AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney have changed the way people approach design. In just a few prompts, you can generate impressive AI medal concepts for charity runs, sporting events, corporate awards and school competitions.
But can you actually use AI to design a medal?
The answer is yes—but only for the concept.
It’s easy to lose an afternoon refining the perfect AI medal concept, only to realise that what looks impressive on screen isn’t always possible to produce in reality.
AI is a fantastic tool for generating ideas, but understanding its limitations will save you time and help you create a custom medal design that stays true to your original vision while being achievable to manufacture.
It’s a common misconception that an AI image can be used as a factory spec, but this isn’t the case. While your design may look complete on screen, AI doesn’t account for the practical requirements of manufacturing.
It’s better to think of your AI prompt as the creative brief and the AI-generated image as the visual concept. This is where technical design comes in. Before production begins, concepts must be converted into specialist vector artwork, which provides the precise blueprint manufacturers need to create the medal accurately.
Unlike a JPEG or PNG, vector files define every element of the medal with precision. They show exactly where the metal is raised or recessed, where enamel colours will be applied, how cut-outs are formed and how every feature will be manufactured.
It’s easy to spend hours refining an AI medal concept, only to discover that some of the details can’t be manufactured. Understanding the most common pitfalls early can help you avoid unnecessary revisions and set realistic expectations from the outset.
Common issues with AI medal concepts include:
AI still struggles with typography. Event names, dates, and slogans are often distorted, unevenly spaced, or too fine to reproduce clearly on a medal.
AI creates the illusion of depth using shadows, reflections and gradients. Real medals create depth through raised and recessed materials, textures, and enamel colours, so those effects need to be reinterpreted during the design process.
Fine decorative elements that look sharp on a large digital image often disappear when scaled down to a 70–90 mm medal. Manufacturing requires minimum line widths, practical spacing and tooling tolerances.
Unsupported cut-outs, ultra-thin borders and floating elements are common in AI artwork but aren’t suitable for production without redesign.
Despite its limitations in creating finished artwork, using AI to explore medal design ideas can be one of the quickest ways to move from a blank page to a strong creative direction. Whether you’re experimenting with ChatGPT, Midjourney, or another AI image generator, it can help you visualise themes, compare different styles and communicate your ideas more clearly.
The more specific your prompt, the more useful the concept is likely to be. Including details such as your event branding, medal shape, colour palette or ribbon colours gives designers a clearer understanding of the look and feel you’re aiming for.
For example:
Create a front-facing medal concept for a trail running event featuring a mountain silhouette, blue and gold enamel, antique silver plating, a laurel wreath border and space for the event name.
The important thing to remember is that AI creates visual concepts—not manufacturing drawings. It doesn’t understand production methods, tooling tolerances, or the technical requirements needed to turn a design into a physical medal.
The best results come from combining AI’s creativity with the expertise of designers who know how medals are made. AI helps you communicate your vision; experienced designers turn that vision into a medal that can be manufactured and proudly worn by every finisher.
As an event organiser, we know you already have a lot on your plate—from managing registrations and coordinating suppliers to securing sponsors and creating a memorable race-day experience. And you don’t need to be a designer too.
At Bespoke Medals, we offer a free custom medal design service. Our experienced in-house designers work with you to bring your custom medal vision to life, whether you supply us with your AI-generated concept, a company logo, a hand sketch or simply an idea.
We’ll provide your free design concept within 4–5 working days of your consultation, along with a no-obligation quote. From there, we’ll work with you to refine every detail until you’re completely happy with the design. Our designers ensure every feature is practical to manufacture, so there are no surprises when your medal goes into production.
Because design, manufacturing and project management are all handled in-house, you benefit from a smooth, end-to-end process with one team guiding your project from concept through to delivery. And if you need matching ribbons, lanyards or other bespoke event items, everything can be designed together to create a professional, consistent look across your event.
AI has transformed the early stages of custom medal design, making it easier to explore ideas and communicate your vision. But turning your idea into a medal requires design experience and technical knowledge to ensure it can be produced to the highest standard.
Whether you have an AI-generated concept, a logo, a sketch or simply an idea, our in-house design team can help bring it to life with a free design concept and quote. Talk to the team.
Yes, for the concept, but it must be converted to vector graphics for manufacturing. AI tools like ChatGPT can help generate ideas, write design prompts and develop creative concepts, but you’ll usually use an image-generation tool such as Midjourney to create the visual concept. Before production, the artwork still needs to be converted into manufacturable vector graphics.
Not directly. AI concepts almost always require refinement to meet manufacturing specifications, including readable text, suitable line widths, structural integrity, and correctly prepared vector artwork.
No. Many projects begin with nothing more than an idea. Our experienced design team can develop these into production-ready artwork as part of Bespoke Medals’ free design service.
While every project is different, Bespoke Medals provides an initial free design concept within 4–5 working days of your consultation. We’ll then work with you to refine the artwork until you’re completely happy with it before we begin production.