The most popular materials to make personalized trophies
Throughout the years, custom trophies and recognition awards have been a part of history. Today, schools, civic/social organizations, summer camps, companies and others are looking for personalized trophies and gifts to recognize the praiseworthy contributions of staff, members, patrons and other participants.
This widely heralded approach can motivate and inspire all your stakeholders to do their best. Historically, trophies have been made from just about everything from teeth and bones to precious gems. Leaving aside statues, today’s trophies are most commonly manufactured from one of 6 different materials.
Which is the best option for you? In this Trophy & Plaque Shack blog post we discuss the various choices and what may be the best materials for your unique custom trophies.
Materials used to make personalized trophies
You may be looking to celebrate a student’s or team’s excellence in a sports competition. Maybe you want to recognize the performance of a co-worker. You may also want to acknowledge a person who has done something amazing for the community.
The intent is that the trophy you choose should send a positive message, not only to those who receive the award, but also to all those who will participate in its presentation. You see, it is not just about recognizing that one individual, but about motivating others by showing them what’s possible. An awards ceremony is capable of bringing out the best in people.
But how to achieve it? – designing the kind of trophy that everyone wishes to have in their home, office, or clubhouse? The materials used to create trophies are numerous, but some of the best and most commonly used are:
Metal
Metal is the quintessential material for trophies. Awards fabricated from metal are heavier and more durable than any other.Decades ago, most trophies were made of metal. Today metal is used mostly for ultra-high end trophies, due to higher costs.
The internal structure of many trophies are still metal, but the “toppers” and columns have gradually yielded to materials (such as acrylics, plastics and resins) that are more easily fashioned in modern, high-production molds and presses. Another reason for this direction is the massive proliferation of designs, characters, images and styles which the more automated manufacturing methods have allowed, while still being cost effective.
The manufacturing effort for metal trophies can be more difficult and take longer. Only an expert in metal casting, finishing and assembly can do this successfully. Metal trophies are generally made in the shape of human figurines, artistic, aspirational and geometric shapes, all of which are beautifully rendered and displayed in the natural luster of metal.
Wood
Wood, as a material for trophies and recognition awards, has been popular for hundreds of years. The wooden trophy can be adapted to all kinds of events and can be customized with different sizes, weights, grains, colors, textures and finishes.
It is normal for prizes made of wood to be larger. Some common designs for wooden awards are wall or desk plaques, both institutional and personalized. A wood plaques can last for many years, if it receives the necessary care and proper treatment during and after its manufacture. In addition, wood is an eco-friendly material, always sustainable and compatible with the environment.
Wooden “perpetual” plaques recount the history of sports events over the years or celebrate the names of leaders who have held office and then retired. Called perpetual because they memorialize the chosen individuals in perpetuity, and also because they are perpetually changing – with newly engraved name plates added each year/season and the blank ones below for those who are yet to be revered – providing a sense of history while stretching into the future.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a material known for its beauty, clarity, affordability and durability.
In the case of acrylic trophies, they can look very similar to crystal or glass trophies, although they do have notable differences. Acrylic trophies are lighter in weight and require less care and maintenance than glass trophies, plus they won’t break when dropped or knocked over.
These trophies can also be made in many different shapes, opacities, tints and colors – even embedded with colorful artistic pieces or creative designs, as acrylic is an easy material to mold and work with.
Resin
Resin presents an opportunity to make lighter, more detailed and less expensive molded trophies and awards than those made of wood, metal or acrylic. When the clarity and translucence of acrylic or glass is not required, resin is a good choice.
Molded out of oil-based resins and often hand painted, the process of creating a mold has improved over time to the extent that finer details and subtle differences in texture can now be captured. Many toys and action figures are molded out of resin as it is perhaps the most child-friendly trophy material and least likely to break or cause abrasion to human skin.
Because of its light weight and lower price point, it could work out that you would be able to purchase a larger-dimensioned resin award for the same amount you would pay for a smaller trophy made out of another material.
Glass
Glass trophies can be made of large sheets of thick float glass that is cut into different shapes (like flames, spears, stars, circles, etc.) and sizes, according to the desired design. Transparency, different colors and weights can cater to your exact needs.
So called “art glass” trophies can go way beyond the more geometric shapes and can introduce twists and bends, fantastical shapes and patterns. Colors abound in art glass awards, regularly showing up as wondrous embedded globs, blobs, strands, swirls and pulls of colored glass at the center of clear glass awards.
A simple wine glass or glass copa can be transformed by adding your etched or lasered logo, or a particular message for a special event. You can also find different thicknesses to create the ideal glass trophy for your event.
Glass trophies can look sleek, sophisticated, ultra-modern, and they’re able to carry your personalized wording and individual names. At the higher end, they can even be made of hand-blown glass.
Crystal
If we were to make a list of requested materials for trophies, crystal would top the list.
Crystal actually is glass, but a different variety of glass, with higher lead content and reflective index than what we usually think of as “normal” glass. It is stronger (therefore can be thinner), harder, more brittle and heavier in weight than glass.
These properties cause crystal to be a bit harder to work with than normal glass, however the Trophy & Plaque Shack’s skilled engravers and trophy makers can still create wonderful, eye-catching, elegant items. The cost of crystal is higher, as well as the amount of time required to fabricate, engrave and assemble it, meaning that it is a top drawer material for trophies and awards.
Crystal is very popular for its ability to reflect light in a brilliant spectrum of colors, producing a visual feast to behold that adds to the quality and elegance of crystal trophies.
Find the best awards and personalized trophies at The Trophy & Plaque Shack. Visit our website to find the ideal trophy for your situation. We have a wide variety of shapes, colors and materials – literally thousands! You can also design your own trophy! Contact us for more information.
