The difference between Crystal Awards and Acrylic Awards

Employee appreciation or student recognition are some of the best ways to praise someone&#;s outstanding performance. Today there are so many options to do so, such as acrylic awards or crystal awards. But which one to choose?

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There is a wide debate between these two materials, because at first glance they can seem to be the same, but this is not the case. Each has its unique characteristics that are very consequential in making your decision.

Crystal awards and acrylic awards: differences

When you design an award, it is important to think about the recipient of the award is and the context. It is also important to think about the message, size, font style, overall design of the award and, most importantly, the feeling you want to convey.

Acrylic and crystal are two super materials for trophy design. The result of working with either of these materials can be quite elegant and allows for total customization. However, it is important to note that there are differences between the two, which you should consider before making the final decision.

The differences

These &#;material&#; differences will influence the choice of one material over another:

Appearance

The most noticeable contrast between acrylic and crystal awards are their weight, clarity and acuity. From a distance they might appear similar, but upon closer inspection it is &#;clear&#; which is which.

Light passes through both materials, rendering a clear appearance. However, gazing through acrylic at an object shows the object in a softer, slightly out of focus, way. In the case of crystal, the object would appear more sharply defined and with less color distortion. 

When viewed from farther away, light shining through crystal appears to be directed in a &#;path&#; which gives it a more lustrous and elegant appearance, often casting a rainbow spectrum. Crystal also tolerates sharply cut edges and can sparkle, almost like the facets of a diamond!

Weight & Texture

Here is the most obvious difference. Having passed your visual review, when you hold an acrylic trophy or award in your hands you will notice that it is lighter than a crystal or glass award of the same design and dimensions.  

As a general rule, crystal awards are generally smaller, so as not to overload the winner with the weight of the crystal. Crystal is also heavier than a glass award of the same dimension due to the higher lead content of crystal.

The texture of crystal is telling. Although both are smooth, in the case of crystal, a hard, cool and more resistant surface can be felt to the touch, making scratches unlikely.

Prices & Lead Times

Acrylic tends to be cheaper than crystal, as it is a thermoplastic and easier to mold, work and assemble. Crystal, for its part, requires more time to make, mold, cut and engrave. This makes for a more time-consuming process when assembling a crystal award, raising the final cost.

Remember that you must also consider the time factor, not only as it impacts labor hours, but also delivery times. While most crystal awards can be had within our normal delivery times, the larger and fancier ones can take a bit longer.

Impact resistance

With regard to impact resistance, the undisputed winner is acrylic. Acrylic is seventeen times more resistant to impacts compared to crystal.

Because of their increased hardness, sharp edges and brittleness, crystal awards can break easily due to a careless tap or by knocking one over. For this reason acrylic an ideal material for children&#;s prizes or those requiring more durability.

Acrylic is a highly durable material that is less likely to break if dropped. Crystal awards are more delicate. If you decide to purchase a crystal award, you will need to take good care of it before the award ceremony. After that, the responsibility rests with the winner!

The good news is that crystal awards usually arrive in their own individual boxes with ample protective packaging.

Find the best crystal awards and acrylic awards at The Trophy & Plaque Shack. Visit our website and online catalogs to find the ideal trophy for your event. We have a wide variety of shapes and materials. Ask one of our knowledgeable and creative awards specialists to help you pick out the perfect item.  Contact us for more information.

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There are so many options for awards in the workplace. This includes both crystal awards and acrylic awards. With so many different options in the award industry, it can be confusing to choose what specific award to order. Here at Muniz, we are here to help you make the right choice that is most beneficial to you. Texas can trust us to provide the best quality acrylic award. We know who the real winner is in the fight of acrylic vs crystal.

Things To Consider

When designing and handing out an award, the first thing that should come to mind is the recipient of the award. Also, factor in your personal preference. If you have a recipient who is younger, the type of award they receive will be different in comparison to the award of a corporate level award. Also, it is important to think over the text, style, and overall design of the award.

Acrylic vs Crystal: Which is Better?

Let us begin by explaining the main differences between acrylic, crystal, and glass awards.

• Chemical Makeup

  • While all three materials look similar to finished products, they are very different on a chemical level. Acrylic awards are made of a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate. It is technically classified as a type of glass, but it is a thermoplastic. Acrylic is the most chemically diverse material of the three. Glass and crystal awards are more similar regarding their chemical makeup. They both are composed of sand, sodium carbonate, limestone, and a few other additives. However, glass contains little to no traces of lead, while crystal possesses a higher lead content.

• Weight

  • Holding each finished material in your hands can help distinguish acrylic, crystal and glass awards from each other. Because it is a thermoplastic, acrylic is very lightweight and not nearly as heavy as glass and crystal. Depending on the design and style of the glass or crystal award, the weight can vary between the two materials. However, a crystal trophy is more substantial than a glass trophy of equal shape and size due to its higher lead content.

• Impact Resistance

  • It should come as no surprise that an acrylic award, a thermoplastic, is significantly more impact resistant than a glass or crystal award. Acrylic is seventeen times more impact resistant than glass. It is very durable and difficult to break when dropped. Glass and crystal, on the other hand, are much more delicate. Both materials will shatter when dropped. However, due to its increased weight, the crystal is the least impact-resistant material and is extremely sensitive.

• Workability

  • When it comes to creating various trophies, awards, and plaques, all three materials can be formed into incredible shapes and intricate designs. Because glass and acrylic are made of more flexible materials, they can be formed into just about any shape you can imagine and remain sturdy. Crystal is softer than glass, which makes it ideal for carving more complex three-dimensional shapes rather than molding them.

Call Us Today

We are your experts when it comes to corporate and organization awards. We know the best decision between acrylic vs crystal. Muniz offers a full collection of professional Acrylic awards, Lucite awards, Acrylic plaques, and even Acrylic paperweights. We also provide full laser engraving services to commemorate and personalize any special occasion or event. All pricing includes laser engravings and personalization. Our product line provides standard pieces that are sure to be a hit, but we also create custom designs to fit precisely what you are looking for. Buy your awards with us by contacting us today for more information, Texas.

When it comes down to it, acrylic is the best option for you and whoever is the beneficiary of the award.

Are you interested in learning more about Custom Shaped Acrylic Awards? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!