How to Create a Custom Medal From Your Existing Logo

30/10/2026

An existing logo can be the perfect starting point for a medal that people will be proud to receive. Whether you represent a sporting club, school, business, charity or community organisation, turning your logo into a medal creates a lasting reminder of an achievement, competition or special occasion.

Creating custom logo medals does not necessarily mean starting a design from scratch. In many cases, your existing club crest, school emblem or company logo can be adapted into a medal design with the right artwork preparation, layout and personalisation.

For Australian organisations exploring custom logo medals, the key is to consider how the artwork will look at a smaller size, which medal style best suits the event and what additional details should appear on the finished award.

VB Trophies, established in 1981, specialises in personalised awards and precision engraving. With experience supplying national and international events, the business offers a range of medal and personalisation options for organisations looking to create meaningful recognition pieces.

Here is how to approach the process, from your original artwork to the finished medal.

1. Start With Your Existing Logo Artwork

The first step is to find the best-quality version of your existing logo.

Your organisation might already have a logo used on uniforms, websites, certificates, signage or promotional materials. Ideally, you should provide the original artwork rather than downloading a small image from your website or social media account.

Which file formats work best?

Vector artwork is generally the preferred option for custom medal design.

Common file formats include:

• AI: Adobe Illustrator artwork, useful for professional design editing.

• EPS: A vector format commonly used for logos and print artwork.

• SVG: A scalable vector graphic that retains its shapes and outlines.

• PDF: Can contain vector artwork, depending on how the file was created.

• PNG or JPEG: Raster image formats that may be suitable when supplied at a sufficiently high resolution.

Vector files are particularly useful because they can be resized without the same loss of sharpness associated with ordinary image files.

If you only have a PNG or JPEG version, provide the largest and clearest version available. A designer may be able to recreate or clean up the artwork before production.

Practical tip: If your club secretary, marketing department or original graphic designer has access to the master logo file, ask them for it before requesting a medal design.

2. Simplify the Logo Where Necessary

A logo that looks excellent on a computer screen does not always translate perfectly onto a medal.

Medals have limited space, particularly when the design includes a club name, detailed emblem, small lettering and additional event information.

Fine lines, intricate illustrations and very small text can become difficult to reproduce clearly.

For example, a school crest might contain several symbols, a detailed border, a motto and the school’s full name. Trying to reproduce every element on a small medal could make the finished design look crowded.

Consider these adjustments:

• Remove unnecessary decorative details.

• Increase the thickness of very fine outlines.

• Make important text larger.

• Simplify complicated illustrations.

• Prioritise the most recognisable elements of the logo.

• Check that the main design remains clear at its intended medal size.

The objective is to preserve your organisation’s identity while making the artwork suitable for the manufacturing process.

A simplified design is not necessarily a less professional design. In many cases, it produces a cleaner and more recognisable result.

3. Choose the Right Medal Shape and Style

Once your logo artwork is ready, consider the physical shape and overall appearance of the medal.

The right choice depends on the organisation, event, budget and intended presentation.

Round medals

Round medals are a traditional choice for sporting competitions, school events, swimming carnivals and participation awards.

Their symmetrical shape provides a natural space for a central logo, with room around the edges for event names or additional wording.

Shield-shaped medals

Shield designs work particularly well for sporting clubs, school competitions and organisations with traditional crests.

They can complement existing club branding and provide a distinctive alternative to a conventional round medal.

Custom-shaped medals

A fully custom outline can make an award more closely connected to the event.

For example:

• A football-themed medal for a club championship.

• A running-inspired design for a community fun run.

• A school emblem-shaped medal for an academic achievement.

• A branded design for a corporate anniversary.

The shape should enhance the logo rather than compete with it.

When choosing a design, consider how the medal will look from a distance, how comfortably it can be worn and whether it will be suitable for display or keeping as a memento.

4. Decide on the Medal Finish and Design Details

The finish can significantly influence the overall appearance of personalised logo medals.

Traditional gold, silver and bronze finishes are popular for first, second and third-place awards. Other finishes may be considered depending on the medal style and manufacturing options available.

You should also consider how the logo will be reproduced.

Raised and recessed details

Raised elements stand out from the surrounding surface, helping important parts of the design become more prominent.

Recessed details sit below the surrounding surface and can create contrast and definition.

Enamel colours

Coloured enamel can help reproduce a club crest, school emblem or corporate identity.

If your logo uses several colours, think about which ones are most important to retain. Some designs may need simplified colour arrangements to remain clear at medal size.

Engraving and printed artwork

Engraving and printed personalisation offer different ways to incorporate artwork and additional wording.

For example, a medal may feature a logo as its main design, with an engraved or printed event detail depending on the product and available customisation method.

The right approach depends on the artwork, medal material and production method. It is worth discussing these details before confirming your order.

5. Add Event Details Without Overcrowding the Design

Your organisation’s logo should usually remain the main visual feature. However, additional wording can make a medal much more meaningful.

Consider including:

• Event or competition name.

• Year of presentation.

• Sporting season.

• Award category.

• School or club name.

• Achievement or commemorative message.

For example, a football club might use its crest on the front of the medal, with the season and award category incorporated into the remaining design.

A business celebrating a milestone could include its company logo, anniversary year and a short commemorative message.

Avoid trying to fit too much information into a small space. Long messages, multiple dates and several lines of small text can make the finished medal difficult to read.

If additional information is important, consider placing some of it on the reverse side or incorporating it into the ribbon or presentation packaging where suitable.

6. Select a Ribbon That Complements Your Branding

The medal ribbon is an important part of the overall presentation.

