Acrylic awards have surged in popularity over the past decade. They offer the elegance of glass without the weight or fragility, and they’re highly customizable in shape, color and layering. From corporate milestones to youth sports tournaments, acrylic trophies and plaques provide a modern, budget‑friendly alternative to crystal and metal. Chicago’s vibrant business and nonprofit scene fuels a robust market for custom acrylic awards, and several local shops specialize in creating pieces that stand out. This article ranks the top acrylic award providers serving the Chicago area in 2025, explains how to evaluate suppliers and offers creative ideas for incorporating acrylic awards into your recognition program. Viking Awards again earns our #1 slot, but each company listed brings unique strengths to the table.
Top Acrylic Award Providers in Chicago
1. Viking Awards – Flexible Design and Local Service
📍 10405 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
When it comes to acrylic awards, Viking Awards sets the standard. Located at 10405 W Cermak Rd in Westchester, IL, the company offers design flexibility that ranges from traditional flame shapes to fully custom cut‑outs. Their collection includes frosted edge awards, multi‑layered designs with floating text and pieces that combine UV printing with laser etching for a high‑end finish. Prices typically start around $45–$65, with premium multi‑color models exceeding $100. Because Viking handles design, engraving and production in‑house, local businesses benefit from fast turnaround and personal consultation. Whether you’re ordering one award or several hundred, their team can adapt to your timeline and create unique pieces that reflect your brand or event.
2. Trophy Outlet Chicago – Budget‑Friendly Options Near the Loop
Trophy Outlet Chicago, located at 555 W Roosevelt Rd, sits just minutes from the Loop and is a go‑to for affordable acrylic awards. Their product line spans classic wedge and curved‑edge designs to more modern shapes, and many items start at $30–$40. Customers praise the shop’s fast and approachable in‑store service. While customization options are more limited than Viking’s, Trophy Outlet excels at meeting tight deadlines and budgets. Small businesses, schools and churches often choose this vendor when they need attractive awards without high costs. If you’re looking for a straightforward acrylic plaque or trophy that can be engraved with your logo and message, Trophy Outlet Chicago is a reliable option.
3. Crown Awards – Volume Pricing with Regional Presence
Crown Awards, headquartered in New York, maintains a regional footprint in Chicago and is known for volume pricing. Their acrylic award catalog leans toward traditional shapes—arches, stars and columned bases—with many pieces starting around $25. Because Crown operates at scale, it can fulfill large orders quickly and affordably. This makes them ideal for conferences, corporate training programs or sports leagues that require dozens of awards. However, customization options are less extensive than boutique shops; you typically select from a set of shapes and add engraving. When cost and quantity matter more than bespoke design, Crown Awards is a practical choice.
4. Chicago Trophy Company – Decades of Experience
With more than fifty years in the awards business, Chicago Trophy Company (also known as AwardsCo) offers a balance of price and presentation. Their acrylic trophy line features classic stars, wedges and flame cuts and caters to schools, government offices and small to midsize businesses. The company provides volume discounts and in‑store design consultation. Prices typically run from $40 to $60 per piece with discounts for large orders. Because production is local, Chicago Trophy Company can accommodate rush orders—a valuable feature if your event is fast approaching. Their long tenure in the industry makes them a trusted partner for clients seeking reliability and experience.
5. Success Awards – Personal Touch and Color Accents
Success Awards, located at 1530 W 99th St on Chicago’s South Side, may be smaller than some competitors but has earned a loyal following. The shop emphasizes personal service and attention to detail, working closely with nonprofits, youth organizations and local government offices. Their acrylic awards often incorporate colorful accents—blue‑edged towers, red‑flame motifs and layered color combinations. Pricing ranges from $35 to $75 depending on size and customization level. Staff are known for helping clients develop creative award categories and event ideas. For customers seeking a personal touch and vibrant designs, Success Awards delivers both creativity and affordability.
6. Lauer Awards – High‑End Artistry in the Suburbs
Lauer Awards, located at 4345 Di Paolo Center in Glenview, IL, offers high‑end acrylic awards that blur the line between recognition and art. Their pieces often feature multi‑layered acrylic panels, stand‑up desk sculptures and sleek modern forms that integrate into office décor. Prices start around $70 and climb higher depending on complexity and customization. Lauer Awards is popular among corporations that want distinctive pieces for executive recognition and milestone events. If your organization values design as much as recognition, Lauer’s custom options provide a memorable way to honor achievements.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing Acrylic Awards
Acrylic awards offer many advantages, but quality varies widely. Consider these factors when selecting a provider:
- Material Quality: Cast acrylic offers better clarity and durability than extruded acrylic. If your award will be displayed in an executive office, invest in higher‑grade material to avoid yellowing or scratching.
