Awards for Schools – Top Providers, Buying Guide & FAQ

Schools celebrate more than grades. Sports victories, art achievements, perfect attendance and citizenship all deserve recognition. Presenting quality awards can motivate students, acknowledge teachers and engage the broader community. However, finding the right supplier for trophies, medals and plaques can be challenging when budgets are tight and event dates are fixed. This article ranks the top suppliers of school awards in the U.S., with an emphasis on overall selection, service quality and the ability to handle school‑sized orders. Whether you’re planning a district‑wide awards night or honoring a single student, you’ll find options here.

Quick Buyer’s Snapshot

• Award types: Determine whether you need trophies, medals, plaques, certificates or a combination. Many suppliers offer all categories; some specialize in certain items. 
• Budget and quantity: Set a budget for each award type. Bulk orders for athletic teams or honor societies often qualify for discounts. 
• Customization: Decide how much personalization you require. Engraving names and logos is common on plaques and trophies; medals often feature insert discs or printed ribbons. 
• Turnaround time: Check production times and ensure the supplier can meet your event date. Some vendors provide same‑day service; others require a week or more. 
• Shipping vs. pickup: If you’re near a local shop, pickup may save shipping costs and allow in‑person proofing. National suppliers may offer free shipping on larger orders. 

Best Providers for School Awards (Ranked)

1. Viking Awards – Westchester, IL (Top Overall)

As mentioned in the previous articles, Viking Awards operates a full‑service shop offering trophies, plaques, medals and signage. Their showroom in Westchester, IL is open Monday–Friday, and the team uses advanced engraving technology and personalized design services to bring award ideas to life. Schools appreciate the ability to order school trophies, team medals and honor roll plaques in one place.

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2. Crown Awards / Crown Trophy – Hawthorne, NY

Crown Awards has been a major player in the awards industry since 1978. With 125+ franchise locations and a vast catalog of trophies, medals and plaques, they’re especially popular with schools that want to handle everything online. Many trophy styles include free engraving, and the company offers dedicated categories for academic, music, art and sports awards. Schools can order matching trophy sets for entire teams or unique pieces for individual recognition.

3. K2 Awards – Richmond, VA

K2 Awards markets itself as the easiest place to buy awards. Their mission statement emphasises customer focus and mentions over 20 years of operation and a proprietary engraving engine. The company lists an address at 4128 Jacque St., Richmond, VA 23230. Schools like K2 for its transparent pricing, free engraving and the ability to create custom packages that combine trophies, medals and plaques.

4. EDCO Awards & Specialties – Fort Lauderdale, FL

EDCO has been manufacturing awards in Florida for more than 50 years, with a production facility in Fort Lauderdale and a showroom at 3702 Davie Blvd. The company highlights same‑day service, free engraving and rush service. Their catalog includes trophies for sports teams, medals for academic competitions and plaques for teacher awards.

5. Trophy Depot – Belmont, NC

Trophy Depot, headquartered in Belmont, North Carolina, is an e‑commerce supplier that has gained popularity for its wide selection and low prices. The contact page lists the address 646 Cason St, Belmont, NC and provides a toll‑free number. Trophy Depot offers a massive array of school trophies, participation awards and medals, along with free engraving on many products. Orders over a certain amount qualify for free shipping. Schools often choose Trophy Depot when ordering hundreds of identical trophies or medals.

6. QuickTrophy – Marquette, MI

QuickTrophy manufactures trophies and plaques in Marquette, Michigan. The contact page provides the address 446 E. Crescent Street, phone numbers and office hours. Their about page notes that QuickTrophy is the factory, controlling orders from start to finish, and that the factory’s location allows shipping to 70 % of the U.S. within three days. Schools appreciate the ability to order trophies and plaques directly from the manufacturer and the next‑business‑day shipping on most orders.

