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Bespoke trophies for extraordinary moments

Bespoke Trophies

Trophies and Plaques: What's Best for Your Event?

So, you're in the midst of planning your awards ceremony. The venue's booked, the guest list is growing, and now it's time to think about how you'll honour the stars of the show. But what do you choose for your recognition piece?

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Trophy Design
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Trophies and plaques are two of the most common award tokens, with each offering its own unique strengths. In this guide, we explore the key differences and benefits of each to help you decide which one is the best fit for your upcoming event.

The Key Differences Between Trophies and Plaques

Both trophies and plaques can be fully customised to reflect your brand’s identity, but there are some key design differences that may influence your decision between the two.

A trophy is freestanding and is designed to sit proudly on a shelf or desk. It might include a solid base or stand upright without one, depending on the design. They’re tangible, 3D symbols of success, and are often handed directly to winners in front of an applauding crowd.

A plaque, on the other hand, is designed to be mounted on a wall; making it the perfect choice for areas where desk space is limited. It offers a polished, professional look, and remains visible to the public and any clients that may be visiting your premises.

Young MasterChef Trophy

The Benefits of Trophies and Plaques

Why Choose a Trophy?

A custom trophy offers:

  • High visual impact – A bespoke trophy is designed to stand out. From shape and material to colour and branding, there’s so many ways you can customise your trophy to attract attention.
  • A tangible presence – Unlike a wall-mounted plaque, a trophy is a tangible token that your winners can hold, pass around, and admire. Plus, they make for some fantastic photo opportunities.
  • A symbol of celebration – Trophies have long been associated with winning and performance. A well-designed custom trophy can help to elevate that winning moment and make it feel truly one-of-a-kind.

Why Choose a Plaque?

A custom wall plaque offers:

  • Space-saving design – Wall plaques are perfect for busy office environments where space is at a premium. They make clever use of vertical space without cluttering your desks or shelves.
  • Polished professionalism – There’s a certain gravitas that comes with a sleek wall plaque. Whether it’s mounted in your boardroom or above your reception desk, a plaque is the ultimate symbol of prestige.
  • Multi-site recognition – Plaques are ideal for rolling out a recognition scheme across multiple offices or branches. That way, each location can proudly display its own custom-made badge of honour.
50 Best Bars Plaques - Close up

How to Choose the Right Award in 5 Simple Steps

1) Determine the Purpose of the Award

Start by asking yourself what the award is actually for. A long-term accreditation is better represented by plaques, as they can be proudly displayed on walls and remain visible to clients. However, people-specific awards are more fitting as trophies where they can be placed on the winner’s shelf or desk.

2) Consider the Presentation Moment

Next, think about how your award will be presented to your winners. Will it be handed over on stage in front of a crowd, or revealed in a quiet meeting room? Trophies are perfect for big celebratory moments on stage, whereas plaques lend themselves to low-key presentations.

3) Think About the Display Location

Where will the award live after the event? If it’s destined for a prominent office wall or a public-facing area, then a plaque is the most suitable. But if it’s something that the recipient will keep personally, then a trophy might be the best option.

Security & Fire Excellence Awards - winner1

4) Align with Your Brand Aesthetic

Is your branding fun and creative, or professional and polished? Trophies offer much more flexibility when it comes to design, allowing you to incorporate bold colours and abstract shapes. Plaques are the more prestigious option if you want to convey formality or tradition.

5) Decide on Your Budget and Quantity

Finally, consider how many awards you’ll need and what your budget allows. Both options can range massively in price, with various materials and finishes available. But if you need to roll out your awards across multiple sites or teams, plaques could be the most cost-effective choice.

CLM Recruitment Acrylic Trophies

Your Go-To Choice for Custom Trophies and Plaques

At Gaudio Awards, we specialise in crafting exceptional custom trophies and plaques that your winners will be proud to display for years to come. Every award we create is specifically tailored to your brand and event, combining carefully selected materials, finishes, and design features that truly capture the spirit of your celebration.

Get in touch today to talk through your custom award ideas.

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When you order a blank trophy, it will arrive without any personalised details. The trophy is blank for you to add your own personalisation, or use as a decorative piece.

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Select your layout using the dropdown menu, then enter your details. The live proof shows you an approximate visual of how your trophy will look when it’s engraved. Once you’ve added the details you want and purchased your trophy, we’ll begin manufacture right away.

Please note: The live render is an estimate of how your trophy will look, and the final result may vary in size, colour and placement.

Gaudio Proofing Service

With the Gaudio Proofing Service, simply add your chosen trophy to your cart and checkout as normal. A member of the team will be in touch to collect the required details, and we’ll send you proofs to approve before manufacture. Delivery time excludes proofing.