Engraving

February 23, 2021 by ARN Leave a Comment

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!

February 12, 2021 by Tustin Awards Leave a Comment

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

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.

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.

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!

July 15, 2020 by Tustin Awards Leave a Comment

Shop Local At Tustin Awards For Your Orange County Custom Awards needs and more!

Providing Orange County custom awards, promotional products and on-site engraving for over 40 years.

How many times have you ordered an Orange County custom award only to discover that it wasn’t exactly what you thought you were getting? Or, maybe it didn’t arrive on the day you thought it would? Perhaps you even tried to call the online company but lost precious time navigating a phone tree without talking to an actual human?

At Tustin Awards, we get it! And we are here to help you avoid these online buying horror stories.

Spacious showroom displaying custom awards and promotional products

Since 1978, Tustin Awards has served Southern California with a customer-first approach. We have your best interest at heart!

When you choose Tustin Awards, you work directly with people who design, engrave, print, and assemble your Orange County custom awards in-house. A lot of online companies do not do any of this work themselves. They are at the mercy of another vendor and so are you.

Here’s why customers have been using Tustin Awards as their Orange County custom awards & promotional products source for over 40 years!

Customer Service
Showroom & Online Storefront
On-Site Engraving & Printing
Quality
On-Time & Safe Delivery
Fast Production
Community Focus
Value

Customer Service

We realize purchasing awards and promotional products can be a confusing and stressful process. Whether this is your first time ordering or you’re an experienced buyer, we will save you time and money by helping you find exactly what you need!

Whether you prefer to purchase in-store, via email, or using our online storefront, our customer service team will help you find exceptional awards and promotional products which align with your corporate branding, fit within your budget, and meet your deadline.

If you have any questions or need ideas, call us so we can help you in real time. Or email us, so we can guide you through the creative process. We also assist customers while they are on our website to ensure they find the right awards for their needs.

Showroom & Online Storefront

We recognize customers have different shopping preferences. For clients who people prefer to touch and see products before purchasing, we have a spacious showroom conveniently located in Tustin. Our brick and mortar store allows you to see products in-person to make sure they meet your expectations. It’s also a great place to meet with a recognition specialist to find new award and marketing ideas. If you have the time to visit our showroom, we strongly recommend it!

Some customers prefer to order online – we get it! With a few clicks on our online storefront, you can quickly place your order and move onto your next project. But, before production begins, your order is carefully reviewed by an actual human for any critical issues. For example, we often receive award orders from clients who forget to include details like the recipient’s name, presentation date, or logo. Or maybe the award someone ordered for the CEO of their company is only 5 inches tall (and a potential embarrassment). To save time and make sure your order is perfect, we will contact you to resolve any issues before production begins.

On-Site Engraving & Full Color Printing

At Tustin Awards, we offer on-site engraving, sand blasting (also known as sand etching or sand carving), as well as full color digital printing. We regularly engrave and print on materials including wood, glass, acrylic, aluminum, brass, marble, granite, and more!

With the latest in engraving and color printing technology, if something can sit still, there’s a good chance we can personalize it (but for human personalization, please call a tattoo artist).

Quality

Our exceptional quality and attention to detail has kept Tustin Awards in business for over 40 years. Because we engrave, print, and assemble our products in-house, we have complete control over the personalization process. We also have a minimum of three people inspect your award during and after production to ensure your order is flawless. While other companies often “cut corners” by using cheap materials or inferior engraving methods, we guarantee excellence at every price point.

For example, some online companies will sell laser engraved glass awards because laser engraving is a much faster process than sand etching. But when customers receive these laser engraved awards, they are shocked to discover that the engraved letters are hard to read or even flaking off. At Tustin Awards, this is a shortcut we will never take.

Tustin Awards producing exceptional awards for over 40 years

On-Time & Safe Delivery

In an era where employees routinely wear “multiple hats”, deadlines become tighter, and the margin for error is nonexistent, we do everything possible to ensure your awards and promotional product buying experience is a breeze!

As the industry leader in on-time delivery, we recognize that deadlines are non-negotiable.
Whether you have an awards presentation, graduation, fundraising gala, or retirement dinner, we consistently exceed expectations to make sure your awards and promotional products are the least of your worries!

Ordering from out of the area is extremely risky when hard deadlines need to be met.
More than a few times, we have had customers call in a panic because the awards or promotional products they ordered online from “Brand-X” were misspelled, too small, damaged in shipping, or poor quality. Their presentation is tomorrow, and the company they originally used either can’t or won’t rectify the situation. The fact is, if they would have shopped locally for Orange County custom awards they could have avoided this nightmare.

Fast Custom Awards Production

With on-site assembly and personalization, we guarantee speedy production, order accuracy, and high-quality products to meet your in-hands date. We will make every effort to meet any reasonable deadline.

Orange County Community Focus

When you shop at Tustin Awards, you are supporting the people in your neighborhood. Many of our employees have worked at Tustin Awards for over 10 years (some for 20+ years). We regularly give back to local community organizations such as schools, sports teams, and non-profits.

Value

When you add up all the advantages of buying locally from Tustin Awards, you will find that the value we provide blows the competition away. No one will provide you with better service or quality—we guarantee it. Save yourself the time, money, and headaches.

