How to Design a Medal: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Design a Medal: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you're organising a sporting event, charity fundraiser, school competition or corporate awards ceremony, a custom medal is a great way to recognise achievement and create a lasting memento. A well-thought-out medal design not only reflects your event but also gives participants something they'll be proud to keep long after the day is over.
If you've never ordered custom medals before, knowing where to start can seem daunting. From deciding on the artwork to choosing the right finish, there are several important decisions to make before your medals go into production.
This step-by-step guide explains everything you need to know to design a metal medal with Aspinline, helping you create a custom medal that's unique to your event and ready for manufacture.
Step 1: Decide What Your Medal Is For
Before you begin your medal design, think about what the medal represents.
Ask yourself:
- Is it for a sporting event, tournament or race?
- Is it recognising participation or rewarding winners?
- Is it for a one-off event or something that will become an annual tradition?
- Does it need to reflect your organisation's branding?
Understanding the purpose of your medal will help shape every design decision that follows, from its size and shape to the colours and finish.
Step 2: Choose the Right Medal Size
One of the first things to consider when you design a medal is its size.
At Aspinline, our custom metal medals are available in sizes from 40mm to 100mm, increasing in 10mm increments. The right size will depend on your artwork and the overall look you're trying to achieve.
As a general guide:
- 40mm to 50mm medals are ideal for simpler designs and children's events.
- 60mm to 70mm medals are one of the most popular choices, offering plenty of space for logos, text and graphics without feeling oversized.
- 80mm to 100mm medals are perfect for more detailed artwork or events where you want to create a premium finish.
Tip: If your medal design includes multiple design elements, coloured enamel or detailed artwork, choosing a larger medal will help ensure every detail is clearly visible.
Step 3: Plan Your Medal Design
A successful medal design doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, the best designs are often the simplest.
Think about what you want to include, such as:
- Your organisation's logo
- Event name
- Date or year
- Event distance or category
- A mascot or illustration
- Achievement wording
- Sponsor logos, if required
Try to avoid adding too much information. Remember that medals are relatively small, so clear, bold artwork is often much more effective than filling every available space.
If you don't already have finished artwork, that's not a problem. Many of our customers start with nothing more than a logo, a rough sketch or even a written idea, which our design team can turn into a professional medal design.
Step 4: Select Your Plating
The plating you choose will have a big impact on the finished appearance of your medal.
Aspinline offers a wide range of plating options, including:
- Gold
- Nickel
- Brass
- Rose Gold
- Dyed Black
- Satin Gold
- Satin Nickel
- Antique Gold
- Antique Nickel
- Antique Copper
- Antique Brass
- Black Nickel
- Iridescent
Classic gold, nickel and brass finishes remain popular for sporting events and competitions, while antique finishes offer a more traditional appearance. If you're looking for something a little different, black nickel or iridescent plating can create a modern, eye-catching finish.
Choosing the right plating helps ensure your medal complements the style and branding of your event.
Step 5: Add Colour and Finishing Touches
Adding colour is one of the easiest ways to make your medal design stand out.
Enamel colours can be used to highlight logos, illustrations or key design elements, helping to create contrast and make the artwork easier to recognise.
It's worth thinking carefully about your colour choices. Using your organisation's branding or event colours can help create a more cohesive look, while keeping the overall design clean and balanced.
Step 6: Design Your Ribbon
The ribbon is just as important as the medal itself and should be considered as part of the overall design.
Aspinline offers a range of customisation options, including different:
- Ribbon widths
- Ribbon colours
- Printed ribbons
- One or two-sided ribbon printing
- Ribbon attachment options
A printed ribbon featuring your event name, organisation or logo can add an extra level of professionalism and help tie the whole design together.
Step 7: Choose Your Presentation
Think about how your medals will be presented on the day.
Presentation can make a big difference, particularly for corporate awards, commemorative events or prestigious competitions. Depending on your requirements, you may wish to add presentation packaging to give your medals an even more premium feel.
Step 8: Upload Your Artwork
Once you've planned your medal design, it's time to send your artwork to our team.
You don't need to be a graphic designer or have a finished design ready to go. We regularly work from:
- Company logos
- Existing branding
- Hand-drawn sketches
- Reference images
- Written design briefs
Our artwork team will create a digital proof based on your requirements before your medals move into production.
Step 9: Review Your Artwork Proof
Before manufacturing begins, you'll receive an artwork proof showing exactly how your medal will look.
Take the time to carefully check:
- Spelling
- Dates
- Logos
- Colours
- Ribbon details
- Overall layout
Making any changes at this stage ensures you're completely happy with the final design before production starts.
Step 10: Production and Delivery
Once your artwork has been approved, we'll begin manufacturing your custom medals.
Our custom metal medals are made to order, with a minimum order quantity of 50 medals. Production typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from artwork approval, so we always recommend placing your order well in advance of your event date.
Planning ahead gives you plenty of time to review your artwork, make any amendments and ensure your medals arrive ready for presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need professional artwork to design a medal?
No. Whether you have a finished design, a rough sketch or simply an idea, our design team can help turn your concept into a professional medal design.
What size medals are available?
Our custom metal medals are available in sizes from 40mm to 100mm, increasing in 10mm increments.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity for our custom metal medals is 50 pieces.
How long does production take?
Production usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from artwork approval.
Can I customise the ribbon?
Yes. We offer a range of ribbon colours, widths and printed ribbon options, including one or two-sided printing.
Create Your Custom Medal with Aspinline
A well-designed medal is something people will want to keep long after the event has finished. Getting the size, finish, plating and design right helps create an award that reflects the occasion and the achievement it celebrates.
Whether you have a finished design or just an initial idea, Aspinline can help turn it into a custom medal you'll be proud to present. Our experienced team can assist with everything from artwork and design advice to manufacturing high-quality medals for events of all sizes. Contact our team today for a free quote or browse our range of custom medals to find the perfect option for your event.
