Creating artwork for a custom medal is different from designing a normal digital graphic.
A logo may look perfect on a computer screen but still be difficult to manufacture in metal. Line thickness, relief depth, text size, color separation, engraving areas, plating, and enamel channels all affect the final product.
Whether you are creating a sports medal, military medal, firefighter medal, corporate award, Masonic medal, anniversary medal, marathon medal, or commemorative medal, preparing production-ready artwork can reduce revisions, tooling problems, and unexpected costs.
This guide explains how to prepare artwork that a custom medal manufacturer can actually turn into a physical product.
1. Start With the Final Medal Size
Before designing details, determine the finished medal dimensions.
Common specifications include:
- Diameter
- Width
- Height
- Thickness
- Shape
- Weight target
For example:
Round medal
- Diameter: 65 mm
- Thickness: 3 mm
or:
Custom-shaped medal
- Maximum width: 70 mm
- Maximum height: 75 mm
- Thickness: 3 mm
The artwork should be created according to the actual production dimensions, not an arbitrary digital canvas.
2. Choose the Medal Shape Before Finalizing Artwork
Custom medals can be:
- Round
- Square
- Shield-shaped
- Star-shaped
- Oval
- Custom silhouette
- Cut-out
- Multi-layered
The outside shape becomes part of the artwork.
A common mistake is designing the internal artwork first and deciding the medal shape later.
For a custom-shaped medal, the outer contour should be clearly defined.
3. Use Vector Artwork Whenever Possible
Preferred artwork formats commonly include:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
Vector artwork is useful because it allows the manufacturer to inspect:
- Lines
- Curves
- Shapes
- Text
- Color areas
without losing definition when the design is resized.
A low-resolution JPG may be acceptable as a reference, but it may require additional artwork reconstruction.
4. Convert Text to Outlines
If you send editable text, the factory may not have the same font installed.
This can cause the design to change.
Therefore, converting text to outlines helps preserve the intended appearance.
For example:
Instead of:
“2026 CHAMPIONS”
as editable text,
convert the characters into vector shapes.
This helps prevent font substitution.
5. Avoid Extremely Thin Lines
One of the most important rules in medal artwork is:
What looks thin on screen can become impossible to manufacture reliably.
Very thin lines can disappear during:
- Mold creation
- Casting
- Stamping
- Polishing
- Plating
The exact minimum line width depends on the material, process, relief, and factory capabilities.
Therefore, do not assume one universal minimum.
Ask the manufacturer to confirm the production limit for your specific medal.
6. Consider Letter Size
Small text can be one of the biggest problems in custom medal production.
Before finalizing your artwork, check:
- Font height
- Stroke thickness
- Letter spacing
- Curved text
- Engraving depth
A phrase that looks readable at 100% on a monitor may become difficult to read on a 50–60 mm medal.
Better Approach
Prioritize:
Large important text
over:
Small decorative text
7. Separate Metal and Enamel Areas
If the medal uses enamel, clearly indicate which areas are:
Metal
and which areas are:
Enamel
For example:
- Red = soft enamel
- Blue = soft enamel
- White = hard enamel
- Gold = exposed metal
The manufacturer should not have to guess which colors represent physical enamel and which are merely part of the artwork.
8. Use Clear Color References
If color accuracy matters, provide standardized references where possible.
For example:
Blue — Pantone reference
Red — Pantone reference
White — enamel
This is especially important for:
- Corporate logos
- Sports teams
- Universities
- Government organizations
- Military units
Digital RGB colors and physical enamel colors are not identical.
A physical production sample remains the best way to evaluate the final appearance.
9. Separate Different Relief Levels
For a 3D medal, the artwork should identify different height levels.
For example:
Level 0
Background
Level 1
Border
Level 2
Logo
Level 3
Central figure
This makes it easier for the 3D modeling team to understand the intended hierarchy.
10. Do Not Treat 3D Artwork Like a Flat Illustration
A 3D medal requires more than a front-view image.
The manufacturer may need to create a 3D model based on:
- Front artwork
- Side profile
- Relief hierarchy
- Thickness
- Undercuts
- Surface transitions
If the design contains a portrait, animal, vehicle, or architectural subject, additional reference images can be useful.
