Got beautiful medals but they're hidden away in a drawer? It's a shame to keep those achievements unseen. We need to find a way to showcase them properly, so they get the attention they deserve.

You can display medals in custom boxes, on individual stands, or with specialized hangers. For more visual impact, try wall-mounted displays with hooks, tiered stands for collections, or elegant shadow boxes. Military challenge coin cases or framed displays with quality fabric backing also offer great protection and style for your prized possessions.

Showing off your hard-earned medals is a great feeling. You want to do it in a way that looks good and keeps them safe. There are many ways to do this, from simple setups to more elaborate displays. We'll look at different options so you can find what works best for you. Here at INIMAKER®, with over 12 years in metal craftsmanship, we've not only made countless medals but also advised clients on the best ways to present them. For example, when we worked with the US Veterans Association on their NATO challenge coin series, display was a key part of the conversation. We understand the pride behind each medal and want to help you honor that.

• Custom Medal Boxes: We often create these for our corporate clients. A good box does more than just hold a medal; it protects it and can be an extension of the award itself. When we delivered 20,000 Eiffel Tower holographic coins for a French Tourism Group's Paris Olympics 2024 pre-sales, many opted for custom presentation boxes. These boxes usually have a fitted insert to hold the medal securely. They can be made from various materials, like wood, velvet-lined premium plastic, or even sustainable options. This last point is something our client Klaus, a sustainability officer, always appreciates when discussing his corporate achievement medals.

• Medal Stands: Small, individual stands are excellent for desks, shelves, or display cabinets. They put the focus squarely on the medal. You can find them in clear acrylic, sleek metal, or classic wood. These are perfect for employee recognition medals, allowing each recipient to display their award prominently in their workspace.

• Medal Hangers: These are very popular for sports medals, especially for athletes like those Diego works with for his Olympic-themed collector coins. Medal hangers usually feature bars or multiple hooks and can be mounted on a wall. Many can be personalized with names, sports motifs, or inspirational quotes, making the display even more special.

• Display Cases & Shadow Boxes: These are my personal favorite for showcasing a collection or items of special significance. They offer great protection and visual appeal.
  • Shadow Boxes: These are perfect for creating a themed display. You can mix medals with photographs, ribbons, certificates, or other memorabilia that tell a story. They have a glass or acrylic front to keep dust out and protect the contents. Military personnel, like some of Sarah's contacts who need MIL-SPEC standard items, often use shadow boxes for service medals displayed alongside patches and commendations. The depth of a shadow box allows for interesting 3D arrangements.
  • Military Coin Cases: While primarily designed for challenge coins, many of these cases can hold medals too, especially if the medals are of a similar thickness or have a relatively flat profile. These cases often feature grooved wooden shelves and a clear glass door, offering an organized and distinguished look.
  • Framed Displays with Fabric Backing: This is a very classy way to present medals. You can pin medals onto a fabric backing – think velvet, linen, or a custom material – within a picture frame. This allows for easy arrangement and a very professional, gallery-like look. For high-value items, like the 18K gold-plated commemorative coins Aisha procures, a high-quality frame with premium fabric is essential.

• Wall-Mounted DIY Displays: If you're feeling creative, a DIY approach can be very rewarding.
  • Hooks or Pegs: Simple hooks or decorative pegs mounted on a polished piece of wood can make an attractive and accessible display.
  • Ribbon Boards: You can pin medals to ribbons stretched tautly across a corkboard or a nicely framed board. This adds a touch of color and texture.

• Glass Jars or Bowls: For a more casual collection of less formal medals, a large, clear glass jar or bowl can be a fun way to display them. It’s not ideal for very precious or delicate items due to potential scratching, but it can create a colorful and joyous heap of memories.

What are the best ways to display military medals securely and respectfully?

Military medals represent extraordinary service and sacrifice. Displaying them correctly is not just about aesthetics; it's about honor.

The best ways to display military medals include lockable shadow boxes, military-grade display cases often featuring UV protection, or custom-framed arrangements using archival materials. Always ensure materials are acid-free and the display method respects the deep honor these medals represent.

When I talk with procurement managers like Sarah Johnson, who works with US defense contractors, the display of military medals is a topic handled with utmost seriousness. It’s not just about making them look good. It's about ensuring their security, preserving their condition for future generations, and presenting them in a way that conveys the respect they command.

Key Considerations for Military Medals

• Security: These medals are often irreplaceable and can hold significant value, both sentimentally and historically. Protection from theft or unauthorized handling is important.
• Preservation: The materials of the medals and their ribbons need to be protected from tarnish, fading, and environmental damage.
• Respect: The display should be dignified and honor the service member and the significance of their awards. The arrangement itself often follows protocol.

