Size and thickness
The biggest cost driver — and the only reason two medals differ in base price. The tables here quote the standard 3-inch spec; a 5-inch statement piece uses more alloy and plating and quotes higher, a 2.5-inch kids medal lower.
PRICING GUIDE — UPDATED 2026
How much do custom race medals cost?
The short answer: $1.55 to $3.40 per medal — set by size, quantity, and special additions, never by the sport.
- Lowest per-medal price
- $1.55
- Minimum order
- 100
- Firm quote & 3D proof
- 48h
- Edit rounds included
- 2
AT A GLANCE
One price for every race type
A 5K medal and a marathon medal of the same size cost the same — price follows size and features, never the sport. Standard spec: die-cast zinc alloy, antique plating, stock ribbon.
| Quantity | Price per medal (3-inch standard) |
|---|---|
| 100–249 | $2.50 |
| 250–499 | $2.15 |
| 500–999 | $1.85 |
| 1,000+ | $1.55best value |
Pricing is by size, not by sport: a 3-inch medal runs about $2.50 each at 100 units for any race — larger sizes slightly more, smaller sizes less, and same-size medals start at the same price. Design and proofs are quoted with your order. New designs carry a one-time mold fee (generally around $100, depending on size); reorders of the same design never pay it again. Specialty builds — spinners, moving parts, oversized cutouts — can add to the per-medal cost.
SPECIAL ADDITIONS
What the extras add per medal
The features finishers ask for, priced as simple per-unit additions to the base table above.
| Addition | Adds per medal | From, incl. base (1,000+) |
|---|---|---|
| Spinner mechanism | +$0.50 | $2.05 |
| Glow-in-the-dark enamel | +$0.30 | $1.85 |
| Bottle-opener back | +$0.40 | $1.95 |
| Translucent epoxy fill | +$0.35 | $1.90 |
| Shape & skyline cutouts | +$0.25 | $1.80 |
| Sublimated ribbon upgrade | +$0.90 | $2.45 |
BEYOND MEDALS
Race gear pricing
Bundle gear into the medal order to share one design cycle and one shipment.
| Item | 100–249 | 500–999 | 1,000+ best value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race Towels | $4.25 | $3.50 | $3.25 |
| Tote Bags | $2.75 | $2.15 | $1.95 |
| Koozies | $1.35 | $0.92 | $0.79 |
| Water Bottles | $2.85 | $2.10 | $1.85 |
| Race Hats | $8.50 | $7.00 | $6.50 |
| Pint Glasses | $3.45 | $2.70 | $2.40 |
WHAT MOVES THE PRICE
The six factors that set your per-medal cost
Quantity
Mold and setup costs are fixed, so they spread thinner as quantity grows. Orders start at 100 units and prices step down at 250, 500, and 1,000 — ordering 260 instead of 240 can cost less in total.
Colors and enamel
Each hand-filled enamel color adds cost. Plating-only designs (mirror, antique, or two-tone platings) with deep 3D relief often look more premium than heavily colored flat designs — and cost less.
Ribbon choice
A stock single-color ribbon is included in the standard spec. Upgrading to a full-color sublimated ribbon with your art adds $0.90 per medal — double-sided printing costs little extra once you sublimate.
Special additions
Spinner mechanisms add $0.50 per medal, shape and skyline cutouts $0.25, glow-in-the-dark enamel $0.30, and translucent epoxy fills $0.35 — each itemized in your quote.
Timeline
Standard production is 3–4 weeks plus shipping. Rush casting to hit 15 business days door-to-door typically adds 15–25% — booking 8+ weeks out is the easiest saving there is.
SPEND LESS, LOOK BETTER
Six ways to lower your medal budget
- Order into the next quantity tier when you are close — the total is often lower.
- Use plating and 3D relief for impact instead of adding enamel colors.
- Keep the year off the medal face (put it on the ribbon) so leftovers work next year.
- Order 8+ weeks out and skip rush fees entirely.
- Bundle gear — towels, totes, koozies — into the medal order to share one shipment and design cycle.
- Send us any written competitor quote: we beat it by up to 10% on identical specs.
Pricing questions, answered
How much do custom race medals cost on average?
Most races pay between $1.55 and $3.40 per medal depending on size, quantity, and special additions — the event type itself never changes the price. A typical 500-finisher race budgets about $925 for standard 3-inch medals. Design and proofs are quoted with your order and never scale with quantity.
How can you price so far below the big catalogs?
The company is one person — a working race director. No staff, no office, no middlemen: factory-direct casting and one person’s time are the entire cost structure, so the savings go to you instead of overhead.
Is there a minimum order for custom medals?
Ours is 100 medals — the industry standard for fully custom die-cast designs, since mold and setup costs need volume to amortize. Running a smaller event? Order an evergreen design (no year on the face) and carry extras into next season.
What is a mold fee and do I have to pay one?
A mold (or die) fee covers machining the steel tool that casts your unique design — generally around $100, depending on size. It is one-time: approve a design once and reorders of the same design never pay it again. Design and proofs are quoted separately, with two edit rounds included.
How long do custom race medals take to make?
Plan on 3–4 weeks of production plus shipping — about 6 weeks door-to-door standard, 8 weeks for complex builds like spinners. Rush service can compress the total to 15 business days.
Are cheap race medals worth it?
Cheap and low-quality are different things. Stamped-tin medals feel flimsy and finishers notice. Die-cast zinc alloy at volume pricing — the approach every reputable maker uses — delivers trophy-grade weight at merch-grade prices.
Get your exact number in 48 hours
Ballparks are useful; a firm quote is better. Tell us your race, headcount, and date — pricing and a 3D proof come back within two days.