11. Provide Reference Images for 3D Designs
For complex 3D medals, provide:
- Front image
- Side image
- Reference photograph
- Logo
- Previous medal example
- Sculptural reference
For example, if you want a firefighter helmet in 3D relief, providing several clear reference images can help the manufacturer interpret the intended shape.
12. Define the Medal Thickness
Do not only specify:
70 mm medal
Also specify the approximate thickness.
For example:
70 mm diameter × 3 mm thickness
Thickness affects:
- Weight
- Relief
- Strength
- Cost
- Shipping
The manufacturer can then determine whether the requested relief is appropriate.
13. Indicate the Hanging Hole
If the medal needs a ribbon, indicate:
- Hole location
- Hole size
- Hole shape
- Attachment style
For example:
4 mm round hanging hole
The hole should be positioned so it does not interfere with important artwork.
14. Consider Ribbon Attachment During Artwork Design
The top of the medal needs enough space for the attachment system.
Do not place important text directly under the hanging hole.
A good design should leave enough structural material around the hole.
15. Mark the Front and Back Clearly
For double-sided medals, clearly label:
FRONT
and
BACK
Do not rely on the factory to infer which side is which.
This is especially important when the two sides have different designs.
16. Specify the Edge
The medal edge can be:
- Flat
- Reeded
- Rope
- Textured
- Lettered
- Custom patterned
If the edge is important to the design, include a separate edge specification.
For example:
Edge: Rope texture
or:
Edge: Custom lettering
17. Design the Border Carefully
A medal border can visually frame the central artwork.
Common options include:
- Raised ring
- Double ring
- Rope border
- Beaded border
- Geometric border
- Plain polished edge
The border also provides a useful transition between the artwork and the medal edge.
18. Avoid Excessive Detail
More detail does not always create a better medal.
A 60 mm medal containing:
200 tiny design elements
may be harder to manufacture and less readable than a simplified design containing:
30 strong elements.
For medals viewed from several feet away, clear shapes often perform better.
19. Consider the Viewing Distance
Ask where the medal will be viewed.
Close Viewing
Collector medals can support more detailed artwork.
Event Viewing
Sports medals should have strong visual hierarchy.
Display Case
Commemorative medals can use more intricate details.
Large Ceremony
Important symbols and lettering should be highly visible.
20. Think About Lighting
Metal surfaces reflect light.
Raised areas catch highlights.
Recessed areas create shadows.
Therefore, the artwork should use relief to create natural contrast.
This is particularly useful for:
- Gold medals
- Silver medals
- Antique finishes
- 3D portraits
- Sculpted animals
21. Design Around the Plating
The same artwork can look different under different finishes.
Bright Gold
Creates strong highlights.
Antique Gold
Creates darker recessed areas.
Bright Silver
Creates a cleaner appearance.
Antique Silver
Creates stronger visual depth.
Bronze
Works well for historical and commemorative styles.
Choose the plating before finalizing the artwork whenever possible.
22. Plan Enamel Channels
If using enamel, the artwork should clearly define the recessed areas.
For example:
Blue area = enamel
Red area = enamel
Gold lines = exposed metal
The metal borders need to be sufficiently clear for reliable production.
23. Use Metal as Part of the Design
You do not need to cover every area with enamel.
Exposed metal can create:
- Highlights
- Borders
- Lettering
- Relief
- Texture
A strong medal often combines:
Metal + enamel + texture + plating
rather than relying on color alone.
24. Consider Engraving
If the medal requires personalization, reserve an appropriate area for:
- Names
- Dates
- Serial numbers
- Rankings
- Award categories
For example:
RECIPIENT NAME
2026
The engraving area should be large enough to remain readable.
25. Personalized Medals Need Special Artwork Planning
If every medal contains different information, create a separate data file.
For example:
| No. | Name | Award | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | John Smith | Champion | 2026 |
| 002 | David Lee | Runner-up | 2026 |
| 003 | Mark Chen | Third Place | 2026 |
This reduces spelling errors during production.
26. Create a Manufacturing Specification Sheet
For larger orders, prepare a one-page specification sheet.
Include:
Product: Custom Medal
Size: 70 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Material: Zinc Alloy
Finish: Antique Gold
Enamel: Soft Enamel
Colors: Red / Blue / White
Ribbon: 25 mm Polyester
Quantity: 5,000 pcs
Packaging: Individual Polybag
Artwork: Attached
This gives the manufacturer a single reference document.
