Have you ever wanted to recognize someone’s achievements with a unique, memorable award? Customizing medals is a powerful way to celebrate success, but the process can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before.
Knowing how to create a custom award medal ensures your recognition feels personal and meaningful. It’s an important task for coaches, event organizers, and anyone wanting to make a lasting impression.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the key steps, share helpful tips, and provide insights to make designing and ordering custom medals easy and rewarding.
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How to Create Custom Award Medals: A Comprehensive Guide
Custom award medals are a powerful way to celebrate achievement, commemorate special events, or reward excellence. Whether you’re organizing a sports competition, academic ceremony, corporate event, or community gathering, custom medals make the occasion memorable for recipients and participants alike. If you’re wondering how to design and order custom medals, this guide will lead you through each step with practical tips and expert advice.
What Is a Custom Award Medal?
A custom award medal is a specially designed medal tailored to your event or organization. Instead of a generic trophy or certificate, custom medals feature unique designs—such as logos, event names, or specific themes—that represent your brand, story, or the reason for recognition.
Custom medals can be:
- Made in any shape, size, and color
- Crafted from various materials like zinc, brass, or iron
- Enhanced with personal touches, such as engraving or custom ribbons
Why Choose Custom Medals?
Custom medals offer several notable benefits over ready-made or generic options:
- Personalization: Reflects the identity of your event or institution.
- Branding: Reinforces your theme, logo, or message.
- Lasting Memories: Recipients cherish customized awards longer.
- Variety: Many finishes, colors, and ribbon options make every medal unique.
- Inspiring Motivation: Customization shows recipients you value their individual achievement.
Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Custom Award Medals
Designing and ordering custom medals can seem daunting at first, but the process is straightforward when you break it down.
1. Define Your Purpose and Budget
Start by determining:
- The reason for the medals (sports, academics, service, company events, etc.)
- How many medals you need
- Your timeline (when do you need them?)
- Your budget (including shipping and potential artwork fees)
Knowing these basics will shape all other decisions.
2. Choose Your Medal’s Shape, Material, and Size
Custom medals come in a range of options:
- Shapes: Round, square, rectangular, or bespoke silhouettes (like stars, shields, mascots)
- Sizes: Commonly 2 to 3 inches in diameter, but can be fully customized
- Thickness: Thicker medals feel more substantial and prestigious
- Materials: Popular choices include zinc alloy, iron, brass, and even premium options like gold or silver plating
Tip:
Heavier, thicker medals typically carry a higher perceived value.
3. Plan the Design Elements
Work with an in-house team or partner with the medal supplier’s design experts. Most reputable manufacturers offer design assistance, sometimes even free artwork and revisions.
Key design components:
- Front Design: Event name, logo, imagery, or slogan
- Back Design: Date, recipient’s name, or a short message
- Finish: Options include polished, matte, antique, or two-tone finishes
- Color: Soft enamel or hard enamel can add vibrant color to your medal
Practical Advice:
Collect high-quality vector files (such as .AI, .EPS, or .PDF) of your logo or any required graphics to maintain crispness and clarity.
4. Select Ribbon or Lanyard Options
Don’t forget the ribbon! The ribbon adds comfort and complements the overall look. You can choose:
- Solid colors to match a theme or brand
- Custom printed ribbons with text or images
- Standard widths (typically 1 inch)
- Attachment styles such as snap hooks, O-rings, or sewn-in loops
5. Request and Review Your Proof
After submitting your artwork and specifications, the manufacturer will provide a digital proof or physical pre-production sample.
- Review all details carefully: spelling, layout, logo placement, and colors
- Request changes if anything looks off—most suppliers allow revisions before final production
6. Approve and Finalize Your Order
Once satisfied, confirm the order. Double-check:
- Final quantity
- Shipping address
- Delivery date and shipping method
- Total cost, including any taxes or import duties
7. Production and Delivery
Manufacturing timelines can vary:
- Standard orders: Usually 2-3 weeks from design approval to shipment
- Rush orders: Some suppliers offer expedited services, but may cost extra
Factor in additional days for shipping, especially if ordering internationally.
Practical Tips for Ordering Custom Medals
- Order Early: Allow extra time for design tweaks, production, and unexpected delays.
- Ask for Samples: Request samples of previous work to assess quality before committing.
- Consider Order Minimums: Some companies offer no minimum quantity, while others have set minimums.
- Combine Orders: Ordering more at once can reduce the per-unit cost.
- Check Proofs Meticulously: Verify all details to avoid costly mistakes.
Cost-Saving Tips (Including Shipping)
Custom medals can range in price depending on your wishes, but here’s how to manage costs:
- Simplify the Design: Less complexity often means lower mold and labor fees.
- Order in Bulk: Larger orders benefit from lower unit prices.
- Compare Shipping Options: Expedited shipping is faster but more expensive. Standard shipping saves money if you order ahead.
- Look for All-Inclusive Quotes: Some suppliers offer free artwork, setup, and shipping as part of their package.
- Be Aware of Import Duties: For international deliveries, factor in customs fees to your budget.
Benefits and Challenges of Custom Medal Ordering
Benefits
- Completely unique medals to match your brand or event
- Memorable keepsakes that last beyond the ceremony
- Options for personalization (such as individual engraving)
Challenges
- Longer production times compared to in-stock medals
- Higher costs for small orders or complex designs
- Design iteration may delay approval if you’re indecisive
Best Practice:
Open and clear communication with your supplier helps prevent most issues.
Practical Advice for a Successful Custom Medal Order
- Communicate Early and Often: Keep in touch with your supplier regarding deadlines and expectations.
- Provide Clear Instructions and Artwork: The better your input, the better the result.
- Plan for Event Day: Have medals arrive at least a week before your event to allow breathing room.
Choosing the Right Supplier
Not all medal companies are the same. When selecting a manufacturer, look for:
- Experience: Reputable providers with a proven track record.
- Design Support: In-house artists who can bring your ideas to life.
- Material Choices: Variety in metals and finishes.
- Flexible Quantities: Willingness to accommodate both small and large orders.
- Clear Pricing: Transparent quotes, including all fees.
- Positive Reviews: Testimonials or references from previous clients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to make and receive custom medals?
Typical production time is 2-3 weeks after artwork approval, plus shipping time. Rush options may be available, but always allow extra time, especially for first-time orders or international shipping.
What’s the minimum order size for custom medals?
Some suppliers accept orders for as little as one medal, while others may require a minimum of 25 or 50. Ask your supplier for their policy.
Can I get a physical sample before placing a full order?
Many companies offer digital proofs for free and physical pre-production samples for an extra charge. This is helpful to evaluate the look and feel before full-scale manufacturing.
What design files do I need to supply?
Most manufacturers prefer high-resolution vector files such as .AI, .EPS, or .PDF for the best results. If you only have a logo in JPG or PNG, many suppliers can help convert your file (sometimes for a small fee).
Can I personalize each medal with a name or category?
Yes! Many suppliers offer individual engraving or laser etching for names, numbers, or specific details. This usually adds a small per-medal cost.
Summary
Crafting custom award medals is a fun and rewarding process that brings recognition and excitement to any event. By planning ahead, collaborating with experienced manufacturers, and focusing on clarity in design and communication, you can create medals that recipients will treasure for years. From defining your purpose and budget to nailing down the perfect design and ribbon, each step matters in delivering an award that truly stands out.
Ready to create your custom medals? Follow these steps, leverage practical tips, and celebrate success with style!