Types Of Trophies

By Author: Bruce Munro
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Gone are the days when the only type of trophy available was a silver goblet-shaped metal cup that stood on a wooden platform. Now you can choose from a wide selection of stylish and custom-made trophies. These are trophies that people are proud to display in their homes and offices instead of hiding them away in the back of a closet. The types of trophies refer primarily to the materials that the trophies are made from and the shapes of the design. Most designs can be tailored to the purposes of your award ceremony.

Crystal Awards
Crystal awards are among the most impressive looking. Cut by laser or crafted by hand to ensure that the crystal captures the light, the engraving is impressively displayed. There are several types of crystal available. Starfire crystal, once polished, has blue sparkle to it. This is because of its low iron content and the fact that it is lead-free. This crystal works exceptionally well with three-dimensional awards. Jade crystal has a distinct green hue to it due to its higher iron content. It's an extremely hard crystal which can accommodate steep bevels and elaborate designs. Black ...
... crystal is so called because of its dark smoky color. It works well for plaques as it is slightly opaque. Once polished, crystal awards show off their design and detail exceptionally well. Crystal bowls and figurines are particularly impressive as designs. Crystal cup trophies offer a stylish alternative to a traditional metal cup trophy.

Acrylic Awards
Acrylic awards are the more affordable version of crystal awards. The designs and shapes used for crystal awards can be easily adapted to acrylic awards. These are a good option for monthly sales competitions where you don't want to spend a lot but still want to give employees recognition for their efforts. An advantage of acrylic awards is that you can add color and print on the awards as well as engravings. The awards are also suitable for children's awards as they are more resilient and less likely to break if accidentally dropped or bumped off a shelf.

Glass Awards
Glass awards come in a variety of shapes, ranging from plaques and towers to circles, globes, and star and hexagon shapes. Combined with wood or marble as a base, glass awards are stylish and moderately priced. The glass can be engraved or printed on which gives you a lot of freedom with your design.

Sculpture Awards
Sculpture awards have a distinctive design and can be made from metal, crystal or wood. You could choose a figurine or a stylized abstract design in one or more different types of materials. Designs of eagles and horses work exceptionally well as sculpture trophies. Many of these types of trophies are used for rodeos or leadership awards. Because the sculpture is the main feature of the trophy, the lettering is usually engraved on a plaque attached to the base of the trophy.

Marble Awards
Most marble awards are plaques engraved with the award message. You can select a single or two or three different shades of marble to work with. The unique grains and patterns on the marble make each award unique. Often marble awards are combined with glass, wood or crystal with the marble being used as either the frame or base of the award or as the main section with wood as the base. A two-tone award of different shades of marble also looks very impressive. Marble awards generally have the lettering engraved. Marble awards are at the upper end of the price range and therefore suitable for very prestigious awards.

Wooden Awards
Wooden awards are often made up of a combination of wood, glass, marble, crystal or stainless steel. Highly polished wooden plaques are extremely attractive. The polished rosewood or walnut wood grains give each award a unique look and feel. Wood is often used as the base for awards but can also be creatively combined with other materials in frames, stands and columns.

Stainless Steel Awards
Stainless steel looks very impressive in modern and abstract designs, especially when combined with glass or crystal. You can use stainless steel in plaques and sculptures, using angular and round shapes to create a unique trophy. Lettering can be engraved and gives the award a very stylish finish.

Eco-Friendly Awards
Awards made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo will work well if your business has a strong focus on green initiatives and environmental awareness. You could also use recycled glass; while it isn't as clear as pure glass, it has a more earthly feel about it. Plaques can have lettering printed or engraved, depending on what material you are using.
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AbleTrophies.com is a leader in online awards including crystal awards and crystal globe gifts. Visit online for a large line of difference choices to fit any occasion.