Choosing the Right Ribbons for Your Medals

ribbons

A great deal of care and attention goes into crafting the perfect bespoke medal design. You’ve carefully selected the ideal material and personalised colour palette on which to proudly display your event logo, you may even have opted to incorporate unique additional features such as 3D detailing, digital interactivity, magnetic functionality or even vibrant glow in the dark elements.

However, these medals, no matter how beautifully designed, are incomplete without their accompanying ribbons. The right ribbon not only enhances the medal’s visual appeal but also embodies the theme and spirit of your event, taking your custom awards from “meh”, to “magnificent!”

Whether you’re hosting a corporate ceremony, a marathon, a school sports day, or any other special occasion, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the right medal ribbon. From materials and colours to widths and attachment styles, we’ve got you covered.

 

Why are Medal Ribbons so Important?

A medal ribbon does more than hang a medal around someone’s neck. It adds to the medal’s story and perceived value. A thoughtfully selected ribbon can:

  • Enhance the design: The ribbon’s colour and material should complement the medal’s style, reinforcing its prestige.
  • Align with your event theme: The right ribbon ensures consistency across your branding, from promotional materials to the awards themselves.
  • Improve usability: Comfortable and durable ribbons enhance the recipient’s experience, especially in high-energy events like marathons or sports competitions.

Choosing the right medal ribbon is an essential step in creating awards that stand out and leave lasting impressions.

 

Our Ribbon Materials

All of our Ribbons are made with environmentally friendly non-toxic inks and recyclable materials. Not only are they eco friendly, these ribbon options do not compromise on quality.

After all, the material of a medal ribbon affects both its aesthetics and functionality. Here’s a breakdown of our most popular options:

Recycled Ribbons

Looking for an eco-friendly choice? RPET ribbons (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) are made from recycled materials, giving waste plastics a second life. These recycled ribbons reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality, making them ideal for events committed to sustainability.

Key Benefits:

  • Made from recycled materials for minimal environmental impact
  • Durable and high-quality finish
  • Unlimited colour possibilities for custom designs

Heat Transfer Ribbons

Heat transfer ribbons are perfect for bold, vibrant designs. They allow for full-colour printing, meaning your ribbons can feature intricate text, logos, and imagery that showcase the excitement of your event.

Key Benefits:

  • Full-colour designs that bring your event branding to life
  • Eco-friendly, non-toxic inks
  • Available in custom widths and lengths

 

Woven Ribbons

For a premium and textured look, woven ribbons provide a stylish finish. They’re perfect for showcasing event names, mottos, or slogans in vivid detail with a sophisticated feel.

Key Benefits:

  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Available in a variety of colours and patterns
  • Adds a classic and premium touch to medals

 

Unique Options

Looking for something a little different? Consider our more unique ribbon materials like leather ribbons for a luxurious touch or LED lanyard ribbons for nighttime events. These unique choices can help your medals truly shine…literally!

 

Using Ribbon Colours to Tell a Story

Colours are one of the most powerful ways to convey meaning and emotion. Whether you want bold, striking hues or subtle, elegant tones, the colours you choose for your ribbons can create a lasting impression.

  • Match Event Branding

Reflect your brand colours or event theme. For charity events, the ribbon can incorporate the organisation’s colours to increase awareness.

  • Convey Emotion

Red signifies passion and energy, blue is calming and trustworthy, and gold represents prestige. Use colours that align with your event’s message.

  • Mix and Match

Multi-coloured options or gradients can add a playful touch for fun events like community races or school sports days.

The width of your ribbon also significantly influences the overall aesthetic appeal of your medal. Selecting the appropriate width is crucial to establish visual harmony between the medal and its accompanying ribbon.

A standard 25mm width proves versatile, accommodating a wide range of medal sizes and styles. For larger or more intricate medals, wider 38mm ribbons create a bold and impactful statement, making them ideal for prestigious corporate awards or high-profile events.

Furthermore, you can customise the ribbon’s length to perfectly complement the medal’s dimensions, ensuring optimal comfort for the recipient.

 

Practical Attachments for Functionality and Flair

When choosing medal ribbons, it’s not all about the looks, practicality matters too. Consider how the ribbons will attach to both the medals and the recipients:

Clips and Bars

  • Offer a polished and secure way to attach your ribbons to medals.
  • Easy to use and swap out if needed.

Velcro Attachments

  • A budget-friendly and safe option, especially for children’s events.
  • Allows for easy removal and reduces risks of accidents.

“V” Shape Design

  • A classic staple for medals, the stitched design ensures neatness and reliability.

Memorable Ribbons for Your Medals

Medal ribbons may seem like a small detail, but they’re so much more than an accessory, they’re the finishing touch that completes your event’s awards. By carefully considering materials, colours, widths and attachments, you can create medals that not only look stunning but also reflect the unique spirit of your event.

Explore our wide range of medal products and personalised ribbons today!

Need help planning your medal and ribbon designs? Get in touch with our design team to explore unlimited customisation options and discover the perfect solution for your event’s needs!

Written by: Extra Mile

Published on: 15 April 2025

Categories: Medals