Quick Pricing Overview: What to Expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/medals-pricing-overview.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBudget-Friendly Range ($0.35 \u2013 $1.50 per medal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- High-volume orders (10,000\u201350,000+ units)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Simple designs without enamel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lightweight materials or alternative options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Mid-Range Sweet Spot ($1.50 \u2013 $3.50 per medal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Standard orders (1,000\u20135,000 units)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Quality die-cast or die-struck pieces<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Custom colors and moderate detail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Premium Territory ($3.50 \u2013 $7.20+ per medal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Smaller runs (100\u2013500 units)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Complex 3D designs with multiple features<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Individually customized award medals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Real example: a standard 2-inch die-cast medal with colorful enamel runs about $2.80 per piece at 1,000 units, dropping to just $1.20 at 10,000 units \u2014 a 57% swing driven purely by quantity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nOrder Quantity: The Number Behind the Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/medals-order-quantity.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n- 100 pieces<\/strong>: $5.20 per piece<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 500 pieces<\/strong>: $3.20 per piece<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 1,000 pieces<\/strong>: $2.40 per piece<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5,000 pieces<\/strong>: $1.90 per piece<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 10,000 pieces<\/strong>: $1.35 per piece<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The swing comes from setup costs \u2014 a mold (around $85) and ribbon setup (about $23) get spread across however many units you order. At 100 pieces, that adds nearly a dollar each; at 5,000, it adds less than two cents. If you’re sourcing custom medals bulk, the tier jump between 950 and 1,000 units alone can be worth more than the extra 50 pieces cost \u2014 for a full breakdown of quantity strategy, see our guide on how to cost less total<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nMedal Types and What Each One Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/medals-type.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe category you choose sets your baseline. Die-cast<\/strong> ($1.80\u2013$4.50) uses molten zinc alloy poured into custom molds and can be shaped into almost anything, with MOQs typically starting at 100\u2013200 pieces. Die-struck<\/strong> ($1.50\u2013$4.00) uses a stamping process similar to coin minting, delivers sharper detail, and runs heavier \u2014 opt for brass over zinc alloy for a 20\u201330% premium and a noticeably more substantial feel. For the full side-by-side on materials, see our zinc alloy, brass, and iron medals<\/a> comparison, and for a deeper look at shapes, finishes, and use cases across the category, our Medal Types<\/a> guide covers it in full.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLooking for medals cheap without giving up on appeal? Acrylic ($0.50\u2013$1.50) is lightweight and laser-cuttable; wooden ($0.75\u2013$2.50) is the eco-friendly option, with multi-layered designs commanding a premium; PVC ($0.60\u2013$1.80) is soft, colorful, and popular for kids’ events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Material cost comparison at a glance<\/strong> (2″ die-struck medal, 1,000-unit order, base finish):<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Zinc alloy<\/strong>: $2.20\u2013$2.60 per piece \u2014 the industry default, good detail retention at standard thickness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brass<\/strong>: $2.70\u2013$3.30 per piece \u2014 20\u201330% above zinc alloy, noticeably heavier<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Iron<\/strong>: $2.00\u2013$2.40 per piece \u2014 slightly below zinc alloy, more prone to corrosion without extra plating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pewter<\/strong>: $3.00\u2013$3.80 per piece \u2014 softer metal, popular for antique-style finishes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stainless steel<\/strong>: $3.50\u2013$4.60 per piece \u2014 highest durability, common for outdoor or marine-use awards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Plating adds its own line item on top of the base metal: standard gold or silver plating runs $0.10\u2013$0.20 per piece, while antique or dual-tone plating (two finishes on one piece) runs $0.25\u2013$0.45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nSize, Weight, and Thickness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Size-Weight-and-the-Psychology-of-Quality.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPerceived value tracks closely with weight \u2014 two pieces can cost similarly to produce, but the heavier one almost always feels more valuable. Standard medal sizes<\/a> run 1.5\u20133.5 inches, with pricing climbing roughly like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- 2″ (50mm)<\/strong>: base pricing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2.75″ (70mm)<\/strong>: about 28\u201335% more<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 3″ (75mm)<\/strong>: 40\u201350% premium over base<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Thickness adds up too: 4mm adds about $0.06 per piece, 5mm adds about $0.20 \u2014 small increments that can support a 30\u201350% higher retail price point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nColor, Ribbons, and Personalization Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\u4eff\u73d0\u7405\u70e4\u6f06\u5bf9\u6bd4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEnamel<\/strong>: cost depends on surface coverage, not color count \u2014 a 2-inch medal with half its surface enameled runs $0.25\u20130.30 more than a plain version. Soft enamel is the budget-friendly standard; hard enamel adds $0.35\u20130.60 for a more polished, scratch-resistant finish. Glitter or glow-in-the-dark effects add $0.15\u20130.25.