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When ordering custom medals for awards, timing matters just as much as quality. Even the best-looking medals won’t help if they arrive after your event.
For most standard orders, the process from artwork to delivery takes about 3–5 weeks. If you have a fixed event date, however, it’s safer to allow 4–6 weeks rather than plan around the shortest possible timeline.
Below, VeperPins breaks down the full timeline so you can place your order smoothly and make sure your medals arrive before the big day.
Custom Medal Timeline: Artwork, Production & Shipping
f you’re planning an event and need your medals to arrive on time, it helps to understand how long the full ordering and production process takes. In general, custom medals go through three main stages: artwork, production, and shipping.
Artwork: 1–3 Business Days
After you send us your design, we usually can’t send it straight to production. Our designer first turns it into production-ready artwork for your approval. If you already have a complete design, this usually takes about 1 business day. If you’re starting with a logo, badge, text, or a few reference images, allow 2–3 business days for us to put everything together. Production begins after the artwork is approved, so additional revisions can add a little time.
Production: 15–20 Business Days
Once the artwork is approved, production starts with the mold, which takes about 3 days. The mold is then used to make the metal medal blanks, usually another 4 days. Plating, edge finishing, and surface work take around 3–4 days. Most personalized medals also require hand-filled enamel colors, baking, and finishing, which usually takes another 5–6 days. If you’re adding custom ribbons, printing and assembly take about 1–2 days. The finished medals are then inspected and packed before shipping. Normal production takes about 15–20 business days, depending on the design, quantity, and finish.
Shipping: 3–60 Days
Shipping time depends on your quantity, budget, and event date. For large orders with plenty of lead time, ocean shipping takes about 30–60 days and costs less. For tighter deadlines, air shipping or express delivery is a better choice. Express shipping takes about 3–5 days to the U.S. and is the fastest option when your event date is close. Tax-included shipping takes about 10 days and is currently available for certain destinations in North America and Europe. If you already have a fixed event date, let us know when you order so we can recommend the right shipping option.
Total Lead Time: About 3–5 Weeks
With quick artwork approval, standard production, and express shipping, many orders can be completed in about 3–5 weeks. More complex designs, slower shipping methods, or additional revisions can extend the timeline.
Factors That Can Delay Custom Medal Production
Even with a clear production schedule, a few factors can extend your delivery time. Planning ahead and responding quickly can help keep your project on track.
1. Artwork Approval Takes Longer Than Expected
Production can’t begin until the artwork is approved.
After we send your digital proof, review it as soon as possible. If you’d like any changes, let us know right away. Every round of revisions pushes production back.
We’ve even had customers place an order right before going on vacation. By the time they reviewed the proof several days later, their deadline had become much tighter, leaving very little time for production. The faster you approve your artwork, the sooner we can start making your medals.
2. Complex Designs Need More Production Time
A personalized medal design is worth it, but it usually takes longer to make.
Features like 3D sculpting, cut-out shapes, dual plating, spinning parts, or multiple attachments all require additional manufacturing steps. Depending on the design, production may take several extra days.
3. Very Large Orders Take Longer
An order of 100 medals and an order of 10,000 medals won’t move through production at the same speed.
Larger quantities often require additional molding, coloring, polishing, quality inspection, and packing time. If you’re planning a large event, giving yourself extra lead time helps ensure everything arrives on schedule.
4. Shipping Delays Can Happen
Once your medals leave the factory, shipping time depends on the carrier.
Weather, customs inspections, holidays, or courier delays can occasionally affect delivery. That’s why we recommend placing your order at least a few weeks before your event instead of waiting until the last minute.
Can Custom Medals Be Made Faster?
Yes. If you’re working with a tight deadline, rush production may be available and can often save 5–7 days. Rush fees are typically around $0.25 per medal.
It works best for simpler designs, standard finishes, and artwork that can be approved quickly. Availability depends on the design, quantity, and required delivery date, so contact us first if your order is time-sensitive.
How Early Should You Order?
If you already know your event date, order early and leave some extra time for artwork, production, and shipping.
For most races, school events, and award ceremonies, 4–6 weeks ahead is a good rule.
For large orders or more detailed medals, plan on 6–8 weeks.
Always tell us your event date when you order. We can let you know if the normal schedule works or if you need rush production.
Try to have your medals arrive 5–7 days before the event. That gives you some breathing room if there are artwork changes or shipping delays.
Less than four weeks left? Send us your design, quantity, and event date. We’ll check the fastest option available.
Get Your Custom Medals Ready on Time
The 3–5 week timeline is only a general estimate for standard orders, so we don’t recommend planning around the tightest possible schedule. The earlier you start, the more flexibility you’ll have if the artwork needs changes, something comes up during manufacturing, or shipping takes a little longer than expected.
Whatever style you need, VeperPins brings more than 20 years of experience to help you finalize the design and details efficiently, keep the process moving smoothly, and make sure the finished product meets your expectations.
