Paralympic Medal Finishing: The Detail Work You Will Not See on TV 🔍

TV cameras catch the front of the medal. The real craftsmanship is on the edge, the back, and the inside of the bail. Three small things that separate a careful factory from a careless one.

Edge Bevel Catches the Light

A flat 90-degree edge looks unfinished. A 30-degree bevel (or a softened radius) on the front edge catches light from the front and adds depth — a tiny refinement that makes the medal look intentional rather than stamped out. Cost: zero. Just ask for it in your spec sheet under 'edge profile'.

Bail Tumbling Is Non-Negotiable

Cheap medals have sharp burrs inside the bail (the loop where the ribbon threads). Those burrs cut ribbons within months of wear. Tumbling — a 4-hour process that polishes every interior surface — is included by reputable factories at no extra charge. If your supplier asks for an upcharge to tumble bails, find a different supplier.