Custom Corporate Awards Australia: Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering

Finding the right corporate award can feel overwhelming, especially when you need to balance your budget, event deadline, branding, engraving requirements and internal approval process.

At Contemporary Co, we help businesses, government departments, healthcare organisations, industry associations and event teams choose meaningful custom corporate awards made in Australia.

Our awards are designed to do more than acknowledge an achievement. They are handcrafted pieces of Australian art created to stand out on stage and remain proudly displayed long after the event.

This guide answers the questions our clients ask most often before ordering corporate awards, including budgets, award sizes, engraving deadlines, artwork files and the ordering process.

Explore our Australian-made corporate awards and gifts.

What are custom corporate awards?

Custom corporate awards are recognition pieces selected or created specifically for your organisation, event and recipients.

Depending on the design, your awards may include:

• Your organisation’s logo
• Recipient names
• Award titles and categories
• Presentation dates
• Years of service
• Custom colours
• Engraving
• A timber base
• A gold or silver plaque
• Personalised packaging
• A bespoke design created exclusively for your organisation

Some clients choose one of our existing Australian-made designs and personalise it with engraving or a timber base. Others work with us to create a completely bespoke award based on their brand, event, values or industry.

The best option will depend on your quantity, budget, timeframe and level of customisation.

Why choose Australian-made corporate awards?

Australian-made corporate awards offer a level of individuality, craftsmanship and meaning that mass-produced trophies often cannot provide.

Each handcrafted award has its own character, making the recognition feel more personal to the recipient.

Choosing Australian-made awards can also help your organisation:

• Support Australian artists and makers
• Present a more distinctive and memorable award
• Demonstrate a commitment to local design and craftsmanship
• Create stronger visual impact during the presentation
• Give recipients something they will be proud to display
• Share the story of the artist and making process during the event

Rather than receiving a generic trophy, the recipient receives a piece created by an Australian artist to commemorate their achievement.

We have a set budget. Can you work within it?

Yes. We understand that many of our clients have a specific budget and may need approval from senior management, a board, procurement team or event committee before proceeding.

We will always do our best to recommend suitable options within your budget while still creating an award that feels special and appropriate for the achievement.

When contacting us, please include:

• The number of awards required
• Your approximate budget per award
• Your event date
• Your delivery location
• Whether engraving is required
• Whether the budget needs to include GST
• Whether you require timber bases, plaques or gift boxes
• Any colours, styles or materials you prefer

You do not need to know exactly which award you want. Many clients begin with only a quantity, event date and approved budget.

We can then recommend the most suitable pieces and prepare a complete quotation that can be shared with your board or senior management team.

What size corporate award looks best on stage?

For formal presentations and larger events, we generally recommend awards measuring approximately 25 to 30 centimetres high.

This size offers excellent stage presence, stands out to the audience and photographs well, while still being comfortable for the recipient to hold.

Awards within this size range work particularly well for:

• Employee of the Year awards
• Leadership awards
• Business excellence awards
• Industry awards
• Government recognition programs
• Healthcare awards
• National award ceremonies
• Major achievement presentations

Smaller awards can be ideal for long service programs, executive gifting, client appreciation and events with larger recipient numbers.

When recommending an award size, we consider your venue, stage, budget, quantity and the importance of the achievement being recognised.

What are your most popular corporate awards?

Our most popular Australian-made corporate awards and gifts include:

Lucky Drop Awards

The Lucky Drop Collection is one of our most popular choices for employee recognition, long service awards, business milestones and major achievements.

Each piece is individually handcrafted, meaning no two awards are completely identical.

Lucky Drop Awards can be presented as standalone art glass pieces or paired with a timber base and engraved plaque.

Flame Awards

Our Flame Awards have a sculptural form that creates strong visual impact on stage.

They are a popular choice for recognising leadership, excellence, passion, innovation and outstanding contribution.

Bubble Awards

Bubble Awards offer a contemporary alternative to a traditional corporate trophy.

Their organic form and handcrafted glass details make them suitable for business awards, staff recognition, milestone celebrations and industry events.

Handblown Wine Glass Sets

Australian-made wine glass sets are a beautiful option for executive gifts, client appreciation, retirement presentations, corporate anniversaries and staff milestones.

They combine practical use with Australian craftsmanship and can be enjoyed for many years.

Kinetic Wine Decanters

Our Kinetic Wine Decanters are a distinctive premium corporate gift.

Each handblown decanter is designed to revolve gracefully on its weighted axis, helping to aerate the wine while creating a beautiful centrepiece.

They are particularly popular for executive gifting, retirement presentations, valued clients and significant business milestones.

Posy Collection

Our handcrafted Posy range is suited to client gifts, staff appreciation, guest speakers, milestone celebrations and corporate events.

These pieces provide a thoughtful and highly displayable alternative to standard promotional gifting.

Art Glass Platters

Art glass platters are ideal when your organisation needs a larger surface for engraving or would like to include additional wording.

They work well for commemorative presentations, retirement gifts, long service recognition, board presentations and significant organisational milestones.

Browse our corporate award and gifting options.

How late can we provide the winner or recipient names?

We understand that winner names are often unavailable until close to the event.

In many cases, we can confirm the award design, quantity, colours and production requirements first, with the final names supplied closer to the engraving deadline.

Our engravers require at least 10 clear business days once the final recipient information and approved artwork have been supplied.

