Excalibur Slate Medals Engraved with Plain Ribbon

by Michael Fennell October 23, 2025

Creating Slate Medals for the Excalibur Winter Event

For the Excalibur Winter Event, I designed and crafted a limited run of engraved slate medals — heavy, elegant, and quietly wintery.
Each medal is carved from 70 mm pre-drilled slate, about 5–6 mm thick, chosen for its natural texture, satisfying weight, and tactile quality.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the process — the materials, engraving techniques, and finishing touches — that bring these medals to life.
👉 Create your own custom slate medal here ›

Why Slate for Event Medals

Slate has a premium, natural feel that immediately elevates an award. Its weight gives the medal a sense of presence, and when engraved, the light grey etching contrasts beautifully against the dark stone surface.
It takes detail remarkably well, so fine logos, event names, and small text all appear crisp and professional.

If you want medals that feel solid, memorable, and sustainable, slate is an outstanding choice.
👉 Start your custom slate design ›

Materials and Tools

70 mm pre-drilled slate blanks (5–6 mm thick)
Clear lacquer for a light seal and contrast boost
Laser engraver for precise text and low relief artwork
Recycled polyester ribbon for sustainable finishing
Custom wooden breakaway clip, designed in-house for safety
(Optional) Ultrasonic welding and ribbon printing setup

Step by Step: How the Medals Are Made

1. Lacquering the Slate

The process begins with a light coat of lacquer — just enough to darken and even the stone surface. This enhances contrast and gives the engraving a clean, refined finish, while still allowing the slate’s natural texture to shine through.

2. Laser Engraving Technique

To create depth and a subtle “snow-on-top” effect, I use a two-pass engraving method.
The first pass outlines fine details and defines the design; the second adds shadow and weight, giving the finished piece a three-dimensional look — perfect for winter-themed events.

3. Ribbon and Assembly

Once engraving is complete, the ribbon is threaded cleanly through the pre-drilled hole.
For this project, I used recycled polyester ribbon, keeping the design both elegant and sustainable. The assembly is finished with a custom wooden breakaway clip — designed for safety, made in-house for consistency.

4. Safety Clip and Optional Finishes

The clip releases under strong tension for safety, but stays secure under normal wear.
For events that need extra strength or branding, I offer ultrasonic welded joins and full-colour ribbon printing with logos or custom colour palettes.

👉 Explore finishing options and request a quote ›

Customization and Finishing Options

Plain recycled ribbon + engraved slate for a minimalist, natural look
Full-colour printed ribbons for branded or themed events
Ultrasonic welded joins for maximum durability
Custom clip materials, shapes, or laser-cut branding available

For the Excalibur Winter Event, the customer chose a plain recycled ribbon paired with engraved slate. The result: understated, elegant, and beautifully tactile — the stone carries the visual weight while the ribbon keeps things clean and simple.

Sustainability and Practicality

Slate and recycled polyester combine durability, sustainability, and style.
Our in-house wooden clips add a natural touch and safety feature without compromising aesthetics.

If sustainability is important for your event, I can help you design medals using recycled, natural, or locally sourced materials from start to finish.

Tips for Working with Slate

Apply a light lacquer before engraving to boost contrast
Test engraving settings on scrap pieces to fine-tune depth and power
Handle pre-drilled blanks carefully to avoid edge chipping
Use a two-pass engraving for realistic depth and shadow

Final Thoughts

Slate medals bring weight, texture, and timeless character to an event.
They feel valuable to wear, beautiful to display, and built to last — the kind of keepsake that outlives the event itself.

For the Excalibur Winter Event, the combination of lacquered engraving, a snow-like finish, and sustainable materials created a design that captured the season perfectly — refined, resilient, and responsibly made.

👉 Create your own slate medal here ›
Every medal is made to order, with options for engraving, ribbon style, and sustainable materials. Get in touch to discuss your event’s design.