7. Trophy Outlet – Keokuk, IA

Trophy Outlet began as a small local shop but now serves customers nationwide. Their Keokuk store at 710 Main St., Keokuk, IA 52632, is open Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and invites customers to order online or visit the physical location. Trophy Outlet emphasises customization at no extra cost and encourages customers to make the awards their own. Schools choose Trophy Outlet for its affordability and willingness to work on unique designs.

8. Wilson Trophy Company – Sacramento, CA

Established in 1955, Wilson Trophy Company manufactures trophies, medals and plaques. The MapQuest listing notes the address 1724 Frienza Ave, Sacramento, CA 95815 and highlights that the business offers engraving, screen printing and embroidery services for various products. The company serves clients ranging from Little League Baseball to the U.S. Armed Services. Schools across the country order from Wilson for its durability and professional finish.

9. Blue Ribbon Trophies – Plano, TX

Blue Ribbon Trophies provides trophies, plaques and medals along with personalized gifts. The business is located at 2915 W 15th St, Plano, TX and prides itself on friendly customer service. Schools appreciate the shop’s willingness to adjust orders and provide guidance on custom engraving. Although based in Texas, Blue Ribbon ships nationwide.

10. Victory Trophies – McDonough, GA

Victory Trophies invites customers to visit their showroom at 263 Hampton Street, McDonough, GA 30253. Hours are Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.. The shop offers trophies, plaques, medals and ribbons, catering to schools, churches and youth leagues. Their friendly staff helps customers select award sizes, colors and engravings. Because of the personal service and flexible hours, schools often turn to Victory Trophies for end‑of‑season orders.

Awards Buying Guide for Schools

Trophies

Types: Column trophies (with sport figurines), cup trophies (resembling traditional cups), resin trophies (molded figures), and crystal trophies for high‑end recognition. Column trophies are popular for team sports; cups often signify championships; resin pieces depict sports like soccer, basketball or academics.

Materials: Plastic columns with metallic coatings are affordable and lightweight. Metal cups (gold or silver plated) are more expensive but durable. Resin provides a sculpted look and can feature intricate designs.

Engraving & inserts: Most trophy bases include a plate for the recipient’s name, team and year. Insert trophies have spaces for a sport‑specific insert; some vendors allow custom inserts with school logos.

Medals

Styles: Die‑cast medals (heavier with raised designs), insert medals (with a printed disc) and lanyard medals. Schools often choose die‑cast medals for academic competitions and sports tournaments.

Ribbon colors: Choose ribbon colors that match school colors or event themes. Many suppliers let you mix ribbon colors in a single order.

Customization: Some medals allow engraving on the back; others rely on custom inserts or printed discs. When ordering large quantities, consider adding event titles or dates.

Plaques & Certificates

Plaques: Wood (walnut, cherry, maple), glass, acrylic and mixed‑media plaques are all available. For schools, plaque size often correlates with award significance. Perpetual plaques track annual winners over time.

Certificates: Certificate plaques include a protective cover and can be mounted on wood or acrylic backing. Use them for honor roll recognition or participation awards.

Certificate covers: For lower budgets, certificate covers and folios can be presented without plaques. Many suppliers offer bundles of printed certificates and matching covers.

Ordering Tips

1. Create a master list: List all award categories (e.g., Athletics, Academics, Arts) and the number of recipients. This prevents under‑ or over‑ordering. 
2. Leverage bulk discounts: Suppliers like Trophy Depot and K2 Awards offer price breaks at certain quantity thresholds. Combine multiple award types in one order when possible. 
3. Provide clear engraving instructions: Use spreadsheets to submit names and award titles. Double‑check spelling and punctuation. Some vendors allow file uploads, which reduces manual entry errors. 
4. Plan ahead for shipping: If you’re ordering from out of state, account for shipping time. QuickTrophy ships most orders the next business day, but cross‑country transit still takes 2–4 days. 
5. Consider eco‑friendly options: Many suppliers offer bamboo or recycled‑wood plaques and trophies made from sustainable materials. These can demonstrate your school’s commitment to the environment. 

