When ordering custom medals for a marathon, running race, sports championship, school competition, or corporate event, choosing the right manufacturing process is one of the most important decisions.

Two common options are die cast medals and stamped medals. Both can produce high-quality custom awards, but they differ in how they are manufactured, the designs they support, their appearance, and their cost structure.

So, which option is better for your event?

The answer depends on your artwork, budget, order quantity, desired finish, and delivery schedule.

In this guide, we compare die cast vs stamped medals to help event organizers and purchasing teams choose the right custom medal manufacturing solution.

1. What Are Die Cast Medals?

Die cast medals are produced by injecting molten metal alloy into a specially designed mold under pressure. Once the metal cools and solidifies, the medal is removed from the mold and processed through finishing stages such as trimming, polishing, plating, and coloring.

Zinc alloy is commonly used for custom die cast medals because it supports a wide range of shapes and detailed designs.

Key Features of Die Cast Medals

Suitable for complex and custom-shaped designs
Supports raised and recessed details
Can create 2D and 3D relief effects
Suitable for thick, substantial medal designs
Offers a wide range of plating and color options
Works well for distinctive event branding

Die casting is particularly useful when a medal needs to incorporate detailed artwork, architectural elements, mascots, sports figures, or multiple design layers.

For example, a marathon medal featuring a city skyline, a raised race logo, and sculpted architectural details may benefit from a die cast process.

2. What Are Stamped Medals?

Stamped medals are made by pressing a metal blank with a specially prepared die to create the desired design. The pressure forms the artwork into the metal, producing raised and recessed details.

Depending on the material, design, and production requirements, stamped medals can be made using materials such as iron, brass, or copper.

After stamping, the medals may undergo trimming, polishing, plating, coloring, and other finishing processes.

Key Features of Stamped Medals

• Suitable for flat or relatively low-relief designs
• Produces clean raised and recessed details
• Works well for logos, lettering, and traditional medal artwork
• Can offer a classic, refined metal appearance
• May be cost-effective for suitable designs and quantities
• Supports a variety of plating and finishing options

Stamped medals are often considered for designs that emphasize lettering, logos, geometric patterns, and traditional award styling.

For example, a school sports medal featuring a simple emblem, event name, and year may be well suited to stamping.

The best choice still depends on the exact artwork, material, thickness, and finishing requirements.

3. Die Cast vs Stamped Medals: Quick Comparison

The following table summarizes the main differences to consider when choosing a manufacturing process.

Comparison Factor	Die Cast Medals	Stamped Medals
Manufacturing method	Molten alloy is injected into a mold	Metal is shaped by pressing with a die
Common materials	Zinc alloy	Iron, brass, copper, depending on the design
Design complexity	Well suited to complex shapes and relief	Well suited to defined, relatively flat relief designs
3D effects	Strong capability for sculpted and layered details	More limited by material thickness and die design
Custom shapes	Highly flexible	Flexible within stamping and tooling limitations
Typical appearance	Can create substantial, sculpted designs	Often delivers a clean, traditional metal appearance
Color options	Plating, enamel, printing, and other compatible finishes	Plating, enamel, printing, and other compatible finishes
Thickness and weight	Can support substantial designs	Depends on the metal blank and design
Cost factors	Mold complexity, material use, finishing, and quantity	Tooling, metal type, thickness, finishing, and quantity
Suitable applications	Premium race medals, 3D designs, complex event awards	Traditional sports medals, logos, lettering, and simpler designs

Important: Neither process is automatically cheaper or better in every situation. The most suitable option depends on the specific design and production requirements.

4. Which Process Offers Better Design Flexibility?

Design flexibility is often the biggest difference between die cast and stamped medals.

Die Cast Medals: For Complex and Creative Designs

Die casting is a strong option when your medal concept includes:

[+] Custom outlines and irregular shapes
[+] Raised 3D sports figures
[+] Detailed buildings or landmarks
[+] Layered visual elements
[+] Deep recessed areas
[+] Sculpted mascots
[+] Decorative openings and cutout-style designs, where supported by the tooling

This makes die cast medals especially useful for events that want a distinctive visual identity.

For example, a city marathon may feature a landmark building in raised relief, with the race name integrated into the architecture. A die cast mold can be engineered to reproduce these details within the limits of the design and manufacturing process.

Stamped Medals: For Clean and Defined Designs

Stamping is a practical choice when the design focuses on:

Simple logos

Event names and dates

Geometric patterns

Traditional sports symbols

Flat or low-relief artwork

Classic medal layouts

Stamped medals can look professional and premium without requiring a highly sculpted design.

