Custom Medallions and Beads vs Custom Buttons: Which Should You Print?

Custom medallions and beads are the better choice for most high-volume festival-style giveaways where you want guests to wear your brand immediately; choose buttons when you need clearer text messaging, staff identification, or a controlled handout for indoor and trade show settings.

Above-the-fold links to shop:

• Medallions and Beads
• Custom Buttons

Quick comparison table

Choose Medallions and Beads if…

• You need wearable visibility at scale, not just a handout people pocket.
• Your design can be reduced to one bold mark + short text (best readability in motion).
• The event is outdoor / festival / parade / high-energy where people like “on body” swag. A strong fit inside Events & Festivals programming.
• Your quantity planning is attendance-based (1 per guest) or stream-based (ongoing distribution), and you value immediate adoption.
• You want to avoid pin-backs and prioritize quick “put it on” behavior.

Shop Medallions and Beads

Numeric qualifiers that change the recommendation (Medallions & Beads)

• If you expect guests to wear the item for 2–6+ hours, comfort and lightweight feel become more important than tiny print detail.
• If you want the imprint to read in photos from 2–6 feet, keep art to large shapes and minimal text.

Choose Custom Buttons if…

• You need readable text (names, roles, team labels, short calls-to-action) at conversation distance.
• The item is serving as staff/volunteer identification or a “badge” at check-in.
• You want simple storage and counting (flat items, easy inventory management).
• You’re handing out in a controlled environment (trade show booth, indoor event) where people can pin/clip without friction.
• You anticipate bundling buttons with other staff-facing items like Lapel Pins for tiered roles (e.g., staff vs VIP).

Primary CTA: Shop Custom Buttons

Numeric qualifiers that change the recommendation (Buttons)

• If the goal is text legibility at 2–4 feet, buttons usually outperform medallions because the print area is flatter and optimized for readable layouts.
• If you need two lines of text plus a logo, buttons are typically the safer format than a small pendant face.

Best use cases (mapped to the right winner)

• Street festivals / parades / crowd photos: Medallions & Beads
• College welcome week / pep events: Medallions & Beads
• Trade show booth lead capture: Buttons
• Staff + volunteer identification: Buttons
• Sponsor visibility in audience selfies: Medallions & Beads (logo-first art)
• Cause events where role labels matter (“Volunteer”, “Sponsor”, “Team”): Buttons (text-first layouts)
• Awards/recognition moments: Consider Medals instead of either if formality matters
• VIP appreciation / membership recognition: Consider Challenge Coins for a longer-life keepsake

Branding & imprint considerations (what to design for)

Medallions & Beads: design to survive motion and distance

• Prioritize high contrast and one dominant focal element (logo mark).
• Avoid “information density.” If it reads like a flyer, it will fail as a pendant.
• Treat the medallion face like a mini sign: big shapes, short text, clear negative space.

Buttons: design for readable text and hierarchy

• Buttons can carry more text, but only if you enforce hierarchy:
• Line 1: role/event name (largest)
• Line 2: brand mark (clear, not tiny)
• Avoid cluttered borders and microcopy. “More text” is only a win if it stays readable.

Operational factors (handling, staffing, storage, indoor/outdoor)

• Setup time:
• Medallions & beads may require pre-staging to avoid tangles during rush periods.
• Buttons are typically ready-to-hand from stacked inventory.
• Staffing friction:
• If guests must attach an item, adoption can drop. Buttons work best when guests are already engaging at a booth/check-in.
• Indoor vs outdoor performance:
• Outdoor crowds favor wearable items that don’t require fine motor steps (wear vs pin).
• Indoor, controlled environments favor buttons for role labels and readable messaging.

How to choose between Medallions & Beads and Buttons (fast checklist)

1. Decide whether the job is wearable crowd visibility or readable text/ID.
2. If it’s crowd visibility, pick medallions & beads and simplify the art to a bold mark.
3. If it’s readable ID or two-line messaging, pick buttons and design with strict hierarchy.
4. Confirm distribution reality: mass handout favors wearables; check-in/booth favors buttons.
5. If you need formality or permanence, evaluate Medals or Challenge Coins instead.

FAQs

Which option gets worn longer at festivals?

Medallions and beads are more likely to be worn for hours because they’re easy to put on and match the “festival souvenir” behavior.

Which is better for staff/volunteer identification?

Custom buttons are usually better for identification because they support readable text and sit at chest level.

If my design has a lot of text, what should I choose?

Choose custom buttons for text-heavy designs. Medallion faces work best with bold logos and minimal wording.

Are buttons or beads easier to store and count?

Buttons are easier to store and count because they stack flat and don’t tangle.

What if I want something more “official” than either?

Use medals for formal recognition and challenge coins for long-life keepsakes. See Medals and Challenge Coins.

What’s the safest choice for kid-heavy events?

Medallions and beads are often safer when you want to avoid pins, but you should still choose options that don’t rely on small detachable parts.

What’s the best “still unsure” resource?

Use the buyer guide to match size, materials, and artwork rules to your event plan. See “Medallions and Beads Buyer’s Guide: Sizes, Printing, Materials, and Best Use Cases” 

Can I use both in one event without confusing the audience?

Yes, assign distinct roles. Use medallions & beads for general attendees (wearable souvenir) and buttons for staff/volunteers (role clarity).