Material FAQs - Understanding Your Trophy & Award Options

Resin trophies remain a favourite across sports and activities thanks to their strength and solid feel. Each award is created using moulded resins, then individually finished with hand-applied colour to highlight the finer details and add texture. Resin is widely chosen for junior events too, as it is one of the safer and more child-friendly trophy materials, with fewer sharp edges and a lower chance of cracking if bumped. Even so, we always suggest treating your resin award with care to keep it looking its best.

Plastic trophies are lightweight, bright, and ideal for large presentations or junior events. Modern plastics allow for bold designs and colours while keeping costs affordable. Their light construction makes them easy to store and transport, especially when ordering higher volumes. Although plastic is more flexible than resin or metal, it should still be handled gently to prevent bending or surface marks.

Weighted Plastic trophies blend multiple materials to create a denser, weightier feel. They offer the substance of a more premium award without the higher price associated with metal or crystal. This material is perfect when you want a trophy that feels substantial in the hand while still delivering great detail and visual impact.

Most medals are formed from durable metal alloys such as iron or zinc, giving them a pleasing weight and a long-lasting finish. These materials allow for crisp detail and a variety of plating colours including gold, silver, and bronze. Metal medals are a top choice when you want a classic, traditional presentation piece.

Medal ribbons are woven from soft, comfortable fabric that sits neatly around the neck. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns to match your club, school, or event theme. Ribbons are not included with medals as standard, but we offer plenty of styles you can add to your order.

Standard glass awards provide a clean, professional look and are perfect for engraving. The natural clarity of the glass gives a smart finish suitable for corporate events, staff recognition, and school achievements. Although sturdy, glass should always be handled carefully to avoid chips or scratches.

Jade glass features a gentle green tint caused by the natural iron content in the material. This subtle colour gives the award a fresh and contemporary feel, making it a popular choice for business presentations. Jade glass offers excellent engraving results and works well for both text and logo designs.

Optical crystal is known for its ultra-clear finish and high-quality refraction, giving it a standout appearance under lights. It produces sharp engraving results and is often chosen for premium awards or special presentations. Because of its clarity and weight, optical crystal has a luxury look without being overly fragile.

Acrylic awards provide a modern alternative to glass. They are lightweight, shatter-resistant, and allow for bright colour printing or laser engraving. Acrylic is ideal for events where you need a stylish award that is easy to transport and less prone to breakage.

Nickel-plated cups feature a smooth silver-tone finish that is resistant to tarnishing. This coating helps retain the shine of the cup over time while offering a traditional presentation style suitable for sports and corporate events.

Silver plated cups have a thin layer of genuine silver applied to the surface, giving them a beautifully polished appearance. They are often selected for long-standing competitions, annual awards, or special evenings where a classic, prestigious cup is preferred.

Gold-plated presentation cups offer a warm, rich finish that instantly stands out. The gold layer adds visual impact and makes these cups a favourite for major awards ceremonies, season finales, and premium events.

Wooden plaques are made from timber or MDF with a high-quality veneer. This gives a traditional and stylish look suitable for academic, business, and long-service awards. Their smooth surface is ideal for engraving plates or colour printing. 

Crystal awards are crafted from high-grade crystal to provide stunning clarity and light refraction. They deliver sharp engraving detail and are frequently used for milestone achievements, corporate recognition, and premium presentations.

Rosettes are created using layers of ribbon arranged into decorative shapes, often finished with a centre badge or printed detail. They are widely used for shows, competitions, school events, and equestrian activities, offering a colourful and traditional award option.

Lindisfarne Crystal Awards are known for their traditional British craftsmanship and elegant presentation. Each piece is finely finished and often supplied with a presentation box, making them ideal for special occasions or distinguished recognition.

Bamboo awards use sustainably sourced bamboo, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional materials. Bamboo has a warm, natural appearance and engraves beautifully, making it popular for eco-conscious events and corporate schemes.

These centre discs feature a printed design covered with a clear resin coating. The dome adds depth, shine, and a professional finish to trophies and medals, enhancing the overall look.

Aluminium discs are lightweight metal inserts available in a wide range of sports and activity designs. They’re ideal for adding a customised touch to trophies, medals, and plaques.

Engraving plates are made from aluminium and are designed to be personalised with names, dates, and message text. They adhere neatly to trophies, plaques, and awards.

Marble is often used for trophy bases to provide weight and a polished look. Because marble is a natural material, each piece may have slight variations or small imperfections, giving every base its own character.

Bakelite is a tough, moulded material used in some trophy components due to its rigidity and clean finish. It helps create a stable structure and is ideal for parts that need to hold their shape well.

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