Want to design a medal but not sure where to start drawing? It can feel a bit tricky. But, I'll show you how to draw a great-looking medal, step by step.

To draw a medal, begin with a basic shape like a circle or star. Next, add your central design elements, such as text or a logo. Finally, sketch the ribbon and any decorative edges.

Drawing a medal is more than just putting lines on paper. It's about capturing a sense of achievement and honor. When I first got into this business at INIMAKER® over 12 years ago, I realized a good sketch is the foundation of every great medal. Even the most complex 3D designs we create start with a simple 2D concept. You don’t need to be a professional artist to get started. Think about the medal's purpose. Is it for a sports victory, academic excellence, or recognizing an employee's hard work? This purpose helps guide your design, from the main image to the overall style. We'll break down the process so you can build up your drawing from these basic ideas.

Let's expand on that. Drawing a medal well involves a few key stages:

1. Choose Your Basic Shape: This is the canvas for your medal.

   • Circles: The classic. They're traditional and offer a lot of space for designs. When we make corporate medals for clients like Klaus Wagner in Germany, a circle often conveys a sense of unity and completeness.
   • Stars: Often used for achievement or five-star service. Think military or special recognition.
   • Shields: These suggest protection, honor, or heritage. We see this a lot with military challenge coins, similar to what Sarah Johnson in the US procures.
   • Custom Shapes: Don't be afraid to get creative! We’ve made medals shaped like company logos or specific icons, like the Eiffel Tower coins for our French tourism client. The key is that the shape should be meaningful.

2. Sketch the Central Design (Motif): This is the heart of your medal.

   • What story do you want it to tell? If it’s for a sports event, maybe a stylized athlete or sports equipment. For corporate awards, a company logo or a symbol of achievement works great.
   • Keep it clear and bold. Tiny details can get lost, especially in a drawing. Remember, this main image needs to be recognizable. I always tell my design team, "If you can't tell what it is from arm's length, it's too complicated for a sketch."

3. Add Text and Lettering:

   • What needs to be said? The event name, date, recipient's name, or a motto?
   • Think about font style. Block letters for a modern feel? Serif fonts for a traditional look?
   • Placement is crucial. Will it curve around the edge, sit above or below the motif? Sketch light guidelines first to keep your text straight or evenly curved.

4. Design the Outer Edge or Rim:

   • This frames your central design.
   • You could have a simple, smooth rim.
   • Or, add a decorative border like a laurel wreath (symbolizing victory), a rope edge, or even small repeating symbols. For some high-end coins, we might suggest a diamond-cut edge, but for drawing, think simpler patterns.

5. Draw the Loop and Ribbon:

   • The Loop (Suspender): This is the small piece that connects the medal to the ribbon. It can be a simple ring or a more decorative attachment.
   • The Ribbon: How does it hang? Is it a simple V-shape, or does it have folds? Sketch the basic shape of the ribbon first, then add lines to show folds and give it some dimension. Consider the ribbon's width and length in proportion to the medal.

6. Refine and Add Details (Optional Shading):

   • Clean up your sketch. Erase any stray lines.
   • If you want, you can add simple shading to suggest depth. Think about where the light might be coming from and add darker tones on the opposite side or underneath raised elements. This can make your medal drawing pop.

For me, the best drawings usually start with light pencil strokes. You can always press harder or go over it with a pen once you're happy with the layout. Don't aim for perfection on the first try. It's a process!

How to Make a Medal (DIY)?

So you've drawn your medal design¹. Now, how can you bring it to life yourself? It's easier than you think for a fun, crafty version.

To make a DIY medal², you can use simple materials like polymer clay, craft foam, or even sturdy cardboard. Shape or cut out your design, decorate it with paint or markers, and attach a ribbon.

Making a medal yourself at home can be a really rewarding project, especially for personal gifts, kids' activities, or even as a very rough prototype before you think about professional production. It won’t have the heft or finish of a professionally manufactured metal medal, like the ones we produce at INIMAKER® with precise electroplating and laser engraving, but it can still look great and carry a lot of meaning.

