Affordable Materials for Making Custom Medals

Custom medals and personalized awards are a great way to recognize achievements, motivate teams, and commemorate special occasions. Whether you're hosting a sports event, corporate competition, or recognizing individual milestones, custom medals can make a lasting impact. One of the key factors to consider when designing these special awards is the material used. An affordable material can offer durability, aesthetic appeal, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that your personalized medals are both high-quality and budget-friendly.

In this blog, we will explore some of the most affordable materials for custom medals and provide tips on how to choose the best material for your needs.

1. Zinc Alloy: The Perfect Affordable Material for Custom Medals

Zinc alloy is a top choice when it comes to creating affordable and durable custom medals. This material is highly resistant to corrosion and has the ability to be molded into intricate designs, making it ideal for detailed and personalized awards. Zinc alloy custom medals offer great value without sacrificing quality, making them a popular choice for bulk orders and event giveaways.

Advantages:

• Affordable for large-volume purchases.
• Easily customizable, with a wide range of finishes available (matte, glossy, antique).
• Resistant to tarnishing and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting awards.

Disadvantages:

• Heavier than some other materials like plastic or aluminum.

If you're looking to buy custom medals in bulk, zinc alloy is an excellent option that balances cost and quality.

2. Brass: Classic and Affordable Personalized Medals

For those seeking a more traditional, elegant look for personalized medals, brass is a fantastic option. Brass medals are typically associated with prestigious events, and their golden shine makes them an attractive choice for recognition awards. Although brass may be slightly more expensive than zinc alloy, it remains a cost-effective material for custom medal production, especially for mid-range budgets.

Advantages:

• A beautiful, gold-like finish that adds an elegant touch.
• Resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.
• Perfect for customization through engraving and detailing.

Disadvantages:

• Slightly more expensive than zinc alloys.

Brass custom medals are a great way to give awards that feel luxurious without the high cost of precious metals like gold or silver.

3. Aluminum: Lightweight and Affordable Custom Medal Material

Aluminum is another affordable material for custom medals, known for being lightweight and versatile. This material is perfect for events where the medals will be worn or distributed in large quantities. Aluminum medals can be anodized to add vibrant colors and intricate designs, providing a high degree of customization at an affordable price.

Advantages:

• Lightweight and easy to distribute or wear.
• Highly customizable with color anodizing and graphic designs.
• Resistant to rust and corrosion, ensuring longevity.

Disadvantages:

• Not as durable as metals like zinc alloy or brass.
• Can be more easily scratched or dented.

If you're looking to order personalized medals that won’t weigh down participants, aluminum is a great choice for sports events or corporate awards.

4. Acrylic: Affordable and Customizable Material for Custom Medals

For a more modern take on custom medals, acrylic is an affordable and lightweight option. Acrylic medals are a popular choice for events with a larger number of participants or when a more colorful, graphic design is needed. Acrylic can be easily laser-etched or printed with custom designs, allowing for intricate details and vibrant colors.

Advantages:

• Highly customizable in shape, size, and color.
• Lightweight and cost-effective.
• Ideal for graphic-heavy designs and modern event themes.

Disadvantages:

• Can crack or break under heavy impact.
• Less prestigious than metal-based options like brass or zinc.

Acrylic is an excellent option for those looking to buy custom medals at a lower cost while still offering vibrant and detailed designs.

5. Copper: A Budget-Friendly Metal for Custom Medals

If you're interested in a metal custom medal but are working within a budget, copper offers an attractive yet affordable option. Known for its reddish hue, copper gives medals a unique appearance that stands out from the traditional gold, silver, and bronze. Copper can also be plated with other metals like nickel or gold to enhance its appearance without significantly increasing the cost.

Advantages:

• Unique color that gives medals a distinctive look.
• Can be plated for a more upscale finish.
• Cost-effective compared to higher-end metals like gold or silver.

Disadvantages:

• Can tarnish over time, requiring regular maintenance.
• Less durable than zinc alloy or brass.

Copper is ideal for those looking to order personalized medals with a unique aesthetic without paying the premium price of silver or gold.

6. Tin: The Most Affordable Option for Bulk Custom Medals

For large-scale events or when creating a high volume of custom medals, tin is one of the most affordable options. While tin may not offer the prestige of other materials, it remains a practical and cost-effective choice for events that require a large number of awards. Tin is often used for promotional events, participation awards, or giveaways.

Advantages:

• Extremely affordable, especially for large orders.
• Lightweight and easy to distribute.
• Can be customized with various colors and designs.

Disadvantages:

• Not as durable as other metals.
• Can dent or scratch easily if not handled with care.

Tin custom medals are ideal for high-volume, budget-conscious events like school competitions, fundraisers, or conventions.

7. Resin: A Creative and Affordable Material for Custom Medals

Resin is a versatile material that allows for the creation of custom medals with complex, three-dimensional designs. Resin is often used in combination with other materials, such as metal or acrylic, to create hybrid designs that are both unique and affordable. Resin medals can be crafted in almost any shape and color, making them highly customizable for any event.

Advantages:

• Highly customizable in terms of design and color.
• Durable and long-lasting.
• Can be produced in bulk at an affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• Less durable than metals, and may break under heavy force.
• Not as prestigious as traditional metal medals.

Resin custom medals are great for events that require a unique look but still need to keep costs low.

Conclusion: How to Choose the Best Affordable Material for Custom Medals

Choosing the right material for your custom medals depends on your budget, the desired look, and the type of event. Materials like zinc alloy, brass, and aluminum offer great value and quality for affordable personalized medals, while acrylic and resin provide creative, budget-friendly alternatives for unique designs. If cost is a major consideration, tin and copper offer economical options that still deliver beautiful, customizable awards.

When you're ready to buy custom medals, consider the event’s theme, the number of awards you need, and the durability required. By selecting the right material, you can create lasting and meaningful awards that are as memorable as the achievements they recognize.

For those looking to order custom medals in bulk with various material options, choose suppliers like Custom Crafts that offers a wide range of choices to fit your specific needs.