How much do event trophies cost? Finding out the answer to that question means considering more than just the trophy itself. When searching for the perfect award, the question on most people’s minds is: how much should I budget for this?
The answer depends on what kind of trophy you need, for instance, how much design work is involved or if there’s a specific company you had in mind to create the trophy. This page breaks down how much event trophies cost, factor by factor, how costs typically compare across supplier types, and what to expect at different budget levels.
What affects the price of event trophies?
Several factors combine to determine what an event trophy costs.
Material
Material is usually the biggest variable in event trophy pricing, and having multiple materials in one design can dramatically change the cost. Acrylic and resin sit at the lower end of the cost range. Due to the custom and processing nature of sustainably sourced or reclaimed materials, these often cost more and result in a more premium product, along with metal, glass and crystal. Of course, within each material category, quality varies significantly, and the difference is usually visible in the finished object. For a detailed breakdown of common trophy materials and what each is suited to, the event trophy materials page covers the main options.
Sustainably sourced materials are increasingly assessed against recognised standards such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy principles, which many suppliers now reference when describing material provenance.
Design
Catalogue trophies carry no design cost because the work has already been done, and every trophy is created the same. Bespoke trophies are more of an art form that require a design process: brief, concept, prototyping, refinement. That takes time and adds to the unit cost. The more complex the design brief, the higher the design component of the price. The more complex the trophy build, the more hours it will take to manufacture, further increasing costs.
Customisation and engraving
Adding a name, date, or logo to an existing form is relatively straightforward and usually adds a modest amount per unit. Structural customisation, bespoke surface design, or full brand integration costs more. For a clearer picture of what customisation options typically look like and what they add to the cost, the event trophies with engraving and logos page is a useful reference.
Quantity
Unit cost decreases as volume increases in most cases. Setup, tooling, and preparation costs are fixed regardless of order size, so larger orders spread those costs across more units. See the bulk ordering section below.
Shipping, packaging and timeline
Standard lead times for customised orders run at two to six weeks with most suppliers. Expedited production is usually possible but carries an additional cost. Packaging is also a consideration, and figuring out what kind of packaging you want can help your supplier estimate your cost. It’s likely that standard packaging is included, but if you want a more premium packaging or gift packaging, you’re probably looking at not only pricier boxes, but also a larger charge for shipping if the box creates a larger volume. International shipping adds to the total depending on destination and the aforementioned volume and weight. If turnaround is the priority, the fast delivery event trophies page covers what’s realistic to expect.
How much do event trophies typically cost?
As a rough guide:
- Basic catalogue trophies with standard engraving (typically the type marked ‘made in China’ where volume production is at its cheapest) come in at around €20 to €60 per unit. These are suitable for high-volume events where cost per unit is the primary consideration.
- Mid-range trophies with better materials and some customisation can cost around €60 to €150 per unit. These offer a wider range of material and finish options, with more personalisation available.
- Standard sustainable trophies can be in the region of €130 to €260 per unit, providing better material quality, more considered design, and can often be produced in lower volumes.
- Fully bespoke trophies are priced per project. The quote takes into account the design, material sourcing, prototyping, and production. In this case, the unit cost varies significantly depending on brief complexity and quantity.
These example ranges give a general sense of how much event trophies cost, but actual cost depends on the supplier, material, and specifics of the order.
Standard event trophy pricing at Upstream
Upstream’s standard trophy range is made from recycled materials in clean and unique forms.
These pieces are ideal for larger corporate events, with the considered design providing a more thoughtful and individual way to recognise employees.
Pricing runs from €130 to €260 per piece depending on the option you choose, with volume pricing discounts available from 2 pieces:
Prices for 10 or more start from €60,40 for our range of plaques, and €113,75 for our range of standard trophies.
Below is an example of volume pricing for our some of our Rhombus trophy range:
- 1 piece: €260 per piece
- 2 pieces: €221 per piece
- 5 pieces: €208 per piece
- 10+ pieces: €169 per piece
Our plaques also offer volume pricing, with an example of our Snowfall plaque prices below:
- 1 piece: €151,00 per piece
- 2 pieces: €120,80 per piece
- 5 pieces: €105,70 per piece
- 10 + pieces: €60,40 per piece
The full standard range is available directly from the Upstream Trophies shop.
Bespoke event trophy pricing at Upstream
Because every brand has different requirements, fully bespoke projects are priced per brief. This allows us to work with organisations to their budget, while also advising on what we can do to best create their vision. The design process, material sourcing, prototyping, and production are all led by our team of experienced trophy designers.
To ensure transparency, we separate design and production costs. For a bespoke event trophy made from an existing design, prices start at €250. Custom design with one of our trophy designers starts at €750, and pricing per trophy starts at €200 for the larger series.
If you’re interested in our bespoke design process, get in touch with us for an obligation-free chat.
For organisations weighing up bespoke design against a standard option, the custom event trophies page covers what the design process involves and what it produces.
Are bulk orders cheaper per unit?
Generally yes – across most suppliers and most product types. Fixed costs are spread across a larger order, which reduces the per-unit price, along with timescales. One piece takes time to develop, but repeating the same process can significantly decrease the time-cost per unit too.
However, this can vary depending on production methods. For example, our 3D printer can’t print faster with larger amounts, but we do offer volume pricing based on the lower costs for larger series.
The threshold at which bulk discounts kick in varies by supplier: some apply discounts from two units, some five units, others from ten or twenty-five.
If you’re ordering for a recurring annual event, it’s worth asking suppliers whether multi-year agreements affect pricing. Producing the same design across multiple years typically reduces setup costs, and provides a trophy manufacturer with guaranteed repeat custom.
How to get an accurate quote
For standard trophies, pricing is usually available directly from a supplier’s website or on request. Because of the huge amount of variation between bespoke projects, you’ll need to provide a brief to get an accurate quote. Include what the event is, how many trophies are needed, the timeline, and any design thinking already in place – whether this be an AI-generated image, or a sketch on some scrap paper (although, it’s worth noting that AI optimises images for aestheitcs and not for production!). The more specific the brief, the easier it is for your designer to give you an accurate quote.
Understanding how much event trophies cost before you approach a supplier makes it much easier to compare quotes fairly and ensure you are choosing a trophy that reflects what you want to say about your brand or event. For guidance on how different event types typically approach their trophy requirements, the event trophies by event type page is a useful starting point, or you can get in touch with us to explore your options.
Frequently asked questions
How much do event trophies cost?
Event trophies range from under €30 for basic catalogue options to several hundred euros per unit for premium or bespoke designs. The main cost drivers are material, design complexity, customisation, and quantity.
What affects the price of event trophies?
Material, design, customisation, quantity, and timeline are the main factors. Material and design complexity tend to have the biggest impact on unit cost. Volume discounts reduce per-unit price as order size increases.
Are bulk event trophy orders cheaper per unit?
In most cases yes. Fixed costs are spread across a larger order, reducing the cost per unit. The discount threshold varies by supplier, so it’s worth asking about volume pricing when requesting a quote.
Does customisation increase the price?
Basic engraving and logo application add a modest amount per unit. Structural or design customisation adds more, because it requires additional design and production time. The scale of the increase depends on how much of the trophy’s form and surface is being changed.
