Budgeting & Cost Considerations for Plaques & Awards
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about how to create the perfect customized plaque or award for any situation or occasion. We haven’t touched on cost yet, which is especially important if you are ordering in bulk or on behalf of a company, nonprofit, or school. At PlaqueMaker, we take pride in offering affordable pricing without sacrificing the quality or appearance of the end product.
To that end, there are a few factors that really drive the cost of the personalized plaques and awards. Hopefully, this information will help you make the best decisions for appearance and budget as you are in the creation process.
Factors that Affect the Price of Custom Plaques & Awards
By now, you know all about materials, engraving options, images, and more. Let’s take a closer look at those factors (and some others) and how they factor into the cost of a custom plaque or award.
Sizes
Larger plaques often cost more because they require more material and often have more space to place additional engravings. For example, a 12x15-inch presentation piece meant to be displayed in a common area will generally cost more than a standard 8x10-inch wall plaque.
Materials
There is a spectrum of costs related to materials. At the more affordable end of the spectrum, you’ll find materials like acrylic and aluminum. Middling materials would be walnut, crystal, and bronze, because of the durable nature of the materials. Your top end of the price spectrum is where you’ll find marble and granite, as well as any specialized materials that are often used for outdoor displays.
Engraving
Longer messages with multiple lines of text and/or different fonts can add layers of complexity to the finished product. Added complexity adds time to the process, which can incur more cost. It’s worth noting that not all vendors charge more for this, including PlaqueMaker, so keep that in mind during the creation process and check with your vendor.
Images & Logos
Most vendors will let you add a logo at no extra charge, but additional images may come with a surcharge (generally $10-$20 per image). Color printing options, such as laser engraving or laser metal, can sometimes cost more than UV or sublimation printing or UV printing, particularly when working with materials like glass or acrylic.
Volume
Like most products, a lower order quantity costs more per unit. Bulk pricing can afford you savings on a per-plaque basis, making it a better option for annual award programs and the like. This is where planning ahead can be a budget-friendly option.
Shipping & Delivery
For most vendors, standard shipping is free for orders that exceed a certain cost. For PlaqueMaker, that cost is $99. Rush shipping, while available, will add to shipping costs. The tighter the deadline or the larger the item, the higher the cost will be.
Ways to Save
Now that you know the different factors that go into the final cost of customized plaques and awards, it’s time to talk about ways to keep those costs down without sacrificing the look and quality of a premium plaque or award.
All-Inclusive Pricing
Some vendors–PlaqueMaker included–offer a base price that includes free engraving, one free image, and zero setup fees. Other vendors charge by the line (or even the character). Believe us, that can add up fast!
Minimize the Number of Images and/or Revisions
Find one image (maybe a logo, even) that really encapsulates the spirit of the plaque or award. PlaqueMaker, for instance, offers one image for free, but additional images will incur an extra charge.
PlaqueMaker offers four (4) free proofs for your review before production. More than those four involve a small fee per additional proof. So pay close attention to the first proof and make notes to include changes you feel necessary (if any).
Order in Bulk When Possible
The price comes down per plaque/award when you order in bulk. This is ideal for when you are presenting to teams or when you have recurring events with plaque/award presentations, such as annual award banquets or regular Employee of the Month awards.
Compare Materials
Some materials are similar in appearance but different in cost. For instance, you can get the polished appearance of crystal from an acrylic award at a substantially lower price. Brushed aluminum can be a suitable alternative to bronze; same modern look at a more affordable price point. Wood or bamboo plaques with laser engraving are great for many occasions, eco-friendly, and quite affordable.
A Budgeting Primer
If you are planning a bulk order, here is a general guideline for pricing that out with PlaqueMaker or any vendor.
- Plaque = $30-$150+
- Standard Shipping = $0-$20+
- Shipping Rush Fees = $20-$50+
- Extras (additional images, extra proofs, etc.) = $10-$30 each
So, for example, if you are looking to order 10 mid-range plaques that feature engraving and one logo/image, the cost would break down like this:
- $65 per plaque x 10 = $650
- Free shipping (on orders of $99 or more)
- $0 in extra fees when engraving and images are in the scope of the base pricing.
