How to Buy Trophies and Medals: The Complete Guide

Whether you are organising trophies for your local sports club, a corporate gala, or a school speech night, the moment of presentation is the highlight of the event. The award you hand over is more than just a physical item; it is a tangible symbol of hard work, resilience, and success.

However, if you’ve never been tasked with ordering awards before, the process can feel overwhelming. With thousands of designs, materials, and customisation options available, where do you start?

This guide helps to break down exactly how to buy trophies, awarda and medals so you can order with confidence and ensure your presentation night is a triumph.

1. Define the Purpose and Prestige

Before you look at a single catalogue, think about the nature of your event. The "vibe" of the ceremony dictates the type of award you should buy and the history of awards in the organisation can be an important considetation.

• Participation & Junior Sports: For younger demographics or mass participation events, medals or budget trophies are the standard. They are cost-effective, personalised to the club and or individual, durable, and kids love them.

• Elite Competition: For league winners or "Best and Fairest" awards, look for larger acrylic or wooden trophies. For team awards or perpetuals, cups, large wooden trophies or shields might be more suitable. The weight of the award should reflect the weight of the achievement.

• Corporate & Academic: These settings often favour glass or acrylic awards, or sophisticated plaques. These look professional sitting on a desk or bookshelf.

2. Set Your Budget Early

Trophies and medals vary wildly in price. A standard participation medal might cost around $10 dollars, while a large crystal championship trophy can run into the hundreds.

• Calculate per head: If you need 100 participation trophies, set a strict "per unit" price (e.g., $15 - $18).

• Allocate for top tiers: Save the bulk of your budget for the major awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd, MVP). It is better to have smaller participation tokens and impressive major trophies than to have "average" awards across the board.

• Factor in extras: Remember that setup fees for custom logos and complex engraving can add to the final cost. (Though many reputable suppliers (like Fox Trophies) include standard ribbon and engraving in the price—always check this!)

3. Trophies vs. Medals: Which is Best?

This is the most common question for first-time buyers.

Choose Medals When: You need to reward a large number of people, or when the recipients need to travel (medals are easier to pack than trophies). Medals are also highly customisable. You can select a "Wreath" or "Shield" design and insert your specific sport or club logo in the centre.

Choose Trophies When: You want a standalone display piece. Trophies act as furniture; they sit on mantles and cabinets. Figure trophies (statues of players) are classic for sports, while cups are traditional for team victories.

4. Customisation: The Personal Touch

An award without a name is just an object. Customisation is what makes it a keepsake.

• Centre Inserts: Most modern medals and trophies have a 25mm or 50mm logo centre. You can choose a generic sport insert (e.g., a soccer ball or swimmer), or for a professional touch, upload your club or company logo.

• Engraving: This is crucial. Keep it concise to ensure it is legible.

  • Line 1: Event Name (e.g., "Summer League 2024")

  • Line 2: Category (e.g., "Under 10s Winner")

  • Line 3: Name (Optional, but adds a personal touch)

Tip: Double-check your spelling! Trophy shops engrave exactly what you send them. It can also be helpful to supply the names in Excel as Trophy shops will tend to link their engraving files directly to your excel file to avoid mistakes in manually keying.

5. Timeline: Don’t Leave it to the Last Minute

Trophies are not "off-the-shelf" items; they require assembly, engraving, and quality checking.

• Standard Orders: Generally, allow at least 2 weeks before your event. This gives the trophy shop time order your awards, assemble them and then customise them. This timeline also gives you a buffer in case of shipping delays.

• Custom Logos: If you require custom centres printed, add an extra few days for production. Make sure logos are high resolution and sent through in jpg or pdf format.

• Peak Season: End of financial year (corporate) and end of sport seasons (September/October) are busy. Order early to guarantee stock availability!.

6. The Presentation Factor

Finally, consider how the award will be handed over.

• Ribbons: If buying medals, ensure they come with neck ribbons. Matches your club colours for a cohesive look.

• Cases: For high-end medals (like the 50mm Prestige range), consider buying a medal presentation box. It adds a "wow" factor when the recipient opens it.

Conclusion

Buying trophies doesn't have to be stressful. By understanding your budget, selecting the right type of award for the occasion, and allowing enough time for customisation, you can ensure that every recipient feels truly valued.

Ready to start? Browse our online catalogue today to find the perfect mix of medals and trophies for your next event.