mm, often used for fun events or as tokens.

Working With a Vendor: Choosing the Right Partner
Qualities to Look For in a Custom Medal Vendor
Finding the right vendor is key to ensuring your custom medal experience goes smoothly. A reliable vendor can help you navigate the design process, stick to your budget, and meet your timeline.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Reputation: Read reviews and check past work to ensure the vendor consistently delivers high-quality products.
- Customization Options: Choose a vendor that can offer a wide range of customization features, including unique shapes, colors, and finishes.
- Production Capabilities: Ensure the vendor can handle your order size, especially if you’re ordering in bulk.
- Lead Time: Always confirm the lead time and any possible rush order options. Delays in delivery can disrupt event planning.
Asking the Right Questions Before Committing
When you’ve narrowed down your list of vendors, ask them the following:
- What is their experience in making custom medals for events like yours?
- Do they offer in-house design services or require you to submit a final design?
- Are there discounts for bulk orders or additional costs for rush services?
- What kind of customer service and support do they offer throughout the process?
In-House Design vs. Outsourced Design
Some vendors offer in-house design services, which can save time and ensure a seamless process. This is particularly useful if you’re not familiar with design software or need help bringing your vision to life. If the vendor outsources the design process, it may take longer and add extra costs.
Types of Custom Medals: Finding the Perfect Fit
Different Styles of Custom Medals
There are various types of custom medals, and choosing the right one for your event can make all the difference in how they are perceived by recipients.
1. Die-Cast Medals
Die-cast medals are made by pouring molten metal into a mold, offering a high level of detail and durability. These are ideal for prestigious events and offer a professional, polished look.
2. Engraved Medals
These medals allow for names, dates, and event titles to be engraved, making them highly personalized. This is especially great for sports awards or academic achievements.
3. Spinner Medals
A fun option, spinner medals feature a central piece that can rotate, adding a unique touch to any event.
4. 3D Medals
These are sculpted to include intricate designs and raised textures, giving them a premium, detailed finish. Ideal for high-end events.
Medal Finishes and Plating Options
Once you’ve chosen the type of medal, the next step is selecting the right finish. The finish adds a protective layer and defines the overall look of the medal.
Common Finish Options:
- Gold: Gives the medal a prestigious and luxurious appearance, often used for top-tier awards.
- Silver: Ideal for second-place finishes, this finish offers a sleek, classic look.
- Bronze: Commonly used for third place or participation awards, providing a warm, earthy tone.
- Antique Finish: Adds depth to the design, emphasizing textures and details while giving the medal a timeless, vintage look.
Ribbons and Attachments: Completing the Custom Medal Look
Ribbon Styles and Attachments
The ribbon or lanyard attached to your medal is another key aspect of its overall presentation. Ribbons come in various materials and colors, and the attachment type will influence how the medal is worn or displayed.
Types of Ribbon Attachments:
- Neck Ribbons: The most common type, allowing recipients to wear the medal around their neck.
- Pin-on Ribbons: Typically used for smaller medals or tokens, these ribbons can be pinned onto clothing or bags.
- Custom Printed Ribbons: Add logos, event names, or even dates to the ribbon for an extra personalized touch.
Popular Ribbon Materials:
- Satin: Offers a soft, shiny finish and is available in various colors.
- Polyester: Durable and less expensive, polyester ribbons are great for large events.
- Custom Sublimated Ribbons: These are printed with any design or logo, allowing for a fully customized ribbon that matches your event’s theme.
How to Match Ribbons to Medals
Choosing the right ribbon can elevate your medal’s overall look. For example, a luxurious satin ribbon works well with metal medals, while custom sublimated ribbons are perfect for high-energy sports events where branding is key.

Timeline for Ordering Custom Medals
Understanding Production and Lead Times
Once you’ve placed your order, the production timeline varies based on the complexity of the design and the number of medals ordered. On average, it takes between two to six weeks to complete a custom medal order. However, certain factors may impact this timeline.
Factors That Affect Production Time:
- Complexity of the Design: More intricate designs take longer to produce, especially if they include custom shapes or 3D elements.
- Order Volume: Larger orders require more time to produce. If you’re ordering hundreds or thousands of medals, expect a longer lead time.
- Vendor’s Capacity: Some vendors have a limited production capacity, especially during busy seasons, such as the end of the year or before major sporting events.
Rush Orders: What You Need to Know
If you’re working with a tight deadline, many vendors offer rush services. This often incurs extra fees but ensures your medals are delivered in time for your event. Be sure to confirm with your vendor if rush services are available and what the costs entail.
Custom Medal Pricing: Understanding the Costs
Breakdown of Custom Medal Costs
Several factors contribute to the overall cost of your custom medal order. Understanding these will help you manage your budget and make informed decisions.
1. Material Cost
Metal medals tend to be more expensive than acrylic or wooden medals due to the cost of raw materials and the additional steps involved in metal finishing.
2. Customization Complexity
The more customized the medal, the higher the cost. Engraving, 3D elements, custom shapes, and intricate designs all add to the price.
3. Order Volume
The more medals you order, the lower the cost per unit. Many vendors offer bulk discounts, making it cost-effective to order a large quantity if you’re hosting a large event.
4. Add-ons
Ribbons, cases, and packaging can add to the overall cost. Custom ribbons or branded packaging may increase the price but also enhance the presentation of the medals.
Tips for Budgeting Your Custom Medal Order
Set a budget early and stick to it. Factor in the costs for any additional elements like ribbon customization or engraving.
Request quotes from multiple vendors to compare pricing and services. Some vendors may offer lower costs but lack in quality, so balance price with reputation.
Plan for shipping costs, especially if your medals need to be expedited or shipped internationally.
Final Considerations: Ensuring a Successful Custom Medal Order
How Many Custom Medals Should You Order?
The number of medals you order depends on the size of your event and the number of participants or awardees. Ordering too few can lead to disappointment, while ordering too many can inflate your budget unnecessarily.
How to Estimate:
- Review your participant list: Ensure you have enough medals for each category or level of achievement.
- Plan for extras: Ordering a few extra medals is always a good idea in case of last-minute additions or shipping errors.
Packaging and Presentation: Making a Lasting Impression
How you present your custom medals can significantly impact how they are perceived. Consider offering display cases or custom packaging to enhance the presentation.
Packaging Options:
- Velvet Pouches: Ideal for prestigious events, offering a premium look and feel.
- Plastic Display Cases: Great for preserving the medal and displaying it on shelves.
- Custom Boxes: Adding a branded box with the event’s logo or design gives a professional touch and makes the medal feel even more special.
Conclusion: Creating Memorable Custom Medals for Your Event
Ordering custom medals doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge to navigate each stage of the process, from design to delivery. Remember to choose a vendor you trust, focus on quality materials, and always plan ahead to avoid any delays. Custom medals are more than just an award; they symbolize hard work, dedication, and success. Make sure your medals reflect the excellence of your event by putting thought and care into every detail.
With these steps, you’ll be able to create a memorable, custom medal that will be cherished by recipients for years to come.