A Complete Guide to Custom Ribbon for Event Planners

08 Sep.,2025

 

A Complete Guide to Custom Ribbon for Event Planners

It’s often the subtle elements that turn a good event into an unforgettable one. Imagine a delicate satin ribbon adorned with your bespoke design, gracefully wrapping an elegant favor or accenting a show-stopping floral arrangement. Custom ribbons have the power to transform any event.

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This guide to custom ribbon for event planners explores how these versatile accents can elevate your event with their luxurious appeal. From clever design ideas to practical tips for choosing the perfect style, you’ll discover how custom ribbons enhance your decor but also leave an impression on every guest.

Why Event Planners Love Custom Ribbons

Custom ribbons are a favorite among event planners because they blend creativity with sophistication. These versatile accents are perfect for enhancing your event without overwhelming the overall theme or decor. They allow for seamless customization, whether through personalized text, brand logos, or unique color palettes. This personalization ensures the ribbon aligns effortlessly with your event’s theme.

Additionally, custom ribbons are cost-effective yet impactful. They add elegance and cohesion to any setting, offering that “wow” factor that guests will remember. Above all, the wide selection of materials, prints, and styles means there’s a custom ribbon suitable for every kind of event.

Creative Uses of Custom Ribbons in Events

The beauty of custom ribbons lies in their versatility. Here are some of the most popular ways event planners incorporate them into their designs.

1. Decorations

Wrap a custom ribbon around centerpiece vases, chairs, or napkins to tie the event decor together. Embellished ribbons add a polished touch to florals, table settings, and even hanging ceiling decorations, such as garlands or chandeliers.

2. Favors and Gifts

Nothing communicates thoughtfulness like personalized favors wrapped in coordinating ribbons. Whether you’re handing out mini gift boxes or jars of goodies, custom ribbons are a wonderful finishing touch that demonstrates intention and care.

3. Signage and Banners

Make event signage and banners stand out by incorporating custom ribbons. Use them as decorative trims around signs or for hanging small banners that will create a cohesive look throughout the venue.

4. Awards and Recognition

For award ceremonies, custom ribbons add a meaningful touch. Use them to adorn medals, trophies, or certificates that reflect the themes and logos unique to the occasion.

5. Invitations and Stationery

Fine-tune the first impression of your event by incorporating custom ribbons into your invitations or stationery. A silk or satin ribbon tied around an invitation creates an instant sense of luxury, excitement, and attention to detail.

Events That Custom Ribbons Are Perfect For

Custom ribbons work beautifully for a range of events, including but not limited to the following occasions:

  • Weddings: Use ribbons for bridal bouquets, aisle decor, and reception table arrangements.
  • Corporate events: Match ribbons to company branding for lanyards, giveaways, or branded items.
  • Celebrations: From birthdays to baby showers, custom ribbons can highlight themes like pastel tones or bold, playful colors.
  • Fundraisers: Ribbons serve well for awareness campaigns, giveaways, and community fundraisers.
  • Seasonal events: Add festive accents to holiday parties or trade shows with ribbons in seasonal patterns or textures that reflect the time of year.

How To Pick a Custom Ribbon for an Event

To make the most of your custom ribbons, choosing the right details is crucial. Here’s what you should consider when making your selection.

1. Material Selection

The ribbon materials matter more than you might think. Satin adds a glossy, luxurious feel, and grosgrain is thick and durable with a textured surface. Choose materials based on the type of event, the ribbon’s purpose, and its desired aesthetics.

2. Color Coordination

Ensure a cohesive look for your event by carefully selecting ribbon colors. You can match them with your existing color scheme or choose complementary tones for contrast. If you want an exact color match, use the Pantone Matching System (PMS).

3. Width and Length

From slim ribbons for intricate decor to wide ribbons for statement pieces, you need the right dimensions to make your decorations perfect. Always consider the scale of your design when deciding on width and length.

4. Printing Options

Choose between foil-stamped text for a metallic finish, embossed designs for texture, or printed logos for a branded look. Find the printing style that aligns with your event’s sophistication and tone.

Tips for Designing Your Own Custom Ribbon

You know where and how you’re going to use your custom ribbon, but now, how will you design it? Keep these tips in mind to create polished ribbon decor.

1. Keep It Simple

When it comes to design, less is more. Stick to clean lines, readable text, and minimal graphics to create a ribbon that looks effortlessly elegant.

2. Font and Color Choices

Your font and color pairings should align with both the event’s theme and its tone. A classic script font complements events like weddings, while bold fonts are more suitable for corporate settings.

3. Incorporate Branding

For fundraisers, corporate events, or branded occasions, don’t forget to incorporate your logo or tagline. Place them on the ribbons to subtly leave your mark on an event.

4. Test Before Printing

Before finalizing, test your design to ensure it translates perfectly to the physical ribbon. This is especially important for foil or embossed designs that require precise printing techniques.

Why Ribbon by Design Should Be Your Go-To Choice for Custom Ribbons

At Ribbon by Design, we understand that every event is unique. That’s why we offer an unmatched selection of customizable ribbons to suit any occasion. When you design a ribbon with us, you will receive high-quality work.

Our ribbons come from premium materials and feature precision printing methods for final products that always exceed people’s expectations. Whether you have a full-fledged design or just a concept in mind, our team is here to help bring your vision to life.

Custom ribbons are more than just decorative accents; they’re a way to add personality, luxury, and meaning to any event. By utilizing them creatively and selecting the right features, you can create an unforgettable experience for your guests.

We hope this guide to custom ribbon for event planners has given you valuable insights into the endless possibilities custom ribbons can offer. If you’re ready to elevate your next event, Ribbon by Design is here to help you create ribbons that speak to the heart of your event’s purpose. Your perfect ribbon is just a few steps away. Browse our options and design your custom ribbon with confidence.