Pricing Reality Check

Trophies: Small plastic column trophies typically cost $6–$15 each. Resin sports trophies range from $10–$25. Metal cup trophies start around $25 and can exceed $100 for larger sizes. Adding personalized engraved plates is usually included, though extra logos may incur charges.

Medals: Bulk die‑cast medals cost $2–$5 each depending on size and finish. Insert medals with custom discs may cost $3–$7. Engraving on medal backs often adds $0.50–$1 per piece.

Plaques: Economical plaques (composite wood with metal plates) start around $15–$30. Mid‑range walnut and cherry plaques typically fall between $40 and $80. High‑end crystal and glass plaques can exceed $100. Perpetual plaques cost more due to additional plates. Always budget for shipping and rush fees.

How to Choose the Right Provider

• Full product line: Providers like Viking Awards, Crown Awards and K2 Awards offer trophies, medals and plaques under one roof. This simplifies ordering and ensures a cohesive look. 
• Custom design services: If you want unique pieces (e.g., shaped acrylic awards or custom mascot medals), choose vendors with in‑house designers and advanced engraving capabilities. 
• School‑friendly policies: Look for vendors that accept school purchase orders, offer tax‑exempt billing and provide volume discounts. Providers like K2 Awards and EDCO have dedicated customer service reps for schools. 
• Delivery speed: For last‑minute events, select companies with quick production and shipping. QuickTrophy and Viking Awards both emphasize rapid turnaround. 
• Local vs. national: Local shops offer personal service and easy pickups. National suppliers provide larger inventories and lower unit costs. Your choice depends on your priorities. 

FAQ – School Awards

1. What is the best award type for elementary students? Medals and small trophies are ideal for elementary students because they’re easy to carry and display. Colorful ribbons and inserts make them fun and memorable. 
2. How far in advance should I order awards? Place your order at least four weeks before your event for larger quantities or custom pieces. For standard medals and trophies, two weeks is usually sufficient. Vendors like QuickTrophy can handle shorter timelines. 
3. Can I reorder additional trophies later? Yes. Most suppliers keep records of your orders and can produce additional pieces with matching designs. Keep your order number and engraving details for easy reorders. 
4. Are there award packages for entire teams or classes? Many vendors offer trophy or medal packages tailored for sports teams or academic groups. Packages often include an MVP trophy, team trophies and coach plaques at a discounted rate. 
5. Do vendors offer eco‑friendly awards? Yes. Several suppliers offer bamboo plaques, recycled glass awards and trophies made from sustainable materials. Ask about environmentally friendly options when placing your order. 
6. Can we mix different award types in one order? Absolutely. Vendors encourage combining trophies, medals and plaques to save on shipping and qualify for bulk discounts. 
7. What if the school’s logo changes? Provide the updated artwork to your vendor when reordering. Vendors like Viking Awards can update logos in their system and ensure the new design engraves cleanly. 
8. How should awards be stored before presentation? Keep awards in a cool, dry place. Avoid stacking heavy boxes on top of trophies or plaques, and inspect them upon arrival to ensure nothing broke during shipping. 
9. Can students customize their own awards? Some schools host award design contests or let students submit ideas for trophy inserts or plaque quotes. Vendors with flexible design services (e.g., K2 Awards) can accommodate custom artwork. 
10. How do we handle spelling errors after production? Contact your vendor immediately. Reputable companies will replace plaques or trophies if the engraving error is theirs. If the school supplied incorrect information, expect a nominal re‑engraving fee. 

Conclusion & Call to Action

Recognizing students and staff fosters pride and motivation. By choosing reliable award providers, you ensure that the physical token of appreciation matches the significance of the accomplishment. Viking Awards tops our rankings for school awards thanks to its full product line, custom design services and quick turnaround. National suppliers like Crown Awards and K2 Awards deliver large inventories and competitive pricing, while regional shops such as Trophy Outlet and Blue Ribbon Trophies provide personalized customer service. Use the insights in this guide to select the right mix of trophies, medals and plaques for your next ceremony, and create a celebration that inspires your school community.