Why Custom Acrylic and Wood Medals Are a Standout Choice

 

Beyond Metal: Why Custom Acrylic and Wood Medals Are a Standout Choice

When most people think of award medals, metal is usually the first thing that comes to mind. And for good reason—custom printed insert medals and die cast medals are classics for sports events, competitions, and achievements of all kinds.

But if you’re looking to do something a little different, something that truly stands out and feels memorable, there’s a growing shift toward alternative materials. At JustAwardMedals, our custom acrylic and wood medals are becoming a favorite for customers who want a fresh, unique, and modern take on awards.

Here’s why acrylic and wood medals deserve a serious look for your next event.

1. A Unique Look That Instantly Stands Out

Metal medals are timeless—but they’re also familiar. Acrylic and wood medals immediately catch attention because they’re unexpected.

• Acrylic medals offer a clean, modern aesthetic with crisp edges, bold colors, and eye-catching transparency or solid finishes.

• Wood medals bring warmth, texture, and a natural feel that no metal can replicate.

When recipients receive something that looks and feels different, it makes the achievement more memorable. These medals don’t just blend in—they spark conversation.

2. Endless Customization Possibilities

One of the biggest advantages of acrylic and wood is how flexible they are for custom designs.

With these materials, you can:

• Cut custom shapes that go beyond traditional round medals

• Incorporate logos, text, patterns, and illustrations with precision

• Use layered designs, cut-outs, or engraved details

Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, a school competition, a fun run, or a creative festival, acrylic and wood medals give you more freedom to bring your vision to life.

3. Perfect for Modern and Creative Events

Alternative medals shine especially well at events that want to feel contemporary, artistic, or community-driven.

Custom acrylic and wood medals are a great fit for:

• Fun runs, charity events, and community races

• Corporate awards and team recognition

• School programs and academic achievements

• Fitness challenges, dance competitions, and creative contests

• Eco-conscious or nature-inspired events

They signal that thought went into the award—not just the competition.

  

4. Lightweight and Comfortable to Wear

Another practical benefit: acrylic and wood medals are lightweight.

That means:

• More comfortable for kids and younger participants

• Easier to wear for longer ceremonies or photo sessions

• Less strain on ribbons and necks

Despite being lightweight, these medals still feel solid and high-quality in hand, striking the perfect balance between comfort and durability.

5. A Natural, Eco-Inspired Appeal

Wood medals, in particular, resonate with customers who value sustainability and natural aesthetics. While still durable and professionally finished, they offer an earthy, handcrafted feel that aligns beautifully with outdoor events, environmental initiatives, and wellness-focused brands.

6. High Perceived Value Without the Traditional Feel

One common misconception is that non-metal medals feel less premium. In reality, a well-designed acrylic or wood medal often feels more exclusive because it’s less common.

Recipients notice:

• The originality of the material

• The care in the design

• The fact that it’s not “just another medal”

That sense of novelty can elevate the perceived value of the award just as much as weight or shine.

7. A Refreshing Alternative—Without Replacing the Classics

Metal medals will always have their place, and at Just Award Medals, our custom printed insert medals and custom die cast medals remain top sellers for a reason.

But acrylic and wood medals aren’t about replacing metal—they’re about expanding your options.

They give event organizers the freedom to:

• Match the medal to the theme

• Create a more memorable experience

• Offer something participants haven’t seen a hundred times before

Sometimes, standing out is the real prize.

Explore Custom Acrylic and Wood Medals with Just Award Medals

If you’re planning an event and want awards that feel modern, creative, and meaningful, custom acrylic and wood medals are a powerful choice. They’re distinctive, highly customizable, lightweight, and perfect for events that want to leave a lasting impression.

At justawardmedals.com, we’re proud to offer a full range of medal options—from classic metal to bold alternatives—so you can find the perfect fit for your event and your audience.

Ready to try something different? Your next award might just be wood or acrylic.

About Custom DIE CAST Medals
Customized Medals

STRAIGHT ANSWERS ABOUT OUR CUSTOM DIE CAST MEDALS

How are these custom die cast medals made and what about die charges? Custom medallions are typically liquid cast in a mold or die. Dies are made by skilled artisans, and high tech 3D CNC's. Medallions cast in steel molds/dies show amazing detail and quality. Many manufacturers will use a disposable rubber mold (spin cast) which decreases mold/die charges and overall costs, but produces a less detailed medallion often with inconsistencies. Our factory uses a steel die/mold, however we can sometimes obtain medals faster from a manufacturer who uses rubber molds for quicker turnaround if needed.

Are your Custom Made Die Cast Medals better than your competitors?
There are many good medal manufacturers out there, however be aware that most of the time you get what you pay for. When looking at a medal's quality, consider the following:
1. Is the thickness of the medallion equal to what was promised, or did the manufacturer decrease the thickness to save on costs? Most of our medals have thicknesses of at least 3mm. Will the medal feel "substantial" and have considerable weight relative to its size?
2. Are the letters and images clear, crisp and detailed? (Less Clarity can result from a rubber "spin cast" mold... insist on a steel mold or die.)
3. Is the buffing and plating consistent across all medals?
4. On antique finishes, are the medallion's edges buffed, or did the manufacturer cut corners by leaving all the edges blackened.
5. Are the ribbons attached with clips and jump rings that match the medal's plating? For example, antique silver jump rings should be used on antique silver medals.
6. Is each medal attached to a neckband, poly-bagged and packaged properly?

