If you have never ordered bulk custom medals before, the process can feel opaque. What does MOQ actually mean? Why does one quote come in at $2.50 per medal and another at $4.00? How far in advance do you really need to order? Here is exactly how it works from the manufacturer’s side — no sales pitch, just the numbers.
MOQ: Why 100 Pieces?
MOQ — minimum order quantity — is 100 pieces per design across the custom medal industry. Here is why.
The mold is the fixed cost. A precision steel mold for die-casting costs the same whether you pour 10 pieces or 10,000 pieces through it. When you order 100 medals, the mold cost spreads across 100 units. At 500 pieces, it spreads five times thinner. At 5,000 pieces, the mold cost per unit becomes negligible.
This is also why reorders are cheaper — the mold already exists. Your second order of the same design skips the mold cost entirely.
Some manufacturers claim “no minimum.” What that usually means: they have stock molds and you choose from existing shapes with your custom printing or engraving applied. That’s not the same as a fully custom die-cast medal from your design. We offer both — 100-piece MOQ for fully custom, or stock shapes for smaller budgets.
For a complete overview of ordering options, see our custom medals hub page.
What Drives Medal Pricing
Four factors determine the per-unit price of custom medals. Understanding them helps you make trade-offs that fit your budget.
1. Material
Zinc alloy is the standard at $$. Brass is 20-40% more at $$$. Iron is the budget option at $. For most events, zinc alloy is the right choice — best detail, best plating, reasonable cost.
2. Size and Thickness
Standard medals (2.5-3 inches, 2.5-3mm thick) are the pricing baseline. Larger medals (4-5 inches, 4-6mm thick) use more material and take longer to cast — expect a 20-50% premium. Giant medals (5+ inches) require custom quotes.
3. Enamel Colors
The first three enamel colors are included in standard pricing. Each additional color adds a small per-piece charge because every color is a separate filling and curing step.
4. Quantity
This has the biggest impact on per-unit price. See the volume discount breakdown:
| Quantity | Per-Unit Price Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100-300 pcs | Entry pricing | Mold cost still significant per unit |
| 300-1,000 pcs | Moderate discount | Mold cost spreading, production efficiency kicks in |
| 1,000-5,000 pcs | Significant savings | Full production efficiency |
| 5,000-10,000 pcs | Best per-unit price | Maximum economies of scale |
| 10,000+ pcs | Enterprise pricing | Custom quote recommended |
For more details, see how medal materials affect pricing.
Production Timeline
Design: 24 hours (free, unlimited revisions). Sample: 7-10 days. Bulk production: 7-15 days after sample approval. Shipping: express 3-5 days, air freight 5-10 days, sea freight 20-30 days.
A typical 500-piece order takes 3-4 weeks from first contact to delivery. Large orders (5,000+) add 1-2 weeks for production. Rush production is possible — we have handled orders in 2 weeks — but it costs more and is subject to production schedule availability.
Plan for 6-8 weeks lead time for a comfortable, unstressed timeline.
What Information You Need for an Accurate Quote
Sending a complete inquiry gets you an accurate quote faster. Here is what to include:
- Design concept: A sketch, reference image, logo, or just a description. Our designers create the production file — you do not need finished artwork.
- Preferred material: Zinc alloy (recommended for most), brass, or iron.
- Approximate size: Standard (2.5-3 inches), large (3-4 inches), or giant (4+ inches).
- Quantity: Your best estimate. Pricing changes at quantity thresholds — be realistic.
- Number of enamel colors: 1-3 is standard.
- Preferred finish: Gold, silver, antique, etc. Or “recommend something.”
- Event date: For timeline planning.
- Ribbon preference: Printed ribbon with event name, or solid color.
That’s it. Send those eight items and you will get a detailed quote with a free design within 24 hours.
Shipping to the US and Worldwide
We ship to 50+ countries. For US orders: express (DHL/FedEx/UPS, 3-5 days, most expensive), air freight (5-10 days, mid-range), sea freight (20-30 days, most economical for large orders). Customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility — we provide the commercial invoice with accurate HS codes.
For US orders under 2,500 pieces, express shipping is usually the best balance of speed and cost. For 2,500+ pieces, air freight becomes economical. Sea freight makes sense above 10,000 pieces.
What Can Go Wrong (And How We Prevent It)
After 15 years of bulk production, here are the failure points and our solutions:
Color mismatch between sample and bulk: Prevented by Pantone-coded paint mixing and standardized bake times and temperatures. Every batch uses the same paint formula, same oven settings.
Plating variation across the batch: Prevented by running the entire order through the plating line in one continuous batch. We do not split orders across plating runs.
Ribbon attachment failures: Prevented by ultrasonic welding at standardized power settings. Every ribbon gets a pull test before packaging.
Late delivery: Prevented by building buffer into the schedule and never over-promising on production capacity. Our 30,000-piece daily capacity means even large orders do not cause delays.
FAQ
What is the minimum order for custom medals? 100 pieces per design. This is driven by the fixed mold cost. Reorders of existing designs have no minimum.
How much do custom medals cost per piece? It depends on material, size, colors, and quantity. A typical zinc alloy medal (2.5-3 inches, 2-3 colors, 500 pieces) falls in the $2-4 range. Request a specific quote for your design.
Can I get a sample before ordering in bulk? Yes, and we recommend it. Sample production takes 7-10 days. You inspect the physical medal before committing to the full order.
How do I pay? New clients: T/T wire transfer, 30% deposit to start production, 70% balance before shipment. Long-term clients may qualify for Net 30 or Net 60 terms.
What if I need medals urgently? Rush production is available subject to our schedule. Contact us with your deadline — we will tell you honestly if we can meet it. The fastest we have completed an order is 14 days from design to delivery.