There are award programs where color would distract from the design, and others where the prestige of the piece needs to come from the metal itself. For both scenarios, custom die cast medals with an antique or shiny finish are the right answer. The die-casting process means the medal can take practically any shape your design calls for, and once it comes out of the mold, the finish treatment does the rest.
Since 1971 to 2002, Ultimate Promotions manufactured and has been the trusted custom die cast medals supplier for martial arts organizations, military bodies, corporations, and event organizers across the USA and Canada from 2002 to the current date. With over 50 years of experience, millions of custom award medals delivered, and 1,000+ organizations served across North America, every order meets the same exacting quality standard. Low minimum order with a higher per-unit cost on smaller quantities; orders of 50 pieces or more qualify for free shipping.
Custom die cast medals are made by injecting molten metal under high pressure into a precision mold. As the metal cools, it captures deep sculptural relief, internal cut-outs, and three-dimensional contours that flat stamping simply cannot produce. Once extracted, the finish treatment is applied, and this is where antique and shiny medals diverge.
Antique medals receive a controlled darkening agent on the recessed areas after casting. Raised elements stay bright while lower areas darken, creating contrast that draws out every engraved line and sculpted feature. Antique gold, antique silver, and antique bronze are the most common variants.
Shiny medals are hand polished after casting to produce a bright, mirror-like surface with no aging treatment. Polished gold, polished nickel, and polished copper deliver a clean, contemporary finish that photographs well and reads as sharp and premium at formal events and award ceremonies.
Both finish types sit on an iron base and are available with the same ribbon options, engraving, and packaging. The choice between them is purely aesthetic. Get a free proof within 24 to 48 hours; share your design and our team will show you exactly how it translates to metal, with up to 5 proofs included free and additional proofs beyond that at $5 each.
Which Events and Award Programs Are These Best Suited For?
Customization Options and Specifications
Packaging and Delivery
Ribbon Pricing
Die Cast - Antique/Shiny
The mold fee is calculated based on the selected size. Molds are valid for 3 years. For repeat purchases within this period, select 'NO' unless the artwork has changed
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What Makes Die Cast Antique and Shiny Medals Worth Choosing?
Die casting gives this product a structural advantage that most medal types cannot match. Combine that with the finish versatility of antique and polished treatments, and you have a medal that works for a wide range of programs. Here is what sets die cast medals in this style apart:
Custom Shape, Any Outline
The mold defines the shape, so your custom designed medals can follow a logo, mascot, shield, martial arts silhouette, animal, or any form that translates well to medal scale. Internal cut-outs within the medal body are also achievable.
Genuine 3D Relief
Elements cast into the mold can stand proud of the surface with real depth, producing a three-dimensional quality that flat die-struck medals cannot replicate.
Five Sizes Available
From 2.25 inches up to 4 inches, giving you the ability to scale the medal to suit the profile of the event. Larger sizes are particularly effective when the design has sculptural detail that needs surface area to show properly.
Antique Finish Options
Antique gold, antique silver, and antique bronze each bring a different character. The darkened recesses create natural contrast that highlights fine linework, crests, and engraved text without any additional treatment.
Shiny Finish Options
Polished gold, polished nickel, and polished copper produce a high-shine surface that photographs well and catches light in the hand. Shiny medals in this style are a popular choice for corporate recognition and formal athletics programs.
Dye Electroplated
Select your color of choice; PMS color matching is available; an additional fee applies.
Laser Engraving
Recipient names, placement results, dates, or event titles can be engraved on the reverse of each medal, making every piece a personalized award medal tailored to the individual.
Repeat Order Efficiency
Custom made medals use a mold that stays valid for three years. Reorders of the same custom designed medals within that window skip the mold fee entirely, making annual award programs and recurring recognition events significantly more cost-effective.
Ribbon Range
Blank ribbons, 1-color printed ribbons, and fully dye-sublimated custom ribbons are all available to complete the presentation.
J-Hook Included
Every medal includes a J-hook as standard, included in the price.
