A great custom medal starts with good artwork.
Whether you are ordering medals for a marathon, boxing championship, school competition, police department, firefighter organization, military ceremony, corporate award, or anniversary event, the artwork you submit will directly affect the manufacturing process.
A design that looks perfect on a computer screen may not automatically work well as a physical metal medal. Small text, thin lines, complicated gradients, tiny gaps, and excessive detail can create problems during mold making, casting, stamping, plating, or enamel production.
Preparing the artwork correctly before production can reduce revisions, avoid unnecessary delays, and help the manufacturer reproduce the intended design more accurately.
What Artwork Does a Medal Manufacturer Need?
A manufacturer normally needs enough information to understand both the visual design and the physical specifications.
A complete medal artwork package may include:
- Front artwork
- Back artwork
- Side profile
- Medal dimensions
- Thickness
- Material
- Plating
- Enamel colors
- Ribbon hole position
- Ribbon design
- Text
- Logos
- Reference images
- Special finishing instructions
The artwork itself can be supplied in several formats.
Best File Formats for Custom Medal Artwork
1. Adobe Illustrator AI
AI is one of the most useful formats for professional medal production.
It can preserve:
- Vector artwork
- Paths
- Text
- Shapes
- Line details
- Layer information
If possible, convert fonts to outlines before sending the final production file.
2. EPS
EPS is another useful vector format.
It can work well for:
- Logos
- Typography
- Simple illustrations
- Department emblems
- Sports graphics
3. SVG
SVG is a vector format that can be useful for logos and simple artwork.
However, the manufacturer should confirm whether its engineering workflow accepts SVG directly.
4. PDF
A properly prepared vector PDF can be very useful.
Before sending a PDF, make sure:
- Fonts are embedded or outlined
- Artwork is not accidentally flattened
- Vector paths remain editable where possible
- Images are high resolution
- Dimensions are clearly specified
5. PNG and JPG
PNG and JPG files can still be useful as references.
However, they are generally less flexible for engineering than vector artwork.
A manufacturer may need to redraw or convert a raster image into production-ready artwork.
Vector vs Raster Artwork
This is one of the most important concepts in medal artwork preparation.
Vector
Vector graphics are made from mathematical paths.
Examples:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- Vector PDF
They can generally be resized without the same loss of sharpness associated with raster images.
Raster
Raster graphics are made from pixels.
Examples:
- JPG
- PNG
- TIFF
A low-resolution image can become blurry when enlarged.
For medal manufacturing, vector artwork is usually preferred whenever available.
Why a High-Resolution Logo Matters
Suppose a customer sends a small JPG logo that is only:
500 × 500 pixels
The logo may look acceptable on a computer screen but become difficult to interpret when converted into a metal relief.
A better approach is to provide:
- Original vector logo
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- Vector PDF
If the original vector artwork is unavailable, provide the highest-resolution image possible.
Artwork Should Be Designed at the Actual Medal Size
One common mistake is designing a medal on an extremely large artboard and assuming the factory will automatically scale everything.
Instead, specify the intended dimensions.
For example:
Medal diameter: 65 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
The manufacturer can then evaluate whether:
- Text is large enough
- Lines are thick enough
- Relief is sufficient
- Enamel areas are practical
Front and Back Artwork Should Be Separate
For double-sided medals, clearly separate:
FRONT
Main artwork
BACK
Supporting information
For example:
Front:
3D runner + marathon logo
Back:
2026 + 26.2 MILES + city + organizer
This makes engineering much easier.
Include the Medal Dimensions
Always provide the intended dimensions.
Example:
Diameter: 65 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
For custom-shaped medals, provide:
Overall width: 68 mm
Overall height: 72 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
The manufacturer can then determine whether the artwork is appropriate for the available surface area.
Include the Thickness
Artwork alone does not define a physical medal.
The manufacturer also needs to know the intended thickness.
A typical planning range for many custom medals is approximately:
3–6 mm
The final thickness depends on:
- Material
- Diameter
- Relief
- Shape
- Weight
- Production method
Artwork for 2D Medals
2D artwork is generally easier to manufacture.
It works well for:
- Logos
- Text
- Dates
- Simple icons
- Borders
- Flat symbols
For example:
Department logo + 25 YEARS + 2026
can work effectively as a 2D medal.
Artwork for 3D Medals
3D artwork requires more engineering.
A manufacturer needs to determine:
- Highest point
- Lowest point
- Relief depth
- Transition areas
- Fine details
- Edge definition
A photograph can be used as inspiration, but it does not automatically become a production-ready 3D model.
