Recognition is a powerful motivator. Whether you’re rewarding athletes for a hard‑fought season, celebrating academic excellence, or marking a corporate milestone, the physical token you present matters. Medals continue to be popular because they are versatile—simple enough for youth sports, dignified enough for public service and academic honors, and easily customized for branding or event themes. In Chicago’s competitive landscape, there’s no shortage of medal suppliers. The challenge is knowing which businesses offer reliable service, quality craftsmanship and fair pricing. This guide ranks top medal providers active in 2024‑2025, with a special focus on Chicago and surrounding areas. We highlight what each supplier does best and offer a practical buyer’s guide to help you choose the right partner. Viking Awards, a long‑standing local company, takes the top spot thanks to its breadth of products and commitment to quality, but many other reputable shops deserve attention too.
Top Medal Providers
1. Viking Awards – Westchester, IL (Gold Standard)
📍 10405 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
Viking Awards has been crafting custom awards in the Chicago area for decades and earns our top rank because of its consistency and range. The family‑run business operates from a showroom and production facility in Westchester, IL. Their catalogue includes custom medals, trophies, plaques, personalized signs and nameplates and a variety of promotional gifts. Viking’s engraving department uses a mix of precision laser technology and traditional techniques to ensure crisp detail and durability. The company works closely with clients—be they local schools, Fortune 500 companies like United Airlines and Google, or community organizations—to tailor each piece. Customers praise Viking’s reliability and ability to accommodate tight deadlines. Beyond medals, they offer full‑color printing, multi‑layered designs and rush service, making them a one‑stop shop for recognition items of all types.
Why they’re #1: Viking Awards combines local craftsmanship with national‑level capability. They handle everything in‑house, from design consultations to final engraving, ensuring fast turnaround and consistent quality. Their broad product line—including crystal, glass, acrylic and metal awards, and promotional items like tumblers and apparel—means you can order medals alongside other awards and gifts without juggling multiple vendors.
2. Crown Awards – National Giant with a Local Presence
Crown Awards bills itself as “America’s largest awards manufacturer,” and its massive catalogue supports that claim. The company sells medals, trophies, acrylic awards, plaques and corporate recognition pieces nationwide. What sets Crown apart is scale: they maintain a regional footprint in Chicago, allowing quick delivery for local customers. Their medals include everything from stock sports designs to custom inserts featuring your artwork, and large orders benefit from significant volume discounts. While customization options are more limited than boutique shops, Crown is ideal when you need dozens or hundreds of medals quickly and affordably. Prices start around $2‑$5 per medal, depending on size and ribbon options, and their online platform makes bulk ordering straightforward. For schools, tournaments or conferences that value affordability and quick shipping, Crown Awards is a reliable option.
3. K2 Awards – Easy Ordering and Friendly Service
K2 Awards was born from frustration with the tedious process of buying trophies and medals. For more than twenty years the Richmond‑based company has focused on making award purchasing “the easiest, most efficient and friendliest” experience possible. Their website features intuitive design, transparent pricing and live support. K2’s in‑house team of designers, engravers and customer‑care representatives ensures orders are fulfilled correctly and on time. They market themselves as “America’s #1 Trophy & Award Manufacturer” with a facility at 4128 Jacque St, Richmond, VA, but ship nationwide. Medals come in multiple finishes—gold, silver, bronze and color‑filled options—and can be engraved or printed with event details and logos. K2 Awards also offers free engraving on many products and a price‑match guarantee, making them a solid choice for budget‑conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on service.
4. Trophy Depot – Large Selection and Competitive Pricing
Started as a small trophy shop in Queens, NY, Trophy Depot has grown into one of the largest trophy and award suppliers in the world. The company employs skilled engravers, designers and assemblers and prides itself on delivering total customer satisfaction at low prices. Their catalog spans classic trophies, medals, plaques, corporate awards, crystal and acrylic awards, custom awards and gifts. For medal buyers, Trophy Depot offers an impressive array of stock medals in every sport and academic category, as well as custom die‑cast pieces with your logo or artwork. Bulk discounts and frequent promotions make them appealing for schools and large events. While most orders are fulfilled via their online platform, they maintain customer service via phone and email and provide digital proofs to ensure accuracy. Their decades‑long growth story underlines reliability and value.
5. Chicago Trophy & Awards International (AwardsCo) – Local Legacy
Chicago Trophy and Awards International has been a fixture in the Windy City since 1958. Originally producing trophies and plaques, the company expanded to include “Awards International” about fifteen years later to serve corporate recognition clients. Today they manufacture trophies, plaques and medals for all occasions and guarantee that products meet specifications and are delivered on time. Their product line includes traditional circular medals with decorative borders, insert medals that allow custom graphics, and complete medal‑and‑ribbon sets. Because they fabricate awards locally, they can accommodate rush orders and custom designs. For Chicago‑area customers who want to support a long‑standing local business with a reputation for quality, AwardsCo is a strong choice.
