Cue the music — awards season is here! The film, TV, music, arts, and sports industries have already kicked off the flurry of red carpet-worthy engagements, and all of them present their own special something to talented recipients.
Your corporate customers are looking to recognize their own employees, teams, volunteers, donors, and business partners, and they’ll want the same showstopping crystal awards and gifts we see on the biggest stages — customized with their logo, colors, text, and even 3D images. You can get ready for them now!
We’ve compiled corporate awards and gift examples to get the creative juices flowing for your upcoming projects, including fun and functional items, timeless classics, modern concepts, and conversation starters. With countless combinations of imprints to make these awards 100% unique, you’ve got what it takes to help everyone feel like a winner (speeches are optional).
Fun & functional
Corporate awards and gifts with a dual purpose are always a hit with recipients, serving as a constant reminder of the appreciation the person earned. Crystal holders for pens, phones, tablets, and notepads are perfect for desks and counters, providing a touch of class to go with their practicality.
Popular and versatile, candy dishes and jars can be filled with anything a heart (or stomach!) desires, declaring “It’s a treat working with you!” These pieces aren’t limited to sweets, though. Customers can tuck other non-food items within them, too — even gift cards.
“What time is it?” and “What’s the temperature?” These questions, asked on a regular basis, make thermometers and clocks useful gifts. Unique designs like a crystal Galileo thermometer or a clock customized with a special sentiment are as beautiful as they are helpful.
Timeless classics
Nothing will ever take the place of an optical crystal award gleaming with radiance from faceted light, making a statement and commanding attention at every turn. These designs stand the test of time, will never go out of style, and are always in demand.
Show customers how beautiful awards are in their simplicity, as well as how they can be enhanced with etching, a splash of color, or both — making a lasting impression on worthy recipients.
Modern concepts
Technology has brought added dimension, literally, to crystal awards and gifts, and now there are more ways than ever to get that contemporary flair.
When we see jaws drop over 3D subsurface images created by state-of-the-art lasers, it’s a reminder of how extraordinary the detail truly is. Ask your supplier about their stock 3D images, or you can have a 3D modeling graphic artist create a custom one that will have customers and recipients spinning their awards around in awe.
Customers looking for fresh approaches to traditional plaques are also drawn to frame-free crystal prints. These feature images that are printed directly onto the crystal and come with hardware for hanging on walls or displaying on furniture. With no frame to dust around, and a whole range of options for customizing the images with branding or text, crystal prints are changing the game when it comes to wall displays.
Another modern take on awards has to do with the crystal itself. Bubble crystal, sometimes referred to as champagne glass or seed glass, has tiny air bubbles suspended within the crystal. These pieces are complemented with optically-clear crystal ready for etched text and graphics. Meanwhile, designs with both black and optical crystal are as stylish as they are stunning.
Conversation starters
Some designs naturally become the talk of the town. If customers are looking for awards and gifts that will keep the spirit of their recognition alive, you can tell them they’ve come to the right place as you show off unique options that beg for attention.
Encapsulate awards can be customized with text or graphical imprints, but the real star here is the cylinder contained within the crystal. Fill it with nearly any dry contents desired (we’ve seen sand and seashells, corn kernels, earplugs, jellybeans, nuts and bolts, and so many more creative ideas). Then, listen for this piece to create a real buzz.
Color, meanwhile, can immediately turn an award into an eye-catching decorative accent for work or home. Crystal and art glass boast a range of colors, designs, and sizes, with bases perfect for understated text and logos. Another use of hue is shown in the goal-setter award, which features a base for custom etching, and metal or crystal blocks and discs that are added over time to celebrate milestones and other honors.
Finally, whimsical objects bring out the inner child in all of us, and crystal versions of real-life things are guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. We’re talking about vehicles (like trucks, sailboats, and trains), books, stars, golf balls, globes, oversized keys, pencils, huge bottle tops, hearts, beverage cans, and more.
Three secrets to corporate awards success
- Samples sell! Keep a variety of updated samples on hand so you can show customers a range of design styles and imprint options, like 3D subsurface engraving. Customers love seeing the intricacy of the imprints in person, and nothing can replicate the experience of holding a crystal award in your hand and taking in its substantial weight in comparison to other substrates like acrylic. Be sure to also include a few bases in your sample assortment — especially those with lights that illuminate the piece it displays.
- Review last year’s orders and reach out to customers to remind them that it’s time to get working on their new projects. These prompts go a long way to driving sales and planning for demand. Connect with your supplier early for ideas on the newest designs you can share with customers.
- Be ready to say, “No problem.” Look into quick-ship options so you’re prepared to accommodate tight timelines and last-minute needs. And remember, not only are these crystal awards and gifts available fast, but many are customizable with text and graphics — so they’ll never look like an afterthought.
Awards season doesn’t end with the calendar year. Many corporate organizations choose to hold their events and ceremonies in January and February after the holiday rush. Take the time now to help them look ahead and make this season the best one yet!