DIY Medal Crafting

Let's explore some common DIY methods. Each has its pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on the look you want and the materials you have.

Popular DIY Medal Materials & Techniques

• Polymer Clay Medals:

  1. Condition the clay: Knead it until soft and pliable.
  2. Shape it: Roll it flat to your desired thickness. Use a round cutter (like a cookie cutter or glass rim) or a knife to cut out your medal shape.
  3. Add details: You can carve designs with a toothpick or small sculpting tools. Or, press textures onto the surface. Make a small hole at the top for the ribbon before baking.
  4. Bake: Follow the clay package instructions for baking.
  5. Cool and Decorate: Once cool, you can paint it (acrylics work well), add glitter, or varnish it.
  6. Attach ribbon: Thread a ribbon through the hole.

• Craft Foam or Cardboard Medals:

  1. Cut out shapes: Cut your main medal shape (e.g., a circle) from craft foam or cardboard. You might want to cut two identical pieces to glue together for extra thickness.
  2. Decorate: Paint the shapes or cover them with colored paper or foil. Use markers, glitter glue, or stick-on gems to add designs and text.
  3. Assemble: If using multiple layers, glue them together.
  4. Attach ribbon: You can staple, glue, or punch a hole for the ribbon. For a cleaner look, sandwich the end of the ribbon between two layers of your medal material before gluing them shut.

• Shrink Plastic Medals:

  1. Design: Draw your medal design on the rough side of the shrink plastic sheet with permanent markers. Remember it will shrink to about 1/3 of its original size and become thicker and harder.
  2. Cut out: Carefully cut out your design. Punch a hole for the ribbon before baking.
  3. Bake: Place on a baking sheet (follow package instructions) and watch it shrink in the oven. It will curl up and then flatten out.
  4. Cool: Let it cool completely. It will be hard plastic.
  5. Attach ribbon.

Design Considerations for DIY Medals

• Keep it Simple: Super intricate details are hard to achieve with most DIY methods. Bold shapes and clear designs work best.
• Material Choice: Think about who the medal is for. For young kids, lightweight and soft craft foam might be safer. For a more "realistic" feel, polymer clay is a good option.
• Attachment: How will the ribbon attach? A simple punched hole is easiest. A small loop made from the same material or a jump ring can look neater.
• Finishing Touches: Don't underestimate the power of a good paint job or a coat of varnish. It can make even simple materials look more polished. Metallic paints (gold, silver, bronze) are great for a medal look.

Why DIY Medals Are Great (and When to Consider a Pro)

DIY medals are fantastic for:

• Kids’ crafts and school projects: They're fun, educational, and allow for creativity.
• Personalized, heartfelt gifts: A handmade medal can mean a lot.
• Party favors or small event awards: If you only need a few and want that handmade touch.
• Testing a design concept: You can quickly mock up an idea before committing to a larger, more expensive production run.

However, there are times when DIY might not be the best fit. If you need:

• Large quantities: Making hundreds of medals by hand is very time-consuming.
• High durability and professional finish: For official awards, long-lasting commemorative items, or anything that needs to look highly professional, manufactured medals are the way to go. This is where a company like INIMAKER® comes in. We handle materials like zinc alloy, brass, and iron, and offer finishes like gold plating, soft enamel, and precise engraving that are beyond typical DIY capabilities.
• Specific materials or complex features: If you need, for example, a medal with intricate 3D relief, military-grade specifications like Sarah Johnson requests, or specific recycled materials like Klaus Wagner prefers for his corporate ESG coins, professional manufacturing is essential.
• Consistent quality: Every professionally made medal will look the same, which is important for official awards.

DIY is about the joy of creation and personalization. Professional manufacturing is about precision, durability, and scale. Both have their place!

Conclusion

So, drawing a medal starts with simple shapes and clear ideas. DIY methods make it fun to create your own. For lasting quality, detail, and quantity, professional crafting is key.