Custom Die Struck & 3D Cast Metal Medals
Die Struck and 3D Cast Medals are custom metal awards produced directly from customer artwork, emblems, or original concepts. Selecting the correct manufacturing method prior to tooling minimizes artwork revisions, optimizes relief definition, and controls production costs.
Manufacturing Process Comparison
The structural choice depends primarily on design features, required relief depth, surface finish, and target budget.
|
Feature / Requirement |
Die Struck Medals |
3D Cast Medals |
|
Manufacturing Method |
Formed under extreme pressure using a custom steel die |
Produced by injecting molten metal into a multi-dimensional mold |
|
Visual Character |
Sharp, defined raised and recessed metal areas; flat-level contrast |
Fully sculpted, smooth, multi-level 3D contours and rounded shapes |
|
Recommended Artwork |
Text, geometric logos, event emblems, crisp linear designs |
Mascots, human portraits, architectural landmarks, organic shapes |
|
Relief Capability |
Controlled, uniform two-level or multi-level depth |
Deep, fluid three-dimensional volumetric depth |
|
Primary Base Metals |
Brass, Iron, Copper |
Zinc Alloy, Pewter |
Technical Specifications
|
Category |
Available Options |
|
Construction Types |
Die Struck (Stamped) or 3D Cast (Injection) |
|
Base Materials |
Zinc Alloy, Brass, Iron, Copper |
|
Size & Thickness |
Custom sizes from 30 mm to 100+ mm; thickness from 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm |
|
Plating Finishes |
Shiny Gold, Silver, Nickel, Bronze, Copper, Antique Finishes, Matte Black |
|
Color Applications |
Soft Enamel, Hard Enamel (Epola), Synthetic Enamel, Printed Overlays |
|
Attachments & Ribbons |
Custom Printed Polyester/Satin Neck Ribbons, Jump Rings, Clasps |
|
Packaging Formats |
Individual Polybags, Velvet Pouches, Printed Backing Cards, Gift Boxes |
|
Compliance Standards |
ISO 9001, BSCI / Sedex Audited Facilities, RoHS / REACH Compliant Alloys |
Production Timeline & Lead Times
|
Stage |
Estimated Duration |
|
Artwork Proofing & Engineering |
24 - 48 Hours |
|
Pre-Production Sample Creation |
7 - 10 Days |
|
Bulk Manufacturing |
12 - 18 Days (Depending on order volume) |
|
Global Express Transit |
3 - 7 Business Days |
Pre-Production Artwork Guidelines
To ensure precise manufacturing before cutting a die or mold, designs are evaluated against key mechanical parameters:
Text Legibility:
Small lettering must maintain sufficient height and stroke width after scaling down.
Line Thickness:
Raised metal lines require a minimum width to structural integrity during stamping or casting.
Enamel Borders:
Recessed color areas require distinct metal partitions to prevent color bleeding.
Internal Cut-outs:
Openings are structural checked to avoid weakening the medal during polishing and finishing.
Vector Artwork Review: Design files (AI, EPS, or PDF) are converted into technical 2D/3D proofing drawings.
Tooling Development: High-precision CNC machinery cuts custom steel dies or casting molds.
Forming & Casting: High-pressure stamping or molten metal injection forms the raw medal blanks.
Trimming & Edge Refinement: Excess flash is removed, and edges are deburred and polished smooth.
Electroplating & Finishing:
Gold, silver, bronze, or antique metal finishes are electroplated onto the surface.
Enamel Application & Assembly:
Colors are applied into recessed cells, followed by ribbon attachment.
Quality Control & Packaging:
Final inspection checks dimensions, plating consistency, color accuracy, and assembly.
FAQ
Q: What is the main difference between die struck and 3D cast medals?
A: Die struck medals use striking pressure to create sharp, flat-level raised and recessed details, ideal for text and clean logos. 3D cast medals use liquid metal in a mold, allowing for fully rounded, fluid, and sculpted details like faces, mascots, or buildings.
Q: What file formats are required for artwork evaluation?
A: Vector files such as Adobe Illustrator (.AI), EPS, or vector PDF are preferred. High-resolution PNG or JPG images can also be reviewed by our engineering team to generate standard production proofs.
Q: Can I inspect a physical pre-production sample before bulk manufacturing?
A: Yes. Once digital artwork proofs are approved and custom tooling is completed, physical pre-production samples can be manufactured and shipped for evaluation before full batch production begins.
Q: How is color accuracy maintained across large production batches?
A: All enamel color matching uses standard Pantone Matching System (PMS) codes. Production QC checks every batch against the approved pre-production sample during enamel filling and baking.
Q: Are dies and molds retained for future repeat orders?
A: Yes. All custom dies and molds are stored securely in our facility for repeat orders. Reordering the same design eliminates future setup and tooling charges.
As one of the most professional die struck & 3d cast medals manufacturers and suppliers in China, we're featured by quality products and good price. Please rest assured to wholesale bulk durable die struck & 3d cast medals for sale here from our factory. We also accept customized orders.
Custom Medals