Top Medal Design Trends to Watch in 2026

Let’s be real for a second; medal design is changing faster than ever. And honestly, it’s about time. 

For years, medals were standard. Safe. You knew exactly what you were going to get.  

Today’s medals are not just about winning or finishing; they’re about telling a story. 

We’re seeing designs that challenge the old rules, recycled bronze competing with carbon-neutral alloys, minimal geometric forms replacing ornate decoration, and textured, layered finishes that give medals real depth and personality. 

Sure, the basics are still there, weight, texture, balance, design. But the why behind them has developed. 

I’ve seen first-hand how expectations have changed; event organizers don’t just want “modern”, they want meaningful pieces that feel timeless and connect to the people who earned them. 

Because for recipients, it’s no longer just about the shine. It’s about the story. 

Sustainability: The Heartbeat of Modern Design

Sustainability isn’t a side note anymore; it’s becoming the heartbeat of our industry. 

For too long, the awards world focused on how medals looked, not what it cost the planet to make them. But that’s changing. 

Race directors are now thinking beyond race day. They’re thinking about the footprint they leave behind. And it’s showing up across suppliers, too. 
As Enamel Pin Manufacturer (2025) put it, “Eco-conscious production has become a defining hallmark of the industry.” 

They’re right. 
Runners and organizers alike want to know: 
Where do the materials come from? 
Who made them? 
And what impact do they have on the world around us? 

Tina Muir of Racing for Sustainability captured it perfectly: 

“The process of crafting these keepsakes should include a relentless pursuit of better materials, less waste, and a smaller environmental footprint.” 

And she’s not just talking about feel-good marketing. She’s talking about what runners deserve — because, as she said, “Every medal tells a story. Of early mornings, sore legs, and sacrifices made to chase a finish line.”  
(Tina Muir on LinkedIn) 

I believe sustainability isn’t a checkbox. It’s a commitment, one that touches every part of what we do: sourcing, production, and even shipping. 

Through our partnership with Plastic Bank, every medal order helps remove two plastic bottles from the ocean. That waste is collected by people in coastal communities, often those most affected by pollution, and turned into usable materials. 

It’s a cycle that supports both the planet and people. 
So far, our customers have helped prevent over 31 tonnes of plastic from reaching the ocean and supported more than 200 individuals in Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cameroon (2024). 

That’s what purpose-driven design looks like. 

Minimalism: The Power of Simplicity

There’s a quiet revolution happening in medal design right now, and it’s called minimalism. 

For years, bigger and flashier was better. But the tide has turned. People are craving simplicity, clean lines, open space, designs that feel confident without shouting. 

When done right, minimalism isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing just enough. It’s about refining meaning down to the essentials. 

As Medal Bespoke (2025) said, minimalism “reflects confidence and timelessness.” And they’re right, the best designs don’t age. They endure. 

Minimalist medals have a calm energy to them. They whisper instead of scream. And in that quiet, the real message of achievement stands out. 

Depth and Texture: Design You Can Feel

If there’s one thing that sets modern medals apart, it’s texture. 

We’ve fully embraced relief, depth, and layered finishes that give each medal life, not just in how it looks, but in how it feels. 

Raised and recessed features, brushed surfaces, and matte edges create subtle contrast that invites people to touch. 

In a world dominated by smooth screens, texture holds a quiet kind of power. 

When someone runs their fingers over a raised detail or sandblasted medal face, they’re not just looking at a medal, they’re connecting with it. It becomes a personal moment, a tactile reminder of effort and pride. 

Souvenir Expert (2025) called this shift the “tactile renaissance” of medal design, and honestly, that fits perfectly. 

We don’t add depth just for style; we add it to tell a story. 
Texture gives a medal weight, both physical and emotional. 

Interactive Designs: When Medals Do More

The Artist's Hand: The Return of the Craft

Here’s what excites me most about where medal design is headed. The return of true artistry. 

The medals people remember, the ones kept for decades, are never the ones that feel mass-produced. They’re the ones that feel crafted. 

We’re finally starting to see medals treated not just as awards, but as creative works. 
As Shop-Ping (2025) put it, “In 2025, trophies and medals become true works of art.” 

And they’re right. 

Some of my favourite moments happen long before the first medal is cast. When it’s still just artwork; curves, lines, and textures being shaped to tell a story. 

That’s where the magic happens. 
When designers translate an organizer’s vision into something tangible, something that captures the athlete’s journey and the emotion behind it. 

Those small, intentional decisions are what turn a medal into art. 

Designing Forward

The future of medal design isn’t about chasing the next flashy look. It’s about meaning. 

The industry is finally catching up to what recipients have always known. The best medals don’t just mark a victory; they capture everything that led to it. 

They tell the story behind every mile, every hour of training, every moment of doubt that led to triumph. 

For me, 2026 isn’t just another design cycle. It’s a turning point. An opportunity to redefine what medals represent. 

Because when people look back at the medals of this era, they won’t just see shiny metal. 
They’ll see purpose. 
They’ll see progress. 
And that’s the kind of legacy worth designing for.