Is A Medal Update Right For You? Pros And Cons To Consider

Is it time to update your medals? 

Maybe you’ve been using the same design for years, and now you’re thinking: “Is this getting a bit old?” 

Or maybe your participants love the current medals, and you’re worried that changing things up could be a huge mistake. 

At Badges And Medals, we helped thousands of customers make this exact decision - whether to stick with their classic designs or try something new. 

And, no matter which path they’ve chosen, we’ve been there to ensure it works for them. 

So, how do you decide what's right for you? 

In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of updating your custom medal design so you can make the best choice for your event, your participants, and your budget.

Pros And Cons Of Not Updating Your Medal

Deciding not to change your medal design might seem like the safer of the two options, especially if it's worked well so far. 

After all, why fix something that isn't broken? 

But… is keeping things the same the best route? 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Preserving tradition

If your event has been around for a while, your medals have probably become a part of the expected experience for people. 

Some might even consider them a tradition. 

Take the Stanley Cup, for example. 

It hasn't changed in almost 75 years and that's part of what makes it so special to people. 

If its design were changed tomorrow, there would be an uproar, and it would lose some of its value. 

The same could be true for your medals. 

They may have become a symbol of nostalgia and tradition, something people look forward to.

2. Possibly cheaper

Let’s be honest: sticking with the same medal design is usually kinder on your wallet than creating a new one. 

By sticking with what you already have, you don’t have to pay for new moulds or any of the other extra costs that come with designing new medals. 

So, if you want to save some cash, staying with the tried-and-true design could be a smart move.

3. Predictable record

You know your current medal design like the back of your hand. 

You’ve been using it for years, so you’re familiar with how long it takes to make it and what it looks like in person. 

Everything is predictable, and that consistency is comforting. 

In the event world, where there are so many other details to manage - like ticket sales and road closures - sticking with what you know allows you to focus on other parts of your event. 

Sometimes, the certainty of a familiar design is worth more than the uncertainty of trying something new.

Upgrading your medal lets you better match your values - like going for a wooden design for eco-friendliness!

Cons:

1. Risk of looking outdated

If you’ve been using the same design for a while, it might start to feel stale. 

While tradition is great, sometimes an event needs a fresh look to stay exciting. 

If your medals don’t evolve, participants might assume your event isn’t evolving either - and that’s never a good thing. 

Over time, this can lead to a drop in ticket sales. 

People are drawn to novelty, and if they see the same medals year after year, they might lose excitement for the event.

2. Might not reflect changing social values

Times change. 

Your medal might have truly represented you and your audience a few years back, but does it still resonate today? 

For example, you might have updated your environmental policies. 

If you stick with an old design, you might miss the chance to switch to something that better reflects these, like recyclable ribbons or wooden medals. 

This can be a real missed opportunity. 

People today are searching for events that align with their beliefs, and if your medals don’t reflect your values, you risk losing their interest.

Pros And Cons Of Updating Your Medal

Thinking about updating your medal design? 

It can be exciting to freshen things up, but is it the right move for your event? 

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of making that change:

Pros:

1. Revitalise your event

Changing your medal design, even just a little, can bring new energy to your event. 

How, you might be wondering? 

Because it gives your attendees something new to collect, encouraging your loyal participants to return while also attracting new faces. 

This can lead to an increase in ticket sales and help your event feel more lively and relevant.

2. Opportunity for rebranding

Is it time to refresh your event’s image? 

If your old medal design no longer represents where your event is today, updating it can be a fantastic opportunity for rebranding. 

A new medal can help showcase the evolution of your event and attract a fresh audience, especially if you’re aiming to connect with a younger audience or a different demographic.

You can upgrade your medal to honour the traditional landowners of your event.

3. A better reflection of your values

Redesigning your medal is the perfect chance to make sure it aligns with what your event stands for today. 

For example, if sustainability has become a bigger focus for your event since your last update, you could switch to more eco-friendly materials, like wood. 

Or, if you want to strengthen your relationship with the traditional landowners where your event takes place, you could work with them on a new design. 

When your values shine through, it’s easy for people to see what your event stands for. 

In today’s market, where people look for events that share their social and environmental beliefs, that’s a game changer. 

You’re not just giving them something to win - you’re giving them something to believe in.

4. Potential to save money

You might think that sticking with your current medal design is the cheapest way to do things, and you'd be right most of the time. 

But sometimes, updating your medal can save you money. 

For example, if your current medal is quite large, switching to a smaller design can cut down your production costs. 

The trick is to have a conversation with your supplier about what options you have. 

They can suggest more affordable designs that still look great without breaking the bank. 

By exploring these possibilities, you could refresh your event’s image and save some cash at the same time.

Cons:

1. Possible higher costs

Typically, a fresh design will set you back more than sticking with what you've got. 

Even if your new medals have the same price tag as your current ones, there are still short-term expenses to consider, like the cost of making a new medal mould. 

These added costs can eat away at your budget. 

If you're already keeping a light purse, you might find yourself needing to cut back on other areas of your event, which might be a significant drawback.

2. Alienating your loyal participants

Change isn’t always welcomed by everyone. 

Your long-term participants might have a sentimental attachment to your current medal design, and switching things up could upset them. 

It’s important to consider how a new design could affect your core audience and whether you have the time or manpower to communicate why you're making the change. 

The Stanley Cup hasn’t changed much over the years, but is a beacon of tradition.

Which should you choose?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to updating your medals. 

Whether you stick with tradition or go for a new design depends entirely on your event’s goals and the experience you want to offer your participants. 

Both options have advantages, and the decision ultimately comes down to what will serve your event best.

New medals are best for you if:

• You want to refresh your event.
• You wish to better reflect your brand or values.
• You want to attract new and old participants. 

Sticking with your current medals is best if:

• You want to preserve tradition.
• You're looking to save some money.
• You prefer the certainty of a familiar design. 

Want to update your medals?

At Badges And Medals, we understand that deciding whether to update your medal can seem like a big decision. 

That’s why we created this guide for you. 

It breaks down the pros and cons in a way that's easy to understand, helping you make your decision with confidence. 

We've shared this advice with thousands of customers, from those who chose to stick with their classic design to those excited for something fresh. 

If you’re ready for a new look, we’re here to help! 

Reach out to us today to get a free medal design.