Die Cast Antique/Shiny vs. Die Cast Soft Enamel Medals
Not sure which finish is right for your event? Here is a direct side-by-side comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | Die Cast Antique/Shiny | Die Cast Soft Enamel Medals |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Method | Molten metal cast into a precision mold; it's the same base process for both | Molten metal cast into a precision mold; it's the same base process for both |
| Color / Finish | No enamel; all visual impact from metalwork, plating, and finish treatment | Hand-filled soft enamel in recessed areas; vibrant multi-color result |
| Visual Style | Clean all-metal look. antique-aged depth or mirror-bright polish | Bold and colorful with raised metal outlines between enamel color sections |
| Shape Flexibility | Fully custom shapes, cut-outs, and deep 3D sculpted elements | Same shape flexibility: custom shapes and 3D sculpted elements |
| Size Range | 2.25" up to 4" (5 size options) | 2.25" up to 4" (5 size options) |
| Epoxy Coating | Not applicable | Optional clear epoxy over enamel for protection and gloss |
| Plating Options | Antique gold/silver/bronze or polished gold/nickel/copper | Gold, silver, antique, black nickel, and more |
| Best For | Formal, traditional, or prestige awards where metalwork carries the design | Events where color and branding are central to the design |
| Laser Engraving | Available as add-on | Available as add-on |
| Ribbon Options | Blank, 1-color print, or dye-sublimated | Blank, 1-color print, or dye-sublimated |
| Base Material | Iron base | Iron base |
| Minimum Order | The minimum order is low; 50 pieces or more qualify for free shipping | The minimum order is low; 50 pieces or more qualify for free shipping |
| Production Time | 12-15 business days | 12-15 business days |
Both options are produced to the same quality standards with the same lead times, low minimum orders with a higher per-unit cost on smaller quantities, and free shipping on orders of 50 pieces or more to the USA and Canada.
If your design is strong enough to stand on metalwork alone, antique medals or shiny medals are the better choice. If your artwork relies on color to communicate clearly, the Die Cast Soft Enamel range is the one to consider. Either way, the casting process and production quality are identical.
From Artwork to Delivery: How the Process Works
Every order of custom die cast medals from Ultimate Promotions follows the same clear sequence:
Send Your Design
Upload your artwork, crest, logo, or shape reference. If you only have a rough concept or a low-resolution file, our team can develop production-ready artwork from what you provide.
Receive Your Free Proof
Within 24 to 48 hours you will receive a free digital proof showing the medal layout, including the cast shape, raised relief areas, and your selected finish treatment, with up to 5 proofs included free and additional proofs beyond that at $5 each.
Revise Until Approved
Revisions are unlimited before the mold is produced. Production does not begin until you have signed off on the design.
Mold Production and Casting
A precision mold is produced from your approved artwork. Molten metal is injected into the mold, cooled, and extracted as a fully formed metal body with all three-dimensional detail intact.
Finishing and Plating
The cast medal is treated to your selected finish. Antique medals receive the darkening treatment on the recessed areas; shiny medals are hand-polished to a bright, reflective surface.
Quality Inspection
Every medal is manually checked for finish consistency, detail accuracy, and structural quality before packing.
Packed and Shipped
Your completed personalized medals are individually bagged and shipped with full tracking to your address in the USA or Canada.
From proof approval to delivery, most orders of custom die cast medals are completed and in your hands within 15–20 business days across the USA and Canada.
Why Organizations Across North America Choose Ultimate Promotions
When searching for a reliable custom die cast medals supplier, consistency and track record matter. Since 1971, Ultimate Promotions has been producing custom made medals, lapel pins, coins, and promotional products for organizations across the USA and Canada, from local martial arts clubs and school programs to national sporting bodies and government institutions. Whether the order is for 50 custom designed medals or several thousand, the production approach and quality standards stay the same. Here is what makes working with us consistent:
Over 50 Years of Production Experience
We have been making metal award products longer than most suppliers have been in business, and that experience shows in how we handle complex designs and tight specifications
Free Artwork Development
If your design needs vectorizing, adapting for casting, or building from a rough concept, our team handles that at no extra charge, with up to 5 proofs included free and additional proofs beyond that at $5 each.
Manual Quality Control
Every order goes through a hands-on inspection for finish consistency, detail accuracy, and structural integrity before it leaves the facility
Government and Institutional Supply
Approved supplier status with government and institutional clients, with the same production standards applied regardless of order size
Straightforward Pricing
The quote you receive reflects the actual cost of your order. No hidden fees, no surprises at the invoice stage
Full North American Shipping Coverage
Tracked delivery to both the USA and Canada on all qualifying orders, with free shipping on orders of 50 pieces or more
Trusted Custom Medal Supplier
Recognized by organizations across the USA and Canada as a consistent and reliable supplier for custom award medals, from 50-piece club programs to multi-thousand-piece national recognition events.
Pricing, Mold Fees, and Bulk Orders
The cost of die cast medals in antique and shiny finishes is calculated based on medal size, quantity, finish selection, ribbon choice, and any add-ons such as laser engraving. Because die casting requires a precision mold, a one-time mold fee applies to new designs. This fee is based on the size you select and remains valid for three years from the date of the first order.
For recurring programs, annual events, and organizations that reorder the same design each year, the three-year mold validity means the initial mold cost is only ever incurred once within that cycle. Bulk pricing applies to all orders, with the per-unit price decreasing as quantity increases. Ordering personalized medals in larger runs consistently brings the per-piece cost down to a more competitive level.
