How to Make Your Own Personalised Medals

Are you looking for a unique way to personalise your medals?

Without a personal touch, medals can feel generic and lack the special meaning they deserve. Luckily, you've come to the right place to change that.

At MedalStudio, we’ve spent years helping people design and craft bespoke medals that tell a story, so we know how to make your achievements stand out.

That’s why, in this article, we’ll provide you with three great ways to make your own personalised medals:

1. Use clay
2. Use an engraving pen
3. Get a professional custom medal

Let's dive in!

#1 Use Clay

If you’re looking to create a personalised medal in a fun and creative way, consider using clay. This material is highly versatile and easy to work with, thanks to its water content.

Clay is ideal for beginners and children alike, and if you have some time for a DIY project, it’s a great way to get hands-on.

Follow these simple instructions to create your own custom medal using clay:

1. Knead the clay until it’s pliable and workable. Then, roll it out to your desired thickness.
2. Use a cookie cutter to create the medal’s shape. If you’re feeling creative, consider experimenting with unique shapes or designing your own.
3. Use a toothpick to etch the design into the clay. . You could add your name and the reason for the medal, and even include a textured edge.
4. Make a hole near the top of the medal to attach the ribbon later.
5. Allow the clay to dry completely for 24 hours.
6. Once fully dry, paint the medal with acrylic paint. Choose your favourite colours, and feel free to get creative—some medals look great with a touch of glitter or similar embellishments!

#2 Use an Engraving Pen

If you want to add a polished touch to your personalised medal, consider getting an engraving pen.

You can find engraving pens in various stores, including Amazon. Prices range from €10 to €40, so take your budget and the frequency of use into account when choosing the right one.

Here's how to use an engraving pen:

1. Clean the medal and your work area.
2. Secure the medal to make sure it doesn't move while you're engraving it.
3. Lightly mark the design you'd like to create with a pencil. If you're not yet comfortable engraving freehand, you can use a template instead.
4. Use the engraving pen to trace over your pencil markings. It's important to apply steady pressure and consider the material you're working with. Metal medals may require slightly more pressure than other materials like acrylic.
5. Attach a ribbon.

If you're still looking for a more professional-looking medal, there are other options available to help you create medals that truly stand out. Keep reading to find out more!

#3 The Smarter Alternative: MedalStudio's Products

While DIY methods can be fun, they are often time-consuming and may lack the polish and durability of professionally crafted medals. So if you want to create a personalised medal that leaves a lasting impression, consider MedalStudio's products.

We specialise in designing and manufacturing top-quality medals and awards for any sport, team, event, or organisation. Unlike cheap imports found online, our bespoke medals are tailored to your needs and can include any design or logo you provide.

Here's how you can create your custom medal at MedalStudio:

1. Visit medalstudio.com and select your medal material. Select from our wide range of materials, including metal, hybrid, acrylic, cast, and eco-friendly options. For those seeking something unique, we also offer custom-shaped medals to add a creative touch to your achievement.

2. Select your preferred medal model. Browse through our collection of models and choose the one that suits your style or event requirements.
3. Choose your ribbon colour. Our ribbons are included in the cost of your medals and are pre-fitted, so no additional loops or catches are needed.

4. Upload your design in a single file using one of the following formats: png, jpg, gif, ai, psd, svg, pdf, eps.
5. Share your vision for the medal with our designers, including any text you’d like to feature and how it should complement your logo or design.

All of our products are proudly crafted and shipped from our headquarters in the heart of Yorkshire. This enables us to deliver your medals anywhere in the UK within two weeks of artwork approval.

Note: Our free design service includes creating a visual representation of your medal based on the images and instructions you provide. However, this does not include the creation of a new logo. If you require a custom logo, this service is available at an additional cost.

Make Your Medals Truly Special

Creating your own personalised medal is a fantastic way to celebrate your achievements and make them memorable. If you prefer a DIY approach, you can use clay or an engraving pen to craft your medals. However, if you want to ensure a flawless finish, consider personalising your medals with MedalStudio.

If you have any questions or need help designing your medals, please get in touch via [email protected], or give us a ring at 01377 250449. 

Updated: 10/01/2025