We are ready to start your next Orange County custom award or promotional product project! Shop local at Tustin Awards.
Learn more about us!

July 14, 2020 by Tustin Awards Leave a Comment

Why Employee Recognition Matters Now and How We Can Help!

In these difficult times, employee recognition means more than we can imagine.

The pressure employees have faced in the last few months to stay productive and healthy is tremendous. The sacrifice and dedication employees continue to demonstrate in the face of newfound challenges merits a well-deserved employee recognition program.

Employees working from home must remain focused despite unanticipated distractions. Zoom meetings with a baby in tow or answering emails late into the night is the new norm. Employees continue to excel while caring for children and loved ones.

Employees going into the workplace face increased risk of exposure. Restaurants, salons, grocery stores, and retail store employees never thought they would be front-line workers. Yet they consistently put their needs aside to serve others and help create a sense of normalcy. They perfectly execute heightened sanitation protocols to keep customers and co-workers safe. They may also take the brunt of customer stress with limited business hours, social distancing practices, etc.

Now, more than ever, those serving as nurses, doctors, police officers, and firemen deserve more gratitude than we can possibly give. These people work tirelessly to keep us safe and healthy. They continue to show up every day for our benefit despite increased risk, and they are truly heroes.

The need for employee appreciation is stronger than ever. Unfortunately, galas, awards presentations, and social gatherings have been cancelled or postponed. Companies and non-profits which had previously spent months planning these employee recognition events now have to put them on hold. This is forcing organizations to get more creative with how they acknowledge employees for going above and beyond. And this is where Tustin Awards comes in….

Need something fabulous on a budget? We have tons of great ideas!

Are you planning a virtual employee recognition presentation but still want real awards or trophies? We have you covered!

Whether you prefer the convenience of shopping online or the ability to “touch and see” products in a brick and mortar showroom, we are here to help. With over 40 years in the awards and promotional product industry, we have the expertise to make sure your order is perfect every time. We also have the capability to ship your awards directly to recipients. This ensures they safely receive the praise they deserve.

Don’t forget to recognize these special individuals as well:
– Non-profit donors continuing to give in the face of uncertainty
– Teachers selflessly serving their students
– Newlyweds who opted for a more intimate ceremony than planned
– And many more!

We look forward to helping you recognize the people in your life!

Contact Tustin Awards today and let’s make your employees feel special!
E-mail Us! or call (877) 589-9989

October 7, 2019 by Tustin Awards Leave a Comment

Cast Plaques: The Gold Standard in Commemorative Plaques

Whether you are looking for something simple and classic, or completely custom, the durability and prestige of cast bronze and cast aluminum plaques are unparalleled.

Cast Bronze vs. Cast Aluminum
Trying to decide between bronze and aluminum for your cast plaque or custom letter project? We have this quick and easy chart to help! Or, see our catalog here

Here is more detailed information on the differences between bronze and aluminum:

Color
One of the most obvious distinctions between bronze and aluminum is color. Unless painted, bronze metal will have a golden bronze hue while aluminum will appear silver. We have many paint colors and finishes available.

Cost
Although the cost difference on smaller plaque sizes is minimal, as the plaque size increases, the cost difference becomes more significant. Call or email us for pricing.

Metal Hardness
In most instances, the difference in hardness between bronze and aluminum is not an issue. This only becomes a consideration if the plaque will receive impact in the location on which it is placed. For example, if the plaque will be mounted on the ground and repeatedly stepped on, bronze is the way to go.

Exterior Use
Although both plaque styles are treated with a weather proofing lacquer, over time the lacquer slowly wears away, and changes in the finish may occur. This process typically accelerates in areas near the beach where saltwater air eats away at the finish.

Long Term Care
Should changes in the finish occur, refinishing is often possible for both cast bronze and cast aluminum. However, in cases of extreme deterioration, replacement may be needed.

Still have questions? Check out our cast plaque info page.

Call or e-mail Tustin Awards today to get started!
(877) 589-9989

November 18, 2016 by Tustin Awards Leave a Comment

Awards and Trophies Make Great Employee Recognition Gifts

If you haven’t already, use this time of year to reward your employees with end of the year recognition awards and trophies.

Enterprising companies understand the value and importance of formally recognizing their employees. Over the last 38 years, Tustin Awards has made it their top priority to create quality awards and trophies for companies that value their fellow team members. Engraved plaques, etched glass or crystal awards, specialized acrylic pieces and promotional/corporate gifts are all great ways to show appreciation. We have just the right reward for all your team players.

Want to take your employee recognition up a notch?

We can help! Have you passed out the same award every year just with different information? Successful managers know that employee recognition is not just a “nice thing to do” for employees. This communication tool will reinforce and reward the most important outcomes people create for your business. Let this be the year you let your award do the talking for you. A unique custom award can help take it to another level. Let your employees know how special they are to the success of your business.

One of our recognition experts can guide you through the process. Contact us today!

Art Glass Custom Trophies

Looking for a Plaque Award?

Shop Local At Tustin Awards For Your Orange County Custom Awards needs and more!

Providing Orange County custom awards, promotional products and on-site engraving for over 40 years.