Glass awards convey prestige, permanence and elegance. The weight and clarity of a polished glass piece elevate recognition above everyday acknowledgments. Whether you’re honoring a top‑performing sales team, celebrating years of service, or recognizing community leaders, a glass award sends a clear message: this achievement matters. Chicago hosts a thriving community of award makers ranging from family‑owned workshops to national manufacturers with local reach. In this guide—updated for 2025—we rank the best glass award providers serving Chicago, discuss what to look for when buying glass awards, and offer creative ideas for integrating them into your recognition program. Viking Awards tops the list thanks to its blend of craftsmanship and service, but several other companies deserve attention for their unique offerings.
Top Glass Award Providers in Chicago
1. Viking Awards – Versatile Glass and Crystal Expertise
📍 10405 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
Viking Awards is renowned for its ability to create a wide range of glass and crystal pieces. Their collection includes modern art glass sculptures, classic beveled plaques, flame‑shaped awards and custom‑designed pieces that blend optical crystal with metal or acrylic accents. They offer a mix of stock shapes—stars, diamonds, ovals—and fully custom designs developed in collaboration with clients. The company’s Westchester showroom allows local customers to see samples, review proofs and get input from designers. Viking is known for fast turnaround and can scale production for orders of ten or two hundred awards without sacrificing detail. If you want a glass award that looks and feels luxurious while benefiting from local service, Viking Awards should be your first stop.
2. Chicago Award Source – Professionalism and Corporate Focus
Located in the West Loop, Chicago Award Source combines a sleek urban showroom with top‑tier production capabilities. Their glass awards range from traditional rectangle plaques to creative sculptural pieces, and they offer jade glass, optical crystal and deep‑etched engraving options. Corporate clients value Chicago Award Source for its polished service—whether you’re ordering a quarterly sales award or a CEO retirement piece, their team manages the process with care. They provide on‑site consultations and an online catalog for convenient browsing. While their prices are higher than some national chains, the combination of quality materials, professional design and reliable delivery makes them a favorite among businesses seeking high‑end recognition pieces.
3. Awards and Fine Gifts – Creative Custom Orders
For clients who want truly unique glass awards, Awards and Fine Gifts (2616 W Peterson Ave) is a hidden gem. Specializing in made‑to‑order awards, they produce art glass, crystal towers and themed pieces for entertainment and nonprofit events. Their glass offerings include color‑accented pieces, multi‑layered designs and freestanding awards that double as décor. Clients rave about the company’s creative flexibility and the personal touch they bring to each project. If you have a vision for an award that can’t be found in a catalog, Awards and Fine Gifts can bring it to life—whether you’re honoring a film festival winner or creating a whimsical award for a charity gala.
4. EDCO Awards & Specialties – National Powerhouse with Local Reach
EDCO is one of the largest award manufacturers in the United States and ships quickly throughout the Chicago area. Their glass award catalog is enormous, offering clear glass, jade glass and premium optical crystal in almost every shape imaginable. Customers appreciate their competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, especially when managing awards across multiple cities. Although EDCO doesn’t provide in‑person consultations, their streamlined online ordering system includes engraving previews and customer support. For companies that need a large number of glass awards delivered to various offices or events, EDCO is a practical choice. While local shops offer more personalized design input, EDCO’s scale allows for significant volume discounts.
5. Trophies Are Us – Community‑Focused Value
Family‑owned and located at 3030 N Lincoln Ave, Trophies Are Us provides affordable glass and acrylic awards. Their selection isn’t as wide as some competitors, but they make up for it with friendly service and competitive pricing. This shop serves schools, local leagues and neighborhood businesses, making it a great choice for community events. Turnaround is quick, and customers can pick up orders in‑store to avoid shipping fees. If your budget is modest but you still want a glass award with a personal touch, Trophies Are Us is worth considering.
6. Cristaux International – Bespoke Recognition Art
Cristaux International, a Chicago‑based company, specializes in creating custom awards and recognition programs that encapsulate a brand’s essence. While they produce awards in many materials, their glass and crystal pieces are particularly striking—often combining engraved optical crystal with metal or glass accent elements. Cristaux is known for working with clients to develop creative concepts and prototypes, ensuring that each piece is truly unique. Their clientele includes Fortune 500 companies and creative agencies looking for awards that double as art. Because their projects are bespoke, lead times may be longer and prices higher than off‑the‑shelf awards, but the end result is a memorable keepsake that reflects the recipient’s accomplishment and the organization’s identity.