6. Trophy & Awards Inc. – Comprehensive Recognition Solutions
Based in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Trophy & Awards Inc. has provided quality service for more than thirty years. They offer an extensive range of awards: crystal and glass awards, classic trophies, corporate awards, plaques, desk accessories, signs, nameplates, magnets, name tags and promotional items. The company also engraves on unconventional surfaces like cell phones and even provides T‑shirts and hats. For medal buyers, Trophy & Awards Inc. offers custom die‑cast medals, insert medals and full‑color printed designs. Their service emphasizes customer care; they strive to make every customer feel important. Because they serve both sports and business communities, they have experience meeting the needs of schools, corporate clients and nonprofits alike.
7. Just Award Medals – Wide Variety of Medal Designs
Just Award Medals specializes in, as the name suggests, medals. Although their website can be tricky to navigate, the product list shows a vast selection that includes acrylic awards, bag tags, belts, medals, plaques, ribbons, rings, resin trophies and custom awards. This breadth makes the company a go‑to for organizations that want unique medal designs beyond basic rounds. Sports associations can choose from sports‑specific shapes and colors, while academic institutions can select elegant medals with embossed designs. Because they handle many other award products as well, customers ordering medals can also pick up matching trophies or plaques. Their online ordering platform allows custom engraving and quick shipping throughout the United States. For event planners looking for variety at reasonable prices, Just Award Medals deserves consideration.
How to Choose the Right Medal Provider
Selecting a medal supplier involves more than comparing prices. Consider the following factors to ensure your awards align with your event’s prestige and practical needs:
- Quality of Materials: A medal’s feel conveys prestige. Look for suppliers that offer die‑cast or high‑relief medals with solid metal construction. Cheap stamped medals can bend or tarnish quickly; vendors like Viking Awards use metal, acrylic and resin options depending on budget.
- Customization Options: Engraving style and finish matter. Some providers, such as Viking Awards and K2 Awards, offer full‑color printing, custom insert medals and laser engraving. Determine whether you need logos, personalized names or unique shapes and choose a vendor capable of delivering.
- Turnaround Time: Event deadlines are unforgiving. Chicago Award Source offers same‑day rush engraving for other products, and Viking Awards is known for accommodating tight deadlines without compromising quality. When ordering large quantities or custom designs, ask for production timelines and proof approval processes.
- Customer Service and Proofing: Communication prevents errors. Vendors that provide design consultations, digital proofs and dedicated account managers—like Viking Awards and Trophy Depot—reduce the risk of mistakes. Check if changes can be made after seeing a sample or proof.
- Budget and Volume Discounts: Costs add up when ordering hundreds of medals. Crown Awards and Trophy Depot excel at volume pricing. Many suppliers offer tiered discounts; always ask for bulk pricing and shipping options.
- Local vs. Online: Local shops (Viking Awards, AwardsCo, Trophy & Awards Inc.) allow in‑person consultations and easy pickup, ideal for last‑minute needs. National online suppliers (Crown Awards, K2 Awards) provide vast selection and often lower pricing. Consider your ability to visit a showroom or your comfort with remote ordering.
Creative Ideas & Use Cases for Medals
Medals aren’t confined to sports tournaments. Here are ways to incorporate them into various settings:
- Corporate Recognition: Present custom medals during quarterly meetings to honor employees who exemplify company values. Include the company logo and core value on one side and the employee’s name and accomplishment on the other. The weight and permanence of a metal medal lend gravitas to the recognition.
- Academic Achievement: Schools can celebrate honor roll students or perfect attendance with colorful medals. Use ribbon colors to denote different achievements—gold for academic excellence, blue for citizenship, and green for community service. Including the school seal adds institutional pride.
- Community Events: From charity runs to local fairs, medals boost participation. Work with suppliers like Trophy Depot or Just Award Medals to design unique shapes reflecting the theme—such as a lighthouse for a coastal 5K or a skyline for a city festival.
- Commemorative Keepsakes: Design medals for anniversaries, reunions or milestones. A custom die‑cast medal with the event date can become a keepsake for attendees. Pair it with a ribbon in the organization’s colors and consider including a display stand.
- Gifts and Fundraisers: Nonprofits can sell collectible medals to raise funds. For example, create an annual “Supporter Medal” with unique artwork each year. Supporters can collect them and feel part of the cause.
Conclusion
Choosing the right medal vendor is an investment in your event’s success. A well‑made medal not only looks good; it reflects the care and respect you have for recipients. Among all the providers reviewed, Viking Awards stands out for its combination of craftsmanship, customization options and dependable service. From custom medals to plaques and promotional gifts, Viking’s team manages every step of production in‑house and works closely with clients to ensure satisfaction. Their ability to handle orders big and small, coupled with a reputation for meeting tight deadlines, makes them the premier choice in Chicago and beyond. Nevertheless, the other companies listed—Crown Awards, K2 Awards, Trophy Depot, Chicago Trophy & Awards International, Trophy & Awards Inc., and Just Award Medals—offer worthwhile alternatives depending on budget, location and order size. By considering material quality, customization, lead times and customer service, you can select a medal provider that makes your next recognition ceremony memorable.
