In various events and competitions, medals are important carriers that witness achievements. Choosing the right material is crucial for customizing medals, as different materials have distinct characteristics and applicable scenarios. This article introduces the features, advantages, disadvantages, and applicable scenarios of common materials to help you make a decision based on your budget and needs.

Zinc Alloy Material

Zinc alloy has excellent casting performance and can be shaped into complex patterns. It has a moderate cost, making it suitable for events with a medium budget. The weight of zinc alloy medals is moderate, and they feel smooth and delicate in the hand. It has a certain degree of corrosion resistance, but it needs to be kept away from humid environments to prevent oxidation. The coloring effect of zinc alloy is good, with bright and uniform colors and strong adhesion.

It is applicable to school sports meetings, internal corporate competitions, small and medium-sized sports events, etc., which can ensure quality while controlling the budget.

Copper Material

Copper is soft in texture and has good ductility, which enables it to be crafted into very fine patterns, giving the medal a strong artistic sense. The cost of copper medals is relatively high, making them suitable for events with sufficient budgets that pursue high-quality medals. Copper medals are relatively heavy, with a Mild feel. Over time, an oxide film may form on the surface, adding a retro charm. Copper has good corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and can be preserved for a long time with proper maintenance. The metal color of copper itself is beautiful. After polishing, electroplating and other treatments, it has a good effect. If coloring is needed, the color can also adhere well for a long time.

Copper medals are applicable to high-end events, important award ceremonies, commemorative activities, etc., which can highlight the professionalism and authority of the event.

Iron Material

Iron has high hardness but poor ductility, so it is suitable for making medals with simple shapes. The cost of iron medals is low, making them suitable for events with limited budgets. The weight of iron medals is between that of zinc alloy and copper. With proper surface treatment, the hand feel will be improved, but it is still inferior to zinc alloy and copper. Iron has poor corrosion resistance and is prone to rust, so it needs to be electroplated with a protective film to improve its durability. The coloring performance of iron is general, and the color adhesion is relatively weak, so it is suitable for simple color matching or metal color treatment.

Iron medals are applicable to small-scale activities, community competitions, fun sports meetings, etc., which can control costs while increasing the sense of participation in the activities.

Acrylic Material

Acrylic has high transparency and good plasticity. It can be processed into various shapes, and can present rich patterns and colors through printing and carving. The cost of acrylic medals is low, making them suitable for events with tight budgets. Acrylic medals are light in weight, easy to carry, and feel smooth but lack the metallic texture. It has a certain impact resistance, but it is easy to crack if strongly impacted, and may age and turn yellow after long-term exposure to the sun. The coloring performance of acrylic is excellent, which can present bright and rich effects, and can realize complex designs such as gradients and hollowing out.

Acrylic medals are applicable to creative activities, children's events, exhibition activities, etc. They are loved by children and can also integrate into the atmosphere of modern science and technology.

Other Materials

Precious metals such as silver and gold are of high value and beautiful, symbolizing high-end and luxury. The cost of medals made of them is very high, and they are usually only used in top events, major commemorative activities or high-end award ceremonies. Silver and gold medals are heavy, with a Mild and delicate feel, full of nobility. They have good chemical stability and strong corrosion resistance, can be preserved for a long time, and their value may increase. The metal luster of silver and gold themselves is unique, without much coloring. They can show their beauty after polishing.

They are applicable to top sports events such as the Olympic Games and the World Cup, as well as important international award presentations, which can reflect the preciousness of honor and achievement.

Material Comparison and Selection Suggestions

From low to high in cost: iron, acrylic, zinc alloy, copper, silver, gold. For limited budgets, choose iron and acrylic; for medium budgets, choose zinc alloy; for sufficient budgets, consider copper, silver, gold.

From light to heavy in weight: acrylic, iron, zinc alloy, copper, silver, gold. Choose acrylic for portability, and copper, silver, gold for a sense of weight.

In terms of hand feel: copper, silver and gold are the best, followed by zinc alloy, and iron and acrylic are relatively poor.

In terms of durability: gold, silver and copper are better, zinc alloy is medium, and iron and acrylic are relatively poor, requiring more maintenance.

In terms of coloring effect: acrylic and zinc alloy are better, copper, silver and gold rely on their own metal colors, and iron is average.

When choosing the material of the medal, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the nature of the event, budget, audience and other factors. For example, zinc alloy may be a more suitable choice for a large corporate annual meeting where medals need to be awarded to outstanding employees with a medium budget, which can reflect the recognition of employees and control the cost. For a high-end charity dinner where commemorative medals are awarded to donors, copper or silver medals can better highlight the grade of the event and respect for donors.

In short, when customizing medals, it is necessary to fully understand the characteristics and applicable scenarios of various materials, and combine with your own actual needs and budget to choose the most suitable material, so as to make a satisfactory medal and carry every honor well.

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Post time: Jul-26-2025