Our Most Popular Custom Insert Medal and It's Easy to See Why

When you want a custom award medal that looks professional, ships fast, and works for virtually any event or budget, the 2-5/8" Custom GFL Award Medal is the one our customers reach for first. It's a Hodges Badge exclusive design, meaning you won't find it anywhere else, and it's been a top seller across every market we serve, from running races and swim meets to dog shows, horse shows, school events, and county fairs.

Perfect For Every Event and Every Market

The GFL medal's versatility is a big part of why it's our most popular custom insert medal. No matter what you're organizing, it delivers.

• Running Racing - Custom center logo + event name on ribbon = the perfect finisher medal package
• Dog Shows - Breed or club logo in the center, show name on the ribbon; clean and professional
• Equestrian & Horse Shows - Order with the 35" ribbon for over-helmet awards; pairs beautifully with our rosettes
• County Fairs & 4-H - Affordable per-unit pricing makes it ideal for large participant counts across multiple categories
• Festivals & Community Events - Stock designs available so you don't need custom artwork if you're short on time
• Gymnastics, Dance & Cheer - Customize by level, age group, or event; ribbon color can match team colors
• Swim Meets - Durable, moisture-resistant satin ribbon holds up in humid environments
• Schools & Academic Events - Great for spelling bees, science fairs, honor societies, and music festivals
• Recognition & Employee Awards - Add back print with the recipient's name or milestone year for a personalized touch

Medal Details & Customization Options

Size & Design - The GFL medal measures 2-5/8" and features our exclusive Hodges design with a center insert window, the perfect canvas for your logo, event name, stock design artwork, or any custom graphic you choose.

Available Finishes - Choose from three classic award medal finishes:

• Gold - warm, prestigious, first-place worthy
• Silver - clean and classic for second place or all-event awards
• Bronze - rich finish ideal for third place or participation awards

Center Insert Options - This is where your customization happens. You can:

• Choose from one of our stock designs that fits a wide range of sports, events, and activities
• Submit your custom logo or event artwork for a fully personalized look
• Note: Black and white designs will print in black with the medal finish as the background, unless you specify differently in your order's special instructions

Satin Neck Ribbon - Every medal comes attached to a premium satin neck ribbon. Choose from:

• 30" ribbon - standard length, great for most events and age groups
• 35" ribbon - recommended for equestrian events where the medal will be awarded over a helmet

Your neck ribbon can be printed or unprinted, your choice. If printed, your custom text runs on the left-hand side of the ribbon with up to 3 lines of text, 30 characters per line (including spaces). It's a simple, clean way to add your event name, date, or organization name without overcomplicating the design.

FAQs

What is a custom insert medal? A custom insert medal features a recessed center section, called an insert window, where print is placed showing your logo, event name, stock design artwork, or custom graphic. It's one of the most versatile and affordable ways to create a fully personalized award medal without the longer lead times of a fully custom spin cast medal.

What is the GFL medal and why is it exclusive to Hodges Badge? The GFL is a Hodges Badge original design. The medal shape, profile, and format were created by our team and are not available from any other supplier. It's one of our most popular and longest-running medal designs because of its clean look, professional finish, and exceptional versatility across event types and markets.

What finishes does the GFL award medal come in? The GFL medal is available in three finishes: gold, silver, and bronze. All three finishes are available with any center insert design and any satin neck ribbon color combination.

Can I use my own logo for the center insert? Yes. You can submit your organization's logo, event artwork, or any custom design for the center insert. Black and white designs will print in black with the medal finish as the background unless you note a preference otherwise in your order's special instructions.

Can I customize the back of the GFL medal? Yes. Custom back print is available for an additional $0.50 per medal. Back print is in black and accommodates up to 4 lines of text with 15 characters per line. It's a popular option for adding a placement (1st, 2nd, 3rd), a year, or a personal message to the award.

Is this medal good for large events with many participants? Absolutely. The GFL medal's pricing scales well with quantity, making it an excellent choice for events with large participant counts including county fairs with dozens of award categories, swim meets with multiple age groups, running races with hundreds or thousands of finishers, and more.