7. National Awards & Fine Gifts – North Shore Tradition
National Awards & Fine Gifts in Evanston has supplied awards, signs and promotional products to the Chicago North Shore for more than 25 years. Their welcome message states that they’ve been a leader in supplying quality awards and signs to local organizations, businesses and the community, and they offer many products to help businesses advertise, recognize and promote. Customers can visit their showroom or shop online; the company ships anywhere in the United States. While their inventory includes everything from plaques to promotional items, they also produce glass and crystal awards. With friendly service and community roots, National Awards & Fine Gifts is an appealing choice for North Shore residents.
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting Glass Awards
Glass awards vary in material, shape and engraving technique. Here’s what to consider when shopping:
- Material Type: Glass awards come in several varieties. Jade glass has a subtle green tint and is slightly more affordable than optical crystal. It’s ideal for employee recognition and thank‑you gifts. Clear optical crystal is flawless, polished and brilliantly clear—perfect for executive recognition or lifetime achievement awards. Art glass is hand‑blown and colorful, creating bold, artistic statements. Edge glass plaques combine glass with a metal or acrylic base for a contemporary look. Glass towers and obelisks carry significant presence and often include colored or clear bases.
- Engraving Method: Sandblasting and deep laser etching produce crisp, permanent text and logos. Avoid printed or stickered designs that can peel or fade. Ask your provider whether they can engrave 3D images or incorporate color fills.
- Design Capabilities: For bespoke awards, choose a shop with in‑house designers who can sketch concepts and provide digital proofs. Viking Awards and Awards and Fine Gifts work directly with clients to customize shapes and artwork. For larger orders with standard shapes, EDCO’s online templates may suffice.
- Turnaround Time: Production times for glass awards range from a few days to several weeks. Rush orders are possible with local providers like Viking Awards, Chicago Award Source and Trophies Are Us. If you need hundreds of awards for a national program, order early to allow for proofing and shipping.
- Budget: Glass awards generally cost more than acrylic, but the investment reflects their sophistication. Jade glass pieces can be economical, while optical crystal and art glass are pricier. Compare costs per unit and ask for volume discounts when ordering large quantities.
Tips for Display and Care
- Displayability: Freestanding awards with clean lines sit well on desks and shelves. For wall plaques, ensure the vendor provides mounting hardware.
- Cleaning: Glass and crystal attract fingerprints. Provide recipients with a microfiber cloth or recommend periodic cleaning with a gentle glass cleaner.
- Transportation: Heavy glass awards require careful packaging. Vendors often supply padded boxes; keep these for transport to events and for recipients who travel.
Creative Ideas and Use Cases for Glass Awards
- Executive Milestone Recognition: Celebrate senior leaders who’ve achieved revenue milestones or decades of service with optical crystal towers engraved with the company logo and a personalized message. Use a black glass base to add contrast, and include a separate engraved plate for added texture.
- Community Service Awards: For civic organizations or nonprofits, choose jade glass plaques with frosted edges and vibrant color fills. Include the name of the honoree, the event date and a brief phrase that encapsulates the spirit of service. Art glass awards from Awards and Fine Gifts are perfect when you want to capture creativity and emotion in one piece.
- Academic Excellence: Recognize valedictorians, scholarship recipients or research award winners with clear glass obelisks or star‑shaped awards. Add a 3D laser‑etched crest of the school inside the glass for a high‑tech touch. These awards stand out in trophy cases and remain treasured keepsakes long after graduation.
- Industry Honors: For trade associations or professional societies, commission custom awards from Cristaux International or Viking Awards that incorporate industry symbols. For example, a medical association might choose a glass award shaped like a DNA helix, while an engineering society could opt for a crystal gear design.
- Hybrid Recognition Programs: Combine physical awards with digital elements. Embed NFC chips or QR codes in a glass base so recipients can scan to view a video message from leadership or access a digital certificate. This adds a modern twist and provides additional information beyond what fits on the award itself.
- Fundraising Incentives: Use tiered glass awards to motivate donors. For example, donors giving $5,000 might receive a jade glass plaque, while those contributing $25,000 earn a custom optical crystal sculpture. Engrave recognition levels on each piece, and consider updating donors with new awards as they continue to support your cause.
Conclusion
Glass awards occupy a special place in the world of recognition. Their weight, clarity and craftsmanship elevate achievements and make recipients feel genuinely celebrated. Chicago’s diverse award landscape offers options for every occasion—from Viking Awards’ versatile collection and personalized service to Chicago Award Source’s corporate focus, Awards and Fine Gifts’ creative custom orders, EDCO’s expansive national catalogue, Trophies Are Us’ community‑oriented value, Cristaux International’s bespoke artistry and National Awards & Fine Gifts’ North Shore tradition. When selecting a glass award, consider the type of glass, engraving quality, design capabilities, turnaround time and budget. With thoughtful planning and the right partner, your glass awards will become treasured symbols of accomplishment for years to come.
