- UK
- Call 01736 697237 - Drop us a line at info@bespokesportsmedals.com
Find Out More About Our Custom Running Medal Services
When it comes to organising a running event—whether it’s a local 5K, a charity fun run, a half marathon, or a full marathon—few elements carry as much weight (literally and symbolically) as the finisher medal.
A well-crafted medal serves as a lasting symbol of accomplishment and motivation for runners.
Beyond design and finish, one of the most important considerations is size.While a typical medal might be around 3 inches in diameter, many races opt to create larger, more eye-catching designs to stand out, embracing uniqueness and creativity.
The size of a custom running medal influences how it looks, how it feels to participants, and even how much it costs.
Additionally, larger medals may offer more space for intricate designs and sponsor logos, enhancing their appeal.
Let’s break down the most common medal sizes and the factors that help you decide what’s right for your event.
Ultimately, selecting the right size is crucial to ensuring that the medal makes a positive impact on all who finish your race.
Event Scale – Smaller community runs may not need huge medals, while marathons and international events benefit from larger designs.
Budget – Bigger medals use more material, add weight (increasing shipping costs), and take longer to produce.
Design Complexity – If you want intricate details, larger sizes give your designer more space to work.
Audience Expectation – Runners often compare medals across events. If nearby races use large 80 mm medals, a tiny 50 mm design might feel underwhelming.
Practicality – Consider the comfort of wearing the medal at the finish line and how easy it is to store or display afterwards.
You Can See Our Other Custom Medals Below>
One of the most important decisions is what plating / finish to use. The plating (or coating) choice defines the look, durability, and feel of the medal. Below is a guide to the common types of custom medal plating/finishes you’ll often see (especially in the UK) and their pros/cons.
| Plating / Finish | Description / Effect | Best Use Cases | Trade-offs / Considerations |
|---|
| Shiny Gold / Bright Gold Plate | A polished, reflective gold layer over the base metal | Gold looks classic for “1st place” medals, premium awards | Shows scratches easily; may require more polishing / protection |
| Antique Gold | Gold plating with an aged patina (darker recesses, soft shine) | Awards with vintage or classical feel | Less bright; the patina may wear over time |
| Antique Bronze / Bronze Age | Bronze surface with antiqued shading | Rustic, outdoors, heritage events | Bronze can oxidize over time if not sealed well |
| Antique Silver | Silver plating with aged / darker tone in crevices | When you want silver tones but with depth | The contrast matters—light detail may fade into shadows |
| Antique Nickel / Nickel | Nickel plating with aged / industrial look | Modern finishes, cleaner but textured feel | Nickel plating must be high quality to resist tarnish |
| Matt Silver / Matte Finish | A non-reflective silver surface—soft, modern | For understated elegance or minimalist medal themes | Doesn’t reflect light; detail may read differently under lighting |
| Red Copper / Copper Plating | Copper tone plating, often with warm, reddish hue | For unique color accents or vintage / warmth tones | Copper can patina / darken over time unless sealed |
| Black Nickel / Black Plating | Dark, gunmetal / blackened finish that gives strong contrast | For modern, edgy designs—especially with color enamel overlays | Scratches or underlying metal can show; higher cost |
| Rose Gold / Champagne Gold | A pinker gold tone (pink gold, rose gold) | Feminine designs, premium look, differentiation | More expensive; less contrast with some color fills |
| Special Effects Plating | Gradient, two-tone plating, color plating, split plating | For standout, eye-catching designs | More complex; higher price; risk of plating mismatch |
| UV Print / Color Print (with or without plating) | Instead of traditional plating, full-color printing onto medal face — sometimes over a plated base | When you need photographic detail, many colors, logos | Print durability is lower than metal plating; needs clear sealing |
| Spray / Colour Tint Finishes | A sprayed color layer over plating (e.g., pastel tints, subtle tones) | Subtle coloration over metallic surfaces | Less durable; may wear in high contact zones |
| Glitter / Sparkle Over Plating | Metallic plating with embedded glitter in certain zones or edges | To add sparkle highlights, special event medals | Glitter may dull over time or be more delicate |
| Epoxy Dome over Plated Surface | Plating underneath, with a clear dome of epoxy on top | Protects the finish, gives 3D look | Adds thickness; can distort detail if dome is too thick |
To ground this in a real example, Bespoke Sports Medals lists a number of plating / finish types that they provide for custom medals. Some that they explicitly name include:
Red Copper
Antique Nickel
Antique Gold
Antique Silver
Antique Bronze
Matt Silver
Special Effects Plating
UV Print (as a finish / overlay)
Shine Enamel, Glitter Effects, etc. bespokesportsmedals.com
In their “Custom Medal Types” page, they also mention Gold Shiny Plate, Shiny Gold, Non Enamelled, Full / Part Enamelled, and Cut-Out types
Given the many options, here’s how to pick the plating / finish that suits your event:
Contrast with Color / Enamel
For colored zones (enamel fills or printed areas), choose a plating color that contrasts (e.g. black or antique nickel background and bright enamel).
Intended Visual Style
Want a vintage / heritage feel → antique bronze or antique silver
For premium shine / “champion” look → bright gold or rose gold
For modern / edgy look → black nickel, custom effects
Durability & Wear
Bright / polished finishes show scratches easier. For events, finishes that hide minor scuffs (antique, matt, textured) often fare better.
Budget Constraints
Some special plating (rose gold, two-tone, black nickel) cost more. Basic gold, silver, bronze are often the baseline.
Combination Finishes
Many premium medals combine finishes (e.g. plated gold rim + black nickel background + enamel inlay). Bespoke providers often allow mixing.
Environmental / Practical Conditions
If medals will be exposed to sweat, moisture, rain, or abrasion, choose a plating that tolerates it (nickel, plated with protective coatings, or epoxy domed finishes).
