Custom Medals in Dubai: Prices, Designs, Materials & Ordering Guide
Updated August 2026 · 10 min read · beetamaxdxb.com
From marathon finish lines in Downtown Dubai to school sports days, corporate recognition events, and government ceremonies, custom medals have become one of the most requested forms of branded recognition across the UAE. A well-made medal does more than mark participation — it becomes a keepsake, a symbol of achievement, and in many cases, a small but lasting piece of brand or event identity. If you’re planning to order custom medals in Dubai for the first time, the process can raise a lot of questions: What will it cost? What material should I choose? How long will it take? This guide walks through everything you need to know before placing an order.
At Beetamax, we manufacture custom medals for sporting events, schools, corporations, and government organisations across Dubai and the wider UAE, so we’ve put together this guide from firsthand experience with the design, material, and pricing decisions clients face at every stage.
Why Custom Medals Matter for Events in Dubai
Dubai hosts an enormous calendar of sporting, academic, and corporate events year-round — from large-scale marathons and triathlons to inter-school competitions and annual employee recognition ceremonies. In a market this competitive, a generic, off-the-shelf medal rarely does justice to the effort behind an event or an achievement. Custom medals let organizers embed their own branding, event name, date, and design language directly into the award itself, turning a simple token into something recipients want to keep and display.
Materials Used in Custom Medal Manufacturing
The material a medal is made from affects its weight, finish quality, durability, and, naturally, its price. Here are the most common options.
Zinc Alloy
Zinc alloy is the most widely used base metal for custom medals. It’s affordable, takes fine detail well during the die-striking or die-casting process, and accepts plating (gold, silver, bronze, antique finishes) beautifully. Most sports and corporate medals in Dubai are produced in zinc alloy.
Brass
Brass offers a warmer tone and slightly higher perceived value than zinc alloy. It’s commonly chosen for premium corporate awards or medals intended as long-term keepsakes rather than mass-distributed event medals.
Iron
Iron is a cost-effective option often used for large bulk orders where budget is a primary concern, such as mass-participation running events. It’s typically plated to achieve the desired finish and protect against corrosion.
Pewter
Pewter has a distinctive matte-silver appearance and softer finish, often chosen for a more traditional or antique aesthetic. It’s less common for sports medals but sometimes used for commemorative or heritage-style awards.
Acrylic and Mixed-Material Medals
For a more modern or minimalist look, some organizers opt for acrylic elements combined with metal, or fully acrylic medals with printed or engraved detailing. These stand out for design-forward events but are less traditional than metal options.
Plating and Finish Options
Once the base medal is struck or cast, it’s typically plated and finished to achieve the final look:
- Gold, silver, and bronze plating — the classic finish for ranked awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd place)
- Antique finishes — an aged, textured look popular for heritage or premium-feel medals
- Enamel fill (soft or hard enamel) — adds bold, durable color to logos and design details
- Epoxy dome coating — a glossy, protective clear coating often applied over printed or enamelled surfaces
- Sandblasted or brushed finish — a matte, understated texture for modern designs
What Determines Custom Medal Pricing?
Custom medal pricing in Dubai varies based on several factors, and there’s no single flat rate that applies across the board. The main cost drivers include:
- Size and thickness — larger, heavier medals require more material and tooling
- Design complexity — intricate 3D relief detail or multiple color layers increase production cost
- Material choice — zinc alloy is generally the most economical; brass and specialty finishes cost more
- Finish type — enamel fill, epoxy coating, and multiple plating colors add to the price per unit
- Order quantity — larger bulk orders reduce the per-unit cost significantly, since mold and tooling costs are spread across more pieces
- Ribbon and packaging — custom-printed ribbons, presentation boxes, or velvet pouches add to the total order cost
- Mold/tooling fees — a one-time cost for creating the die used to strike or cast your custom design, typically required for any fully custom medal shape or design
Because these variables shift significantly from order to order, the most reliable way to get an accurate price is to submit your design concept, quantity, and finish preferences directly for a quote, rather than relying on a generic price list.