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRibbons<\/strong>: stock ribbons run about $0.50 per piece, custom-printed ribbons around $1.50 plus a $23 setup fee, and full sublimation (photo-quality) ribbons $1.50\u20132.00.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPersonalization<\/strong>: personalised engraved medals cost about $0.40 per piece during production (often dropping to $0.10 at 1,000+ units), around $1.10 per tab plus an $8.40 setup fee for post-event attachable tabs, or $1.80\u20132.40 per piece plus two-way shipping for post-production engraving on small, special-award quantities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSpecial Features and Add-Ons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/medals-ribbon.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor race organizers building custom finisher medals, functional extras carry their own price tags: bottle openers add $0.40\u20130.55, magnet backing adds $0.10\u20130.15, spinning elements add $0.30\u20130.50, and 3D sculpting adds 15\u201325% to the base cost. These are the details that separate a piece from every other medal on the shelf, and they price out predictably once you know the base cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nShipping and Setup Fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/shipping.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOcean freight takes 5\u20136 weeks and adds about $0.15 per piece; air freight arrives in 1\u20132 weeks but adds roughly $1.00 per piece. Most buyers order their main quantity by sea and top up by air closer to the event. Total timeline: 8\u201310 weeks via ocean, 4\u20135 weeks via air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Setup fees are one-time: a mold runs about $100, ribbon design about $23, and engraving setup about $8.40 \u2014 all reusable on reorders, which is why a repeat order of the same design typically costs 15\u201325% less than the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReal-World Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uniquecustompins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Personalised-engraved-medals.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSmall Event (500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2″ die-cast, soft enamel, custom ribbon \u2014 $2.80 each, $1,400 total.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMedium Volume (2,500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2″ die-struck, 3 colors, stock ribbon \u2014 $2.10 each, $5,250 total.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLarge Bulk Order (10,000 pieces)<\/strong>: 2″ die-cast, full color, simple design \u2014 $1.35 each, $13,500 total.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCorporate Annual Gala (1,500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2.75″ die-struck brass, hard enamel logo, individual engraved recipient name, sublimation ribbon \u2014 $4.10 each, $6,150 total. Best for: leadership awards, milestone anniversaries, retention programs where the medal doubles as a keepsake.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMarathon Finisher Series (7,500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2.75″ die-cast zinc alloy, spinning center medallion, full-color enamel, stock ribbon printed with event date \u2014 $2.35 each, $17,625 total. Best for: annual races building a collectible medal series year over year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nGet the Most Accurate Quote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These numbers are a starting point \u2014 actual pricing depends on your exact spec. Most reputable medals suppliers<\/a> offer a free design consultation, which is the fastest way to turn this guide’s ranges into a real number for your order. If you’re weighing quantity, size, or finish trade-offs beyond what’s covered here, our cost-reduction guide walks through strategy in more depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nConclus\u00e3o<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The sweet spot for most businesses is 1,000\u20135,000 units in the $2.00\u2013$3.50 range \u2014 strong quality without overstretching the budget. Whether you need an affordable option for a mass-market event or a premium, individually engraved piece for VIP recognition, the pricing above should get you within range before you ever request a quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBudget-Friendly Range ($0.35 \u2013 $1.50 per medal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-Range Sweet Spot ($1.50 \u2013 $3.50 per medal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium Territory ($3.50 \u2013 $7.20+ per medal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Real example: a standard 2-inch die-cast medal with colorful enamel runs about $2.80 per piece at 1,000 units, dropping to just $1.20 at 10,000 units \u2014 a 57% swing driven purely by quantity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The swing comes from setup costs \u2014 a mold (around $85) and ribbon setup (about $23) get spread across however many units you order. At 100 pieces, that adds nearly a dollar each; at 5,000, it adds less than two cents. If you’re sourcing custom medals bulk, the tier jump between 950 and 1,000 units alone can be worth more than the extra 50 pieces cost \u2014 for a full breakdown of quantity strategy, see our guide on how to cost less total<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The category you choose sets your baseline. Die-cast<\/strong> ($1.80\u2013$4.50) uses molten zinc alloy poured into custom molds and can be shaped into almost anything, with MOQs typically starting at 100\u2013200 pieces. Die-struck<\/strong> ($1.50\u2013$4.00) uses a stamping process similar to coin minting, delivers sharper detail, and runs heavier \u2014 opt for brass over zinc alloy for a 20\u201330% premium and a noticeably more substantial feel. For the full