It would also be smart to plan an additional 10-15% buffer for any last-second changes that may occur, or perhaps upgraded shipping if the revision process takes longer than initially planned.
A Word About Budget Transparency
When many businesses quote pricing, they do so without including additional fees that are part of the process. You think you are getting a $35 plaque out the door, only to be hit with a $25 setup fee, $15 for shipping, and $1 per engraved letter. Just like that, your $35 plaque is now $100.
At PlaqueMaker, we make every effort to be upfront and transparent about our pricing. This is what that looks like.
- No hidden fees
- Free engraving with no character limit
- One (1) image included per plaque/award
- No setup charges for most products
- Four (4) free proofs
- Free shipping on orders $99+
You will know exactly what you are paying for at every step of the process and won’t get sticker shock when it’s time to hit the “submit” button. We value our customers and work hard to be their plaque provider of choice. That starts with being very clear about pricing.
Have a Plan for Recurring Recognition
Different organizations handle recognition differently. For instance, one plaque is for a celebration. A series of plaques is a statement about your culture. Ordering plaques and awards for recurring events requires more planning than one-off plaques. The good news, however, is that when you are repeating your orders, you can create a repeatable process that minimizes the time spent when you need new customized plaques or awards.
Let’s explore what the steps in that process look like.
Standardizing Your Format
Some may feel that a standard format means a plaque or award will be generic. It’s quite the opposite. Standardizing your format ensures cohesion, which is a signature of the organization or brand. For instance, maintaining the same size, material, layout, and design keeps visual consistency when on display, reduces the time spent designing awards, and reinforces the brand with a professional touch.
A common theme we see at PlaqueMaker, for instance, is for companies that have Employee of the Month programs. The standardization would be an 8x10-inch walnut plaque with a centered logo and the name bolded every time. While the personalization changes based on who has won the award, the format stays the same.
Saving Proofs & Art Files
Once you have finally nailed down a plaque or award format and design you like, save that digital proof as well as any associated art or text for future plaques and awards. This can be a real timesaver when you are ordering plaques regularly, but at longer intervals, such as quarterly or annually. While those are recurring, it can be just long enough between orders to forget how you did it the previous time.
PlaqueMaker saves your past orders and designs in your account by default, but not all vendors do.
Pro tip: Keep a document or folder with award titles, engraved messages, image files (e.g., logos, icons, photos), and a list of recipients. This simple task can save a lot of time and make it easier to share details with stakeholders.
Plan your Dates in Advance
Setting a recognition schedule has a two-fold benefit. First, it ensures that nobody is forgotten. Next, with dates planned in advance, you can order in ahead of time and never have to worry about extra costs associated with rush shipping.
For monthly programs, set a recurring reminder on your calendar. Say, on the 20th of each month, you need to place your order. If you are planning for an annual event, add 3-4 weeks lead time to plaque production to avoid chaos as the event date nears.
Create a Calendar Explicitly for Recognition Efforts
Just about any business or organization tracks KPIs (key performance indicators) to see if they are reaching their goals. Well, recognition is related to KPIs and could warrant its own calendar. You can even load important dates into a project tracking tool or calendar app for greater visibility and sharing capabilities.
What to include on a recognition calendar:
- Award titles and frequency of presentation
- Submission deadlines for plaques and awards
- Design approval deadlines
- Dates of events or presentations
- Recurring re-order reminders
Find a Trusted Vendor
Finding a trusted vendor and sticking with them can save a lot of time and headaches. (Of course, we’d love it if you chose PlaqueMaker as your vendor of choice.) Sticking with one vendor establishes a relationship history that can pay off through:
- Quality consistency
- Saved design files - perfect for fast updates rather than redesigning all over again with a new vendor
- Trusted and familiar customer support
- Ease of re-ordering
With PlaqueMaker’s inclusive base pricing, you can get a fast turnaround with no unexpected fees.
Consistency is Important
Recognition becomes a better tool to motivate performance and boost morale when it's not just a one-time gesture, but an ingrained part of your organization’s culture. When recognition is promoted regularly, it lets employees know that excellence isn’t just a buzzword. Excellence is noticed, it’s appreciated, and it’s a genuinely meaningful endeavor worth striving for at every level of an organization.