Tustin Awards

Specializing in Corporate Awards and Promotional Products Since 1978

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Art Glass Custom Trophies

Looking to take your custom trophies to the next level? If so, then you should consider one of our favorite materials for custom trophies which is art glass! At Tustin Awards, we offer an extensive line of art glass awards shown here which are readily available and can be personalized with your sentiments in 2-3 weeks.


Nella Webster O’Grady with her award for Outstanding Philanthropist for National Philanthropy Day. Photograph by Emily J. Davis as featured in Orange Coast Magazine

Or, if you are looking for totally custom art glass award, we often partner with local glass artisans to design one-of-a-kind awards your recipients will treasure for years to come! We also collaborate with clients who bring in commissioned art glass pieces and turn them into stunning awards. For example, in the photo above, we crafted an elegant ebony finish solid wood base and engraved metal plate for our customer’s custom art glass heart.

After 40+ years in the awards and recognition industry, we have become experts in designing and personalizing art glass custom trophies. Whether you are new to ordering awards or a seasoned recognition professional yourself, here are a few things to consider when using art glass for your next award:

Things to Know Before Ordering Art Glass Custom Trophies

No Two Are Alike

Art glass awards are a popular choice for their vibrant colors and individuality. Unlike most other recognition options, each art glass award is handmade and completely unique.

Given the inherent custom nature of art glass, it is common for custom trophies made from this material to have variations. Slight differences in height, color shades/placement, the appearance of bubbles inside the glass (some of which even appear on the surface), and shape are all characteristic of art glass awards and should not be considered defects.

Less Text is Best

Think “short and sweet” when creating the verbiage for your art glass custom trophies. Some art glass awards like our Blue Teardrop include a base for personalization. However, the engraving area on most of these bases is generally smaller than other award styles. Depending on the base style and engraving method, you might only have room for your logo, award title, recipient name, and year. By contrast, other art glass pieces have space for us to engrave directly into the art glass itself which looks gorgeous! However, these pieces often have subtle designs within the glass which makes small text difficult to read. Although have the option to add a color fill such as gold or silver to your engraving to improve legibility, we still recommend keeping your text brief.

Most importantly, engraving too much text on an art glass award detracts from the beauty of the piece. If you absolutely must include a lot of verbiage on your award but still desire a pop of color, let us help you find custom trophies which allow you to include both.

Exact Color Matching is Not Possible

If your marketing department walks around with a Pantone book in their back pocket to check for color consistency, then you might want to avoid art glass awards. We absolutely, positively guarantee that your art glass awards will not match your branding standards. But we can promise that art glass custom trophies will excite any recipient!


Designed in collaboration with a local glass artisan, these art glass pieces were etched on-site and include a silver color fill for heightened beauty and legibility.

Why Use Art Glass for Custom Trophies?

Art glass pieces are a fantastic choice for the person who has won a lot of awards already. The brilliant hues of art glass awards set them apart from a sea of more traditional desk awards and wall plaques ensuring your award will be proudly displayed in their home or office.

Additionally, art glass is especially popular among organizations that pursue creativity and innovation. And clients who have ordered art glass awards have come from Fortune 500 companies, premier academic institutions, and nationally known non-profits. With over 40 years of expertise in the awards and promotional product industry, we hope you will allow Tustin Awards to create the art glass custom trophies of your dreams!

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Looking for a Plaque Award?

Lucite, plaque award, trophy, tombstone… Over the years, we have heard customers refer to awards by many different names. And if we’re honest, sometimes we aren’t exactly sure what a customer is looking for when they call or email us. But with a few simple questions, we quickly “break the code” and create incredible awards and gifts for every customer.

One common phrase our customers use when they contact Tustin Awards is “plaque award.” However, plaque award has a range of meanings depending on whom you ask. Here are a few different award styles people often select when they ask for a plaque award:


Wall plaque honoring Own It Now Realty

Wall Plaque

When someone asks for a plaque award, the first style which customers typically order is the wall plaque. Wall plaques are especially popular for people who don’t have a lot of desk or shelf space. They range in price from less than $50 for our budget-friendly Walnut Finish Plaque to hundreds of dollars for a completely custom plaque. Other popular wall plaque styles include our sleek Black Glass Plaque as well as our distinguished Polished Rosewood Plaque.

