How to Order Custom Medals for Your Event (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Order Custom Medals for Your Event (Step-by-Step Guide)

Whether you’re organizing a marathon, triathlon, school competition, corporate event, charity run, or sports tournament, custom medals are one of the best ways to create lasting memories for participants.

But if this is your first time ordering medals, you may wonder:

• How do I design custom medals?
• What size should I choose?
• Which material is better?
• How long does production take?
• How can I save cost without sacrificing quality?

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of ordering custom medals for your event.

Why Custom Medals Matter for Events

A medal is more than just an award — it becomes a symbol of achievement.

Participants often keep medals for years because they represent:

✅ Personal milestones
✅ Athletic achievement
✅ Team pride
✅ Event memories
✅ Brand recognition

A well-designed custom medal can also increase event reputation, improve participant satisfaction, and encourage repeat registrations.

Step 1: Define Your Event Purpose

Before ordering medals, ask yourself:

What type of event are you organizing?

Common event categories include:

• Marathon medals
• Triathlon medals
• Swimming medals
• Cycling medals
• Taekwondo medals
• School achievement medals
• Corporate award medals
• Charity run medals
• Festival and commemorative medals

Your event type will influence the medal design, size, plating, and ribbon style.

Ask These Questions First:

• How many participants will receive medals?
• Are medals for finishers or winners?
• Do you need different medal levels (Gold, Silver, Bronze)?
• What is your budget per medal?

Planning early helps avoid unnecessary costs later.

Step 2: Decide the Medal Size and Shape

One of the biggest decisions is choosing the right medal size.

Popular Medal Sizes

Larger medals feel more premium and are often preferred for marathons and endurance events.

Popular Medal Shapes

Instead of basic circles, many events choose unique shapes such as:

• Shield medals
• Hexagon medals
• Custom-cut medals
• Bottle opener medals
• Spinner medals
• Puzzle medals
• Glow-in-the-dark medals

Unique shapes help participants remember your event.

Step 3: Choose the Best Medal Material

The material affects both quality and pricing.

Zinc Alloy Medals

Best for premium custom medals

Advantages:

• Better detailing
• 3D design support
• Complex cut-outs possible
• Premium appearance

Recommended for:

• Marathon medals
• Sports competitions
• Corporate awards

Iron Medals

Best for budget-friendly events

Advantages:

• Lower cost
• Good for simple designs
• Faster production

Recommended for:

• School sports days
• Community events
• Budget tournaments

Step 4: Select Medal Finish and Plating

Plating dramatically changes how the medal looks.

Popular finishes include:

Matte Gold

Elegant and premium with a luxury feel.

Shiny Gold

Bright and eye-catching.

Antique Gold

Vintage appearance for premium events.

Matte Silver

Modern and clean design.

Antique Bronze

Classic sports-medal style.

Black Nickel

Popular for modern marathon medals.

Dual Plating

Combines two metal colors for premium effects.

For premium events, matte gold with sandblast texture is becoming increasingly popular because it looks sophisticated and photographs beautifully.

Step 5: Add Custom Design Elements

Now comes the exciting part — the medal design.

Popular customization options include:

3D Embossed Logos

Create depth and premium visual effects.

Soft Enamel Colors

Add vibrant event branding.

Cut-Out Designs

Make medals more unique.

Glitter Finish

Great for children’s events.

Transparent Stained Glass

Premium artistic effect.

Glow-in-the-Dark Features

Perfect for night runs.

Moving Parts

Spinner medals and rotating sections create strong “wow” effects.

Custom Ribbon Printing

Include:

• Event name
• Date
• Sponsor logo
• Event slogan

Branded ribbons make medals look much more professional.

Step 6: Send Your Artwork or Design Idea

Don’t worry if you don’t have a professional design.

Most custom medal manufacturers can work from:

• Sketches
• Logos
• Reference photos
• AI concepts
• Simple ideas

Even a rough description like:

“A matte gold marathon medal with mountain elements and custom cut-out design”

can be turned into professional artwork.

A good supplier will provide a free design proof before production.

Step 7: Approve the Artwork Carefully

Before manufacturing starts, always check:

Text Spelling

Misspelled event names can become costly mistakes.

Event Date

Verify month, day, and year.

Logo Placement

Ensure branding looks balanced.

Colors

Confirm enamel colors match your brand.

Medal Size

Double-check dimensions.

Ribbon Details

Review printing carefully.

This approval stage is critical because changes after production begins are expensive.

Step 8: Confirm Quantity and Budget

Ordering quantity directly affects pricing.

General Rule:

Higher quantities = lower cost per medal.

For example:

• 100 medals → Higher unit price
• 500 medals → Better pricing
• 1000+ medals → Significant savings

Always order extra medals (5–10%) for:

• Late registrations
• Lost medals
• VIP guests
• Event emergencies

Step 9: Understand Production Timeline

Timing matters.

Typical timeline:

Design Proof

1–3 days

Mold Creation

2–4 days

Production

7–15 days

Shipping

3–10 days depending on location

For large events, it’s best to order medals at least 4–6 weeks before the event date.

Rush production may increase costs.

Step 10: Choose a Reliable Custom Medal Supplier

Not all medal suppliers are equal.

Here’s what to look for:

Experience

Choose manufacturers with proven medal expertise.

Design Support

Free artwork revisions are valuable.

Material Quality

Ask for plating and finish options.

Transparent Pricing

Avoid hidden mold fees.

Fast Communication

Quick replies prevent delays.

Real Production Photos

Check previous work samples.

Reading customer reviews can also help you avoid poor-quality suppliers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Custom Medals

❌ Ordering too late
❌ Choosing the wrong size
❌ Ignoring plating options
❌ Not checking spelling carefully
❌ Ordering exact quantity only
❌ Prioritizing cheap price over quality

A poorly made medal can hurt your event’s reputation.

Final Thoughts

Ordering custom medals doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you follow this step-by-step custom medal ordering guide, you’ll avoid common mistakes and create medals that participants proudly keep forever.

The best medals combine:

✔ Premium materials
✔ Creative design
✔ High-quality plating
✔ Strong event branding
✔ Memorable participant experience

Whether you’re planning a marathon, school competition, triathlon, taekwondo tournament, or corporate event, investing in quality custom medals can make your event far more memorable.