Trophy & Plaque Finishing Options

Choosing the right finishing is just as important as choosing the right award material. The finishing method determines how your logo, text and artwork appear on the completed trophy or plaque.

There isn't a single finishing that's best for every project. The right choice depends on your chosen material, the type of artwork you have, and the overall presentation you're aiming to achieve.

Fortunately, the options are easy to compare once you understand how each finishing method works.

Suitable for: Acrylic, metal plates

Laser engraving uses a focused laser beam to permanently mark the material surface. On acrylic awards, it creates a crisp white frosted finish that is ideal for names, text and simple logos. On coated metal plates, the laser removes the surface coating to reveal the underlying metal, typically producing a gold or silver engraved effect.

Laser engraving is generally the best choice when your artwork is primarily text or line graphics and you prefer a clean, understated appearance.

Suitable for: Acrylic, crystal, jade glass and metal plates

Colour printing (also known as UV colour print) reproduces artwork directly onto the award using specialised inks that are instantly cured with ultraviolet light. This allows full-colour logos, photographs and detailed graphics to be printed with excellent clarity.

Because it preserves the original colours in your artwork, colour printing is usually the preferred option for corporate branding and more complex designs. It produces the best results on smooth, flat surfaces.

Suitable for: Wooden plaques, presentation plaques and perpetual plaques

Many presentation plaques use a colour printed aluminium plate that is permanently affixed to the plaque. Rather than engraving directly onto the wood, the artwork is printed onto the metal plate, allowing detailed layouts, company logos, photographs and multiple fonts to be reproduced accurately.

This finishing method is commonly used for appreciation plaques, commemorative plaques and awards that contain larger amounts of information. If your design combines text, logos and graphics, a printed metal plate is often the most practical solution.

Suitable for: Crystal awards

Sandblasting, also known as sandcarving, creates a permanent frosted engraving by directing fine abrasive particles onto the crystal surface. The result is a classic engraved appearance that complements executive awards and premium crystal trophies.

While sandblasting produces an elegant engraved finish, UV colour printing is generally the better choice if your artwork includes colourful logos or photographs.

As a general guide:

• Choose laser engraving if your design is mostly text and you prefer a clean engraved appearance.
• Choose UV colour printing if your artwork includes company logos, photographs or multiple colours.
• Choose a colour printed metal plate for presentation plaques or layouts containing both text and graphics.
• Choose sandblasting if you want a traditional engraved finish on crystal awards.

If you're deciding between materials as well as finishing methods, your choice of material may naturally narrow the available finishing options.