The Complete Guide to Ordering Custom Trophies and Medals in Singapore

Whether you’re organising a school competition, a corporate recognition event, a sports tournament, or a community awards ceremony, one thing remains constant: the need for quality trophies and medals. In Singapore’s fast-paced event landscape, more organisers are choosing to customise their awards to reflect their brand, values, and the spirit of the occasion.

But if you’re new to ordering custom trophies and medals, the process may seem overwhelming. What materials should you choose? How much lead time is required? What’s the cost difference between stock and custom items?

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through everything you need to know to successfully order custom trophies and medals in Singapore — from design to delivery.

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1. Why Go Custom?

A. Personalised Impact

Custom trophies and medals carry far more meaning than off-the-shelf awards. A medal engraved with the event name, logo, and year adds prestige and sentiment for the recipient.

B. Reflects Event Identity

A tailored design tells a story. Whether it’s a startup hackathon or a national sports event, customisation helps align your awards with the event’s branding and objectives.

C. Stronger Marketing and Branding

Customised awards often get shared on social media by recipients, extending your brand’s visibility. Sponsors also appreciate having their logos or taglines featured on awards.

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2. Understand Your Event’s Needs

Before speaking to a supplier, clarify these key details:

• Type of event: School, corporate, sports, academic, charity, etc.

• Award categories: Gold/Silver/Bronze, Best Performance, Long Service, Top Sales, etc.

• Number of awards: Total quantity and per category

• Budget per item: Helps determine material, size, and customisation level

• Timeline: How much time you have before the event date

Having a clear idea of your needs will help your supplier propose the best solutions within your budget and deadline.

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3. Choosing the Right Type of Award

A. Trophies

Trophies are best for events where visibility and display are important. Common types include:

• Crystal trophies: Elegant and suitable for corporate or academic awards

• Metal trophies: Durable and timeless, ideal for sports events

• Acrylic trophies: Lightweight, colourful, and cost-effective

• Wooden plaques: Great for long-service or commemorative awards

B. Medals

Medals are perfect for sports events, fun runs, student competitions, or team-building games. They can be customised by:

• Shape: Round, square, star-shaped, or fully custom-cut

• Material: Zinc alloy, aluminium, acrylic, PVC, or even wood

• Ribbon: Custom printed or colour-matched neckbands

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4. The Customisation Options You Can Expect

A. Engraving

You can engrave names, positions, dates, or short messages onto both trophies and medals. Laser engraving is clean and durable, while sandblasting works well for crystal.

B. Colour Printing

For logos and images, UV colour printing or sublimation techniques allow you to add vibrant, full-colour designs to acrylic or metal surfaces.

C. Die-cut Shapes

Want a medal shaped like a lion head or trophy shaped like a skyscraper? Die-cutting makes it possible.

D. Materials Mix

For a unique look, some designs incorporate multiple materials — such as wood and acrylic, or crystal mounted on a metal base.

E. Themed Designs

You can request medals that reflect the event theme — for example, a running shoe motif for a marathon, or a trophy shaped like a microphone for a singing contest.

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5. Understanding the Ordering Process

Step 1: Enquiry and Brief

Provide your supplier with the details of your event, quantity needed, and your ideas for customisation. Include your logo and any artwork you want featured.

Step 2: Proposal and Quotation

The supplier will propose materials, sizes, customisation methods, and pricing based on your needs. This is when you’ll finalise your budget.

Step 3: Design Mock-up

Once approved, the supplier creates a digital mock-up or 3D rendering of the design. You’ll have a chance to request changes or confirm before proceeding to production.

Step 4: Sample (Optional)

For larger orders, you may request a physical sample before full production. This helps verify quality, size, and finish.

Step 5: Production

Once confirmed, production begins. Timelines vary depending on complexity, but most suppliers in Singapore need 2–4 weeks.

Step 6: Delivery or Pickup

The final products will be packed and delivered to your venue or office. Some suppliers also offer on-site event delivery and setup.

