Short answer: A classic acrylic award is a 3/4 in. thick clear block, about 6 × 8 in., with diamond-polished edges so it looks like crystal. The text and logo are reverse engraved on the back so they appear to float inside. Wall plaques use 1/4 or 3/8 in. sheet on standoffs.
What makes an acrylic award look like crystal?
Three things: thickness, edges, and where the engraving sits.
- Thickness. At 3/4 in. (19 mm) or 1 in. (25 mm), clear cast acrylic has real weight in the hand and its edges catch light the way glass does. Thinner awards look like signs.
- Edges. Diamond polishing leaves straight edges flat, crisp, and glass-clear, with sharp corners. It's what separates a premium award from an ordinary cut panel. See edge polishing.
- Reverse engraving. We engrave the artwork, mirrored, on the back face. Seen through 3/4 in. of clear acrylic, it appears suspended inside the block, and nothing on the front can be scratched off.
Common award and plaque formats
| Format | Typical size | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding desk award (stands on its own edge) | 5 × 7 to 6 × 8 in. | 3/4 to 1 in. |
| Award on a base | 4 × 6 to 6 × 9 in. face | 1/2 to 3/4 in. |
| Wall plaque on standoffs | 8 × 10 to 12 × 15 in. | 1/4 to 3/8 in. |
| Donor or recognition wall | Panels 24 in. and up | 3/8 to 1/2 in. |
A freestanding block needs a flat bottom edge at least 3/4 in. deep to stand steadily; for taller awards (over 8 in.) step up to 1 in. or add a base. A 6 × 8 × 3/4 in. block weighs about 1.5 lb, solid without being a burden to ship or hand over on stage.
How we make it
Sheet this thick is CNC routed rather than laser cut, which gives a precise, square edge. We then diamond-polish the straight edges to a clear finish and laser-engrave the back face. If your award has curves, a cutout, or an angled top, the curved edges get a flame polish so they match. Details on the process are in how acrylic edges are polished.
Engraving can stay frosted white, which looks like etched crystal, or be color-filled with paint to match a logo. On 3/4 in. clear, a frosted reverse engraving casts a faint second shadow inside the block; that depth is the whole appeal. More on the technique in reverse engraving acrylic.
Tip: for an award that lights up, consider an edge-lit panel on an LED base. The engraving glows instead of just frosting. See edge-lit LED signs.
Colors and combinations
Clear is the classic, but thick black or white sheet (both available to 3/4 in.) makes a bold, modern award, especially with a mirror gold or silver 1/8 in. accent layer bonded to the face. Another favorite: a clear block on a black acrylic base, bonded so it can't come apart. Bonding is part of our acrylic fabrication work.
Design tips
- Keep a 1/2 in. clear margin around the artwork so it doesn't run into the polished edge.
- Send logos as vectors. Photographs can be engraved, but they look grainy and lose detail on clear.
- Proofread names and dates with someone else; engraving is permanent.
- Ordering a set (first, second, third, or a dozen yearly awards)? Use one layout and change only the names for consistency.
Upload your artwork at upload a drawing to see a price, or describe the award and we'll suggest a format.
Questions
Is an acrylic award as nice as crystal?
Polished thick acrylic looks very close to crystal, weighs about half as much as glass, and won't shatter if it's dropped. Crystal is heavier and has more sparkle; acrylic scratches more easily, so dust it with a soft cloth.
Should the engraving be on the front or back?
On the back for clear awards. It looks deeper and stays protected. Front engraving makes sense on black or white blocks, where you can't see through the sheet.
Can each award in an order have a different name?
Yes. Lay out every version in one file and they're priced together.