How Much Do Custom Medals Cost? (2026 Complete Pricing Guide)

In this 2026 complete pricing guide, we will break down custom medals pricing, reveal hidden factory costs, and show you exactly how to get the best value for bulk custom medals without sacrificing quality.

Quick Answer: How Much Do Custom Medals Cost

To give you an immediate answer, here is a transparent pricing summary for standard custom medals.

• Average Unit Cost: 1.50– 5.50 (depending on quantity and specs)
• Typical Mold Fee: 80– 150 (One-time fee, often waived for large orders)
• Shipping Cost Overview: 0.40– 1.20 per piece via express (DHL/FedEx) or lower via sea freight.
• Typical Production Lead Time: 12–15 days for production + 5–7 days for shipping.

Example Pricing Table (Reference)

Note: These are reference prices for standard zinc alloy medals. Actual custom sports medals cost and custom race medals price will vary based on your exact design.

Looking for custom medals wholesale prices? The more you order, the lower the unit cost drops due to economies of scale.

What Determines the Cost of Custom Medals

This is the core of medal manufacturing. When we calculate a quote at our factory, we evaluate the following eight factors:

Quantity

In manufacturing, setup costs (machine calibration, mold installation, plating bath preparation) are fixed. When you order 1,000 medals instead of 100, these fixed costs are amortized over more units, dramatically reducing the unit cost.

Medal Size

Metal is priced by weight. The larger the medal, the more raw material is consumed.

• 50 mm: Standard for school events and lightweight categories.
• 60 mm: The versatile middle-ground for corporate and local 5K runs.
• 70 mm: The "sweet spot" and industry standard for premium marathon and triathlon medals.
• 80 mm & Oversized: Used for elite championships; significantly increases metal weight and plating costs.

Material

The base metal dictates both the manufacturing process and the final price:

• Zinc Alloy: Best for 3D designs and complex shapes (die-cast). Moderate cost, excellent detail.
• Iron: Best for flat, 2D stamped designs. Lowest cost, but prone to rust if not plated well.
• Brass / Copper: Premium materials for high-end awards. Higher cost, heavy, beautiful natural luster.
• Stainless Steel: Used for laser-cut, modern, or minimalist designs. Moderate cost, highly durable.
• Aluminum: Extremely lightweight. Low cost, but feels less premium.

Thickness

Standard thickness is 3mm.

• 2mm: Cheaper, but can feel flimsy and may bend if dropped.
• 3mm - 4mm: The ideal balance of weight, durability, and cost.
• 5mm+: Considered "heavyweight." Requires significantly more metal and longer polishing times, increasing the price by 20%-40%.

Design Complexity

A flat 2D design is cheap to mold. However, adding complexity increases CNC mold carving time and assembly labor:

• 2D: Standard stamped look.
• 3D Relief: Sculpted, multi-level depth (requires complex CNC mold).
• Hollow Cut-outs: Requires precise piercing tools.
• Spinner Medals / Moving Parts: Requires inner and outer rings plus manual assembly.
• Bottle Opener Medals: Requires specific functional molding.
• Multiple Layers: Requires manufacturing and soldering multiple metal pieces together.

Surface Finish

Plating gives the medal its final color.

• Standard: Gold, Silver, Copper (Most affordable).
• Antique Finishes: Antique Gold, Silver, or Copper require an extra oxidation and hand-polishing step to highlight the recessed areas (Adds ~0.15− 0.30/pc).
• Premium: Black Nickel, Rainbow (Anodized), or Matte Finishes require specialized chemical baths and cost more.

Color Filling

• Soft Enamel: Colors are recessed below the metal lines. (Standard, affordable).
• Hard Enamel (Cloisonné): Colors are polished flat with the metal lines. Requires intense manual labor (Adds ~0.20− 0.40/pc).
• UV Printing: Best for gradients, photographs, or CMYK designs.
• No Color: Just bare metal and plating (Cheapest).

Ribbon Options

• Stock Ribbon: Pre-made, solid colors (Cheapest).
• Custom Printed / Sublimation Ribbon: Full-color edge-to-edge printing. Highly recommended for marathons to showcase sponsors.
• Woven Ribbon: Premium textured feel, but requires a loom setup fee.

