The right corporate award should do more than display a recipient’s name. It should reflect the importance of the achievement, represent your organisation professionally and create a memorable moment when it is presented.
With so many materials, shapes and personalisation options available, choosing the right award can feel overwhelming. Whether you are organising an annual awards night, recognising employee service or celebrating a major business milestone, this guide will help you make the right choice.
Start With the Purpose of the Award
Before comparing designs, consider exactly what the award is recognising.
Different achievements may call for different styles:
- Employee recognition awards can be modern, colourful and personalised.
- Long-service awards often suit a timeless and substantial design.
- Leadership and executive awards generally benefit from a premium, formal appearance.
- Sales and performance awards can be bold and energetic.
- Company milestone awards may incorporate branding, dates or elements connected to the organisation.
- Partner and supplier awards should feel professional and suitable for display in another workplace.
Understanding the purpose helps determine how formal, creative or prestigious the award should feel.
Consider the Recipient
Think about who will receive the award and what they would be proud to display.
An executive receiving recognition for 25 years of service may appreciate a substantial crystal award. A creative-industry recipient might prefer a colourful custom acrylic design. A team receiving multiple achievement awards may benefit from a consistent design produced in different sizes or colours.
The award should suit both the achievement and the person receiving it.
Match the Award to Your Event
The style of your event should also influence your decision.
For a formal gala dinner, crystal, glass or polished metal details can create an elegant presentation. For a colourful brand launch or modern staff event, custom acrylic provides greater freedom to incorporate creative shapes and vibrant artwork.
Consider the venue, lighting, stage design and dress code. An award that complements the event will look more impressive in presentation photographs and reinforce the overall theme.
Choose the Right Material
Each award material creates a different impression.
Acrylic awards
Acrylic is ideal for modern and highly customised designs. It can be cut into unique shapes and combined with engraving, full-colour printing, layered pieces and different finishes.
Acrylic awards are also lightweight, durable and suitable for everything from individual presentations to large award programs.
Crystal and glass awards
Crystal and glass create a classic, prestigious appearance. Their clarity, polished surfaces and substantial feel make them popular for executive recognition, service awards and significant business achievements.
Crystal is especially effective when the presentation calls for something timeless and formal.
Timber awards and plaques
Timber adds warmth and character. It works particularly well for service recognition, environmental organisations, community-focused businesses and events with a natural or traditional theme.
Timber can also be combined with metal plates, acrylic elements and engraved details.
Metal awards and plaques
Metal provides a strong, permanent and refined finish. Stainless steel, aluminium, brass and other metal finishes can be incorporated into plaques or custom awards to achieve an industrial, architectural or premium appearance.
Combining materials can create an even more distinctive result. Acrylic, timber, crystal and metal can work together to add colour, depth and texture.
Decide Between a Standard or Custom Award
A standard award is selected from an established range and personalised with your wording and logo. This can be a practical option when you need an attractive result within a shorter timeframe or defined budget.
A custom award is designed specifically for your organisation or event. Its shape, colours and construction can be based on your logo, product, building, industry or campaign theme.
Consider a custom design when:
- The event is a major annual occasion
- Brand recognition is important
- You want an award that cannot be purchased elsewhere
- The design needs to represent a particular product or achievement
- The award will be photographed or featured publicly
- You want recipients to immediately associate it with your organisation
Even a simple award can feel unique when the artwork, wording and presentation are carefully considered.
Keep Your Branding Consistent
Corporate awards should feel connected to your organisation without resembling an advertisement.
Your logo, colours and visual identity can be incorporated through engraving, printing, coloured acrylic or metal elements. The branding should support the design rather than overpower the recipient’s achievement.
A well-balanced award usually gives priority to:
- The achievement or award category
- The recipient’s name
- The event or organisation
- The date and supporting message
Keeping the wording clear allows the most important details to be read easily when the award is presented and displayed.
Plan Your Award Categories and Sizes
If your event includes several award levels, consider using one coordinated design in different sizes.
For example:
- A larger version for the overall winner
- A medium version for category winners
- A smaller version for finalists or special mentions
Colour accents can also identify different categories while keeping the full collection visually consistent.
Before ordering, confirm every category, recipient and quantity. It is also sensible to include a spare award when there is a chance of a last-minute change or additional recipient.
Set a Realistic Budget
Your overall budget should include more than the cost of the award itself. Consider:
- Design and artwork preparation
- Personalisation
- Custom cutting or fabrication
- Individual presentation boxes
- Freight or delivery
- Additional or spare awards
- Urgent production requirements
If you are working within a fixed budget, let your award supplier know the quantity and target price early. A good supplier can recommend materials and designs that create the strongest presentation within the available budget.
Ordering a larger quantity may also provide better value per award.
Check the Personalisation Carefully
Personalisation transforms an attractive object into a meaningful award.
Common details include:
- Recipient’s full name
- Award category
- Achievement or service milestone
- Company or event name
- Presentation date
- Logo or brand artwork
- A short recognition message
Always check spelling, capitalisation, dates and job titles before approving the artwork. Pay particular attention to names, as even a small error can affect the presentation and require the award to be remade.
Avoid placing too much wording on the award. A concise message is generally easier to read and creates a cleaner, more premium result.
Allow Enough Production Time
Standard awards with straightforward personalisation may be produced relatively quickly, while completely custom designs require additional time for concept development, artwork approval, material preparation and fabrication.
Start planning as early as possible, particularly when:
- You need a large quantity
- The awards are fully customised
- Multiple materials are being combined
- Individual names are required
- Your event has a fixed presentation date
Make sure your supplier knows the event date, not only the date you hope to receive the awards. This allows appropriate time for delivery, checking and any last-minute adjustments.
Think About the Presentation
The way an award is presented contributes to the recipient’s experience.
Consider whether the award:
- Can be comfortably held on stage
- Will remain stable when placed on a lectern or table
- Is visible to the audience
- Photographs well under event lighting
- Includes suitable protective packaging
- Can be transported safely after the event
A beautiful award deserves a presentation that makes it feel important.
Creating Corporate Awards With Select Awards
At Select Awards, we help businesses and organisations create awards that properly reflect the achievements being celebrated.
Our range includes acrylic, crystal, glass, timber, metal and custom-designed awards, with professional engraving, printing and fabrication options available. We can help you select an existing design or develop something completely unique for your organisation.
Whether you are planning a small employee-recognition presentation or a major corporate awards night, our team can guide you through the materials, design, personalisation and production process.
Explore our corporate award range online or contact Select Awards to discuss your upcoming event.
