Inside FistPound’s Professional Medal Production Workflow

Custom medals are more than decorative items — they represent achievement, honor, and brand value. Behind every high-quality medal lies a precise and well-controlled manufacturing process.

As a a professional OEM custom medal manufacturer, FistPound provides a fully integrated production workflow, from initial concept to finished product delivery. This article explains the complete custom medal manufacturing process, helping buyers understand what happens behind the scenes and how quality is ensured at every step.

1. Design Concept & Artwork Preparation

Every custom medal project begins with a design idea.

Clients may provide:

• A logo or brand guideline

• A sketch or reference image

• A complete artwork file

At FistPound, our in-house design and engineering team reviews each design to ensure it is manufacturable, cost-effective, and visually optimized for metal production.

Key checks at this stage include:

• Medal size and thickness

• Relief depth and 3D structure

• Text legibility

• Color separation for enamel or printing

Professional technical feedback at this stage helps prevent costly revisions later.

2. Material Selection & Manufacturing Method

Choosing the right material and process is critical to the final look and feel of the medal.

Common Materials Used in Custom Medals

Zinc Alloy – versatile and ideal for complex shapes

Brass – premium feel with sharp detailing

Copper – balanced durability and appearance

Iron – cost-effective for simple designs

Manufacturing Methods

Die Casting

• Best for complex 3D designs

• Suitable for deep relief and irregular shapes

Die Striking (Stamping)

• Produces crisp lines

• Creates a traditional premium medal appearance

At FistPound, material and process recommendations are based on design requirements, budget, and intended use — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

3. Mold Making & Tooling Development

Once the design and specifications are confirmed, mold development begins.

Key processes include:

• CNC engraving for accurate detailing

• Mold steel selection based on production volume

• Test impressions before mass production

Mold accuracy directly affects:

• Detail sharpness

• Surface smoothness

• Consistency across large production runs

This is a core capability of experienced medal factories.

4. Medal Forming: Casting or Striking

With molds ready, medals are formed using the selected production method.

Die Casting

• Molten metal is injected into the mold

• Ideal for deep relief and complex shapes

Die Striking

• Metal blanks are pressed under high pressure

• Produces clean edges and traditional medal appearance

FistPound operates multiple automated production lines to ensure stable output and consistent quality, even for large-scale international orders.

5. Trimming, Polishing & Surface Preparation

After forming, medals undergo several finishing steps:

• Edge trimming and burr removal

• Mechanical polishing

• Manual inspection

This stage determines how smooth and refined the medal feels in hand — a detail often noticed immediately by end users.

6. Electroplating & Surface Finishing

Plating enhances both durability and visual impact.

Popular Plating Options

• Gold

• Silver

• Antique bronze

• Black nickel

• Dual or matte plating

At FistPound, plating thickness and color consistency are strictly controlled to prevent fading, uneven tones, or surface defects.

7. Coloring, Enamel Filling & Printing

Depending on the design, medals may include different coloring techniques.

Common methods include:

• Soft enamel

• Imitation hard enamel

• Screen printing

• UV or offset printing

Each coloring process is handled by experienced technicians to ensure accurate color matching and long-term durability.

8. Quality Control at Every Stage

Quality assurance is not a single step — it is embedded throughout the entire production process.

FistPound’s quality control system includes:

• Incoming material inspection

• In-process quality checks

• Finished product inspection

• Packaging verification

Our production follows ISO 9001 standards and complies with EN71-3 and CPSIA regulations, meeting international market requirements.

9. Assembly, Packaging & Logistics

Before shipment, medals go through the final assembly and packaging stage.

This includes:

• Ribbon or accessory assembly

• Custom packaging (polybag, gift box, presentation box)

• Carton packing and shipment preparation

FistPound also offers custom packaging solutions designed to protect medals while enhancing presentation and brand value.

10. From Factory to Global Events

With decades of experience and large-scale production capability, FistPound has supplied custom medals for major international events, including:

• Olympic Games

• Asian Games

• European Championships

• International marathons and global sporting events

Our ability to deliver consistent quality, on time, and at scale makes us a trusted partner for brands and event organizers worldwide.

Why Work With FistPound for Custom Medal Manufacturing?

• Direct OEM factory with in-house production

• Advanced tooling and automated production lines

• Experienced engineering and QC teams

• International compliance and audit approvals

• Proven track record in global events

From concept to finished product, FistPound transforms ideas into meaningful awards that last.

???? Contact us today to start your custom medal project.