27. Ask the Factory to Review the Artwork
Do not immediately authorize mold production.
Ask:
Please review the artwork for manufacturing feasibility and identify any lines, text, relief, enamel, or structural details that need modification.
This simple step can prevent expensive revisions later.
28. Approve a Digital Mockup
A 3D mockup should show:
- Front
- Back
- Side
- Relief
- Plating
- Enamel
- Edge
- Hanging hole
Review every detail before tooling.
29. Approve the Physical Sample
For major projects, the physical sample is extremely valuable.
Check:
- Size
- Weight
- Thickness
- Plating
- Color
- Relief
- Text
- Edge
- Ribbon
- Attachment
- Overall appearance
Do not judge only from the digital rendering.
30. Artwork Checklist
Before sending your artwork to a medal manufacturer:
☐ Vector artwork
☐ Text converted to outlines
☐ Front clearly marked
☐ Back clearly marked
☐ Dimensions specified
☐ Thickness specified
☐ Material specified
☐ Plating specified
☐ Enamel colors identified
☐ Relief levels identified
☐ Engraving areas identified
☐ Hanging hole specified
☐ Ribbon specification included
☐ Packaging requirements included
☐ Quantity included
☐ Delivery deadline included
Study Case: 5,000 Custom Marathon Medals
A race organizer submits a 60 mm marathon medal design.
The original artwork contains:
- 8 colors
- Very small text
- Thin lines
- A detailed city skyline
- A runner silhouette
- Multiple logos
The manufacturer reviews the artwork and recommends:
- Reducing colors from 8 to 4
- Enlarging the event name
- Increasing the thickness of several lines
- Making the runner a higher relief level
- Simplifying the skyline
The final design becomes easier to manufacture and easier for participants to recognize.
Key Lesson
Manufacturing-friendly artwork is not necessarily less attractive artwork.
In many cases, simplifying the design improves the final medal.
Study Case: Corporate Anniversary Medal
A company wants a:
75 mm 50th Anniversary Medal
The artwork includes:
1976–2026
50 YEARS
Company Logo
The manufacturer recommends:
- Raised logo
- Moderate 3D relief
- Silver plating
- Blue hard enamel
- Dedicated engraving area
The design maintains the corporate identity while leaving enough metal surface for the medal to look premium.
Study Case: Firefighter Recognition Medal
A department submits:
Firefighter + Helmet + Maltese Cross + Flames
The manufacturer separates the artwork into:
High relief: firefighter helmet
Medium relief: Maltese cross
Low relief: flames
Enamel: red flame sections
Background: recessed texture
This creates visual hierarchy and makes the central symbol easier to recognize.
How Professional Artwork Preparation Saves Money
Good artwork preparation can reduce:
- Artwork revisions
- Mold modifications
- Production delays
- Color mistakes
- Engraving errors
- Material waste
- Rejected products
For large orders, even a small reduction in production errors can have a meaningful financial impact.
Final Artwork Submission Template
When requesting a quotation, send:
Product: Custom 3D Medal
Quantity: 5,000 pcs
Size: 70 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Material: Zinc Alloy
Finish: Antique Gold
Enamel: Soft Enamel
Colors: Red / Blue / White
Ribbon: 25 mm Custom Polyester
Packaging: Individual Polybag
Artwork: AI/EPS/PDF
Deadline: Required delivery date
Destination: Country + City
This gives the manufacturer enough information to prepare a much more accurate quotation.
Conclusion
Preparing artwork for custom medal manufacturing requires thinking beyond the computer screen.
The final medal is influenced by:
Artwork + Size + Thickness + Material + Relief + Enamel + Plating + Engraving + Manufacturing Process
The best workflow is:
Design → Technical Review → 3D Mockup → Approval → Tooling → Sample → Mass Production
If you are ordering custom medals, work with a manufacturer that can provide both design engineering and physical production. This makes it easier to transform creative artwork into a medal that is attractive, manufacturable, and consistent in large quantities.
ChallengeCoinBadges provides OEM/ODM manufacturing for custom medals, 3D medals, sports medals, military medals, firefighter medals, corporate awards, challenge coins, lapel pins, and other custom metal products.