05 Feb Different Types of Trophy & Award: A Guide to Choosing the Right One
Choosing the right material for an award is essential for creating a lasting impression. Whether you’re designing a corporate award trophy, a recognition plaque, or a custom gift, the material you select plays a vital role in the award’s look, feel, and durability. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common materials used to make awards and help you understand their benefits and unique characteristics.
1. Acrylic Awards: Durability and Versatility
Acrylic awards offer the clarity of glass or crystal with added durability and a lighter weight. Acrylic is half the weight of glass and 17 times stronger, making it a great choice for awards that need to withstand handling and transportation. It’s also resistant to impact, UV rays, and salt spray, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
What makes acrylic particularly versatile is its ability to be easily machined into custom shapes and sizes. Whether you need a sleek, modern design or a more intricate, detailed shape, acrylic can be tailored to your needs. Additionally, acrylic can be coloured to match your branding or specific design preferences, and it retains its clarity over time, even when exposed to sunlight.
Key Benefits of Custom Acrylic Awards:
- Lightweight and strong
- Impact and UV resistant
- Customisable in shape and colour
2. Crystal Awards: Elegant & Timeless
Crystal awards are often associated with corporate recognition, making them a popular choice for prestigious events and achievements. They have a solid, weighty feel that adds a sense of importance and value to the award. Crystal trophies can be engraved, etched, or printed with custom designs to further personalise them.
Crystal blocks come in a variety of pre-cut shapes, which can be customised to fit your specific needs. While they tend to be more expensive than other options, their high-quality appearance makes them a worthwhile investment for significant events.
Key Benefits of Crystal Awards:
- Elegant and visually striking
- Can be engraved or etched with custom designs
- Pre-cut shapes for easy customisation
3. Metal Awards: High-Precision and Customisable
Metal is often the material of choice for high-profile awards like the Oscars and Grammys. Whether it’s aluminium or steel, metal awards offer a high degree of customisation. You can create thin, sleek profiles or multi-dimensional designs that stand out.
Metal trophies and awards can be made from cast metal or high-quality sheets, allowing for complex and detailed designs. CNC machinery and hand-operated techniques ensure precision when creating custom shapes and images. Additionally, metal can be combined with other materials, like wood or acrylic, for a unique and memorable award.
Key Benefits of Metal Awards:
- Durable and long-lasting
- High level of design flexibility
- Customisable in thickness and shape
4. Plaques: A Timeless Tradition
Plaques are a classic option for recognition awards and can be made from a variety of materials. While acrylic is the most common material for plaques, other materials like wood, metal, or stone can offer a more traditional or unique look. Depending on the material, plaques can be displayed on a wall or mounted on a stand for added versatility.
Wooden plaques exude a sense of prestige and craftsmanship, while metal and stone plaques can add elegance and sophistication to any environment. Regardless of the material, custom plaques are often engraved with text, logos, or images to make them truly personal.
Key Benefits of Plaques:
- Versatile in material choice (acrylic, wood, metal, stone)
- Can be displayed on walls or stands
- Customisable with text and designs
5. Medals: A Symbol of Achievement
Medals are a traditional and symbolic form of recognition, often used in sports, academic awards, and competitive events. Medals are typically made from metal but can also feature enamel or coloured accents to add a touch of distinction.
Custom medals can be embossed or engraved with custom designs, including logos, names, and event details. They are often presented with a ribbon or hanging fixture, making them easy to display. Because of their affordability and the variety of designs available, medals are an excellent choice for large-scale events or competitions where multiple winners need to be recognised.
Key Benefits of Medal Awards:
- Affordable and versatile
- Can feature custom designs and engraving
- Easy to display with ribbons or hanging fixtures
Tips for Making Your Award/Trophy Choices:
- Consider the durability: Think about the lifespan of the award and how it will be displayed or transported.
- Match the material to the occasion: Choose materials that complement the tone and prestige of the event.
- Customisation options: Select a material that allows for engraving, etching, or printing to personalise the award.
- Budget considerations: While crystal and metal may be more expensive, acrylic and plaques can offer a similar impact at a lower cost.
Comparison: Pros and Cons of Different Award Types and Materials
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | – Lightweight and durable – Customisable in shape and colour – UV and impact resistant | – Can scratch easily – Less prestigious than crystal or metal |
| Crystal | – Elegant and prestigious – High-quality, timeless look – Custom engraving options | – Expensive – Heavier and fragile, requiring careful handling |
| Metal | – Durable and long-lasting – High customisation options – Multi-dimensional designs | – Can be more expensive – May be heavier, depending on the material |
| Plaques | – Versatile material choices (acrylic, wood, metal, stone) – Can be mounted or displayed on a wall – Highly customisable | – Limited to flatter designs – Can be bulky depending on material |
| Medals | – Affordable – Custom designs and engraving – Easy to display with ribbons | – Not as prestigious as other materials – Limited to specific events like sports and competitions |
Final Thoughts
When selecting the material for your custom trophy or award, consider the nature of the event, the message you want to convey, and your budget. Acrylic is great for modern, cost-effective designs, while crystal offers timeless elegance. Metal is perfect for high-profile awards that demand attention, and plaques provide a traditional and versatile option. By understanding the unique benefits of each material, you can ensure that your awards make a lasting impact and truly reflect the value of the achievements they represent.
Design Awards is proud to be the leading manufacturer of custom bespoke awards and trophies for a range of organisations, corporate businesses and schools in Australia. Fill out our contact form or call us on (02) 9439 7144 to request a free quote.