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If you’re planning an awards night, sports day, corporate recognition or a quirky office prize, the trophy you pick says more than you think. It’s the physical mic drop of appreciation — proof someone stood out. In this guide I’ll walk you through how to choose the right trophy, list reliable UK stores and marketplaces that sell trophies and awards, explain customization options, and share tips for making an ordinary statuette feel extraordinary. Think of this as your roadmap from “what’s available” to “that’s the one.”
A trophy isn’t just an object — it’s an emotion made of metal, plastic or glass. It can boost morale, make a winner beam in photos, and set the tone for your whole event. Choosing the right style and size gives the recipient a moment of pride that lasts longer than the applause. Ask yourself: do you want a traditional cup, a modern glass slab, or a playful novelty award? Your choice reflects the event’s personality, from formal to fun.
Picking a trophy feels simple until you’re staring at a thousand options. I recommend narrowing choices by event, budget and personalization options before you compare shops. That way you won’t get dazzled by shiny models and forget what matters: meaning, quality and value.
Is it a school sports day or a corporate gala? For sports events you’ll want durable trophies with classic motifs like athletes or cups. For corporate awards, glass, acrylic or crystal slabs with clean engraving look professional. For children or casual events, lightweight plastic trophies and fun novelty shapes do the job and keep costs down.
Size communicates importance. A 6-inch trophy feels modest and is perfect for weekly recognitions, while a 12-inch trophy reads as a big-season prize. If trophies need to be transported, aim for models that weigh under 5 pounds so they’re easy to carry and display. Remember: a heavy 10-inch trophy can impress, but it might be awkward for kids or frequent winners.
Materials range from resin and plastic to metal, glass and crystal. Resin and plastic are affordable and customizable, metal looks premium and holds up well, while glass and crystal look sleek for corporate awards. Finishes — gold, silver, bronze, chrome or colored lacquers — influence perceived value, so match finish to the event’s tone.
Below I’ve listed reputable UK suppliers and places where you can find a wide variety of trophies, medals and awards. Some are specialist trophy shops, while others are general marketplaces or craft stores with award selections. Each option has strengths depending on price, customization and delivery needs.
Gerrards is a long-standing UK name in awards and teamwear, known for medals, cups and bespoke trophies. They typically offer engraved plates, custom medal ribbons and a solid selection of sports figures. If you want traditional styles, ribbons and team presentation needs met in one place, Gerrards is a dependable option.
Everything4Trophies focuses on everything from blank cups to fully engraved awards. Their catalogue usually covers multiple sizes, and they often have affordable ranges for schools and community clubs. If you’re ordering in bulk for a league or festival, shops like this can help you balance cost and style while offering engraving add-ons.
If you’re organizing races, charity runs or school sports days, Medals.co.uk is worth checking. They specialise in medals and lanyards as well as medal boxes and presentation accessories. Their options make it easy to create a consistent look for finishers and podium placers without breaking the bank.
Independent trophy shops and local engravers often provide a hands-on service that’s hard to beat online. You can view sample engravings, choose plate sizes, and sometimes see prototype proofs. Local stores are great when you want last-minute tweaks or prefer to pick up orders in person.
Marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Etsy offer massive variety and user reviews to guide purchases. Amazon is handy for quick buys and delivery speed, eBay often has budget and niche finds, and Etsy is where you’ll find handcrafted, unique awards or bespoke plaques from independent makers. Be sure to check seller ratings and production lead times.
For DIY trophies, craft stores such as Hobbycraft supply blank trophies, acrylic shapes, paints and engraving tools. These are perfect when you want a hands-on project, custom painting or a themed award. DIY can be budget-friendly, but plan extra time for assembly and finishing.
Knowing the range of award types helps you match form to function. Here’s a quick breakdown so you aren’t surprised when a supplier shows you the catalog.