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6. Lead Times and When to Order

To avoid last-minute stress, you should ideally place your order:

• 4–6 weeks in advance for fully custom die-cut medals or trophies with unique shapes

• 2–3 weeks in advance for standard-shaped trophies or medals with custom engraving

• 1 week may be possible for urgent orders using ready-stock trophies with laser engraving (rush fees may apply)

Ordering early gives you more options and flexibility.

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7. Budgeting for Custom Awards

Custom doesn’t always mean expensive. Here’s a rough guide for Singapore prices:

Factors affecting price:

• Size and weight

• Material type

• Engraving vs colour printing

• Quantity ordered (bulk discounts available)

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8. Questions to Ask Your Supplier

To ensure you’re choosing a reliable vendor, ask:

• What are your lead times for custom orders?

• Can you provide design services or mock-ups?

• What’s your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

• Are there extra charges for engraving or custom shapes?

• Can you deliver to the event venue?

• Do you offer eco-friendly materials?

Good communication from the start helps avoid surprises later.

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9. Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Custom Order

A. Align the design with your event branding

Match the award’s colour and style with your event logo, theme, or backdrop for a seamless visual experience.

B. Include names for prestige

Trophies or medals that include the recipient’s name feel more personal and are more likely to be displayed.

C. Use awards as marketing tools

Post award photos on social media and tag recipients or sponsors to generate organic visibility.

D. Plan for future editions

Design medals that interlock year after year, or trophies that evolve in shape or size annually — encouraging return participation and collectability.

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10. Choosing the Right Trophy & Medal Supplier in Singapore

Here’s what to look for:

• Experience: Look for a supplier with a track record of large-scale and diverse events

• Design flexibility: Can they offer a wide range of materials, styles, and shapes?

• Fast turnaround: Are they capable of meeting tight deadlines if needed?

• Customer reviews: Check online testimonials and past project photos

• Value-added services: Do they offer mock-ups, packaging, or on-site delivery?

The right supplier becomes your partner — one that helps ensure your event is memorable and professionally executed.

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11. Common Mistakes to Avoid

A. Ordering too late

Rush jobs often lead to limited options or higher costs. Plan early and lock in your supplier.

B. Not reviewing mock-ups properly

Always check the design layout, spellings, and dimensions before approving. A small typo can ruin an otherwise great award.

C. Overlooking packaging

Presentation matters. Ask for individual boxes, pouches, or cases — especially for formal or premium awards.

D. Choosing price over quality

Low-cost awards may feel light, look cheap, or arrive with flaws. Prioritise value, not just cost.

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12. Examples of Great Custom Awards

A. Corporate Excellence Award

A leading Singapore MNC presented its top 10 employees with sleek black crystal trophies, engraved with gold inlay text and their department logos — creating a classy, boardroom-worthy keepsake.

B. School Sports Day

A local secondary school issued vibrant, custom-molded medals featuring the school’s crest, house colours, and year — becoming a point of pride and collection among students.

C. Community Fun Run

Participants received rubberised soft medals shaped like running shoes with a skyline of Marina Bay Sands — highly Instagrammable and perfect for social media buzz.

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13. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Options

Many organisers now ask for environmentally responsible awards. Options include:

• Bamboo trophies

• Recycled wood plaques

• Resin-free acrylics

• Biodegradable PVC alternatives for medals

• FSC-certified packaging and recycled ribbon materials

Ask your supplier what sustainable choices they offer. It’s a great way to reflect your event’s values.

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14. Conclusion: Make Recognition Matter

An award isn’t just a token — it’s a powerful motivator, a badge of honour, and a memory-maker. By investing in custom trophies and medals, you give your participants, employees, or students something that feels meaningful and leaves a lasting impact.

Singapore’s best events — from corporate galas to fun runs and inter-school tournaments — are remembered not just for the excitement, but for the quality and creativity of the awards given. By understanding the process, materials, costs, and design options, you can plan with confidence and success.

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https://globalasiaprintings.com/product-category/awards-recognition/