Recommendation

If your artwork relies on depth, dimensional details, or an unusual silhouette, ask your manufacturer to evaluate die casting first. If your design is relatively flat and emphasizes clean metal details, stamping may be a suitable alternative.

5. Which Medal Process Is More Cost-Effective?

Cost is an important consideration for event organizers, particularly when ordering hundreds or thousands of medals.

However, comparing only the unit price can be misleading.

The total cost of a custom medal may include:

•Mold or tooling development
•Raw materials
•Medal size and thickness
•Design complexity
•Plating and coloring
•Additional components
•Ribbon printing
•Packaging
•Quality inspection
•Shipping

Die Cast Medal Costs

Die cast medals require a mold suitable for the design. Complex 3D artwork may require more detailed tooling and additional finishing work.

The final cost depends on factors such as mold complexity, metal consumption, production quantity, and surface treatments.

For designs that would be difficult to produce using a flatter process, die casting may offer a better way to achieve the intended appearance.

Stamped Medal Costs

Stamped medals also require tooling, and the die design, material, thickness, and finishing affect the final quotation.

For suitable designs, stamping may offer an economical production solution, especially when the artwork does not require extensive three-dimensional detail.

However, complex artwork or special finishing can increase costs for stamped medals as well.

How to Compare Quotes Correctly

When requesting quotations, provide the same specifications to each supplier:

Overall dimensions
Thickness
Material
Artwork
Plating and colors
Ribbon requirements
Quantity
Packaging
Delivery destination

Ask the manufacturer to quote the most suitable production process and, if practical, compare both die cast and stamped options.

This helps you evaluate the actual cost of achieving the required result rather than comparing two products with different specifications.

6. Which Process Produces a More Premium Medal?

Both die cast and stamped medals can look premium when designed and finished properly.

The difference lies mainly in the visual effect you want to achieve.

The Premium Look of Die Cast Medals

Die cast medals can create a bold, substantial appearance through sculpted relief, layered details, custom contours, and contrasting surface finishes.

Popular options include:

[✓] Polished gold plating
[✓] Polished silver plating
[✓] Antique gold or silver finishes
[✓] Black nickel
[✓] Multi-tone plating
[✓] Soft enamel coloring
[✓] Sandblasted recessed areas
[✓] Raised polished details

These combinations can help separate the raised artwork from the background and emphasize the medal's dimensional appearance.

The Premium Look of Stamped Medals

Stamped medals can achieve an elegant appearance through precise relief, clean edges, polished surfaces, and carefully selected plating.

Possible finishing options include:

[•] Gold, silver, or copper plating
[•] Antique finishes
[•] Polished raised details
[•] Recessed sandblasted areas
[•] Compatible enamel colors
[•] Custom ribbon printing

For traditional awards, commemorative medals, and logo-focused designs, a well-finished stamped medal can be an excellent choice.

The takeaway: A premium appearance is not determined by the manufacturing process alone. Artwork quality, tooling precision, plating, finishing, and quality control all matter.

7. Which Is Better for Marathon and Race Medals?

For marathon organizers, the right process depends on the event's identity and budget.

Choose Die Cast Medals When:

• You want a distinctive, custom-shaped medal
• Your artwork includes a city skyline or landmark
• You need strong 3D relief
• The design features a detailed mascot or sports figure
• You want a substantial medal with layered visual details
• The medal is intended to be a memorable event souvenir

Die cast medals are often a good fit for marathons, half marathons, obstacle races, cycling events, and major sports competitions that use distinctive medal artwork.

Choose Stamped Medals When:

• Your design is relatively flat
• You want to emphasize lettering or a logo
• You prefer a traditional metal award style
• The artwork does not require deep sculpted details
• Your budget favors a simpler design
• You need a straightforward medal for a school or community event

Stamped medals can work well for school sports days, club competitions, corporate recognition events, and other projects with clean, relatively simple artwork.

There is no universal rule that one process is best for every race. A manufacturer should assess your artwork and event requirements before making a recommendation.

8. Can Die Cast and Stamped Medals Both Have Custom Ribbons?

Yes. Both types can be paired with custom ribbons, although the final attachment design must be suitable for the medal's construction.

Ribbon customization options may include:

Custom colors
Event names
Race dates
Logos
Sponsor branding
Full-color graphics
Different widths and lengths

For marathon and running events, the ribbon is an important part of the overall design because it connects the medal to the event's visual identity.

When discussing your project with a supplier, confirm the ribbon specifications, attachment method, and whether the ribbon is included in the quotation.

