How to Choose the Right Medal for Your Event or Competition
Choosing the right medal for your event or competition is not only about picking what’s shiny and affordable, but a representation of ideas and achievements. Medals have, over the years, become a symbol of pride for participants, who see them as keepsakes for future reference of their exploits in events. Over the years, many people have made the wrong choice when selecting medals for their events. And that stops now with this incredible guide that provides full details on the styles and designs for each competition, medal production times, the impact of a good medal on an event’s reputation, and much more. Let’s get to it.
How Medal Style and Appearance Affect Your Event
The first thing that should be at the back of your mind is that different events call for different medal styles and appearances. Also know that a medal shapes the perception of an event. A well-designed medal signals professionalism and influences the way and the effort that participants put into your event. This is common in a sporting competition, where most players favour bold, heavyweight medals in 3D and die-cast, with dynamic designs reflecting their toil and sweat. The same cannot be said in the academic or corporate world, where most workers emphasise formality and opt for clean, elegantly classic round medal designs for employee motivation. For a community-run charity event and school competition, a colourful, approachable shaped design may be most appropriate, one that feels fun and inclusive for them. All in all, a medal style that aligns with your event’s Purpose goes a long way in signalling the worth of your event to your audience.
Design Details That Make Medals Feel Special
What really sets a memorable medal paper is the attention to detail. Medals that display the event name, years, and category have, over the years, been a source of pride for most participants, who feel honoured and appreciated for their efforts. You can even take it further by including logos, mascots, or symbolic imagery to enhance brand recognition and unique identity. This set of personalisation and identification has so far been a staple for detailing and a great way to identify your medals in group photos.
Another crucial detail that makes the medal stand out is the ribbon selection. This is a factor most people tend to overlook and has so far been found to be a limiting factor in making your medal stand out, even if you follow all the criteria above. Run-on selection goes a long way toward evoking emotion and reflecting the theme of your event. For instance, a bold-coloured ribbon is the best choice for a sporting competition, while elegant tones are best for a formal event.
Understanding the Cost of Event Medals
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the cost of event medals. In fact, the price varies based on many factors. At fastprintsar, we understand the intricacies and the correlations between the cost of event medals and their quality. Therefore, we list the following factors that you should know.
Material (zinc alloy, iron, brass, acrylic
One of the biggest pricing factors is the material used. Zinc alloy and iron are commonly used for durable, cost-effective medals, making them ideal for most sporting and community events. Brass tends to be more expensive but offers a heavier, more premium feel. At the same time, acrylic medals are often chosen for modern designs or budget-friendly events that prioritise colour and creativity over weight. Size and thickness also affect cost, as larger and thicker medals require more material and longer production time.
Level of customization
The level of customisation also plays a major role in pricing. Detailed 3D designs, multiple enamel colours, and special finishes will cost more than standard, stock-style medals. Quantity ordered is another key consideration. At Fastprintstar, we offer tier-based pricing that ensures bulk orders receive significant discounts, making it more economical to plan your medal needs in advance rather than ordering in small batches.
Budget tiers
Event medals generally fall into three budget tiers. Economy medals are best suited for large-scale events where affordability is essential, and participation numbers are high. Mid-range medals strike a balance between design and cost, making them ideal for competitive events and regional tournaments. Premium medals are designed for championships or elite competitions, where high-quality materials, designs, and heavier weight reflect the significance of the achievement.
Hidden costs to watch out for (setup fees, moulds, shipping, revisions)
It’s also important to watch out for hidden costs. Setup fees, mould charges for designs, shipping costs, and revision fees can quickly add to your total expense if they’re not clarified upfront. Working with a transparent supplier and requesting a detailed quote helps you avoid surprises and stay within budget.
How Long Does Medal Production Take?
Creating a unique, high-quality medal from scratch is a craft that involves several precision steps. Since every medal we produce is custom-made to your specific design, the timeline is influenced by the complexity of your requirements and the craftsmanship involved.
1. The Design & Approval Phase
Before the machines start running, we focus on the details. This stage depends on how quickly the design is finalized.
Artwork Digital Proofing: Translating your vision into a technical 2D or 3D production blueprint.
Client Approval: Production only begins once you are 100% satisfied with the design.
2. The Craftsmanship Process (The Core Timeline)
Custom production is more than just “printing.” For high-quality medals, the process includes:
Mold Creation: We CNC-engrave a unique steel mold for your design. This is the most time-consuming but crucial step for achieving sharp details.
Die-Casting & Striking: Melting and shaping the metal under high pressure.
Polishing & Plating: Hand-polishing each piece and applying finishes like Gold, Silver, or Antique Bronze.
Color Filling: If your design has enamel colors, these are meticulously applied by hand or precision needles and then baked to harden.
3. Factors That Influence Your Timeline
Design Complexity: 3D multi-layered medals or intricate cut-outs take longer to cast and polish than standard 2D shapes.
Quantity: Large-scale orders for international marathons require more time for quality control and assembly.
Ribbon Customization: Custom-printed or woven neck ribbons are produced separately and then sewn onto your medals.
Where to Buy Medals: Choosing a Reliable Online Supplier
Fastprintstar has positioned itself as the most convenient and cost-efficient option among the myriad other brands for sourcing and buying medals for event organisers. With over 15 years in the business, we give you access to a wide range of manufacturing, so you can personalise your medal’s shape, size, colours, and ribbon to suit your event.
When choosing a trustworthy online supplier for your medal, customer reviews and testimonials are important. This is one of the factors that sets us apart, with myriads of insights, real customer photos, and case examples from our past customers that serve as a testament to the reliability of our medals.
Another thing you should look out for is the customisation options and clear pricing. At Fastprintstar, you have a myriad of options, each with clear, transparent quotes that detail all costs from start to shipping. You can get started on our website now.