Compare Stock Metal, Insert & Custom Award Medals
Choosing the right award medal depends on the type of event, number of recipients, budget and level of personalization you want. JustAwardMedals.com offers three primary medal categories: all-metal stock medals, build-your-own insert medals and custom award medals. Each provides different advantages for sports tournaments, races, schools, academic programs, competitions and special events.
All-Metal Stock Award Medals
Stock metal medals are a traditional and economical choice when you want a ready-made design for a particular sport, activity or achievement. Choose from a large selection of medal designs for sports, academics, participation, placement and many other competitive and recognition events. Many styles are available in gold, silver and bronze finishes and can be combined with neck ribbons and personalized back engraved tags to create a complete award. All-metal medals are especially practical for leagues, schools and tournaments that need attractive awards without the additional design requirements of a custom medal. With numerous medal series, sizes and designs available, organizers can select a style appropriate for everything from youth participation to championship recognition.
Build-Your-Own Insert Medals
Insert medals combine a medal with a recessed center designed to hold a printed or stock insert. This provides exceptional flexibility because you can build an award using a stock insert design, personalize selected designs with your custom text, or create a fully custom medal insert using your own logo, mascot, event artwork or graphics.
Custom insert medals are an excellent choice when you want the appearance and feel of a traditional metal medal with greater personalization at an economical price. They work particularly well for tournaments, schools, races, corporate events and annual competitions where organizers want to include an event name, organization identity or custom design without manufacturing an entirely new medal.
Custom Award Medals
For events requiring a distinctive award, custom medals provide the greatest design flexibility. Custom medal options include die-cast medals, direct-print metal medallions, full-color acrylic medals, custom wood medals and custom printed insert medals. These different manufacturing methods make it possible to match the medal style to your artwork, quantity, budget and desired appearance.
Custom die-cast medals provide a traditional dimensional metal appearance and are ideal for designs featuring raised and recessed details. Full-color printed medals are well suited for logos, detailed graphics and multiple colors, while acrylic and wood medals provide distinctive alternatives to conventional metal awards. Custom insert medals offer an economical solution when full-color customization is desired using an existing medal body.
Which Type of Award Medal Should You Choose?
If you need an affordable ready-made award for a common sport or activity, an all-metal stock medal may be the simplest choice. If you want to add personalized text, a logo or custom artwork while keeping costs economical, consider a build-your-own insert medal. For championships, signature tournaments, races and special events where the medal itself should be unique, a fully custom award medal provides the greatest creative freedom.
Whichever medal type you choose, consider the number of recipients, medal size and finish, artwork requirements, neck ribbon colors, engraving and the overall importance of the event. Selecting the right combination can create an award that fits your budget while giving recipients a lasting reminder of their achievement.
