How to Choose the Right Award

Practical guidance for organizations planning meaningful recognition.

When it comes to awards, one size never fits all—especially for organizations with multiple teams, diverse recipients, or complex event logistics. Whether you’re honoring volunteers, partners, or internal teams, here’s what to consider when choosing the right award.

1. Understand the Structure of Your Program

• Is there a hierarchy (implicit or explicit) of awards? Use varied sizes or designs to distinguish tiers (e.g., Flare, Dash, Sweep), or choose the same size awards with different colors or graphics.
• Is this a one-time award or part of a recurring program? Consistency matters year over year. If the same recipients can win multiple times, consider how their awards will look together.
• Consider your recipient(s):
  • Individuals: Choose a design that matches the scale of the recognition — smaller for milestones, larger for career achievements.
  • Teams: Centralized teams may share one plaque or display team names on a perpetual plaque; many teams, especially distributed teams, opt for smaller individual awards. 
  • Organizations or businesses: Plaques are generally best — not every winner will have a trophy case or shelf, but almost all have walls in high-visibility areas where plaques can be displayed with pride.
  • Special cases or speaker gifts: For public officials, a plaque is ideal for public office display. For board members or frequent honorees, consider something unique and more personal like an engraved candle holder or an artisan glass vase.

Bud Vase – A handcrafted, signed glass piece perfect for distinguished honorees or speakers.

Perpetual Plaque – A clean, modern choice for team honoring or recurring recognition.

2. Ceremony or Drop Ship—or Both? Photography?

• Will there be an award presentation? If yes, choose something appropriately scaled for photography.
• Planning award photography? Use a non-glare generic plaque for consistent photos and less stress, or an aspirational contemporary design to inspire your professional photographer.
• Hybrid or international event? Use one stage award or post a beauty shot on social media, then drop ship the rest to recipients.

Relay Award – An elegant award, professionally photographed, makes a bold brand statement.

Atlantic Award – A bold and original design creates stunning award photography.

3. Budget Considerations

• Per-award cost: Think about what you want to spend per recipient and whether certain tiers (e.g., leadership vs. staff) call for different price points.
• Volume discounts: Some designs lend themselves well to larger orders and can be more economical at scale.
• Shipping and logistics: Consider the total cost, including shipping, as well as import fees for international delivery (if applicable). Import fees alone can exceed the price of the awards in some countries. Ask for a shipping quote up front.
• Personalization options: If you're working within a tight budget, small format awards or simplified layouts can still look beautiful and feel personal.

Dash Award – A cost-effective award available in multiple sizes, ideal for scalable recognition.

Tealight Cube (shown with Pine Silver Award) – A small-format candle holder makes a thoughtful volunteer award.

4. Show (or Signal) Your Commitment to Sustainability

If your organization prioritizes sustainability, your award choices can help reflect those values. Whether you’re aiming to make a bold statement or prefer something more understated, the materials you choose communicate a message to your recipients—and everyone who sees the award.

• Want something overtly eco? Bamboo is a standard green building material and easily recognizable. Scrapwood awards are good choices for recycling programs.
• Looking for the smallest environmental footprint? Solid FSC certified wood products, laser engraved, are beautiful and compostable.
• Prefer something design-forward but nonetheless well-credentialed? For award recipients in the know, the FSC and B Corp logos engraved on the backs of our products will say it all.

Happenstack Award - A scrapwood award is an distinctive and fun way to celebrate green building or recycling initiaves.

Tealight Cube (shown with Preserve Award) – A small-format candle holder makes a thoughtful volunteer award.

5. How Much Do You Have to Say?

We believe that less is more—but when you’re recognizing someone’s service or telling a story, sometimes more just needs to be said. The amount of text and number of logos you plan to include will directly influence which awards make the most sense for your program.

• Long messages or formal citations? Choose an award with generous engraving space.
• Multiple logos? Select a larger format or vertical design to maintain clarity and hierarchy.
• Just a name and logo? Compact awards like the Flex or Odeon are ideal for minimal, elegant layouts.

Flex Award – Elegant, aspirational. Even with minimal text, the design communicates the achievement.

FSC Recycled Silver Plaque – Offers high readability and ample room for important messages.

6. Brand Alignment Matters

Awards are an extension of your brand—and just like your visual identity, they should reflect your organization's tone and values. A well-chosen design can reinforce your mission, aesthetic, and the kind of message you want your recipients to carry forward.

• Traditional brands: Choose engraved cherry or mahogany with formal layouts and classic tones.
• Design-forward brands: Opt for bold shapes, matte finishes, and recycled or unconventional materials.
• Mission-driven teams: Look for FSC or B Corp certifications and natural textures that signal environmental leadership.

Aspen Award – A simple leaf shape in warm cherry complements a bold banner and iconic brand.

Fire Award – Artisan glass adds elegance for photos and can complement brand colors.

7. Retirement, Years of Service & Lifetime Achievement

Some milestones call for something truly special. When you're recognizing a career of impact or a once-in-a-lifetime contribution, the award should reflect the weight of that achievement. These are moments that deserve artistry, presence, and permanence.

• Retirement gifts: Choose something enduring and personal—handcrafted awards signed by the artist make a lasting impression.
• Lifetime achievement awards: Look for larger formats with ample engraving space or artisan glass that stands apart.

Invierno Award – Freestanding, with ample space for a message.

Bloom Vase – Beautiful at home or in the office.

8. Other Considerations: Shipping & Footprint

While Rivanna ships all awards carbon neutral, the weight and material of your awards can still affect packaging, cost, and logistics—especially for programs involving international drop shipping or high quantities. Lighter materials often mean fewer headaches (and lower costs).

• Lightweight materials (bamboo, FSC-certified wood): Easier and more affordable to ship in bulk.
• Heavier materials (glass, Richlite): Better suited for on-stage presentation or single-recipient honors.

Bamboo – Rapidly renewable, sturdy, and lightweight for shipping.

Sweep Award – Small format awards weigh less, with lower price points that help offset shipping charges.

Need Help Choosing Your Awards?

Whether you're just getting started or finalizing a complex recognition program, we're here to help. Our team can guide you through award selection, ceremony planning, shipping logistics, and more.