Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Awards
A custom award is more than just a trophy—it's a lasting symbol of appreciation, achievement, and recognition. A thoughtful design can make an employee feel truly valued, while a poorly designed award can lessen the impact of the recognition.
Before submitting your design for production, take a few minutes to review these common mistakes and learn how to avoid them.
1. Using Low-Resolution Images
One of the most common issues we see is low-quality logos or images.
While an image may look fine on a computer screen, it can appear blurry or pixelated when printed on an award. For the best results, always use the highest-quality artwork available.
Recommended file formats include:
- SVG
- AI
- EPS
- High-resolution PNG
Avoid using screenshots, images copied from websites, or photos downloaded from social media whenever possible.
2. Adding Too Much Text
It's tempting to include every detail of an accomplishment, but too much text can make an award look crowded and difficult to read.
Instead, focus on the essentials:
- Recipient's name
- Award title
- Company name or logo
- Date
- A short, meaningful recognition message
Keeping the design clean helps the most important information stand out.
3. Choosing Fonts That Are Difficult to Read
Decorative fonts may look elegant, but they aren't always practical.
Use clear, professional fonts that remain readable from a distance. Limiting your design to one or two font styles also creates a more polished appearance.
4. Ignoring Alignment and Spacing
Even a beautifully designed award can feel unbalanced if elements aren't properly aligned.
Before submitting your design, check that:
- Text is centered or intentionally aligned
- Margins are consistent
- Images and logos have enough breathing room
- Nothing appears too close to the edges
Proper spacing creates a more premium and professional look.
5. Stretching or Distorting Logos
A company's logo is an important part of its brand identity.
Avoid resizing logos disproportionately, as stretching or compressing an image can make it look unprofessional. Always maintain the original aspect ratio when resizing artwork.
6. Forgetting to Proofread
Misspelled names, incorrect dates, or missing punctuation can quickly turn an exciting recognition moment into a disappointing one.
Before placing your order, double-check:
- Recipient names
- Award titles
- Dates
- Company name
- Grammar and spelling
Having a second person review the design is always a good idea.
7. Using Colors That Don't Contrast
Text should always be easy to read against the background.
Light text on a light background—or dark text on a dark background—can become difficult to see once printed.
Choose colors that provide strong contrast while remaining consistent with your brand.
8. Not Considering the Award Material
Different materials display artwork differently.
For example:
- Crystal creates a clean, elegant appearance and works beautifully with laser engraving and full-color printing.
- Wood adds warmth and pairs well with engraved or printed designs.
- Acrylic is ideal for vibrant, full-color graphics.
- Metal plates offer a classic, professional finish for text and logos.
Designing with the material in mind helps achieve the best possible result.
9. Overlooking Print Boundaries
Every award has a specific printable area.
Placing text or graphics too close to the edges may affect the final appearance. Always keep important design elements safely within the recommended print area to ensure nothing is cut off during production.
10. Not Reviewing the Design Before Ordering
A final review can prevent delays and costly corrections.
Before submitting your order, take a moment to verify:
- Image quality
- Text placement
- Spelling and grammar
- Colors
- Overall balance of the design
A careful review helps ensure your award looks exactly as intended.
11. Not Using All print sides available.
Some awards feature a second printable area on the back, designed to be viewed through the front of the award. While using this print zone is completely optional, it can add depth and create a unique layered effect that enhances the overall appearance of your recognition piece.
This additional print area is ideal for incorporating elements such as a background graphic, giving your award an even more distinctive and premium look.
Need a Second Opinion?
At Altrum, we're happy to help.
If you've created your design using our online customization tool, simply save it before placing your order. Our team can review your artwork and let you know if any improvements are recommended to ensure the highest possible print quality.