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If you are planning a sports event, corporate award, school ceremony, or commemorative program, one of the first questions you may ask is simple: what is the medal price?

The answer is not fixed. A custom medal can cost a few dollars per piece, or it can cost much more depending on material, size, design, finishing, and order quantity. In most cases, the real price is shaped by production details rather than the medal itself.

This guide explains the main factors behind medal pricing, gives practical cost ranges, and shows how to estimate a budget more accurately.

Typical Medal Price Range

Here is a general reference for custom medal pricing:

These are only reference ranges. The final medal price can change a lot depending on the order details.

1. Material Is the Main Price Driver

Material is one of the biggest factors in medal pricing. Different metals and non-metal materials have very different costs and production requirements.

Zinc alloy is often the best choice for large events because it balances cost and appearance. Brass and copper are better for medals that need a more premium look. Stainless steel is often used when durability and modern style matter more than weight.

2. Size and Thickness Affect the Cost

The larger and thicker the medal, the more material it needs. That means the medal price rises as the physical size increases.

For example:

• • A 50 mm medal usually costs less than a 70 mm medal

• • A 3 mm thick medal is cheaper than a 6 mm thick medal

• • Heavy medals often feel more premium, but they also cost more to produce and ship

A practical rule is simple: bigger medal, higher cost. But bigger does not always mean better. For many events, a medium-size medal offers the best balance between appearance and budget.

3. Design Complexity Changes the Medal Price

A simple round medal with one logo is much cheaper than a medal with multiple layers, cutouts, or special shapes.

Common design factors that increase cost:

• • 3D relief or deep engraving

• • Multiple colors

• • Hollow cutout structure

• • Asymmetric or irregular shapes

• • Fine text or very small details

• • Special surface effects

The more complex the design, the more mold work, manual adjustment, and finishing time is needed. That increases labor cost and lowers production efficiency.

4. Finishing and Color Work Add Extra Cost

After the medal is formed, it usually goes through finishing. This is where the visual style becomes visible.

Common finishes include:

• • Gold plating

• • Silver plating

• • Antique bronze

• • Matte black

• • Brushed metal

• • Soft enamel

• • Hard enamel

• • Printed color coating

Color filling and enamel work usually raise the medal price because they require extra steps and more labor. A single-color medal is generally cheaper than a medal with five or six different colors.

5. Mold Cost Is a Key One-Time Expense

Custom medals usually require a mold. This is one of the most important hidden costs.

The mold is usually a one-time setup cost. Once it is made, it can often be reused for repeat orders as long as it remains in good condition.

This is why small orders often look expensive. If you only order 20 or 50 medals, the mold cost is spread across very few pieces. If you order 500 or 1,000 medals, the mold cost per piece becomes much lower.

6. Order Quantity Strongly Impacts Unit Price

Quantity is one of the most important price factors in medal production.

This is because large orders reduce the impact of mold setup, sampling, and machine adjustment. In other words, the more you order, the more efficient the production becomes.

For example, a medal that costs $15 each in a small order may cost only $6–$8 each in a large batch.