For example, a customer might provide a photograph of:
- A firefighter
- A boxer
- A soccer player
- A police officer
- An eagle
The manufacturer may need to convert that concept into a manufacturable relief.
Avoid Extremely Thin Lines
Thin lines are one of the most common artwork problems.
A line that looks visible on a monitor may become too weak after:
- Mold creation
- Metal forming
- Polishing
- Plating
Instead of using extremely fine lines everywhere, prioritize stronger visual boundaries.
Example
A complex eagle logo may contain dozens of tiny feather lines.
The manufacturer may recommend simplifying some of those lines while preserving the overall shape.
This can actually make the finished medal look cleaner.
Be Careful With Small Text
Text needs special attention.
Potential problems include:
- Small letters
- Narrow fonts
- Tight spacing
- Long department names
- Thin strokes
For example:
“INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ASSOCIATION”
may be difficult to fit clearly around a 50 mm medal.
Possible solutions:
- Increase medal diameter
- Reduce the amount of text
- Move text to the back
- Use a larger font
- Simplify the wording
Outline Fonts Before Sending Artwork
If you use Adobe Illustrator or another vector design program, converting fonts to outlines can reduce font-substitution problems.
Instead of sending:
Editable text
send:
Vector outlines
This helps ensure the manufacturer sees the intended letter shapes.
Avoid Relying on Gradients
A digital gradient may look attractive on a screen.
However, metal manufacturing does not reproduce a digital gradient in exactly the same way.
For example:
dark blue → light blue → white
may need to be converted into:
- Enamel areas
- Polished metal
- Different finishes
- Clearly separated color zones
The manufacturer should confirm how a gradient will be translated into the physical medal.
Specify Enamel Colors
If your medal contains enamel, identify the intended colors clearly.
Possible references include:
- Pantone
- RAL
- Manufacturer color reference
- Approved physical sample
For example:
Red enamel — Pantone reference
is more useful than simply saying:
“bright red.”
The final appearance can also be affected by:
- Enamel type
- Plating
- Metal base
- Lighting
Soft Enamel vs Hard Enamel Artwork
Soft Enamel
The enamel typically sits below the surrounding metal borders.
This can work well for:
- Sports medals
- Club medals
- Colorful logos
- Event branding
Hard Enamel
The surface is filled and polished to create a smoother appearance.
It can be suitable for:
- Premium awards
- Corporate recognition
- Formal commemorative medals
Artwork should leave enough metal separation between different enamel areas.
Leave Enough Space Between Details
Metal artwork needs clear boundaries.
Avoid designs where:
- Two letters nearly touch
- Two enamel colors have no metal separation
- Thin lines create tiny islands
- Small cut-outs are too close together
For example, a logo with many tiny internal openings may need to be simplified before manufacturing.
Cut-Out Medal Artwork
Custom medals can include open areas.
Examples:
- Running medal with a runner silhouette
- Soccer ball cut-out
- Maltese cross
- Shield
- Initials
- Event logo
However, cut-outs must leave enough structural metal to keep the medal strong.
A design with excessive negative space may require engineering changes.
Design the Ribbon Hole
Do not forget the ribbon attachment.
Specify:
- Hole location
- Hole shape
- Hole size
- Attachment style
A common mistake is finalizing the medal artwork without considering where the ribbon will attach.
The hole should be positioned so that the medal hangs naturally.
Double-Sided Medal Artwork Requirements
For a double-sided medal, provide:
Front
- Main design
- Logo
- Event name
Back
- Date
- Award information
- Sponsor
- Organization
- Participant information
Also indicate whether the artwork should be:
upright when viewed from the front and back
This prevents orientation problems.
Custom-Shaped Medal Artwork
For a custom-shaped medal, clearly define the outer contour.
For example:
Firefighter helmet
Boxing glove
Soccer ball
Police shield
Eagle
Maltese cross
The manufacturer needs to know which lines define the actual cutting or casting boundary.
Artwork Layers Can Help
For complicated projects, separate layers can make the design easier to understand.
For example:
Layer 1
Outer shape
Layer 2
Main relief
Layer 3
Text
Layer 4
Enamel
Layer 5
Plating instructions
Layer 6
Ribbon hole
This is especially useful for complex 3D medals.
Include a Reference Image
Even when you provide professional vector artwork, a reference image can be helpful.
For example:
“Raised areas should have a polished silver finish; recessed areas should remain antique silver.”
A visual reference can reduce misunderstandings.