Packaging

• Poly Bag: Standard, usually free or $0.05.
• Velvet Pouch: Adds a premium touch (~0.30− 0.50).
• Plastic Box / Gift Box / Presentation Case: Essential for corporate awards (~0.80− 2.50+).

Hidden Costs Many Buyers Don't Know About

Many suppliers lure you in with a low unit price, only to add fees later. Here is the reality of the industry:

• Mold Fee: 80– 150. (At CH Morning, we often waive the mold fee for orders over 500 pieces!).
• Sample Fee: Usually 50– 100 to produce a physical prototype before mass production. (Refundable upon bulk order).
• Shipping & Import Duties: Always ask if the quote is DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) or DAP. DDP means no surprise customs bills.
• Rush Production: Need it in 7 days instead of 15? Expect a 20%-30% rush fee to pay workers overtime.
• Bank Transfer Fees: International wire transfers can cost 25− 40 per transaction.
• Design Revisions: Minor tweaks are free, but completely changing a 3D mold after approval will incur a new mold fee.

Custom Medal Cost by Event Type

Different events require different specifications, which affects the custom sports medals cost:

• Marathon & Running Race Medals: Usually 70mm, 3D zinc alloy, custom sublimation ribbon. (2.50− 4.50)
• Cycling & Triathlon Medals: Often feature cut-outs or moving parts to reflect the sport. (3.50− 6.00)
• School & Academic Medals: Typically 50mm, 2D iron or zinc, stock ribbon. (1.20− 2.50)
• Corporate Awards: 60mm+, brass or heavy zinc, hard enamel, premium gift box. (4.00− 8.00)
• Military Challenge Medals: Heavy brass, 3D, dual-plated, hard enamel. (5.00− 9.00)
• Dance & Charity Event Medals: Flashy finishes (rainbow/glitter), 60mm-70mm. (2.00− 4.00)

How Different Materials Affect Your Budget

Here is a quick-reference comparison table to help you choose the right metal for your budget.

Price Comparison: China Manufacturer vs. Local Supplier

Should you buy locally or import? Here is the objective truth:

• Factory-Direct (China): Offers the best pricing (often 40%-60% cheaper). You get direct engineering support and limitless customization. Consideration: Requires 3-4 weeks total lead time and clear communication.
• Trading Companies / Wholesalers: They source from China and add a 30%-50% markup. You pay more for a middleman.
• Local Distributors: Fastest delivery and easy face-to-face communication. However, they are usually just drop-shipping from overseas factories anyway, meaning you pay a massive premium (often 2x to 3x the factory price) for "local" service.

Pro Tip: Working with a reputable, English-speaking direct factory like Morning Craft gives you the factory-direct price with local-level customer service.

How to Reduce Custom Medal Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

Want to stretch your budget? Use these manufacturer-approved tricks:

1. Increase Order Quantity: Crossing the 500 or 1,000-piece threshold drastically drops the unit price.
2. Use Standard Thickness: Stick to 3mm. Going to 5mm increases metal costs unnecessarily.
3. Simplify Colors: Use 1 or 2 soft enamel colors instead of full UV printing or hard enamel.
4. Combine Shipments: If ordering medals and trophies, ship them in one consolidated sea-freight container.
5. Standard Ribbon Width: Stick to standard 1-inch (25mm) widths to avoid custom weaving loom setups.
6. Reuse Existing Molds: If this is an annual event, keep the base mold and just change the cheap metal insert or ribbon for year two.
7. Choose Zinc over Brass: Unless it's a VIP corporate award, zinc alloy looks just as good when plated but costs significantly less than solid brass.