What finishes are available on your custom die cast medals?
The finish and color of your medals depends on the plating. All our medals are available in antique gold, silver and bronze. The bronze plating is more of a copper tone - much like a penny. Antique finishes are the most popular. A typical antique finish is where raised areas of your medal show a more bright or shiny appearance, and the lower relief areas are darker or more blackened. You can also have your medals plated in bright gold, silver and bronze where there is no "antique" effect, and the finish appears bright and shiny overall. Bright finishes cost a little more. There usually are no added charges for mixing finishes.

What is your minimum order and delivery time?
We require a 200 piece minimum. Plan on approximately 5-8 weeks delivery, after approval of your paper proofs.
If you need custom medals sooner you may want to consider our Custom Color Insert Medals with a 4-6 day turnaround, or our other custom medals made "in-house."

What about artwork and do I need it?
Black and white Artwork of your medal eventually needs to be completed by you, an outside graphic artist or us. Keep in mind that what is black on your medallion artwork is typically raised, and what it white will be recessed. We prefer digital vector art in any of the following formats: pdf., cdr (Corel Draw), .ai or eps. If you don't have art but have a general idea of what you want, you will need to describe to us as best you can what you want to see if this is something we can do. Often customers have a logo that needs to be combined with text. In such cases, e-mail us the logo so we can see it. Art charges for fixing existing art/logos, or for creation of art, can cost $75 per hour. Typically we can fix or create a design in 1-2 hours. We normally do NOT create art from scratch. 

Can I color my custom cast medallions?
Yes, medals can be color filled with enamel, glittered enamel or glow in the dark enamel. Adding color to your medal is often well worth it if you have a logo or design where you want to maintain branding. You will be surprised how much color adds to the overall look of your medal!

What is 2D and 3D?
"2D" or two dimensional custom medals maintain two or more flat plains or levels. Most often, a 2D medal has a low recessed level and a raised higher flat level (raised text). "3D" or three dimensional medals have variations or graduations in levels making images look more realistic. Three Dimensional molds are more expensive to make.

What makes a custom die cast medal look good?
As you might expect, the final appearance of your medal has a lot to do with the art. Not to mention, a medal's beauty really is in the "eye of the beholder." This aside, a medal with an abundance of raised area tends to enhance its appearance. Medals with a large amount of open recessed areas may look bare and empty, and actually reduce the overall weight of your medal. Often, adding a slight texture to the medal's recessed background area can help the overall appearance.

Do you make your custom die cast medals at your facility?
We manufacturer our custom color printed and lasered medallions "in-house" at our modern facility near Minneapolis MN. Materials would include wood, acrylic and vinyl. We are a certified manufacturer's representative for our die cast medals. Most American and Foreign die cast and die struck medallion manufacturers work through dealers and reps such as us, instead of selling direct. The majority of our custom die cast medals are manufactured overseas. From our experience, overseas custom medals offer our customers quality and the best value for their money. Overseas artisans continually impress us with their attention to detail and quality at unmatched pricing. Our custom medal pictures tell the story - quality is our #1 priority. Unfortunately, because these medallions are manufactured overseas, the minimum quantity requirement is 200 pieces, and the delivery time is approximately 5-8 weeks. For slightly faster delivery times and "Made in USA" requirements, we have strong relationships with a limited amount of US factories if needed.

What kind of Neckbands do you offer?

Typically we offer 7/8" wide or 1-1/2" wide x 32" long neckbands in many different colors. We recommend a 1-1/2" neckband for medals over 2-1/2". We can screen print simple logos or text on neckbands, or sublimate full color designs. You will incur a set-up fee, as well as an added cost for each neckband when they are sublimated or silk-screened.

Can you provide designs on both sides of the die cast award medals?

Often we manufacture medals with designs on both sides. The cost of doing this is usually not much more than making a single sided medal. Most of the upfront costs go into making the die. Once the die is made, most of the work is done.

What size and thicknesses are your die cast award medals?

We can provide medals with a thickness from 2mm to 4mm. Most medals we quote in the 2-3" range are priced with a 3mm thickness. Typical medals range in size from 1-3/4" to 5-1/2".

Your Quote came in too high....what can we do to obtain a less expensive price?
To reduce the price of your medals, you might consider the following:
1. Increase the quantity
2. Decrease the thickness
3. Decrease the size
4. Request a standard neckband in a standard color
5. Eliminate colors
6. Have your art completed "in-house" if possible to avoid art charges
7. Change plating from "bright" to "antique"
8. Change from 3D design to 2D design

What's next?

We would be happy to give you pricing. If you are interested in a quote, send us an e-mail at contact@justawardmedals.com Give us as much information as possible including quantity, neckband requirements, size of medal, date required, finishes and if there will be anything on the back of the medal. ANY art you can send us will help. Quantity has much to do with pricing, and typical discounts appear at quantities of 300, 500, 1000, 2500 and 5000. We try to respond with quotes within 24-48 hours. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!