Tustin Awards

Specializing in Corporate Awards and Promotional Products Since 1978

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Custom Awards

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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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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!

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Spectacular Corporate Holiday Gifts for 2020

Looking for corporate holiday gifts and awards? Not sure where to begin? At Tustin Awards, we are here to help!

Appreciation Means A Little More

We recognize 2020 has been of full of unforeseen challenges for countless companies, but the need for employee recognition is stronger now than ever before. In response, many organizations have transitioned their annual in-person holiday parties and awards ceremonies to virtual celebrations. Although many of these events have moved online, sending your employees corporate holiday gifts and awards will infuse your online event with pizazz and prestige. And it will enable the celebration to continue long after the party has ended.

Corporate Holiday Gift Trends for 2020

Here are a few of the trends we are seeing this year for corporate holiday gifts and awards:

Comfort Food – A classic for a reason, food gifts are a popular choice in 2020 to bring “tidings of comfort and joy” this holiday season. One of our favorite lines is Maple Ridge Farms. From savory to sweet, Maple Ridge Farms has it all. If your holiday party is online, why not bring the charcuterie plate to your guests with a Gourmet Cheese & Sausage Plate with an elegant slate platter.

Self-Care – While PPE has undoubtedly been a huge seller in 2020, customers are continuing this trend for their corporate holiday gifts. One of our favorite new ideas is our Modern Sprout Indoor Herb Garden Kit which features fun multicolor reusable mason jars to grow your choice of cilantro, basil, or mint. We also love the Beekman 1802 Farm to Skin Ultimate Handcare Gift Set which uses the simplest and best ingredients found in nature to soothe and clean your hands.

Work-From-Home – Make sure you and your employees put their best face forward with this Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit. Compatible with both Laptops and Desktops, the Panel Mini LED light provides soft and professional illumination with fully adjustable controls. We also love this Moleskine® Large Journal to keep our thoughts organized between meetings.

corporate holiday gifts

Awards – The versatility of awards cannot be underestimated. With the additional pressures our customers have faced this year, many are using awards to recognize the COVID Heroes in their lives such as healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, and firemen. And awards continue to be a popular choice for employee and donor recognition. As more people work from home, we have also seen increased demand for paperweights and acrylic awards such as our acrylic Radiant Jewel Block and Beveled Rectangle because they are less likely to break and easier to ship to recipients than larger awards.

Shop Local for Corporate Holiday Gifts & Awards

When you order corporate holiday gifts, trophies, and plaques from Tustin Awards, you will experience our relentless commitment to quality, customer service, value, and integrity. For 40+ years, we have been blessed to work with truly incredible customers. They have inspired us, encouraged us, and enabled us to give back to our community. Click here to find out more about the advantage of shopping local for your corporate awards and holiday gifts!

Have questions or ready to order? Email us or call us at 714-247-2277 to make magic happen this season for your corporate awards and holiday gifts!

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How to Order a Custom Trophy

At Tustin Awards, even after 40+ years in business, we still get excited when someone chooses us to create a custom trophy.

From designing crystal showstoppers for elite corporate events to turning taxidermy farm animals into office gag gifts, we have seen and done a lot. Oh, the stories we could tell…. That said, we are genuinely honored and inspired each time a customer calls us for their awards, gifts, and promotional products.

Custom awards require a collaborative approach. Some clients walk in with a clear vision; they have vector drawings, Pantone colors, fonts and materials picked out, and they ask us to execute their meticulously crafted plan. But even when clients have every detail chosen, often design modifications need to be made to ensure readability, overcome manufacturing challenges, meet deadlines, etc. Alternatively, some clients call us knowing they want a custom trophy or plaque, but need help seeing what is possible or coming up with ideas to present to decision-makers. And others run into our showroom with their hair on fire and need something fabulous in a few hours.

custom trophy

Whether big or small, we approach each custom trophy with creativity, and we always keep our customer’s best interest in mind.

In serving you, we always ask ourselves questions like: Which options will maximize your budget? Where can we save time to ensure we meet your deadline? How can we make your award unforgettable?

Why Create A Custom Trophy?

  • One-of-a-Kind
  • Always “On Brand”
  • People Need Recognition

One-of-a-Kind – Extraordinary achievements merit extraordinary awards. Ordering a custom trophy will make a statement about the impact a person has on your organization and your appreciation for them. With our endless customization capabilities, we can design your award to include engraving, sand carving, full color printing, and 3-D subsurface etching. We can also incorporate materials such as crystal, glass, acrylic, bronze, stainless steel, and more!

Always “On Brand” – Although “stock” awards come in a variety of colors, materials, shapes, and sizes, few awards perfectly align with specific corporate branding standards. However, when you order a custom trophy or plaque, you can tailor every award detail to match your marketing guidelines. For added flair, we can incorporate event themes into the award and promotional product design as well. See our Custom Awards page for some of our customization options.

People Need Recognition – Now more than ever, a simple thank you means more than we imagine. Whether working in an office, medical setting, classroom, or even remotely, employees deserve recognition for their continued dedication and sacrifice. A custom trophy tells employees that their exceptional efforts are deeply valued. To read more about the heightened importance of employee recognition, click here!

As companies transition to virtual presentations and alternatives to traditional awards ceremonies, we are responding with innovation and creativity to the changing needs of our clients.

To meet the needs of our customers, we have expanded our services to include drop-shipping to individual customers, providing printed cards for a personal touch, and much more! Despite these changes, we remain resolute in our commitment to quality, customer service, creativity, and value.

And for clients looking to save time and money, we have thousands of “stock” awards, trophies, and plaques to choose from. With on-site engraving, sand etching, and full color printing, we can turn a standard award into a masterpiece. The Shop Awards page is a great place to start to see our standard award styles. And feel free to call or email us for more options of standard award shapes which can be customized!

The excitement we feel in creating something no one has ever seen before is only surpassed by the joy we receive in knowing our customers absolutely love the awards we create for them.

Have questions about ordering custom awards and plaques? For more information about minimum order quantities, personalization options, materials, and minimum order quantities, check out our Custom Awards page for these details and more.

Call Tustin Awards for the custom trophy of your dreams!