side-by-side on materials, see our zinc alloy, brass, and iron medals<\/a> comparison, and for a deeper look at shapes, finishes, and use cases across the category, our Medal Types<\/a> guide covers it in full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for medals cheap without giving up on appeal? Acrylic ($0.50\u2013$1.50) is lightweight and laser-cuttable; wooden ($0.75\u2013$2.50) is the eco-friendly option, with multi-layered designs commanding a premium; PVC ($0.60\u2013$1.80) is soft, colorful, and popular for kids’ events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Material cost comparison at a glance<\/strong> (2″ die-struck medal, 1,000-unit order, base finish):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plating adds its own line item on top of the base metal: standard gold or silver plating runs $0.10\u2013$0.20 per piece, while antique or dual-tone plating (two finishes on one piece) runs $0.25\u2013$0.45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perceived value tracks closely with weight \u2014 two pieces can cost similarly to produce, but the heavier one almost always feels more valuable. Standard medal sizes<\/a> run 1.5\u20133.5 inches, with pricing climbing roughly like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thickness adds up too: 4mm adds about $0.06 per piece, 5mm adds about $0.20 \u2014 small increments that can support a 30\u201350% higher retail price point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enamel<\/strong>: cost depends on surface coverage, not color count \u2014 a 2-inch medal with half its surface enameled runs $0.25\u20130.30 more than a plain version. Soft enamel is the budget-friendly standard; hard enamel adds $0.35\u20130.60 for a more polished, scratch-resistant finish. Glitter or glow-in-the-dark effects add $0.15\u20130.25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ribbons<\/strong>: stock ribbons run about $0.50 per piece, custom-printed ribbons around $1.50 plus a $23 setup fee, and full sublimation (photo-quality) ribbons $1.50\u20132.00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personalization<\/strong>: personalised engraved medals cost about $0.40 per piece during production (often dropping to $0.10 at 1,000+ units), around $1.10 per tab plus an $8.40 setup fee for post-event attachable tabs, or $1.80\u20132.40 per piece plus two-way shipping for post-production engraving on small, special-award quantities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For race organizers building custom finisher medals, functional extras carry their own price tags: bottle openers add $0.40\u20130.55, magnet backing adds $0.10\u20130.15, spinning elements add $0.30\u20130.50, and 3D sculpting adds 15\u201325% to the base cost. These are the details that separate a piece from every other medal on the shelf, and they price out predictably once you know the base cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ocean freight takes 5\u20136 weeks and adds about $0.15 per piece; air freight arrives in 1\u20132 weeks but adds roughly $1.00 per piece. Most buyers order their main quantity by sea and top up by air closer to the event. Total timeline: 8\u201310 weeks via ocean, 4\u20135 weeks via air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Setup fees are one-time: a mold runs about $100, ribbon design about $23, and engraving setup about $8.40 \u2014 all reusable on reorders, which is why a repeat order of the same design typically costs 15\u201325% less than the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small Event (500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2″ die-cast, soft enamel, custom ribbon \u2014 $2.80 each, $1,400 total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medium Volume (2,500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2″ die-struck, 3 colors, stock ribbon \u2014 $2.10 each, $5,250 total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Large Bulk Order (10,000 pieces)<\/strong>: 2″ die-cast, full color, simple design \u2014 $1.35 each, $13,500 total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Corporate Annual Gala (1,500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2.75″ die-struck brass, hard enamel logo, individual engraved recipient name, sublimation ribbon \u2014 $4.10 each, $6,150 total. Best for: leadership awards, milestone anniversaries, retention programs where the medal doubles as a keepsake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marathon Finisher Series (7,500 pieces)<\/strong>: 2.75″ die-cast zinc alloy, spinning center medallion, full-color enamel, stock ribbon printed with event date \u2014 $2.35 each, $17,625 total. Best for: annual races building a collectible medal series year over year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These numbers are a starting point \u2014 actual pricing depends on your exact spec. Most reputable medals suppliers<\/a> offer a free design consultation, which is the fastest way to turn this guide’s ranges into a real number for your order. If you’re weighing quantity, size, or finish trade-offs beyond what’s covered here, our cost-reduction guide walks through strategy in more depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sweet spot for most businesses is 1,000\u20135,000 units in the $2.00\u2013$3.50 range \u2014 strong quality without overstretching the budget. Whether you need an affordable option for a mass-market event or a premium, individually engraved piece for VIP recognition, the pricing above should get you within range before you ever request a quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Order Quantity: The Number Behind the Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Medal Types and What Each One Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Size, Weight, and Thickness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Color, Ribbons, and Personalization Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSpecial Features and Add-Ons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShipping and Setup Fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nReal-World Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGet the Most Accurate Quote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclus\u00e3o<\/h2>\n\n\n\n