Custom medal guide
Choose the right medal before you order.
A practical planning guide for medal size, artwork, materials, finish, ribbon, packaging, quantity, and delivery timing.
Planning decisions
Work through the choices buyers usually miss.
Use this page as a clear route from medal concept to production approval, especially when you are ordering for a school, race, club, league, or company event.
Pick the medal size
Match medal diameter to the award level, age group, event budget, and how premium the medal should feel.
Choose the shape
Round medals work for most events, while shield, star, custom outline, or sport-specific shapes add stronger identity.
Prepare the artwork
Check logo files, date text, placement, edge details, engraving copy, and whether the design needs raised or recessed areas.
Compare materials
Zinc alloy, iron, brass, acrylic, and wood each change weight, detail level, price, and production lead time.
Select the finish
Soft enamel, hard enamel, antique metal, full-color print, and plated finishes all create different texture and shine.
Confirm packaging
Plan ribbons, poly bags, velvet boxes, card inserts, carton marks, and the shipping window before production starts.
Artwork preparation
Good medal design starts before the first proof.
Decide the event name, logo position, ribbon color, metal color, date, and back-side text early. Clear artwork notes reduce proof revisions and help keep the delivery date realistic.
Common choices
Compare the details that affect price and appearance.
Small changes in size, plating, color fill, ribbon, and packaging can shift both the look of the award and the final order cost.
Finish and color
Use antique finishes for depth, enamel for bold color, and full-color print for detailed graphics or gradients.
Event quantity
Separate place medals, participation medals, staff awards, and backup quantities before confirming production numbers.
Presentation
Ribbon width, neck length, boxes, and insert cards all affect how the medal feels when recipients receive it.
Check these items before production begins.
A careful approval step helps avoid wrong dates, missing logos, ribbon color mistakes, packing changes, and rushed shipping.
Related guides
Continue with the next award decision.
These guides help you compare medal sizes, finishes, event quantities, and order details in more depth.
Size guideHow to Choose a Custom Medal SizeCompare common medal diameters by event type, budget, and perceived value.
Finish guideSoft Enamel vs Printed MedalsUnderstand texture, color detail, durability, and best-fit use cases.
Event guideMedals for School Sports DayPlan award levels, ribbon colors, quantities, and ordering buffers.
Order guideCustom Medal Order ChecklistArtwork files, sample approval, MOQ, packaging, shipping, and quality checks.