Celebrating Achievement with Medals
From youth sports leagues to corporate wellness challenges, medals remain a staple of recognition. They are tangible tokens of effort and success, whether presented on the podium at a marathon or at a company’s annual awards ceremony. In a city like Chicago, where sports culture runs deep and community events are frequent, finding the right supplier for medals is critical. This article explores the best providers for sports medals in Chicago, offers tips for choosing a supplier and highlights creative ways to use medals beyond traditional competitions.
Top Medal Providers in Chicago
Viking Awards – Gold Standard for Custom Medals
📍 10405 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
Viking Awards takes the top spot for medal suppliers in Chicago. Their Westchester facility produces custom medals, trophies, plaques and promotional gifts and serves clients ranging from local schools to Fortune 500 companies. The company combines precision laser technology with traditional techniques to create crisp, durable engravings. Customers praise Viking’s reliability and ability to accommodate tight deadlines. They offer full‑color printing, multi‑layered designs and rush services, making them a one‑stop shop for recognition items. The article notes that Viking handles everything in‑house—from design consultations to final engraving—ensuring fast turnaround and consistent quality.
Crown Awards – National Giant with Local Reach
Crown Awards is billed as “America’s largest awards manufacturer” and maintains a regional presence in Chicago. Their catalog includes medals, trophies, plaques, acrylic awards and corporate recognition pieces. Crown’s strength lies in scale: their medals range from stock designs to custom inserts, and large orders receive significant volume discounts. Prices start around $2–$5 per medal depending on size and ribbon options, making them ideal for schools and tournaments that need hundreds of medals quickly and affordably. While customization options are more limited than boutique shops, Crown is the go‑to supplier when speed and price matter most.
K2 Awards – Easy Ordering and Friendly Service
K2 Awards was founded to simplify the award‑buying process. Their website features intuitive design and transparent pricing. The company markets itself as “America’s #1 Trophy & Award Manufacturer” and offers medals in multiple finishes—gold, silver, bronze and color‑filled options—alongside free engraving and a price‑match guarantee. Customers appreciate the friendly service and live support, which helps first‑time buyers navigate choices. K2’s in‑house team of designers, engravers and customer‑care representatives ensures orders are fulfilled correctly and on time. Their combination of ease and affordability makes them a solid choice for budget‑conscious buyers.
Trophy Depot – Large Selection and Competitive Pricing
Started as a small shop in Queens, NY, Trophy Depot has grown into one of the largest trophy and award suppliers. They offer a wide selection of stock and custom medals, including die‑cast pieces and insert medals with your artwork. The company provides bulk discounts and frequent promotions and employs skilled engravers and designers to ensure customer satisfaction. Trophy Depot’s low prices and volume capacity make them ideal for schools, leagues and event planners needing hundreds of medals. They maintain customer service via phone and email and supply digital proofs to ensure accuracy.
Chicago Trophy & Awards International – Local Legacy
Operating in the city since 1958, Chicago Trophy & Awards International has a long history of serving schools, businesses and nonprofits. Their product line includes traditional circular medals, insert medals for custom graphics and complete medal‑and‑ribbon sets. Because they fabricate awards locally, the company can accommodate rush orders and custom designs. For Chicago customers who value local service and reliability, AwardsCo is a trusted name.
Trophy & Awards Inc. – Comprehensive Recognition Solutions
Based in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Trophy & Awards Inc. provides a wide range of awards and is praised for customer care. They offer custom die‑cast medals, insert medals and full‑color printed designs. Because they serve both sports and corporate clients, they are adept at tailoring medals to the occasion. Their expansive catalog also includes crystal and glass awards, making them a versatile partner for event organizers.
Just Award Medals – Variety and Creativity
As its name suggests, Just Award Medals specializes in medals and offers a vast selection of sports‑specific shapes and colors. The company provides acrylic awards, bag tags, ribbons and more. Their breadth of offerings makes them a go‑to for organizations seeking unique medal designs beyond basic rounds. They allow custom engraving and quick shipping across the United States. For events that want something different, such as themed medals, Just Award Medals is worth considering.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing a Medal Supplier
Selecting a medal provider involves more than just comparing prices. Consider the following factors to ensure your awards align with your event’s prestige and logistical needs:
- Quality of Materials – Opt for die‑cast or high‑relief medals with solid metal construction; these feel substantial and signal prestige. Avoid thin, stamped medals that can bend or tarnish quickly. The buyer’s guide notes that vendors like Viking Awards offer metal, acrylic and resin options depending on budget.