Artwork Preparation Example
Imagine a customer wants a:
65 mm custom marathon medal
with:
- 3D runner
- City skyline
- Event logo
- 2026
- “26.2 MILES”
- Red enamel
- Blue enamel
- Custom ribbon
A useful production package could contain:
File 1: Front vector artwork
File 2: Back vector artwork
File 3: Ribbon artwork
File 4: Reference image
Specification sheet:
- Diameter: 65 mm
- Thickness: 4 mm
- Material: Zinc alloy
- Finish: Antique silver
- Enamel: Red + blue
- Ribbon: 32 mm
- Quantity: 3,000 pcs
This gives the manufacturer a much clearer production brief.
Artwork Revision: A Practical Example
Consider a hypothetical 3,000-piece marathon order.
The original design contains a very detailed city skyline.
The manufacturer discovers that several building windows are too small to reproduce reliably.
Instead of removing the skyline, the engineering team:
- Enlarges the most important buildings
- Removes unnecessary tiny windows
- Increases line thickness
- Preserves the overall skyline silhouette
The result is easier to manufacture while keeping the original visual concept.
This is why artwork engineering should happen before tooling, not after the mold is completed.
Artwork Requirements by Product Type
| Medal Type | Important Artwork Considerations |
|---|---|
| Marathon | Runner, race distance, year, city |
| Boxing | Gloves, fighter, championship title |
| Soccer | Ball, player, tournament logo |
| Swimming | Swimmer, water elements, event name |
| Police | Shield, department name, service information |
| Firefighter | Maltese cross, helmet, department |
| Military | Unit emblem, insignia, dates |
| School | School logo, sport, year |
| Corporate | Company logo, award title, recipient |
| Anniversary | Organization logo, milestone year |
Common Artwork Mistakes
Mistake 1: Sending Only a Low-Resolution JPG
Problem: The manufacturer cannot clearly identify fine details.
Better: Send vector artwork whenever possible.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Back
Problem: The customer realizes later that there is not enough space for the required information.
Better: Design front and back simultaneously.
Mistake 3: Using Tiny Text
Problem: Text becomes difficult to manufacture and read.
Better: Increase font size or reduce wording.
Mistake 4: Too Many Colors
Problem: The design becomes complicated and may increase production requirements.
Better: Prioritize the most important colors.
Mistake 5: No Size Specification
Problem: Artwork proportions may not match the intended medal.
Better: State diameter or overall dimensions.
Mistake 6: No Plating Instruction
Problem: The manufacturer does not know the intended appearance.
Better: Specify gold, silver, antique gold, antique silver, etc.
Mistake 7: No Ribbon Specification
Problem: The medal and ribbon may not match.
Better: Provide ribbon width, colors, printing, and attachment requirements.
Final Artwork Checklist
Before sending the final file, confirm:
- Front artwork
- Back artwork
- Correct spelling
- Correct dates
- Correct logos
- Vector file available
- Fonts converted to outlines
- Medal diameter
- Medal thickness
- 2D/3D requirement
- Plating
- Enamel colors
- Ribbon hole
- Ribbon design
- Reference images
- Quantity
- Packaging requirements
How to Submit Artwork to a Medal Manufacturer
A professional artwork submission should answer five basic questions:
1. What does it look like?
Provide the artwork.
2. How big is it?
Provide diameter or dimensions.
3. What is it made from?
Specify the preferred material if known.
4. How should it be finished?
Specify plating, enamel, polishing, or other finishes.
5. How many are required?
Provide the quantity.
For example:
3,000 pcs / 65 mm / 4 mm / Zinc Alloy / 3D / Antique Silver / Red & Blue Enamel / Custom Ribbon
This is much more useful to a manufacturer than simply sending an image and asking:
“How much?”
Conclusion
Good medal artwork is not simply about making a beautiful digital image. It is about creating artwork that can be accurately converted into metal.
The most important principles are:
Use vector artwork whenever possible.
Keep small text readable.
Avoid unnecessarily thin lines.
Separate front and back designs.
Specify dimensions and thickness.
Clearly identify plating and enamel.
Provide ribbon and packaging requirements.
Allow the manufacturer to review the artwork before mold production.
A well-prepared artwork file can make the entire custom medal process more efficient—from digital proof and tooling to final production and inspection.
Custom Medal Artwork Support
ChallengeCoinBadges provides custom medal manufacturing and artwork engineering for sports medals, marathon medals, boxing medals, police medals, firefighter medals, military medals, challenge coins, badges, and lapel pins.
Customers can submit existing artwork or a basic concept for production evaluation.
Email: sales@challengecoinbadges.com
The goal is simple: turn your original artwork into a medal design that is visually strong, technically manufacturable, and consistent in mass production.