Be honest, does this sound familiar?
You spend months training for that big event, earn yourself an amazing medal, and then what do you do?
You toss it in a sock drawer because you don’t know what to do with it.
If you're feeling proud of the medal you won but are stumped on how to display it, you’re not alone.
A lot of people struggle with this issue, leading to medals that are tucked away and forgotten.
But it's time to turn that around! Here at Badges And Medals, we’ve created tens of thousands of custom sports medals.
We know how much your medal means to you and how a great display can really highlight its significance.
That’s why we've written this article.
In it, you'll learn the best ways to show off your medal, whether it's one or a whole collection.
But first, let’s chat about what you should consider when picking the right display.
There are a few key factors that can really impact which display option you choose:
Next up are medal stands.
Medal stands look great anywhere, whether it’s on your office desk or a shelf at home.
You can find them made from metal, wood, or plastic, so there’s a style to match everyone’s taste.
There are two main reasons to consider getting a stand.
The first is if you like to handle your medal often.
Since the medal isn’t enclosed, you can easily pick it up and appreciate it whenever you want.
The second is if your medal is a custom size or shape.
Because of the way most medal stands are built, they fit most medal sizes and shapes.
That said, it's important to note that most medal stands are not very secure, so you need to be careful not to knock them over.
Still, despite these minor drawbacks, medal stands are a popular and stylish way to display your medal.
You’d frame a photo from your big day.
So, why not give your medal the same treatment?
When it comes to showing off a single medal, a display case is one of the best ways to go about it.
The biggest benefit of using a display case is the protection it offers.
Without a case, medals can easily get scratched or damaged over time.
But with a case, your medal stays in perfect condition, looking as good as the day you earned it.
Plus, most businesses also allow you to personalise the contents of the case, adding touches like an engraved plaque or a race photo.
The result is a polished, professional display that captures the full memory of your event.
However, keep in mind that most case are made to fit circular medals that are either 50mm or 70mm wide.
That's because those are the most common combinations for medals.
So, if your medal is a custom shape or size, then a display case might not be the right display for you.
If you're looking for something that sits nicely between a case and a stand, then a custom box is the way to go.
A box protects your medal from harm (like a case) while still letting you easily access and enjoy it (like a stand).
The most popular box types are wood, velvet or vegan leather boxes, lined with satin or velvet for a touch of luxury.
Each can be tailored to your taste, which is why they're called 'custom' boxes.
For example, at Badges And Medals, you can pick the colour of your box, add your logo to the lid, or add an engraved plaque underneath the medal.
We can also design the slot to fit your medal's shape and size.
(It's no wonder custom boxes are one of the most popular ways to display individual medals.)
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that since the medal lies flat inside the box, it can be a bit tricky to see.
So, if you're planning to keep the box open to show off your medal, think about placing it on a lower shelf or surface to make it easier for everyone to admire.
Don't be surprised if you've never heard of magnetic medal displays before!
They're a bit of a hidden gem.
They're essentially a magnet shaped like a ladder that you wrap your medal around, making it look like it’s floating on your favourite metal surface.
This option is perfect for anyone who loves collecting fridge magnets or has a minimalist style - most magnetic medal hangers are designed to look quite simple, so the spotlight stays on your sports medal, not on the display.
One of the cool things about a wall holder is that, at first glance, it might not even look like a medal display.
Curious how that works?
Well, most wall holders are wooden blocks shaped like honeycombs with grooves for your medal’s ribbon to wrap around.
Once you do that, your medal sits flush against the wood, making it tough to tell what it is at a glance.
This makes wall holders an excellent choice for anyone who wants to present their medals more artistically.
And the best part?
Wall holders fit medals of any shape and size.
But there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, you won’t see much of the ribbon once your medal is mounted, so if you love the design of yours, this might not be the right fit for you.
Also, these holders are usually made from wood, so if that doesn't match your style then it might be best to strike it out.
Alright, so you've already learned that wall holders are fantastic for showing off a single sports medal.
But did you know they can also be used to display multiple medals, too?
Yes, that's right.
Because of the way they're built, you can easily line them up next to each other.
Every time you earn a new medal, just add another holder to your wall and keep your display growing smoothly.
The only real limit is how much wall space you’ve got.
If you’ve got plenty, and you’re after a display that's more 'art' than 'trophy room', this could be the perfect solution.
However, if space is tight, you might want to consider the next idea.
If you’ve got a lot of medals but not much wall space, a medal hanger might be just what you need.
It’s a wall-mounted display where your medals hang down, sometimes in layers.
Medal hangers are the most popular choice for displaying big medal collections because they come in a range of shapes, sizes, colours, and materials, meaning there's something out there for everyone.
For example, you can find medal hangers with built-in lighting, a space for your race bibs, and your name above the bar - and sometimes even all three!
You can also find hangers with more practical features, such as rust and sun protection, meaning they will last if mounted outside.
(Though whether your medals will hold up as well outdoors is another question!)
Medal hangers can hold a wide range of medals, from 10 to 120.
But here’s what you need to know about those 'larger' hangers: they often don’t take up much more space than the smaller ones.
Instead of being bigger, they have more bars for hanging your medals.
This added feature can lead to overlapping medals, which might make it harder to see each one.
So, keep that in mind when you're choosing the right hanger for your collection!
Last but not least are table mounts.
One of the best things about a table mount is that there’s absolutely no setup involved.
You don’t need to drill holes in the wall - you just put it on a surface and start adding your medals.
This makes them perfect for those who are renting or don’t have the tools to mount a display on a wall.
Plus, it’s easily movable from room to room, so if you get tired of it in one spot, you can move it into another.
Table mounts are also big space savers and make it easy to pick up and show off individual medals.
That said, there's a downside: the medals in the centre of your mount will get covered by those on the outside, making them harder to see.
And if there’s a breeze, you might find the medals clink together, or worse, topple over.
Did you find what you were looking for?
At Badges And Medals, we understand how proud you are of your sports medals.
That’s why we’ve written this guide: to inspire you with different ideas for showcasing your prized possessions.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your display options, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Let’s work together to make your medal display as remarkable as the stories behind them!