You must also allow additional time for:

• Preparing the engraving layout
• Artwork approval
• Quality checking
• Packaging
• Interstate or international shipping

Delivery times will depend on the location of your event.

We recommend confirming your awards as early as possible, even when the recipient names are not yet known. Our team can then advise you of the final deadline for supplying names based on your event date and delivery destination.

What files do you require for logos and engraving?

Please provide a high-resolution PNG file of your company logo.

For multiple awards, please also send one final spreadsheet or document containing all recipient names, award categories and engraving wording.

We will prepare an artwork proof for your approval before engraving begins.

What is the process for ordering corporate awards?

Step 1: Contact Contemporary Co

Email us with your event date, quantity, approximate budget and any initial ideas.

You can contact us with a specific award you already like, or simply ask us to recommend suitable options.

Step 2: Review your options

We can:

• Quote an award you have selected
• Email our corporate catalogue for you to browse
• Recommend awards based on your budget
• Suggest options with strong stage presence
• Help you choose between awards and corporate gifts
• Provide information for board or management approval

Step 3: Select your preferred award

Once you have selected a direction, we will confirm:

• Quantity
• Size
• Colours
• Engraving
• Timber base or plaque requirements
• Packaging
• Delivery
• Production timeframe

Step 4: Send your custom information

You will then send us your high-resolution logo, engraving wording and recipient details when they become available.

If names are not yet confirmed, we may still be able to begin producing the awards while waiting for the final engraving information.

Step 5: We prepare your complete package

We will build a tailored award package based on your requirements.

This may include:

• The handcrafted awards
• Custom colours
• Engraving
• Timber bases
• Gold or silver plaques
• Gift boxes
• Freight

A formal quotation can be supplied for approval.

Step 6: Artwork, production and delivery

Once the quote and artwork have been approved, your awards move through production, engraving, quality checking, packaging and delivery.

Our team coordinates the process so your awards arrive ready for presentation.

How much do custom corporate awards cost?

The price of a custom corporate award depends on:

• The award design
• Size
• Material
• Quantity
• Custom colours
• Design complexity
• Engraving
• Artwork setup
• Timber bases
• Plaques
• Gift boxes
• Freight
• Required production timeframe

Contemporary Co offers Australian-made options across a range of budgets, from smaller recognition gifts to large statement awards and completely bespoke designs.

To help us prepare an accurate quote, let us know whether your budget needs to include GST, engraving, packaging and delivery.

How far in advance should we order?

We recommend contacting us as early as possible.

As a general guide:

• Allow approximately three to six weeks for available designs requiring personalisation.
• Allow approximately six to ten weeks for made-to-order or custom-colour pieces.
• Allow at least eight to twelve weeks for fully bespoke awards.

These timeframes may vary depending on quantity, design complexity, artist availability and the time of year.

For major events, annual programs or large quantities, earlier planning provides the greatest choice and flexibility.

Can you provide a quote for board or management approval?

Yes.

We regularly assist clients who need to present award options to senior management, boards, procurement teams and event committees.

We can provide:

• Formal quotations
• Product images
• Dimensions
• Material information
• Australian-made information
• Engraving options
• Production timelines
• Gift packaging information
• Delivery estimates

Our corporate catalogue can also be shared with other decision-makers to help your organisation select its preferred design.

Why choose Contemporary Co?

Contemporary Co has been creating and curating Australian collectible design since 2010.

We work closely with Australian artists and makers to create meaningful corporate awards, employee recognition pieces and premium corporate gifts for organisations throughout Australia.

Our service is personal and collaborative. We take the time to understand:

• Who you are recognising
• What the achievement represents
• Your budget
• Your event date
• Your brand
• Your quantity
• Your presentation requirements
• Your delivery location

We can assist with one personalised gift, a collection of employee awards, a major industry event or a completely bespoke corporate award program.

Our team coordinates the process from initial selection and quotation through to artist production, artwork, engraving, packaging and delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Can Contemporary Co work within our approved award budget?

Yes. We can recommend Australian-made awards based on your budget, quantity, event date and personalisation requirements.

What size award is best for a stage presentation?

Awards approximately 25 to 30 centimetres high generally offer excellent stage presence and photograph well during formal presentations.

When do you need the final winner names?

Our engravers require at least 10 clear business days after receiving the final approved recipient information. You must also allow time for artwork approval, packaging and delivery.

Can our company logo be included?

Yes. Company logos can be included through engraving or on an engraved plaque, depending on the selected award design.

What logo file format should we provide?

A high-resolution PNG may also be suitable.

Can you help us choose an award?

Yes. Send us your budget, quantity, event date and delivery location, and we will recommend suitable options.

Can you create awards in our company colours?

Many of our glass awards can be created using custom colours. Availability, pricing and production time will depend on the design, artist and quantity.

Can we order only one corporate award?

Yes. We can assist with a single award or executive gift, as well as larger corporate and national award programs.

Do you deliver corporate awards throughout Australia?

Yes. Contemporary Co works with clients across Australia. Freight time and costs will depend on the quantity and delivery location.

Create an award they will be proud to keep

The best corporate awards feel as meaningful as the achievements they recognise.

Whether you need one special presentation piece or a complete awards collection, Contemporary Co can help you select or create an Australian-made award that reflects your organisation and celebrates the recipient.

Tell us your event date, quantity, budget and vision, and we will guide you through the most suitable options.

Explore our Australian-made corporate awards and request a quote.