Request your free bulk pricing breakdown for custom die cast medals today, a full cost breakdown for your specific size, quantity, and finish with no obligation. Free shipping included on all qualifying orders of 50 pieces or more to the USA and Canada.
Get a Quote for Your Custom Die Cast Antique and Shiny Medals
When the design is the point and the metalwork needs space to show what it can do, custom die cast medals in antique and shiny finishes deliver that better than almost any other medal format. The casting process gives you shape freedom and sculptural depth. The finished treatment gives you either the aged authority of antiques or the sharp presence of high polish, producing personalized award medals that carry genuine weight and are received with the recognition they deserve.
Whether you need 50 custom award medals for a jiu-jitsu tournament or several hundred personalized medals for a large corporate recognition program across the USA or Canada, Ultimate Promotions has the production experience and capacity to deliver to your specification, on time and to the quality standard your event demands.
Get your quote for die cast medal proof today; share your design, the size you have in mind, and your preferred finish, and our team will come back with accurate pricing within 24–48 hours. You can also explore our Die Cast Soft Enamel Medals if color is part of your design.
Get a Quote Today
Get your quote for die cast medal proof today; share your design, the size you have in mind, and your preferred finish, and our team will come back with accurate pricing within 24–48 hours.
Get a Free QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Antique medals receive a controlled darkening treatment applied to the recessed areas of the surface after casting. The raised metal stays bright while the lower areas darken, creating contrast that makes engraved detail and sculpted features stand out clearly. Shiny medals are hand polished after casting to produce a smooth, reflective surface with no darkening applied. Both start from the same cast medal body; the difference is entirely in the post-cast surface treatment.
Die striking presses a hardened steel die into a flat metal sheet, creating a raised relief on a flat base. It is suited to standard shapes and moderate detail. Die casting injects molten metal into a mold, which allows the medallion to take a three-dimensional form, follow any custom outline, include internal cut-outs, and carry much deeper sculptural detail. Die cast medals offer a level of shape flexibility that die-struck medals cannot match.
Yes. Because the shape is set by the mold, your custom die cast medals can take the form of a logo, mascot, martial arts figure, shield, star, animal silhouette, or any other shape that works at medal scale. Internal cut-out sections within the medal body are also achievable. Our team can advise on how to adapt your artwork for the best cast result during the proofing stage.
No. These medals are all-metal by design. The visual result comes entirely from the cast metalwork and the finish treatment, with no color fill applied. If you want to introduce a subtle color element without committing to full enamel fill, our Die Cast Soft Enamel range handles that. There is no crossover between the two products in terms of standard finish; they are distinct options suited to different design requirements. Unlike custom enamel medals where color is part of the design, the impact here is driven entirely by the metalwork.
Die-cast antique and shiny medals are available in five sizes: 2.25 inch, 2.75 inch, 3 inch, 3.5 inch, and 4 inch. This range gives you the option of a larger, more impactful piece for high-profile events where the scale of the medal is part of how it is perceived.
A one-time mold fee applies to every new design. The fee is based on the medal size you select and covers the production of the precision mold used to cast your design. The mold remains valid for three years from your first order date. Reorders placed within that window using the same artwork do not incur a new mold charge. This makes repeat programs and annual award series with custom award medals significantly more cost-effective after the first run.
Yes. Laser engraving can be added to the reverse of each medal as an add-on at the time of ordering. It is used for recipient names, placement positions, event dates, and award titles. This is what turns a standard production run into fully personalized medals for each recipient and is one of the most popular options across both athletic and corporate award programs.
The minimum order is low, and smaller quantities are available on request, though they carry a higher per-unit cost. Orders of 50 pieces or more qualify for free shipping to the USA and Canada.
Vector formats, including .ai, .pdf, and .eps, are preferred for the sharpest results, particularly when the design involves fine engraved lines, small text, or complex sculpted detail. If you do not have a vector file, send us what you have, and our team will handle conversion or redraw at no charge. This applies to all custom designed medals, regardless of shape complexity.
Production takes an average of 12 to 15 business days from proof approval. Transit to the USA and Canada adds approximately 3 to 5 business days. Rush production is not available, so factor the full lead time into your planning if you have a fixed event date.
Yes, and this is one of the most common use cases for this product. Martial arts disciplines have a strong tradition of metallic awards, and the die casting process is well suited to producing shaped medals, whether that is a figure in a stance, a belt and rank symbol, or a dojo crest. Antique medals in bronze or gold are a particularly popular choice for this application, as the aged finish adds gravitas that polished finishes or custom enamel medals in soft fill do not replicate in the same way. Bespoke personalized medals with engraved names and grades on the reverse are also standard for this category.