A well-chosen ribbon helps connect the medal design with your organisation’s colours and gives the finished award a coordinated appearance.

For sporting clubs, matching the ribbon to the team’s colours can make the medal feel like part of the club’s identity.

Schools may prefer house colours or school colours, while businesses might choose colours that complement their corporate branding.

When selecting personalised medal ribbons, consider:

• Whether the ribbon should match your logo.

• Whether you want a traditional or more contemporary appearance.

• Whether the medal will be worn during a presentation.

• Whether additional event wording or branding is required.

It is also worth considering how the medal and ribbon will look together rather than choosing each element independently.

7. Review the Digital Proof Before Approving Production

One of the most important stages of creating custom logo medals is checking the artwork before production.

A digital proof gives you an opportunity to review the proposed design and identify problems before the order progresses.

Check the following carefully:

Logo accuracy: Is the correct version of your logo being used? Are the colours, proportions and important details correct?

Text and spelling: Check club names, school names, event titles, dates and award categories.

Layout: Is the logo positioned correctly? Is the wording easy to read? Does the design look balanced?

Colours: Do the proposed colours match your organisation’s branding as closely as the selected production method allows?

Medal details: Confirm the size, shape, finish, ribbon and any additional personalisation.

If you are ordering on behalf of a club, school or business, have another authorised person check the proof as well. A second review can help catch errors that might otherwise be overlooked.

Do not approve a design until you are comfortable with the details.

8. Confirm Quantities and Allow Enough Time for Your Event

Before placing your order, establish how many medals you need.

This is particularly important for schools, sporting associations and event organisers ordering in bulk.

Consider the following:

• Number of participants.

• First, second and third-place awards.

• Individual achievement categories.

• Coaches, volunteers or special recognition recipients.

• Spare medals for unexpected requirements.

• Different medal designs for different age groups or competitions.

It is also useful to prepare a clear list of quantities and personalisation requirements before requesting a quote.

Custom-designed medals may involve additional artwork preparation and production considerations compared with standard stock medals. Allow time for artwork review, proof approval, production and delivery.

For Australian customers ordering from an overseas supplier, include international shipping and any applicable customs or import considerations in your planning.

If the medals are required for a particular presentation night, tournament or school ceremony, communicate the event date early rather than assuming the standard ordering process will meet your deadline.

9. Different Organisations, Different Medal Requirements

The best design approach depends on what the medal is intended to represent.

Organisation	Recommended design considerations
Sporting clubs	Club crest, team colours, competition name, season and achievement category
Schools	School emblem, house colours, student achievement and year of presentation
Businesses	Company logo, anniversary details, corporate colours and commemorative wording
Charities	Fundraising event identity, campaign branding and participation recognition
Community organisations	Organisation emblem, event name and meaningful commemorative details
Race and tournament organisers	Event logo, competition year, participant recognition and coordinated ribbons

For example, a school ordering swimming carnival medals might use its school crest on the front, with the carnival year and house details incorporated into the design.

A charity organising an annual fundraising event might prefer a medal that features its campaign logo and event date, creating a keepsake participants can retain long after the event.

The important thing is to design the medal around the occasion and the people receiving it.

10. Where to Order Custom Logo Medals

Once you have your artwork, preferred design and quantities prepared, the next step is to discuss the available options with an experienced awards supplier.

VB Trophies has been established since 1981 and offers an extensive selection of medals, personalised awards and engraving services.

Customers can incorporate club crests, business logos and personalised messages into suitable awards. The business also provides in-house engraving using traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

For a starting point, explore the 60mm Customised Medal collection, which includes gold, silver and bronze options and logo personalisation instructions.

You can also browse the wider VB Trophies medal range to compare available styles.

For Australian organisations considering international supply, contact the team to discuss your artwork, preferred medal style, quantities, personalisation requirements and delivery arrangements before ordering.

A good medal should do more than display a logo. It should represent the effort, commitment and achievement behind the occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I create a custom medal using my existing club or company logo?

Yes. Existing logos can be used as the starting point for personalised medal designs. A suitable artwork file makes the process easier, although some logos may need adjustments to improve clarity at a smaller size.

2. What file format should I provide for custom logo medals?

AI, EPS and SVG vector files are generally preferred. A high-resolution PNG or JPEG may also be suitable if vector artwork is unavailable. A PDF can work if it contains the original vector artwork.

3. Can I include different colours in my logo medal?

Depending on the medal style and production method, colour can be incorporated through printed artwork or suitable enamel finishes. Confirm the available options with your supplier before finalising the design.

4. Can I personalise medals with an event name and year?

Yes. Event names, dates, competition details and award categories can be incorporated where the medal design and available personalisation options allow. The layout should leave enough space for the text to remain readable.

5. Can Australian organisations order custom medals from VB Trophies?

VB Trophies is based in Royston, Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom, and offers international supply. Australian organisations should contact the business to confirm suitable products, production arrangements, shipping costs and delivery estimates for their requirements.

Conclusion: Turn Your Logo Into a Medal Worth Keeping

Creating a custom medal from an existing logo is an excellent way to give your organisation’s achievements a distinctive identity.

With suitable artwork, a carefully selected medal shape, complementary colours and thoughtful personalisation, an existing club crest, school emblem or company logo can become a memorable award.

The most successful designs balance visual appeal with readability and ensure the medal reflects the occasion it represents.

Whether you are organising a sporting presentation, recognising student achievements, celebrating a corporate milestone or hosting a charity event, taking the time to plan your medal design can make the finished award much more meaningful.

Explore the VB Trophies medal collection or contact VB Trophies to discuss incorporating your existing logo into a personalised award.