Custom Medal Design Options
Design flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of ordering custom over stock medals. Common design approaches include:
- Fully custom shapes — moving beyond the standard circle to event-specific silhouettes (a star, a shield, a country outline, a brand mark)
- Multi-layer or spinning medals — designs with a rotating inner disc or layered components for a more dynamic, premium feel
- 2D vs. 3D relief — flat printed/engraved designs versus raised, sculpted detail that adds depth and shadow
- Color-matched enamel — matching medal colors precisely to event or brand color palettes
- Custom ribbons — printed with event names, sponsor logos, or brand colors to complete the presentation
Step-by-Step: How to Order Custom Medals in Dubai
- Define your requirements — decide on quantity, rough budget, and timeline based on your event date
- Share or develop your design — send an existing design file, logo, and reference images, or work with the manufacturer’s design team to create one from scratch
- Choose material and finish — select base metal, plating color(s), and any enamel or coating options
- Review a design proof — most manufacturers provide a digital mockup or physical sample proof before full production
- Approve and confirm order — finalize quantity, ribbon choice, and packaging before production begins
- Production and quality check — medals are struck or cast, plated, finished, and inspected
- Delivery — completed medals are packaged and delivered ahead of your event date, with lead time depending on order complexity and volume
Working backward from your event date is essential — custom tooling and finishing take time, so it’s best to start the process several weeks ahead of when medals are needed, especially for larger orders or intricate designs.
Common Uses for Custom Medals in Dubai
- Marathons and running events — mass-participation finisher medals
- School and university sports days — inter-house and inter-school competition awards
- Corporate recognition programs — long-service, performance, and achievement awards
- Government and municipal events — commemorative and ceremonial medals
- Martial arts, swimming, and other competitive sports — ranked placement medals
- Community and charity events — participation and fundraising milestone medals
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to make a custom medal?
Cost depends on size, material, design complexity, finish, and order quantity. Zinc alloy medals with standard plating are generally the most economical option, while brass, multi-color enamel, or low-quantity orders cost more per unit. Request a quote based on your specific design and quantity for an accurate price.
2. What materials are custom medals made from?
The most common materials are zinc alloy, brass, and iron, typically plated in gold, silver, bronze, or antique finishes. Pewter and acrylic/mixed-material options are also available for specific design styles.
3. How long does it take to make custom medals?
Production timelines depend on design complexity and order volume, since custom tooling, plating, and finishing all take time. It’s best to place your order well in advance of your event date rather than leaving it to the last minute.
4. What is the difference between die-struck and die-cast medals?
Die-struck medals are stamped from a solid metal blank under high pressure, producing a denser, more detailed medal often used for premium awards. Die-cast medals are formed by pouring molten metal into a mold, which is typically more cost-effective for larger, more decorative designs.
5. Can I design my own medal?
Yes. You can submit your own design and logo files, or work with a manufacturer’s in-house design team to develop a custom shape, layout, and color scheme from scratch.
6. What is the minimum order quantity for custom medals?
Minimum order quantities vary by manufacturer and design complexity. Bulk orders generally bring the per-unit price down significantly, so it’s worth discussing your expected volume directly with your supplier.
7. Where can I get custom medals made in Dubai?
Beetamax manufactures custom medals in Dubai for sporting events, schools, corporate programs, and government organizations, offering design support, a range of materials and finishes, and bulk production capability.
8. What finishes are available for custom medals?
Common finishes include gold, silver, and bronze plating, antique treatments, soft or hard enamel color fill, epoxy dome coating, and brushed or sandblasted matte textures.
Conclusion
Ordering custom medals in Dubai comes down to a handful of key decisions: the material and finish that match your budget and desired look, a design that reflects your event or brand, and enough lead time to get from concept to finished product without rushing quality.
If you’re ready to start planning your custom medals, Beetamax offers full design, material, and production support for events across Dubai and the UAE. See examples of our past work or get in touch with our team to discuss your design and request a quote.