Cup trophies are timeless and suit sports, academic contests and tournaments. They range from petite 6-inch cups to grand 20-inch trophies for championship-level prizes. Cups often include a plinth with a name plate for engraving.
Figurines depicting runners, footballers, dancers or golfers personalize the award to the sport. These usually sit on a base that can host an engraved plate. Choose a size proportional to the event’s formality — small figurines for weekly awards, larger ones for season finales.
Slabs, wedges and tilted panes made from glass or acrylic offer a sleek look for corporate or academic awards. Crystal pieces, though pricier, refract light beautifully and make strong centrepieces for award ceremonies.
Medals are practical for races and school events where masses of participants need recognition. Presentation boxes and ribbons add polish and make the prize feel complete. You can order custom medal designs or choose pre-made shapes with engraved plates.
Sometimes you want a laugh. Novelty trophies and humorous awards — think “Most Likely to Bake Cookies” — make great icebreakers for office parties or end-of-season celebrations. They’re typically inexpensive and crafted from lightweight materials for a playful touch.
Customisation turns a trophy into a keepsake. From engraved plates and laser-etched glass to color fills and custom shapes, the more thought you put into personalization, the more meaningful the result. Below are the common options and practical tips to get them right.
Engraving can be done via rotary engraving (great for metal plates) or laser etching (ideal for glass and acrylic). For text-heavy plates, rotary engraving offers sharp, deep lettering. For logos and fine artwork on glass or crystal, laser etching creates crisp detail that won’t wear off.
If you want a corporate logo or event emblem, ask for a proof before production. Most reputable suppliers will supply a digital proof showing placement and font. This step prevents surprises and ensures spacing and sizing are exactly as you want.
You don’t need to blow the budget to make a meaningful award. The trick is to know which elements add perceived value and which are cost drivers. Materials, custom shapes, and crystal are pricier; classic cups and pre-made figurines are budget-friendly.
Buy in bulk for leagues or school seasons to get discounts. Choose standard sizes rather than bespoke shapes, and consider acrylic instead of crystal for a glass-like look at a fraction of the price. For personal touches, add affordable engraving rather than custom casting.
Invest in higher-end materials when the award is symbolic of a major achievement — a lifetime award, championship trophy or corporate recognition that will be displayed prominently. Spending more on a single, memorable piece pays off in perceived value and longevity.
Timing matters. Some trophies are ready-to-ship, while custom orders can take weeks. Plan your order timeline based on customization needs and event date. If you’re ordering engraved plates or custom logos, allow extra days for proofs and revisions.
If sustainability matters for your organisation, there are greener options. Eco-friendly awards made from recycled glass, reclaimed wood or biodegradable materials can reduce environmental impact while still looking great. You can also opt for experiential rewards — vouchers for experiences — paired with a small token trophy to mark the occasion.
A well-presented trophy boosts the moment. Consider velvet presentation boxes, display stands, and engraved plaques mounted on wood. For storage, keep metal trophies in a dry place to prevent tarnish, and wrap glass awards in soft cloth to avoid scratches. Rotating displays with soft lighting make awards shine during exhibitions.
Before placing an order, run through this checklist: confirm event date and numbers, decide on material and size, choose the engraving style and text, request a proof if applicable, and compare final costs including bases and plates. A little planning up front prevents last-minute scrambles and costly rush fees.
Picking the right trophy is both an art and a practical task. Whether you opt for a budget-friendly plastic cup for a school event or a hand-etched crystal award for a corporate milestone, the key is matching the trophy’s look and feel to the moment you’re celebrating. Use specialist suppliers for bespoke pieces, marketplaces for variety, and local engravers when you want hands-on service. With the right planning, your trophy will do more than sit on a shelf — it will tell a story every time someone looks at it.
| Trophies & Awards - Other | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking Cup In Melamin - 1 Paragraph. Ass. Colors. | kr. 15,- | |
| Gold Medal With Red Band | kr. 30,- | |
| Gold Medal With Blue Band | kr. 30,- |