Real Pricing Examples

To help you estimate your project, here are four real-world scenarios based on recent Morning Craft orders:

Example 1: 100 Marathon Medals

• Specs: 70mm, 4mm thick, 3D Zinc Alloy, Antique Silver finish, custom sublimation ribbon, velvet pouch.
• Estimated Unit Price: $4.80

Example 2: 500 School Sports Medals

• Specs: 50mm, 3mm thick, 2D Iron, Gold plating, 1 soft enamel color, stock ribbon, polybag.
• Estimated Unit Price: $1.65 (Mold fee waived)

Example 3: 1,000 Corporate Awards

• Specs: 65mm, 4mm thick, Brass, Hard Enamel, Black Nickel plating, custom printed ribbon, magnetic gift box.
• Estimated Unit Price: $5.20

How to Get the Best Quote from a Medal Manufacturer

Don't just email a supplier saying, "How much for 100 medals?" To get a fast, accurate quote, provide this checklist:

• ✔ Artwork: Vector file (AI, PDF, EPS) or high-res image.
• ✔ Quantity: Exact number of pieces.
• ✔ Size & Thickness: e.g., 70mm diameter, 3mm thick.
• ✔ Material & Finish: e.g., Zinc alloy, Antique Gold.
• ✔ Color Filling: e.g., 3 colors soft enamel.
• ✔ Ribbon: e.g., 1-inch custom sublimated.
• ✔ Delivery Country & Zip Code: For accurate DDP shipping.
• ✔ Deadline: When do you absolutely need them in hand?

Complete information prevents back-and-forth emails and ensures our engineers can check your design for manufacturability immediately.

Why Factory-Direct Custom Medals Save Money

Working directly with a manufacturer like CH Morning Craft isn't just about a lower price tag; it's about value:

• No Middleman Markup: You pay for the metal and the labor, not a broker's commission.
• Better Quality Control: We inspect every batch on the factory floor before it ships.
• Direct Engineering Support: Our CAD engineers will tell you if a text font is too small to cast, saving you from a ruined batch.
• Faster Design Revisions: We adjust the digital proofs in-house in hours, not days.
• Consistent Production Quality: When you reorder next year, we use the exact same master mold and plating formulas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does one custom medal cost? 

A single custom sample medal usually costs between 50and 100, which includes the mold setup fee. Mass production unit prices drop to 1.20− 5.50.

What is the cheapest material for custom medals? 

Iron is the cheapest material, but it is only suitable for flat, 2D stamped designs. For 3D designs, Zinc Alloy is the most cost-effective.

Is there a mold fee? 

Yes, typically 80to 150. However, many manufacturers, including CH Morning, will refund or waive this fee for bulk orders (usually 500+ pcs).

Can I order only 50 medals? 

Yes, but the unit price will be higher (around 4.00– 7.00) because the fixed setup costs are spread across fewer items.

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)? 

Our standard MOQ is 50 pieces, though we can accommodate smaller runs for special circumstances.

How long does production take? 

Standard production takes 12-15 days. Shipping takes an additional 5-7 days via express air freight.

Are shipping costs included? 

Usually, quotes are provided EXW (Ex Works) or FOB. Always ask your supplier for a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) quote so shipping and customs are included in the final price.

Can I reorder using the same mold? 

Yes! Molds are kept for 2 to 3 years. Reorders are cheaper and faster because the mold fee is not charged again.

Which medal material is best? 

Zinc alloy is the best all-rounder for 3D and complex shapes. Brass is best for premium, heavy, high-end awards.

Can medals have 3D designs? 

Yes, zinc alloy and brass are die-cast, allowing for beautiful, multi-level 3D sculpted reliefs.

How much do custom marathon medals cost? 

Typically between 2.50and 4.50 per piece, assuming a 70mm size, 3D zinc alloy, and a custom printed ribbon.

How much do custom sports medals cost? 

Standard sports medals range from 1.50 to 3.50, depending on size, material, and order quantity.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Medal for Your Budget

Understanding how much custom medals cost comes down to balancing your budget with your event's prestige. By understanding the factors that drive custom medals pricing—from material and size to finish and packaging—you can make informed decisions that maximize your ROI.

Always prioritize quality and durability; a medal is a lifelong keepsake for the recipient. To ensure the best result, work with an experienced, transparent custom medal manufacturer and always request a detailed, itemized quote before production begins.

Ready to bring your medal design to life? Don't overpay middlemen. Get factory-direct pricing, expert design support, and premium quality. Click here to request your Free Quote and Design Consultation from Morning Craft today!