Why Medal Selection Matters
Medals are more than just prizes - they're lasting mementos that athletes and participants treasure for years. Choosing the right medal sets the tone for your event and reflects the prestige of the achievement. Whether you're organising a school athletics day, a club championship, or a large regional tournament, the right medal makes a lasting impression.
Step 1: Decide on the Medal Size
Medal sizes are typically measured by diameter. Here's a quick guide:
- 40mm medals — ideal for participation awards, junior events, or large-scale events where budget is a consideration. Browse our 40mm Medals.
- 50/55mm medals — the most popular choice for club and school sports. A great balance of presence and cost. See our 50/55mm Medals.
- 70–75mm medals — reserved for top-tier competitions, finals, and prestige events. These make a real statement. Explore our 70–75mm Medals.
Step 2: Choose the Right Material and Finish
Most sports medals are zinc alloy or iron with a plated finish — gold, silver, or bronze. Consider:
- Gold, silver, bronze sets for podium placements
- Single-colour medals for participation or team awards
- Full-colour printed inserts for sport-specific designs (football, swimming, athletics, etc.)
If you want something more premium, consider glass or crystal awards for top achievers, our Classic Glass Awards and Premier Glass Awards are popular for end-of-season presentations.
Step 3: Explore Our Medal Options & Customisation
At Woolf's Trophies And Engravers, we offer a range of medal types and customisation options to suit every event and budget.
Standard Medals
All our standard medals include a satin ribbon and sticker insert as standard. We also offer the following upgrades at an additional cost:
- Gel domed inserts — a premium, high-gloss finish for your medal centre
- Clip-on ribbons — a convenient alternative to sewn ribbons
- Engraved plates — can be added to the front or back of the medal for personalisation
- Ribbon branding — custom printed ribbons featuring your club, school, or event branding. Please note: branded ribbons have a 2-week lead time and a minimum order of 100 medals.
- UV Colour Printing — for our larger medals, we offer UV colour printing directly onto the medal surface. This is a high-quality process where the print is applied directly onto the medal, delivering vibrant, durable results without the need for an insert.
Brass Medals (Premium Option)
For clients looking for a premium, long-lasting medal, we offer brass medals — a superior material with a classic, weighty feel.
- Standard Brass Medals: Minimum order of 20 medals. We also offer scratch engraving directly onto brass medals at an additional cost, making each medal a truly personalised keepsake.
- Custom Moulded Brass Medals: Want a medal designed specifically for your event or organisation? We can produce medals from a custom mould. A once-off mould charge applies, and a minimum order of 100 medals is required. This is ideal for clubs, associations, and corporates wanting a fully bespoke award.
Contact us for a quote on brass medal options.
Custom Die-Cast Medals
For the ultimate in bespoke medal design, we offer custom die-cast medals. Available in custom sizes and shapes to your exact specifications. These are generally suited to bulk orders and carry a production lead time of 3–4 weeks. A quote will be provided based on your requirements.
Contact us to discuss your custom die-cast medal requirements and receive a tailored quote.
Step 4: Pick Your Ribbon Colour
Ribbon colour is often overlooked but makes a big visual impact. Match your ribbon to your club or school colours for a cohesive look. We stock a wide range of Medal Ribbons to complement any medal from Blue, Red, Black, Green, Yellow, Orange, Multi-colour, or South African Themed.
Step 5: Plan Your Engraving
Personalised engraving transforms a standard medal into a keepsake. Include the event name, date, and the recipient's name or position. At Woolf's Trophies, we offer engraving on most medals - simply add your engraving details when placing your order.
Step 6: Order in Advance
For tournaments, we recommend ordering at least 2–3 weeks before your event to allow time for engraving and delivery. Need medals urgently? We offer same-day and next-day medal options for smaller and larger orders, subject to stock availability in store. Visit us in store or contact us.
Ready to Order?
Browse our full range of sports medals or contact us for a bulk quote, custom brass medals, die-cast medals, or any other custom requirements. We supply clubs, schools, and event organisers across South Africa.