Perpetual Plaque

Another award style people also order when they ask for a plaque award is a perpetual plaque. Perpetual plaques include small individual plates that can be updated with winners’ names. They are popular for recognizing corporate achievements such as quarterly top sales winners, years of service milestones, and top customer service rep of the month. They are also popular among schools and non-profit organizations that wish to recognize gifts from donors. Two of our favorite perpetual plaques are our Walnut Perpetual Plaque and our Rosewood Perpetual Plaque. But if you are looking for something unique, we have other styles that can be completely customized.


Custom perpetual plaque recognizing donors at City of Irvine Animal Care Center

Perpetual Plate or Metal Plate

Plaque awards can also sometimes mean a perpetual plate or metal plate. Perpetual plates are the small metal plates that are updated on the previously mentioned perpetual plaques. They are also commonly used on perpetual trophies for Fantasy Football and other tournament trophies. Alternatively, sometimes customers need a simple metal or plastic plate for other purposes like personalizing a jewelry box, labeling an electric box, and more. We can cut and engrave custom plates on-site, so let us know what you’re looking for!

Cast Plaque

The epitome of durability and distinction, the Cast Plaque is another award type people might order when they ask for a plaque award. Available in your choice of bronze or aluminum, cast plaques are custom made to order by a foundry. They are a popular choice for permanent recognition and are commonly used to identify historical monuments, honor donors at building dedications, and identification of city and government sites.

Cast plaque award
Custom cast plaque at Tustin City Hall

Desk Award

Lastly, customers have also used plaque awards when looking for a desk award (something that rests on a table or shelf). For budget-friendly desk award options, we usually recommend our acrylic awards because they have a high impact at a lower price point than other award styles. However, if you are looking for a desk award to honor an exceptional achievement (i.e. 1 Million in Sales, 25 Years of Service, etc.), then we recommend ordering a crystal award. Crystal awards are extremely impressive and worthy of outstanding accomplishments.

Looking for your next plaque award to recognize the high achievers in your life? At Tustin Awards, we have customer service professionals who are happy to help you find the perfect award or gift. Call, email, or visit our showroom to find your plaque award!

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Tips for Repurposing Your Trophy

A few times a month, we receive calls from customers asking about recycling old plaque or trophy parts. Unfortunately, we do not offer trophy recycling on-site, and we do not sell reused parts from awards. However, we have accumulated some fantastic ideas over the years for repurposing awards.

trophy

Here are some of our favorite suggestions for giving your old trophy new life:

Contact Local Schools & Non-Profits

If you are considering donating your used trophies or plaques, our biggest tip is to call or email organizations ahead of time to see if they are interested in used awards. The last thing we want to do is burden local schools and non-profits with onesthey cannot use. However, we have received calls from high schools and colleges looking for old trophies to use in musicals, plays, films, etc., so you might consider calling a few local schools and arts programs to see if they might be interested in them. In addition, some thrift stores may resell old trophies to support their causes.

Repurpose Your Trophy

One of our favorite ways to repurpose old awards is to use them as White Elephant gifts. To increase the desirability of your old trophy, we recommend removing the existing engraved plate and adding a new plate with some cheeky text. For example, we guarantee one for the “Hottest Staff Person” at your next company White Elephant gift exchange will be the present everyone fights over.

trophy

You might also consider painting your old trophy a new color to heighten the impact. For example, try spray painting it black for spooky and cost-effective Halloween trophies. You can even add cobwebs for flair, and we can update the existing plates with the year, category, etc. to tailor them especially for your event.

Try the Internet

Sites such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Offer Up, and Next Door are popular choices for selling used awards. However, the best site for your awards may depend on the type, quantity, and quality of trophies you have. Keep in mind, you will have better luck finding a new home for your old trophies if you offer them for free instead of trying to sell them.

