Custom Medals with Ribbon

Customized medals, two inches across, die-struck in metal with a grosgrain neck ribbon. Die-struck is the specification that matters and it is worth knowing what it means before comparing quotes. A die-struck medal is stamped from a custom steel die under high pressure, so the relief is pressed into solid metal and the detail is sharp at the edges. The cheaper alternative is a printed or cast medal with artwork applied on top, which looks acceptable in a photograph and feels like a token in the hand. Recipients cannot articulate the difference, but they register it the moment they pick one up.

Finishes are antique gold, silver, and bronze. Antique means the recessed areas are darkened so the raised design stands out, which is why an antique finish shows detail that a flat bright plating swallows. For a three-tier award structure the three finishes are the obvious system. For a single-tier event, antique gold on everyone works fine and nobody counts.

Both faces take custom artwork. The front usually carries the event, sport, or organization mark, and the back is where most people underuse the space. A back face with the event name, the year, and the distance or category turns the medal from generic hardware into a specific record of a specific day, which is the difference between something that goes in a drawer and something that goes on a wall.

The neck ribbon is grosgrain, sized to hang the medal mid-chest on an adult. Ribbon color can match the medal finish or your brand colors, and sublimated custom ribbon printing is available if you want the event name running down the strap.

Road races from 5Ks to marathons are the largest category, where the medal is the finish line itself for most participants. Youth and school sports order for tournaments and end-of-season awards. Academic recognition covers honor roll, perfect attendance, and subject awards. Corporate events use them for team competitions and sales contests. Martial arts and gymnastics run high volume because every belt test and meet needs them.

Lead time is the thing to plan around. A first order includes cutting the steel die, so budget 18 to 25 business days; repeat orders struck from an existing die move considerably faster. Tooling is included in the price at 50 pieces and above, so there is no separate setup charge to negotiate. Tiers run 100, 250, and 500. Tiered recognition usually adds award ribbons, and full award packages add participation certificates and metal trophy cups. The awards range has the rest.

Specs

• Diameter: 2"
• Construction: die-struck metal from a custom steel die
• Finishes: antique gold, antique silver, antique bronze
• Artwork: custom on both faces
• Ribbon: grosgrain neck ribbon, color matched, sublimated printing available
• Tooling: custom die included at quoted quantities
• MOQ: 50 pieces
• Production: 18–25 business days (first order includes die cutting)

Common questions

What does die-struck mean? The design is stamped into solid metal under pressure using a custom steel die. It holds sharper detail and more weight than a printed or cast medal.

Is there a separate die charge? No. Custom die tooling is included in the price at 50 pieces and above.

Can we put artwork on the back? Yes, and it is worth doing. Event name, year, and category on the reverse is what makes a medal specific rather than generic.

How long do they take? Budget 18 to 25 business days for a first order, since the steel die has to be cut before anything is struck. Repeat orders on the same die run faster.