Understanding Award Engraving Methods — A Complete Guide

Not all engraving is created equal. The method used to personalize your award affects its appearance, feel, and even which materials it works on. Here's everything you need to know about the seven most common award personalization techniques.

1. 3D Subsurface Engraving

The most premium technique we offer. A high-frequency laser focuses deep inside the crystal block, creating thousands of precise micro-fracture points that together form a stunning three-dimensional image suspended within the glass. The outer surface remains perfectly smooth and untouched.

Best for: Executive gifts, milestone awards, and any occasion where the award needs to make a lasting impression.
Materials: Optical-grade K9 crystal only.
Result: A 3D sculpture that appears to float inside the crystal, visible from every angle and permanent for life.

2. 2D Subsurface Engraving

Similar to 3D engraving but with flat designs — text, logos, and artwork placed inside the glass rather than on its surface. The design appears to float just beneath a perfectly polished exterior, creating a clean, sophisticated “floating” effect.

Best for: Company logos, names and titles, certificates of recognition, and clean professional awards where readability is the priority.
Materials: Crystal and glass awards of all shapes.

3. Surface Engraving (CO2 Laser)

A precision CO2 laser etches designs directly onto the exterior of glass and crystal awards. The laser removes a thin layer of material, creating a distinctive white frosted appearance that you can see and feel. The depth and intensity can be adjusted for different effects.

Best for: Awards where tactile quality matters, traditional recognition pieces, and designs where a classic frosted-glass look is desired.
Materials: Glass, crystal, acrylic, and some coated metals.

4. Sandblasting

One of the oldest and most respected glass personalization techniques. Fine abrasive particles are propelled at high pressure against the glass through a precision-cut stencil, removing material to create deep, beautifully frosted designs with a soft-to-the-touch texture.

Best for: Large awards, deep-etched corporate logos, and any award where a handcrafted feel and dramatic depth are valued.
Materials: All types of glass and crystal.

5. Sandblasting with Color Fill

Sandblasting combined with hand-applied metallic or pigment-based paints. After sandblasting, skilled artisans carefully fill the etched areas with gold, silver, or custom brand colors. This is our most artisan technique — each piece is finished by hand.

Best for: Brand-specific awards requiring exact logo colors, luxury recognition pieces with gold or silver accents, and executive gifts.
Materials: All sandblast-compatible glass and crystal.

6. UV Printing

Our most versatile color technique, capable of reproducing full-color photographs, complex gradients, and unlimited colors directly on award surfaces. A specialized digital printer deposits UV-curable ink directly onto the surface, where it's immediately hardened by UV LED lights.

Best for: Awards featuring full-color logos, photo reproductions, and any piece where brand colors must be exact.
Materials: Acrylic, glass, crystal, wood, metal.

7. Sublimation

A heat-transfer process that permanently infuses dye into specially coated surfaces. Unlike surface printing where ink sits on top, sublimation dyes become part of the material itself — creating vibrant, scratch-resistant designs that will never peel, crack, or fade.

Best for: Metal plaques, name plates, photo-quality award inserts, and high-volume recognition programs.
Materials: Polymer-coated metals, specially treated glass, and ceramic components.

Choosing the Right Method

The right technique depends on your material, design complexity, and desired aesthetic. Visit our Resources page for detailed photos and descriptions of each method, or contact us and we'll recommend the best approach for your project.