Trophies have been around for centuries and remain the most iconic way to acknowledge victory, success, and achievement in sports, academia, or even the workplace. There is nothing quite the same as receiving a tangible token of a job well done but not all trophies are made equal. When you award a valued employee or teammate with a trophy, you want to be sure it is the best quality it can be so that it will stand the test of time and serve as a fitting reminder of their achievement. Receiving an award is nice but receiving a cheap award can undercut that feeling of success with doubts.
In order to ensure every award you give out will be a long-lasting tribute, here are some easy tips to follow when choosing, ordering, and assessing your design:
1. Quality materials:
There are a wide variety of materials to choose from. Do some research about how well each material stands up to wear and choose a quality material. The higher the quality of the materials used, the better the finished product will be and the longer it will stay looking great.
2. Order samples:
Before committing to a purchase, ask for a sample of your design. If you are torn between more than one material, getting a sample of each can help make your decision. Any reputable dealer should be willing to provide samples of their work and this will allow you to assess the quality of their trophies.
Check for discoloration, damage from shipping, or mistakes in the inscriptions. If your sample is discolored it is likely the award is made of low-grade materials and will fade over time. Pull on the different parts of the trophy to see how well they hold together and to check for loose screws or sub-par materials. Once you are satisfied that the trophy will meet your standards, place your order.
3. Get a second opinion:
Sometimes it can be hard to decide if something lives up to our standards or if we just want it to. Get input from friends, family, co-workers, teammates, or those who have received a similar award in the past in order to get their notes on the quality of the sample.
4. Quality check:
When the order arrives, be sure to check each piece carefully for discoloration, damage, sturdiness, and mistakes. Examine each piece for scratches, chips, loose bolts, or dents, and double check both the quality and content of the engraving including spelling and dates.
