The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games (July 23 – August 2, 2026) produced one of the most distinctive medals in Games history — a curved triangular design with braille, a world first for a multi-sport event. For award buyers, it is also a useful reminder: medals no longer have to be round.
A Medal Design Inspired by Scotland
Glasgow 2026’s medal features a Reuleaux triangle — a curved triangle shape with equal width — inspired by Scottish design and craft traditions. The design team also integrated braille so that visually impaired athletes can read the medal by touch, a feature organizers describe as a first for major multi-sport Games.
With 215 gold medals among the total haul, the event placed bespoke medal design at the center of its identity rather than treating awards as an afterthought.
Glasgow 2026: About the medals · BBC Sport: Glasgow 2026 medal design
Why Custom Shapes Change the Buying Conversation
Most event organizers still order round medals, because that is what they have always done. Glasgow 2026 shows the impact of a custom shape: it creates a design identity, generates media coverage, and gives athletes a keepsake that stands out in a drawer of round medals.
- Shape: round, triangle, shield, hexagon, or a silhouette cut from your logo or mascot.
- Surface: 2D or 3D relief, with raised or recessed design areas.
- Finish: gold, silver, bronze, antique, brushed or two-tone plating.
- Color: soft enamel, hard enamel or printed graphics inside recessed areas.
- Detail: braille or tactile elements, edge text, event name, dates and winner categories.
- Ribbon: branded lanyard or ribbon in event colors with printed logo.
Custom shapes require a mold, which is where factory capability matters. A manufacturer with in-house mold engineering can quote the mold, produce a sample, and scale from a single prototype to tens of thousands of pieces without changing quality standards.
Read the full process: Custom Medals: Materials, Finishes and Production Process
What Organizers Should Prepare
| Milestone | Recommended Lead Time |
|---|---|
| Design brief and quotation | 2–4 weeks before sampling |
| Mold development + sample approval | 2–3 weeks (shape-dependent) |
| Mass production | 10–15 working days after approval |
| QC, packing and shipping buffer | 1–3 weeks depending on destination |
Even for a national or regional Games, an unusual shape does not mean an unreasonable timeline — it means planning the mold stage properly. Send us your event brief and we will confirm feasibility, mold cost and MOQ before you commit.
Talk to the Factory That Makes the Medals
JinZun Trophy manufactures custom medals, trophies and pins for marathons, leagues, national championships and international events. We are a factory in Yiwu, China, with in-house design, molds, die-casting, plating, engraving and assembly.
Chat with us on WhatsApp (+86 182 5899 2555) · susan@jzstationery.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can medals be made in non-round shapes?
Yes. Shapes are limited only by the mold design — round, triangular, shield, hexagon and custom silhouettes are all possible. Glasgow 2026’s Reuleaux-triangle medal is one high-profile example.
Can braille or tactile text be added to medals?
Yes. Raised braille and tactile elements can be integrated into the mold design or added as engraved detail, depending on the material and thickness.
What is the MOQ for custom-shaped medals?
MOQ depends on the mold and size. Share your design with us and we will confirm mold cost, per-piece price and the MOQ that makes the program viable.
How long does a custom medal mold take?
Typical mold development runs 2–3 weeks for standard custom shapes, then sample approval before mass production. Urgent programs can be scheduled with priority slots.