- Design Options: Seek providers who can go beyond stock shapes. Viking Awards, for example, offers layering, custom shapes and full‑color printing. Even simple awards can stand out with beveled edges or color inlays.
- Engraving vs. Printing: Laser engraving adds depth and elegance, while full‑color UV printing produces vibrant logos and images. Choose a provider capable of the method that suits your vision.
- Proofing and Collaboration: The best shops offer digital proofs and design consultations. Confirm that your provider will work with you to refine artwork and ensure correct spelling and layout.
- Turnaround Time: Rush orders are sometimes necessary. Local shops like Viking Awards and Chicago Trophy Company can often accommodate tight deadlines. Online giants like Crown may require longer lead times for custom pieces.
- Volume and Pricing: For large events, volume discounts can significantly reduce costs. Ask vendors about tiered pricing; Crown Awards and Trophy Outlet Chicago are known for budget‑friendly bulk orders.
Additional Considerations for Acrylic Awards
Beyond basic selection criteria, a few finer points can help you distinguish an ordinary acrylic award from an exceptional one:
- Thickness and Weight: Acrylic can range from a few millimeters thick to over an inch. Thicker pieces feel more substantial and allow for deeper engraving and layered designs. If your award will be handled frequently or displayed in an executive office, opt for a heavier gauge.
- Edge Treatment: Finishing methods—such as flame‑polishing, beveling or frosting—can dramatically change the look of an award. Flame‑polished edges are crystal clear and catch light like glass, while frosted edges add a soft halo effect. Ask your provider to explain the options and show samples.
- Bases and Mounting: Acrylic awards may come with metal, marble, wood or acrylic bases. A contrasting base material can elevate the award’s appearance. Some plaques are designed to hang on the wall; ensure that mounting hardware or stand‑offs are included.
- Sustainability: Many organizations prioritize environmentally friendly materials. Although acrylic is a plastic, some suppliers now offer recycled acrylic or eco‑resin alternatives. When sustainability matters, ask vendors about their material sourcing and recycling practices.
- Packaging and Presentation: The award’s packaging contributes to the recipient’s experience. Quality vendors provide presentation boxes or pouches that protect acrylic surfaces from scratches during transport. Custom packaging can reinforce your brand and make the moment even more special.
Creative Ideas and Use Cases for Acrylic Awards
- Sales Achievement Awards: Recognize top performers with sleek acrylic towers etched with quarterly goals and achievements. Incorporate company colors or logos using UV printing.
- Employee Milestone Programs: Create a series of awards that build in size or complexity as employees reach 5, 10 or 20 years of service. Layered or multi‑panel designs from providers like Lauer Awards offer visual progression.
- Nonprofit Recognition: Acrylic awards with colorful accents, such as those from Success Awards, are ideal for community organizations. Use vibrant edges and themed shapes to match your cause.
- Youth Sports Tournaments: Acrylic trophies are more durable than glass and less expensive than crystal, making them perfect for tournaments. Choose fun shapes like stars or flames and engrave team logos and tournament names.
- Innovative Business Contests: For hackathons or innovation challenges, consider acrylic awards shaped like lightbulbs or gears. Providers like Laser Engraving Pros and Viking Awards can produce custom shapes with layered etching.
- Green Initiatives and Sustainability Awards: If your company is launching a sustainability program, design a translucent green acrylic award embedded with recycled material flakes. Use UV printing to add leaves, earth motifs or sustainability icons. During the ceremony, mention that the award itself reflects your environmental commitment.
- Hybrid Physical/Digital Recognition: Combine acrylic awards with near‑field communication (NFC) chips or QR codes. When recipients scan the embedded code, they can access a personalized video, digital certificate or message from company leadership. This innovation merges tangible recognition with digital storytelling and is perfect for tech companies or remote teams.
- Temporary Awards for Rotating Programs: Some organizations run monthly or quarterly recognition programs where the award travels from person to person. Consider a durable acrylic trophy with a removable nameplate that can be swapped out each time. The sleek design ensures it looks fresh for each new recipient, and a small plaque on the base records the names of past honorees.
Conclusion
Acrylic awards combine affordability with modern aesthetics, making them a versatile choice for recognition across corporate, nonprofit and educational settings. Chicago’s award scene offers numerous providers—from Viking Awards’ custom masterpieces and fast turnaround to Trophy Outlet Chicago’s budget‑friendly offerings, Crown Awards’ bulk orders, Chicago Trophy Company’s reliable local service, Success Awards’ colorful flair and Lauer Awards’ artful designs. When selecting an acrylic award supplier, evaluate material quality, design capabilities, engraving methods, proofing processes, turnaround time and pricing to ensure your awards match the prestige of the achievements they celebrate. Among the providers, Viking Awards remains our top pick due to its flexibility, quality and local customer service, but each of the highlighted companies can help you create meaningful recognition pieces that will shine in any setting.