Recommended Display Options for Military Medals

Lockable Shadow Boxes¹

• Why they work: These offer excellent protection from dust, accidental damage, and unauthorized handling. A lock adds a crucial layer of security, which Sarah would find essential for high-value or sensitive items.
• Features to look for: Sturdy construction, high-quality locks, and often a backing of felt or velvet onto which medals can be pinned without damage. We ensure our custom challenge coins for military units, like the NATO series we developed, are designed to fit well within such respected displays.

Military-Specific Display Cases²

• Why they work: These cases are purpose-built. They often accommodate not just medals, but also folded flags, insignia, and multiple awards in a traditional and honorable layout.
• Materials and design: Typically crafted from fine hardwoods like oak, cherry, or walnut, with clear glass or acrylic fronts. Many offer UV protection to prevent ribbon fading, a significant concern for long-term display.
• Example: A common and poignant type is the flag and medal display case, where a ceremonially folded national flag is displayed alongside the service member's medals.

Custom Framing with Archival Materials³

• Why they work: This method offers a highly tailored and museum-quality presentation. It's the gold standard for preservation.
• Essential Details:
  • Acid-free matting and backing: This is critical. Standard paper products contain acids that can "burn" or discolor medals and ribbons over time.
  • UV-protective glass/acrylic: This shields the medals and ribbons from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
  • Proper mounting: Medals should be securely mounted using archival-safe methods – never with harsh glues or tapes that could cause irreversible damage.
• Our INIMAKER® Insight: When we produce historically significant items like the Tudor dynasty replica coins for the British Museum, we deeply understand the importance of historical accuracy and preservation. This same meticulous care and respect for materials should apply to displaying original military medals.

What to Avoid for Military Medal Displays

• Exposure to direct sunlight or strong artificial light.
• Locations with high humidity or drastic temperature changes (like attics or basements).
• Using adhesives, tapes, or non-archival materials that can damage the medals or ribbons over time.
• Overcrowding the display, which can detract from the individual significance of each medal and look disrespectful.

Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:

How can I create a personalized medal display that tells a story?

Your medals are more than just awards; they are chapters of your life story. Your display should reflect that personal journey.

Create a personalized display by thoughtfully combining medals with photos, certificates, or related memorabilia within a shadow box. You can also theme your display by event, color, or achievement type, or add custom-engraved plaques to narrate the significance of each piece.

Many of our clients, like Mark Chen who customizes tourist commemorative coins for his scenic spot stores in France, or Diego Martinez with his licensed Olympic-themed collector coins, understand the incredible power of a well-told story. Medals are tangible markers of experiences, efforts, and memories.

Brainstorming Your Unique Story

• What is the central theme? Is your collection about a specific sport, a notable career path, remarkable travels, or a singular event like the Paris Olympics 2024 (for which we at INIMAKER® proudly supplied unique Eiffel Tower holographic coins)?
• What supporting items can enrich the narrative? Think beyond just the medals themselves. What else can bring the story to life?

Ideas for Crafting Personalized Medal Displays

Themed Shadow Boxes

• Concept: Group medals by specific events (e.g., "Marathon Achievements"), accomplishments (e.g., "Academic Honors"), or distinct time periods in your life.
• Enhancements to Add Depth:
  • Photographs: Include pictures of you receiving the medal, the event itself, or people who were part of that achievement.
  • Certificates & Documents: Add award certificates, letters of commendation, or even newspaper clippings.
  • Small Significant Objects: For a sports medal, perhaps include a piece of symbolic equipment (e.g., a worn-out ballet shoe next to dance medals). For a travel-related commemorative coin, like those Mark Chen sells, a small map or a pressed flower from the location could be evocative.
  • Example: For the Eiffel Tower holographic coins we produced, a beautiful display could feature the coin alongside a vintage postcard of the Eiffel Tower and a small, dried lavender sprig from Provence.

Timeline Displays

• Concept: Arrange medals chronologically to showcase a progression of achievements over time. This is particularly effective for long careers, evolving hobbies, or collecting series.
• Execution: Use a long, horizontal shadow box or a series of smaller, coordinated frames. Add small, discreet labels with dates or event names to guide the viewer through your journey.

Custom Backgrounds

• Concept: Instead of a plain fabric backing, consider using a map relevant to the medals, a collage of personal photos (subtly faded), or a fabric that holds special meaning as the backdrop in your frame or shadow box.
• Important Tip: Ensure the background enhances, rather than overshadows, the medals themselves. The medals should always be the stars of the show.

Engraved Plaques or Labels

• Concept: Add small, elegantly engraved plaques or labels below or next to individual medals. These can detail the event name, the date awarded, or a short personal note or quote.
• INIMAKER® Note: We perform intricate laser engraving on many of the medals and coins we manufacture, sometimes including QR codes that link to further information or even embedding GPS coordinates for unique commemorative pieces. This same precision and attention to detail can be applied to descriptive plaques for your display, adding a professional and informative touch.

Interactive Displays (A Modern Twist)

• Concept: For those who are more tech-savvy, consider adding small QR codes on your display labels. These codes could link to online videos of the event, photo galleries, personal blog posts, or more detailed stories about each medal. This adds an engaging, modern layer to your display.

