How Much Do Custom Medals Cost in 2026?
Complete Pricing Breakdown by a Professional OEM Medal Manufacturer
Custom medals have evolved from simple awards to powerful branding tools for marathons, sports competitions, schools, corporate events, and international festivals.
As a direct factory specializing in metal crafts, TechArt supplies global buyers with OEM and ODM custom medals, lapel pins, keychains, and commemorative coins.
One of the most searched questions in 2026 remains:
How much do custom medals cost in 2026?
This guide provides a full cost breakdown, pricing tables, hidden fees, and cost-saving strategies — optimized for event organizers, distributors, and brand buyers.
1️⃣ Custom Medal Price List 2026 (Bulk Factory Pricing)
| Quantity | 2.5” Zinc Alloy | 3” Die Cast | 3D Medal | Spinning Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 pcs | $3.50–$5.00 | $4.00–$6.50 | $5.50–$8.00 | $6.50–$9.00 |
| 500 pcs | $2.20–$3.50 | $2.80–$4.50 | $3.80–$5.80 | $4.50–$6.80 |
| 1000+ pcs | $1.60–$2.80 | $2.00–$3.80 | $3.00–$4.80 | $3.80–$5.80 |
💡 Larger quantities dramatically reduce unit cost due to mold amortization and production efficiency.
2️⃣ What Affects Custom Medal Pricing?
Material Type
Most common materials:
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Zinc Alloy (most popular)
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Iron (economy option)
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Brass (premium)
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Full 3D Die Cast
Zinc alloy dominates in 2026 because it supports complex shapes and cut-outs at lower tooling cost.
Medal Size & Thickness
Standard sizes:
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50mm (2”)
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60mm (2.5”)
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70–75mm (3”)
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80mm+ oversized marathon medals (trending)
Larger medals increase:
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Raw material consumption
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Electroplating cost
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International freight cost
3” medals have become the new industry standard for marathon events.
Plating & Finish
Popular plating in 2026:
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Shiny Gold
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Antique Silver
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Antique Bronze
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Black Nickel
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Dual-tone plating
Dual plating or specialty textures increase cost by 10–20%.
At TechArt, anti-oxidation finishing ensures medals maintain long-term shine — especially important for commemorative projects.
Enamel & Printing Method
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Soft enamel (most cost-effective)
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Hard enamel (smooth & premium)
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UV printing (high-detail logos)
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Transparent enamel
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Glow-in-the-dark
Hard enamel generally adds 15–25% more to production cost.
Special Structural Features
Trending in 2026:
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Spinning center medals
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Hollow cut-out designs
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Multi-layer medals
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Magnetic combination medals
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Movable parts
These features add $0.80–$2.00 per unit depending on complexity.
Interactive medals are especially popular for city marathons and large-scale sports events.
3️⃣ Mold Fee (Tooling Cost Explained)
Almost all custom medals require a mold.
Typical mold cost:
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$80–$150 for standard 2D medal
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$150–$300 for complex 3D sculpted medal
Bulk orders often reduce or waive tooling cost.
4️⃣ Ribbon & Packaging Cost
Ribbon options:
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Standard polyester ribbon (often included)
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Sublimation printed ribbon (+$0.30–$0.60)
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Jacquard woven ribbon (premium feel)
Packaging:
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Polybag (basic)
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Velvet pouch
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Custom printed box
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Retail-ready packaging
Integrated packaging solutions reduce supply chain cost when ordering from a single OEM manufacturer.
5️⃣ Shipping Cost in 2026
Shipping method strongly affects final price.
Express (DHL/FedEx):
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Fastest, higher cost
Air freight:
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Balanced option
Sea freight:
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Most economical for 1000+ pcs
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Can reduce overall project cost by 15–30%
Planning 30–45 days ahead significantly reduces logistics cost.
6️⃣ Example Cost Breakdown (500 pcs Marathon Medal)
Example project:
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3” zinc alloy medal
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Soft enamel
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Antique gold plating
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Sublimation ribbon
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Individual polybag
Estimated:
Production: $2.80 × 500 = $1,400
Mold fee: $120
Air freight: $380
Estimated total: $1,900–$2,100
7️⃣ How to Reduce Custom Medal Costs (Manufacturer Insight)
From our factory experience, the biggest savings come from:
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Increasing quantity
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Simplifying deep 3D structure
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Choosing soft enamel
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Avoiding multiple plating layers
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Confirming artwork carefully before tooling
Clear artwork approval avoids mold revision fees.
8️⃣ 2026 Custom Medal Industry Trends
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3”+ oversized medals becoming standard
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Spinning & interactive medals rising
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Eco-friendly plating demand increasing
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More buyers shifting to long-term annual contracts
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Greater demand for factory-direct pricing
Factories with stable production systems and export experience are preferred for large event orders.
9️⃣ Why Work Directly with an OEM Medal Manufacturer?
Working directly with a factory like TechArt helps you:
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Avoid middleman markup
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Maintain pricing transparency
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Control production timeline
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Ensure consistent quality
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Access integrated packaging services
As an experienced OEM metal craft manufacturer serving global markets, TechArt supports:
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Custom medals
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Lapel pins
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Keychains
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Commemorative coins
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Full packaging solutions
This reduces communication gaps and ensures production efficiency.
🔟 FAQ – Custom Medal Cost in 2026
What is the minimum order quantity?
Typically 100 pieces.
How long does production take?
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Sample: 5–7 days
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Mass production: 12–18 days
Can I get a free sample?
Physical samples usually require tooling cost. Digital mockups are typically free.
Are there hidden fees?
Possible additional costs:
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Mold modification
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Rush production
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Premium packaging
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Special plating
Always request a detailed quotation breakdown.
Final Answer
In 2026, custom medal pricing ranges:
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$1.60–$4.00 per piece (500–1000+ pcs)
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$3.50–$9.00 per piece (100 pcs)
The final cost depends on material, design complexity, finishing, and logistics method.
The best strategy for cost control:
Plan early, confirm design clearly, and work directly with an experienced OEM manufacturer.