9. What About Plating, Enamel, and Other Finishes?

Both die cast and stamped medals can support a range of finishes, subject to the selected material and manufacturing process.

Plating

Common finishes include gold, silver, copper, black nickel, and antique effects.

Enamel Coloring

Soft enamel and other compatible coloring methods can introduce bright colors into logos, flags, sports symbols, and event graphics.

Printing

Printing can be used for artwork or visual details that are difficult to reproduce using raised metal and enamel alone.

Mixed Finishes

Combining polished raised areas with recessed, antique, or sandblasted sections can add contrast and improve visual separation.

The final finish should be selected during the design and quotation stage. Not every finish is suitable for every base material, so confirm compatibility with your manufacturer.

10. What Should You Confirm Before Ordering?

Before approving production, make sure your medal supplier understands the complete project.

✓ Use this checklist:

Design: Is the artwork finalized and technically suitable for the selected process?
Dimensions: Are the size, thickness, and approximate weight confirmed?
Material: Is the base metal specified?
Relief: Do you need 2D details or more sculpted 3D effects?
Finish: Are plating, enamel, printing, and surface treatments confirmed?
Ribbon: Are the width, length, colors, printing, and attachment method specified?
Quantity: Is the order quantity confirmed, including different medal categories?
Sample: Will you receive a digital mockup or physical sample where required?
Cost: Does the quotation cover tooling, production, ribbon, packaging, and shipping?
Lead time: Is the production schedule realistic for your event date?
Quality: Are the approved specifications and inspection requirements documented?

Confirming these details before production can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of costly changes later.

11. Why Choose Artigifts for Custom Medal Manufacturing?

At Artigifts, we understand that every event has different design and purchasing requirements.

Established in 2007, Artigifts provides OEM and ODM manufacturing for custom medals and other metal gifts. Our capabilities include die cast and stamped medal projects, along with customization options for plating, coloring, ribbons, and packaging.

We work with customers to evaluate their artwork, select suitable manufacturing methods, and coordinate the production requirements for their projects.

Our custom medal services include:

✔ Custom marathon and race medals

✔ Sports and championship medals

✔ Die cast medals with dimensional details

✔ Stamped medals for suitable designs

✔ Custom shapes, sizes, and finishes

✔ Ribbon and packaging customization

✔ Artwork and design support

✔ Flexible order quantities with no MOQ for custom medals

✔ Bulk production and quality inspection

Whether you are planning a local running event, a school competition, a charity race, or a large marathon, our team can help you compare production options based on your design, quantity, budget, and timeline.

Rather than choosing a process based on price alone, we recommend evaluating the complete project to find the best balance between appearance, functionality, and cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Are die cast medals better than stamped medals?

Not always. Die cast medals are well suited to complex shapes and dimensional details, while stamped medals are often suitable for flatter designs and traditional metal relief. The better choice depends on the artwork and project requirements.

Q Are stamped medals cheaper than die cast medals?

They can be more economical for some designs, but this is not guaranteed. Tooling, material, size, finishing, and order quantity all affect the final price. Ask for a quotation based on the same specifications.

Q Can die cast medals have 3D designs?

Yes. Die casting is commonly used to create raised and recessed relief, including sculpted details, subject to the mold design and manufacturing limitations.

Q Can stamped medals have color?

Yes. Depending on the material and design, stamped medals can be finished with compatible enamel coloring, plating, and printing.

Q Which process is best for large orders?

Both processes can be used for bulk production. The best option depends on the design, quantity, required finish, production schedule, and the manufacturer's capabilities.

Q How early should I order custom race medals?

Start planning as early as possible, particularly for large events or complex designs. Allow time for artwork approval, tooling, sampling if needed, bulk production, packaging, and shipping. Ask your manufacturer for a project-specific schedule based on your event date.

Final Thoughts: Die Cast or Stamped Medals?

Both die cast and stamped medals can produce memorable awards for sporting events, marathons, schools, charities, and corporate programs.

Die Cast Medals

Choose die cast medals when your design needs complex shapes, sculpted relief, or distinctive three-dimensional details.

Stamped Medals

Choose stamped medals when your artwork suits a flatter metal design with clear relief, lettering, or a classic award appearance.

Most importantly, select a manufacturer who understands your design and can explain the advantages, limitations, and cost implications of each process.

Looking for the right manufacturing process for your next event medal?

Contact Artigifts to discuss your artwork, quantity, budget, and delivery schedule. Our team can help you evaluate die cast and stamped options and develop a custom medal solution for your event.

Artigifts — Custom Medal Manufacturing from Concept to Production.

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Post time: Oct-23-2026