This is one of the most common questions a corporate customer always asks. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer. Custom trophies and awards can vary in price depending on the type, size, finish, or engraving required.
You can buy a blank trophy and DIY the engraving process with an engraver. Alternatively, order your trophies from a company that specializes in these products. Either way, you should have definitive criteria in the selection process. Here are some factors that affect the cost of an award trophy.
Materials
There are three main types of trophies: plastic or resin trophies, metal trophies, and glass awards. Quality is the most important factor in choosing the trophies you want to purchase. Let’s take a look at each so you can decide which is best for your budget!
Plastic or Resin Trophies
These are the most affordable options for those on a tight budget. They’re made of acrylic, polystyrene, and PVC composite that can have a variety of color options to choose from. These types of trophies don’t usually come in any other finishes like gold, silver, or bronze.
Metal Trophies
These materials are the most expensive, but they’re well worth it! They come with several options for finish, es which include gold, silver, or bronze. You can have your custom design with your company logo. Also, you can add engraving plates to the trophies at no extra cost.
Glass Awards
Glass awards are the most attractive type of trophy. They come in a variety of colors and have different finishes. These types of trophies do usually require some engraving, but there is no plate charge for adding an engraved logo or name on the glass.
Trophy Types and Prices
A variety of materials and designs in modern trophy manufacturing enable the creation of trophies suited to a greater range of purposes, including customization. However, the types of trophies also dictate the costs.
Some custom trophies are more expensive to create than others are. So, it is important that you know the award that needs a trophy.
Sports Trophies
These are great for winner recognition in any sports event. It ranges from $5 to as high as $5k, depending on the quality, materials, personalization, and details your business wants.
3D Trophies
The prices for these trophies and awards depend on the complexity of the designs. But these start at 150USD. You can use these for employee recognition during the company anniversary.
Custom Elegant Awards
You often see these awards given at prestigious events such as the Oscars. But the uses are not limited to such events. Awarding an employee for years of service is an example. Prices start at $195, depending on the customization you need.
Championship Trophies
Probably, these trophies are the most expensive on this list. The price of a single award-trophy may range from $50,000 or more. Often, this award is given to the winner of a championship game.
Alternatives to Trophies
Aside from trophies, you can have custom awards for your recognition events using star pins, medals, or custom plaques. These awards can still have customized inscriptions.
Custom pins are also excellent alternatives for a trophy. Awardees can even collect these items from your business. Like a trophy, you can have the inscription or letters engraved to make it long-lasting.
Personalization
If you want an engraving on your trophy, then this will be an extra cost. Some suppliers may give free engraving or shipping, depending on the quantity of your order.
And there’s the whole design aspect.
- How realistic do you want the artwork to look
- How much detail is placed in the plaques
- How much realism do you want in the trophy
- How thick should the trophy be
Sometimes, the supplier may not be able to get the complexity of the engraved inscriptions you want. Each engraved letter on the trophies may cost more and starts at $30 per line. Some would charge per letter after the first free characters.
So, you have limited choices when it comes to letter customizations. If you want to have longer and more customized characters on your trophies, plaques, and medals, the alternative is to get a portable engraving machine.
Getting a machine might be cost-effective if your business gives out awards and plaques to employees on a regular basis or to teams during your corporate sports events.
Where to Buy an Engraver for Customizing Trophies?
You can shop a machine engraver online. Ditch the long hours of searching because our company has many engraving machines to offer. Just give us a call and will give you a free quote. Whether your trophy requirement is small or large, our marking machines are perfect, no matter the occasion.
Questions to Ask When Ordering a Trophy:
- How long will it take to receive the trophies or plaque?
- How many trophies are required to get a discount?
- Do you want personalized engraving (available with all types)?
- Are there any other finishes that would be beneficial, if possible?
- Should I DIY the engraving or add it to my orders of the trophies or plaques?
- How fast is the delivery service?
- How great is the after-sales service?
Conclusion
Trophies and awards are great ways to recognize someone’s efforts. Whether it’s winning a competition or simply giving out awards for exemplary service, you can create customer trophies at any time.
You can get these trophies from suppliers who offer affordable products and have the supplier inscribe the characters you want. Alternatively, you can purchase blank medals, plaques, or trophies, but you DIY the engraved letters. All in all, a single trophy may cost as low as $5 to as high as $50000.
If you choose to DIY the inscription on your trophies and purchase a high-quality marking machine, give us a call, and we will provide the best quote possible for your business. At Heatsign, we prioritize quality customer service.
FAQs
According to the guide, what is the most affordable material for a trophy?
The most affordable option mentioned is a plastic or resin trophy. The guide states these are ideal for those on a tight budget and are made from materials like acrylic or PVC composite.
Why is there such a large price difference between a sports trophy and a championship trophy?
The price difference is due to their scale and prestige. The guide notes that sports trophies can start from as low as five dollars, while a championship trophy is described as the most expensive, with a price that can range from fifty thousand dollars or more.
The guide mentions engraving adds to the cost. How is this cost typically calculated by suppliers?
The cost for engraving is typically calculated per line or per letter. The guide states that each engraved line may cost around thirty dollars, and some suppliers might charge per letter after a certain number of free characters.
In what situation does the guide suggest it is more cost-effective to buy your own engraving machine?
The guide suggests it might be more cost-effective to get your own portable engraving machine if your business gives out awards, plaques, or trophies on a regular basis, such as for employee recognition or corporate sports events.
If a traditional trophy is too expensive, what are some of the alternative awards mentioned in the text?
As alternatives to traditional trophies, the guide suggests using custom awards like star pins, medals, or custom plaques. It notes that these items can still have customized inscriptions engraved on them.
What are the key differences between metal trophies and glass awards as described in the text?
Metal trophies are described as the most expensive material, coming with finish options like gold or silver, and typically include an engraving plate at no extra cost. Glass awards are noted as the most attractive, come in various colors, and while they require engraving, there is usually no plate charge.
What kind of event are the 'Custom Elegant Awards' suitable for?
These types of awards are suitable for prestigious events, with the Oscars given as an example. The guide also mentions they can be used for corporate purposes, such as awarding an employee for their years of service.
Besides the number of characters, what other 'design aspects' can affect the cost of personalization?
The guide lists several other design aspects that can affect the cost. These include how realistic you want the artwork to look, the amount of detail placed in the plaques, and the desired thickness of the trophy itself.
