Custom Medals with Your Logo: What You Need to Know

Two routes to a medal with your logo

There are broadly two ways to get your logo onto a medal, and the right one depends on your budget, quantity and timeline.

• Fully bespoke medals: made to your own design, shape and colours. Best for running events, large tournaments and organisations that want a unique, recognisable medal.
• Stock medals with a personalised centre: a ready-made medal design with your logo or event name engraved or added to the centre. Quicker, usually cheaper and ideal for smaller numbers.

Preparing your artwork

Good artwork is the single biggest factor in how your custom medal turns out. Logos that look great on a website can lose detail when shrunk down to medal size.

• Send a vector file if you have one (such as AI, EPS, SVG or PDF), or the highest-resolution image available.
• Simplify fine details and thin text: they can be hard to reproduce at small sizes.
• Decide on colours and keep the number of colours sensible.
• Include any wording, such as event name, year and distance, separately from the logo.
• Check the spelling of everything before you approve the design proof.

Quantities and pricing

Custom medals are generally best value at larger quantities, because there is set-up work involved in producing a new design. For smaller numbers, a stock medal is often the more economical choice.

For reference, our stock medals range from £1.25 to £9.75 and typically cost around £2 before bulk discount. Bespoke pricing depends on size, finish, colours and quantity, so we quote each one individually. Send your design and approximate quantity on WhatsApp for a free, no-obligation quote.

Lead times for custom medals

Stock medals are usually dispatched in 3–7 working days, with larger bulk orders typically taking 10–14 working days. Custom medals need longer because the artwork must be prepared and approved before production begins.

As a rule of thumb, start the conversation 6–8 weeks before your event if you can, and ask for a confirmed timeline with your quote. The fastest way to keep things on track is to approve artwork proofs promptly.

If your date is closer than that, do not rule out a logo medal altogether. A stock medal with your logo or event name on a personalised centre can often be turned around much faster than a fully bespoke design, and it still gives finishers a medal that clearly belongs to your event. Message us with your date and we will tell you honestly which options are realistic.

Ribbons and finishing touches

The ribbon is part of the overall look. Many organisers choose ribbon colours to match their club or event branding, and medal ribbons are available separately too. Think about how the medal will look in finisher photos and on social media, which is where most people will see it.

• Match ribbon colours to your club or event colours.
• Consider a different ribbon colour for different distances or age groups.
• Keep the medal front clean and bold; detail can go on the back.
• Add the year so each edition becomes collectable.
• Think about how medals will be handed out at the finish line or prize table, and order them pre-sorted by distance or category if you have several.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems with custom medals come from decisions made in a hurry. A little thought at the start saves money and stress later.

• Leaving it too late: custom designs need proofing time, so do not start a fortnight before the event.
• Overcomplicated artwork: tiny text, thin lines and lots of colours can be lost at medal size.
• Ordering exactly the number of entries: late entries and no-shows rarely cancel each other out, so add spares.
• Forgetting the year or event name: without them, medals lose their keepsake value.
• Approving proofs without checking: read every word aloud, including dates and distances, before you sign off.

Who uses custom medals?

Custom logo medals are popular with running events and fun runs, football and rugby tournaments, school sports days, martial arts clubs, dance schools and charity challenges. If you run the same event every year, a recognisable medal design that changes slightly each year encourages people to come back and complete the set.