  • trophy

Décor Ideas for Your Trophy

Vintage trophies instantly add distinction and character to any space. As a matter of fact, you will even see an antique one or two on display in our showroom! Here are a few ideas for incorporating trophies into your décor:

  • Add character while helping to contain common household items such as cooking utensils, makeup, paint brushes, remote controls, pens, and pencils.
    • Use individually or group together for added impact as table centerpieces, bookshelf accessories, office décor, etc.
    • Spray paint works wonders – painting in colors like teal, royal blue, pink, or gold will add instant flair to any room.
    • Vintage trophies make charming vessels for succulents and other plants, and you can even use them outdoors to add metallic accents in your garden.
    • Figures can be used as place card holders, Christmas tree ornaments, and more.

Since 1978, Tustin Awards has been creating exceptional awards, plaques, trophies, gifts, and promotional products. We combine industry leading expertise with family business values. We are proud to offer exceptional customer service, convenient shopping online or in-person, on-site engraving, and more to help you find the perfect award for your next event.

Thank you for shopping local at Tustin Awards, and we hope these ideas help you find a new home for your old trophy!

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Trends in Employee Recognition Awards

Looking for the latest trends in employee recognition awards? You are in the right place!

Tustin Awards has the best employee recognition awards for your team.

Here are some trends we are seeing for 2021:

Recognize Everyday Heroes

Every day, we talk to customers who have been profoundly impacted by COVID-19. From medical to education, law enforcement, and small business, every industry has faced newfound challenges with tremendous bravery, dedication, and innovation. The ability of our clients to continually adapt and persevere inspires us to create employee recognition awards tailored to the achievements of their incredible team members. Click here for a few employee recognition awards ideas to show appreciation for the everyday heroes at your company.

Employee Recognition Awards

Awards for the Home Office

As many continue working from home, the employee recognition awards we create often reflect this change in environment.

Since most in-person awards presentations have been cancelled for the next few months, a slightly smaller award in the 7” or 8” tall range is easier and cheaper to ship to individual recipients. Plus, people are also more likely to have space for a slightly smaller award. Options such as the Everest and Sophistiqué would be excellent choices because they are freestanding (no base required), are easy to ship, and have plenty of engraving area.

We are also seeing an increased popularity in personalized gift items. Giving your employees something like a high-quality journal, water bottle, tumbler, or even an embroidered item like a jacket with employee names on them has a much higher perceived value than a company logo alone. And giving employee recognition awards which people use daily will frequently remind them of your appreciation.

Full Color Digital Printing

Eye catching and always on-brand, the options for customizing your employee recognition awards with full color digital printing are endless! Whether you need 1 or 100 awards, we can use our full color digital printer to ensure your awards perfectly match your corporate branding standards.

Full color printing is an easy and cost-effective way to make a standard award style feel custom, and it is a popular choice to reflect different levels of employee achievement (i.e. different art colors depending on the years of service, sales achievement level, etc.)

All our acrylic and plaque employee recognition awards are available with full color printing. We also offer a selection of stunning crystal awards available with full color printing as well.

Art Glass

Another trend in employee recognition awards for 2021 is art glass. Like your employees, no two art glass awards are identical. Each art glass award is handmade and completely unique. With stunning colors ranging from deep blue and purple in our Elegance Award to the vibrant red in our Imperial Award, we love art glass awards. And if you are looking for a truly custom art glass award, we also partner with local art glass artisans to achieve the art glass award of your dreams.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our Tustin Awards page, and we look forward to creating beautiful employee recognition awards for you soon!

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How to Order Custom Trophies Online

Want to know our biggest tip to order custom trophies online?

Buy your awards from a company with a proven track record of excellent customer service and quality.

Since 1978, Tustin Awards has combined industry leading expertise and family business values. Whether large or small, we treat every order with the utmost care and professionalism. We have over 40 years of experience to provide you with incredible custom awards, gifts, lapel pins, promotional products and more to recognize the special people in your life. Visit our online storefront here to shop for your custom trophies online!

custom trophies online

Choose a company that pays attention to the details.

Whether purchasing your custom trophies online, in-person, or via email, you want to order from a company who will pay attention to every detail. As Jake Hill, the owner of Tustin Awards always says, “With engraving, you are either 100% right or 100% wrong.” If we find a word that is misspelled or notice that important information is missing such as the year or recipient name, we will take the time to call or email you to make sure your order is perfect.