Your Guide to Buying from a Custom Medal Maker

Whether you’re organising a race, planning a school event, or recognising your team’s hard work, finding the right medals can be surprisingly hard. There are tons of options out there—some cheap, others with a more premium price tag—and it’s not always clear what you’re actually getting for your money. The good news? You don’t need to be an expert to make sure you land on the right option for you. This guide will walk you through the types of medals available, what they cost, and how to choose the best custom medal maker for your needs.

What Do Custom Medals Cost?

Custom medals can cost anywhere from under £1 to over £50 each, depending on the style, materials, and how personalised you want them to be. If you’re just browsing around online, it can be hard to tell what makes one medal cost £1 and another £20 whether it’s even worth the difference. In general, you will find that buying one highly customised medal (for example, for a person winning a special award) will be at a higher price range in comparison to buying bulk medals (for example, for participation in a long-distance race).

To help you make sense of it all, here’s a quick breakdown of the most common types of medals and what you can expect to pay:

Are Cheap Medals Ever “Good Enough”?

When planning events, new requests can pop up out of nowhere and suddenly you just need a medal—fast, cheap, and in bulk. And for certain events, that’s totally okay.

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Budget medals, often imported, can cost as little as 50p each, and they’re usually made from lightweight metals, plastic, or zinc alloy. You’ll find these at a whole range of websites, and they’re often pre-made with standard designs or minimal customization (like inserting a printed label or engraving a few characters).

They’re popular for:

  • School sports days
  • Charity fun runs
  • Local tournaments
  • Kids’ participation awards

The upsides?

  • Super affordable
  • Fast shipping (if they’re in stock)
  • No or minimum design effort

The downsides?

  • Limited or no branding
  • Thinner, lower-quality materials
  • Mass-produced overseas which means quality and delivery times might be hit or miss

Top Tip: If you’re ordering from a low-cost overseas supplier, make sure to ask about lead times, quality checks, and hidden fees like customs or VAT. What seems cheap upfront can sometimes cost you in the long run.

Mid-Range Custom Medals: The Sweet Spot for Most Events

If you want something that looks great, feels meaningful, and still fits your budget, you probably want something in the mid-range.

Mid-range custom medals usually fall between £2–£8 each (or $4–$10), and they’re where most s event organisers land. These medals often give you much more options for customisation than budget options, which means you can design something that actually represents your brand, team, or event, rather than handing out a generic “1st Place” on a ribbon.

Popular features you can find with mid-range medals:

  • Custom shapes and moulds
  • Soft or hard enamel colouring
  • Various finishes (antique, matte, shiny)
  • Your logo or message integrated into the design
  • Matching ribbons, often branded

They’re perfect for:

  • Running races and triathlons
  • Sports leagues and tournaments
  • School championships
  • Corporate wellness events

Top Tip: This is the budget range where working with a custom medal maker can really pay off. At MedalStudio, we design every medal from scratch, based on your goals, budget, and vibe, whether that’s bold and modern or timeless and classic. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Premium Bespoke Medals: For When You Need a Showstopper

Planning a high-profile event or awards ceremony? Sometimes you need a medal that is really going to stand out and matches the prestige of the award that is being given.

Premium custom medals typically range from £10–£50+ each ($12–$60+), and they come with all the bells and whistles: ultra-detailed design, premium metals, 3D moulding, dual plating, and luxury packaging.

Standout premium medal features include:

  • Die-struck brass or iron with 3D relief
  • Dual metal finishes (e.g. gold + black nickel)
  • Intricate enamel work
  • Velvet boxes or branded presentation cases
  • Custom ribbon designs with event branding

Ideal for:

  • Marathons and major endurance events
  • Military or commemorative awards
  • Executive recognition
  • Limited edition collector medals

At this level, you’re telling a story with every detail, and that’s where a premium custom medal maker can help you shine. You want to find someone who will work hand-in-hand with you from sketch to delivery, ensuring your medals make a lasting impression.

What Affects Medal Pricing?

Whether you’re spending £1 or £50 per piece, you want to know that you are getting what you are paying for. 

Here are the biggest factors that influence the price of a custom medal:

1. Material

  • Lower-cost medals may use materials like acrylic
  • Premium medals may use brass or even precious metal finishes

2. Size and Weight

  • Bigger medals cost more in both material and mould complexity
  • Heavier medals feel more premium but also cost more to ship

3. Design Complexity

  • Simple flat shapes cost less
  • 3D moulds, cutouts, layering, and textures add to the price

4. Finish and Colour

  • Antique, matte, or dual finishes are more labour-intensive
  • Enamel (especially hard enamel) adds cost but looks great

5. Ribbon and Packaging

  • Plain neck ribbons are standard
  • Custom printed ribbons and velvet boxes add to the cost

6. Quantity

  • The more you order, the less you pay per medal
  • Most custom medal makers have a minimum order (often 50–100 units)

7. Production & Delivery Location

  • Overseas suppliers may offer cheaper prices—but longer lead times and uncertain quality
  • Local makers like MedalStudio provide faster, more reliable service and ethical production.

Let’s Design A Medal Worth Keeping

Whether you’re looking for affordable medals or show stopping pieces for a major event, the right custom medal maker makes all the difference.

At MedalStudio, we blend expert design, ethical UK and US production, and fast, friendly service so that you get medals that look incredible and arrive on time.

Ready to bring your vision to life? Get in touch for a free quote or send us your ideas and we’ll help you make medals people want to keep forever.

Updated: 22/04/

For more information, please visit Custom Award Ribbon Manufacturer.