Posted by Andreas Vavelidis
on September 22, 2026
People looking for alternatives to awarddesign.de generally want to have a physical award custom-made. The deciding factors are therefore not general design prizes, but manufacturers whose materials, quantities, personalisation options and project processes suit the requirement. This comparison looks at three providers based on the services they publicly describe.
AWARDdesign.de alternatives at a glance
| Provider | Focus | Materials | Quantities | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| inCrystal GmbH | Custom glass trophies, awards and 3D crystal pieces | Crystal glass and selected combinations, including wood or metal | Available from one piece | Free visualisation before production; express production may be available |
| AWARDdesign | Custom-made awards, trophies and tombstones | Including acrylic glass, glass, metal, wood, stone, concrete and asphalt | Minimum order stated by the provider: 20 pieces | Wide choice of materials and custom project development |
| Schlagheck Design | Individually developed trophies and awards | Depends on the project | One-off pieces and small series | Design and feasibility are tailored to the available budget |
Prices and lead times that are not clearly published have deliberately not been assessed. A reliable comparison of custom projects always requires a specific quotation.
Which alternative suits which project?
inCrystal: for glass awards, one-off pieces and 3D subsurface engraving
inCrystal is a suitable choice when the focus is on a glass award or when a logo, motif or 3D object is to be depicted inside the glass. The company manufactures in Germany, provides a free product visualisation before production and can offer express production depending on the project. One-off pieces are also possible. The glass trophies and awards page provides an overview of shapes and finishing options.
AWARDdesign: for custom pieces combining different materials
AWARDdesign is suitable for projects that call for several materials or a completely new shape. The provider lists glass, acrylic glass, metal, wood, stone, concrete and asphalt, among other materials. An important point for initial selection is that its website states a minimum order quantity of 20 pieces.
Schlagheck Design: for one-off pieces and small series with a fixed budget
Schlagheck Design is aimed at clients who already have an idea for a custom trophy or wish to develop one together with the provider. The company stresses that the available budget determines the feasible design and explicitly lists one-off pieces and small series among its services.
Five criteria for choosing a provider
- Material: Should the award be made of glass, or are combinations of materials required?
- Quantity: Is the project for one piece, a small series or a larger production run?
- Personalisation: Are text and a logo sufficient, or is a custom shape or 3D subsurface engraving required?
- Approval process: Is a visualisation, prototype or approval sample provided before production?
- Deadline: Is express production available, and when does the stated lead time begin?
Quotations are only comparable when the same size, material, finishing method, quantity, packaging and required delivery date are specified.
How a custom award project works at inCrystal
- Provide the logo, motif, text and required quantity.
- Review the free product visualisation and quotation.
- Approve the design for production.
- Production and delivery are carried out in accordance with the confirmed order.
For unusual shapes or combinations of materials, the custom-made products section provides additional options. The free visualisation is a preview before production; it does not replace checking the specific quotation, approval file and confirmed delivery date.
Not direct alternatives: German Design Award, iF and Red Dot
The German Design Award, iF DESIGN AWARD and Red Dot Award are competitions or distinctions. They do not manufacture custom trophies for clients and therefore do not belong in a comparison of manufacturers. Anyone wishing to order a physical award should clearly distinguish these competitions from producers and design service providers.
Frequently asked questions
Does inCrystal have a minimum order quantity?
Many custom glass awards can be manufactured from one piece. Different minimum quantities may apply to individual product groups; the relevant product information or quotation is decisive.
Is the inCrystal visualisation free?
inCrystal provides a free product visualisation before production. Manufacturing starts only after the design has been approved.
What lead time is realistic?
A general lead time would be misleading for custom awards. It depends on the product, finishing method, quantity, data approval and current workload. inCrystal offers express options, but only the deadline confirmed in the quotation is binding.