Work with industry experts.

When you work with Tustin Awards, every single order is handled by a seasoned engraving professional. Few companies offer on-site laser engraving, full color digital printing, and sand etching, but when you order your custom trophies online with Tustin Awards, that is exactly what you will receive.

Support your local businesses.

At Tustin Awards, we offer USA made glass awards, acrylic awards, cast bronze plaques, challenge coins, medallions and more to support local industries. We also give back to local schools and non-profit organizations. When you shop at Tustin Awards, you invest in your community. And if you have the time, we recommend visiting our showroom conveniently located in Tustin so you can view our awards in-person.

custom trophies online

Find a company that will pick up the phone.

Have you tried calling Amazon lately? How did that work out for you? That’s what we thought… You would be surprised how many people call us with last minute changes. What if you need to add a last-minute award or catch a typo on your plaque? Most online companies do not have the flexibility or staff to accommodate these kinds of changes. At Tustin Awards, a knowledgeable customer service professional will answer every phone call to make sure you are taken care of.

Expect “above and beyond” service.

When you order your custom trophies online with Tustin Awards, will do everything possible to make sure you receive an award you will be proud to present.

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Things to Consider for Your Online Awards Ceremony

This year, one of the biggest trends in recognition is the online awards ceremony. While most companies have cancelled in-person events, many have chosen to continue with their awards programs. Why? Because….

Appreciation is ESSENTIAL!

The need for appreciation is stronger now than ever before, and while virtual events cannot match the excitement and prestige of in-person events, an online awards ceremony can still provide meaningful recognition to those who are most deserving. Whether you are a business, school, or non-profit, the people supporting your organization have stepped up in major ways this year, and a simple “thank you” will mean more to them than you can imagine.

online awards ceremony

Here are our recommendations for how to add excitement and elegance to your online awards ceremony:

  • Send formal invitations & gifts before your event
  • Include an award in your event marketing and ceremony
  • Send awards to your recipients
  • Add flair to your presentation

One of the best ways to create momentum for any online awards ceremony is to mail high-quality invitations to guests along with a few gifts to get the party started early. A delicious meat and cheese platter from Maple Ridge Farms or elegant wine glass with your favorite bubbly beverage are classic choices your guests will surely enjoy.

For added distinction, we suggest ordering a few awards ahead of time. You can include photos of your awards in your invitations as well as your email/social media promotional campaigns. You can also use a physical award in the online awards ceremony to add prestige to the event and give recipients a preview of the stunning award they will receive.

We also recommend sending awards to your recipients. Providing tangible recognition of their effort will demonstrate your appreciation for their dedication and infuse your organization with renewed inspiration for continued achievement. If you need help delivering your awards, we have the capability to individually box and ship your awards to each recipient.

And when sending your awards, we suggest thinking about other ways to add flair to your presentation.  Our suggestion is to include a personalized notecard with each award as this adds a personal touch and increases perceived value. We also offer other corporate branded appreciation items such as lapel pins and other promotional-products which are easy to include with your award.

Still deciding whether to have an online awards ceremony? Here are a few benefits of a virtual awards presentation:

  • Less expensive than a traditional event­
  • More convenient and safe for guests to attend
  • Opportunity to experiment

One major benefit to hosting an online awards ceremony over a traditional in-person event is the significant cost savings – no hotel rooms, catering, DJ, florist, etc. to pay for. Given the online format, guests can easily and safely attend from any location (guests won’t worry about missing their flight due to a snowstorm, no need to cancel or postpone the event due to a sudden rise in COVID cases, etc.).

And lastly, the online format can provide the opportunity to experiment with new technology and easily connect different people in your organization. For example, to foster networking, you can still group guests into online breakout rooms as if they were sitting at “tables” at an in-person event and give them an opportunity to mingle.

How Can Tustin Awards Help?

Regardless of whether you choose to move forward with an online awards ceremony, we have the expertise and service you need to make sure your employees, donors, and clients receive the recognition they deserve.

At Tustin Awards, we combine family business values with industry-leading expertise. 

Shop local at Tustin Awards for high-quality awards and promotional products, and contact us to start your order for your online awards ceremony!