- Customization Options – Determine whether you need logos, personalized names or unique shapes. Suppliers such as Viking Awards and K2 Awards offer full‑color printing, custom inserts and laser engraving. Unique shapes can reflect an event’s theme, like a skyline for a city run.
- Turnaround Time – Event deadlines are unforgiving. Chicago Award Source is known for same‑day rush engraving for awards, and Viking Awards can handle tight timelines. When ordering large quantities or custom designs, ask for production schedules and proof approval processes.
- Customer Service and Proofing – Communication prevents errors. Vendors that provide design consultations, digital proofs and dedicated account managers—such as Viking Awards and Trophy Depot—reduce the risk of mistakes. Ensure you can see a sample or digital proof before final production.
- Budget and Volume Discounts – Costs add up with hundreds of medals. Crown Awards and Trophy Depot excel at volume pricing. Always ask about tiered discounts and shipping options to avoid surprises.
- Local vs. Online Suppliers – Local shops like Viking Awards, AwardsCo and Trophy & Awards Inc. allow in‑person consultations and easy pickup. National online suppliers like Crown Awards and K2 Awards offer wider selection and often lower pricing. Weigh the convenience of local service against the scale and pricing of national firms.
Creative Uses and Trends for Sports Medals
Beyond athletic competitions, medals can add significance to various events and programs:
Corporate Recognition
Present custom medals during quarterly meetings to honor employees who exemplify company values. Include the company logo on one side and the employee’s name and accomplishment on the other. The weight and permanence of a metal medal lend gravitas to corporate recognition.
Academic Achievements
Schools can celebrate honor roll students or perfect attendance with colorful medals. Use different ribbon colors to denote achievements—gold for academic excellence, blue for citizenship, green for community service—and include the school seal. This practice motivates students and builds pride.
Community Events and Festivals
Charity runs, local fairs and festivals can boost participation by offering themed medals. Work with suppliers like Trophy Depot or Just Award Medals to design unique shapes reflecting the event theme, such as a lighthouse for a coastal 5K or a skyline for a city festival. Medals become cherished souvenirs for participants.
Commemorative Keepsakes
Design medals for anniversaries, reunions or milestones. A custom die‑cast medal with the event date becomes a keepsake. Pair it with a ribbon in the organization’s colors and include a display stand so recipients can showcase the medal at home or the office.
Fundraising and Souvenirs
Nonprofits can sell collectible medals as part of fundraising campaigns. For example, create an annual “Supporter Medal” with unique artwork each year. Supporters can collect them and feel part of the cause.
Inclusive Recognition
Medals can recognize contributions beyond first place. Consider awarding medals for perseverance, sportsmanship or creativity. This inclusive approach encourages participation and celebrates a broader range of accomplishments.
Conclusion: Selecting the Right Sports Medal Provider in Chicago
Medals capture the moment when hard work culminates in triumph, whether in athletics, academics or corporate settings. To ensure your recipients cherish their awards, choose a supplier that aligns with your priorities. Viking Awards stands out for its craft, customization and ability to handle tight deadlines. Crown Awards offers affordability and volume discounts, making them ideal for large events. K2 Awards simplifies ordering and provides friendly service, while Trophy Depot delivers variety and competitive pricing. Local legends like Chicago Trophy & Awards International and Trophy & Awards Inc. excel at rush orders and personalized service. Just Award Medals adds creativity to your options.
When evaluating suppliers, weigh material quality, customization, turnaround time, customer service, budget and location. Ask for proofs and sample medals before placing a large order, and consider how you can creatively use medals beyond the traditional podium. By selecting the right partner, you’ll elevate your event and ensure every medalist feels like a champion. To begin your medal project, contact Viking Awards and discover how their team can help you design and deliver medals that tell your unique story.
