The most expensive mistake when designing a recurring medal can often be summed up in four digits: the year. If it is made in relief, the mold is only suitable for that edition. If the year is reserved for a later print run, the logo and identity remain the same, and the same mold can be used for future orders.
The relief should contain what does not expire
A good base includes the name, logo, shape, and permanent symbols. For a club, this might be the crest; for a school, the institution’s emblem; for a town hall, the authorized coat of arms and the ongoing program; for a race, the event name if it remains the same from one edition to the next.
The year, category, distance, venue, class, or placing are variable details. They can be printed in full color onto the metal in a designated area, so the finished piece still looks as though it was designed that way from the outset.
Designing a variable area so it does not look like a patch
The print area must form part of the composition. It could be a strip, central field, cartouche, or smooth reverse. It is advisable to leave space around the text and plan for the maximum length: “2026” takes up little room, but a category or venue may need more space.
If the reverse also features relief, it must be designed together with the front. The raised elements on one side must correspond to the opposite side. A smooth reverse offers more flexibility for information that changes.
Manufacturing base stock for predictable contingencies
Factory orders, including repeat orders, start at 100 units. Ordering 18 new medals after registration closes is not efficient. The alternative is to include a reserve of medals with the permanent relief in the initial run and leave the edition details unprinted.
We can carry out later print runs on this stock from around 10 units, at an approximate cost of close to €2 per medal. This is different from manufacturing new medals: the pieces already exist, and only the variable information is added.
When the mold is kept and when it is not
- It is kept: the printed year, ribbon, added color, printed category, or metallic finish changes, but the shape and relief remain the same.
- It must be reviewed: the logo, relief text, outline, ribbon slot, or the volume of either side changes.
Keeping the mold removes approximately €200 for 60 mm, €220 for 70 mm, or €250 for 80 mm from the next quotation for the indicated references. The saving is a real avoided cost, not a fixed commercial discount.
Planning before placing the order
- List the activities that will share the same identity over the coming months.
- Separate the permanent and variable elements into two columns.
- Decide which sides will feature relief and where each later detail will be printed.
- Estimate the initial batch and a reasonable reserve of base medals.
- Save the approved file and reference the same mold when ordering a repeat run.
This planning solves the problem that often arrives too late: needing a small run for a new event when there is no longer enough time or volume to manufacture another mold economically.
Applications by type of organization
The custom medal catalog brings together specific criteria for sports clubs, associations, events, schools, and town halls. All options start at 100 units per reference.
Request a quote for your medal
Indicate the planned activities, initial quantity, desired reserve, permanent elements, and variable details. Also specify whether you prefer one or two sides, approximate size, finish, ribbon, and presentation. With this information, we can finalize the quote for a minimum order of 100 units per reference.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is it advisable to leave the year out of the mold?
- Because it can be printed later, allowing the relief to be reused for future editions.
- What is the minimum factory repeat order?
- 100 units per reference, just like the first order.
- Can only ten more medals be customized later?
- Yes, if base medal stock already exists. Later printing starts at around 10 units and costs approximately €2 per medal.
- What changes require another mold to be manufactured?
- Changing the shape, logo, or any relief element requires the mold to be reviewed and normally remade.