Tips for Successful Storytelling Medal Displays

• Strive for Balance: Avoid overcrowding the display. Allow each significant item to have its own space to "breathe."
• Establish Hierarchy: Place the most important or visually striking medals and items in prominent positions to draw the eye.
• Consider Lighting: Good lighting can make a world of difference. Think about small, unobtrusive LED strip lights inside a shadow box, or an external accent light focused on the display.

What display materials best protect medals from tarnish and damage?

You want your hard-earned medals to shine for years, not succumb to tarnish or fading. Choosing the right display materials is crucial for their long-term preservation.

Opt for display cases featuring UV-protective glass or acrylic. Inside, use acid-free matting and backing materials, such as archival linen or velvet. For the medals themselves, ensuring they have an anti-oxidation coating from the manufacturer, like our patent-pending ColorLock™ technology for enamel, drastically helps prevent fading and degradation.

Aisha Al-Farsi, who procures luxury gold-plated commemorative coins for royal protocol and demands 18K gold electroplating minimum, always inquires about longevity and protection against tarnish. Similarly, Klaus Wagner, a sustainability officer deeply concerned with ESG principles, is meticulous about material quality and the long-term impact of products. Preservation is paramount for valuable and cherished medals.

As a manufacturer with over 12 years of experience, we at INIMAKER® implement a rigorous 3-Stage Inspection System. This system includes raw material XRF testing, in-process dimensional checks, and importantly, final anti-oxidation coating verification. We know that material integrity and protective finishes are vital for the lifespan of any metal craft.

Essential Protective Materials & Features for Medal Displays

Glazing (The Clear Front Panel)

• UV-Protective Glass or Acrylic: This is a non-negotiable feature for displaying valuable medals long-term. UV rays from sunlight or even standard fluorescent room lighting can cause ribbons to fade and can sometimes affect the finish of the medals themselves over time.
  • Glass: Offers excellent clarity and is inherently scratch-resistant. However, it's heavier than acrylic and can shatter.
  • Acrylic (Plexiglass): Much lighter than glass and shatter-resistant, often providing superior UV protection. The downside is that it can scratch more easily if not cleaned with care (use a soft, microfiber cloth).

Backing and Matting Materials

• Acid-Free and Lignin-Free is a Must: Standard paper, cardboard, and some wood composites contain acids and lignin. Over time, these substances can leach out and cause "acid burn," leading to yellowing, brittleness, and degradation of medals, ribbons, and any accompanying documents. Always insist on archival-quality, acid-free materials.
• Fabrics for Lining and Mounting:
  • Linen or Cotton: Natural fibers that are breathable and generally considered safe for long-term contact. Ensure they are true archival quality.
  • Velvet or Suede Cloth: Often used for a luxurious, plush look. However, it's vital to ensure they are archival quality. Some cheaper velvets can outgas harmful chemicals over time.
  • What to Avoid: Wool (can contain sulfur, which rapidly tarnishes silver and some other metals) and certain synthetic fabrics, unless they are specifically certified as archival-safe.

Medal Finishes & Protective Coatings

• Anti-Tarnish Coatings: Many medals, especially those with silver, bronze, or antique finishes, benefit greatly from a clear protective lacquer or an anti-oxidation coating applied during the manufacturing process. This is a standard part of our quality assurance at INIMAKER®, and a feature Aisha often asks us to guarantee with an anti-tarnish lifetime assurance for her high-end diplomatic gifts.
• Enamel Protection: For enamel pins and medals, a robust protective clear coat or specialized technology is key. Our patent-pending "ColorLock™" technology, for instance, is designed to prevent enamel fading and chipping for over 10 years, ensuring the vibrant colors of the design endure.

Case Construction Materials (The Box Itself)

• Wood: Solid hardwoods like oak, cherry, or walnut are excellent choices, provided they are properly sealed. Avoid unsealed MDF or particleboard for direct contact or unventilated enclosures, as they can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde. Klaus, with his strong focus on sustainability, would appreciate woods sourced from FSC-certified forests for any custom display cases.
• Metal: Frames made from anodized aluminum or powder-coated steel are durable, inert, and provide a modern look.

Critical Environmental Factors to Control

• Humidity Control: Display medals in areas with stable humidity, ideally around 45-55%. Too dry can make ribbons brittle; too damp encourages tarnish, corrosion, and potentially mold growth.
• Temperature Stability: Avoid locations like attics or basements where temperatures fluctuate wildly. Consistent, moderate room temperature is best.
• Minimize Direct Light Exposure: Even with UV-protective glazing, it's wise to minimize exposure to direct, intense sunlight or very bright artificial lights.

Here’s a quick checklist for choosing protective display materials:

Conclusion

Displaying your medals well honors your achievements and preserves memories. Use boxes, versatile stands, protective cases, or creative custom setups. Focus on visibility, robust protection, and a personal style that tells your unique story.