Trophies are the crowning glory. They are the greatest spectacle of any event and physically represent all that is at stake within your competition. It’s important you know how to order a custom trophy to truly honour the elite-in-class.
A bespoke trophy is a perfect way to raise the profile of your brand, and the ideal opportunity to showcase a cohesive visual representation of your values and quality. In this article, we share our wealth of experience and walk you through the order process step-by-step.
A trophy is considered to be custom, or bespoke, when it has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of a client, event or brand. As a result, it will need to be expertly manufactured and assembled by an expert team of master silversmiths.
A custom trophy can be designed and made in any way. Traditional techniques, such as hammering and chasing, can be paired with modern innovation, such as 3D printing and electroforming. Unifying multiple techniques ensures your custom trophy vision reaches it’s fullest artisanal potential.
Fully bespoke trophies are made for the highest level of sport and business, celebrating the elite in class. Therefore the highest level of craftsmanship is required to achieve the greatest results. While artisanal trophies are not suitable for low budgets, stock trophies are often available as an affordable alternative.
There are multiple elements of a bespoke trophy that require tailoring in order to achieve both a special and distinctive result…
The size of the trophy reflects the personalisation of the brand or event. Small bespoke awards or full size trophies will represent the crowning glory of your event. There is no limit in size, only a limit in imagination.
Trophies can be made from various materials. For example, brass, sterling silver, gold and silver plate, and 3D printed electroformed materials. These are all, but not exhaustive, options to consider when ordering a custom trophy.
Custom Trophies are individual and unique. The theme of the event, or the branding, can dictate the specific purpose of the award. These elements often reflect the exclusivity of a bespoke piece. When speaking the name of any elite competition from around the world, the bespoke trophy connected to the competition immediately comes to mind. The defining symbol of achievement and prestige.
Crafting a custom trophy guarantees memorability and sparks desire. They also enhance the significance of achievement, while simultaneously certifying the relevance of its competition. In a sea of generic-looking awards, a custom trophy will stand out; a unique prize reflects the unique accomplishment. The bespoke nature of your order allows for full customisation of design, shape, size and appearance.
Making an entirely artisanal piece requires hundreds of hours of work, by masters of the craft. The higher the calibre of craftspeople, the more illustrious the trophy. From making initial contact, to putting pen to paper and in time seeing your custom trophy in all its glory – it all starts here.
Below are beautiful examples of custom trophies, made bespoke for various sports around the globe…
At Thomas Lyte, we are well accustomed to the journey from the inception of an idea to full completion of a bespoke piece. Get in touch and we will guide you through the process. Below are some handy steps to follow when considering how to order a custom trophy.
Identifying a budget is a principal step in understanding the limitations when ordering a custom trophy. The cost of a fully bespoke work of art varies. From designers, to makers. From scale, to materials. Multiple areas can influence budgetary requirements.
Commissioning the global elite in craftsmanship is not for the feint hearted, so identifying an expected – and maximum – budget will ensure you get a trophy that matches your ambition.
A crucial step in any artisanal journey. The trophy’s design will reflect the purpose of the event, and give you a clear indication of the visual potential. Reviewing a number of design options is always the best route to guaranteeing your vision is achieved.
Consider the purpose of the trophy and what it represents. It is important that the trophy reflects the event. If the event is a sporting trophy, you may want to add elements of the sport into the design process. If it’s a corporate award, you may wish the piece to contain a feature of the event’s branding. Cultural heritage and history often play a key role in the design process. Below is an example of the AlUla Cup, exhibiting a section of the trophy featuring a ‘rock art’ design. This is a design element directly reflecting the historical prominence of the area in which the competition is taking place. In this case, the Medina Province in Saudi Arabia.
Other things to review in this step are trophy materials, size, shape and customisation. You will attain a comprehensive idea as to whether your idea is achievable and a full visual representation upon completion of the design phase.
Choosing a reputable trophy designer and maker will govern the quality and care given to your trophy. Your trophy will benefit from passing through the hands of a master smith and world-renowned designers to execute the best results.
The final step in the process is ordering your trophy. With the research complete, the budget agreed, and the design approved, it is time to confirm your order. You will have already been in touch with the designers and makers, and you can give the green light for the work to begin.
There are many trophy suppliers around the world, however there are few equipped with the calibre, experience and mastery necessary to truly meet the requirements of a bespoke trophy order. Crafting a trophy requires multiple processes. Master silversmiths are required to shape, bend and manipulate precious metals into the many facets of a trophy.
Thomas Lyte, Royal Warrant holders as master silver and goldsmiths to Her Late Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, are regularly honoured with the task of designing and making trophies for elite sports and brands around the world. With master-silversmiths and designers at our London-based, purpose-built workshop, and access to state-of-the-art innovation, we are the world-leading craftspeople of custom trophies.
Thomas Lyte are the proud makers of the Emirates FA Cup, being the official trophy and medal supplier to The FA. We are also adorned with the privilege of designing and making many of elite sport’s custom silver and gold-plated trophies, such as the Women’s and Men’s Six Nations trophies, The United Cup, The Hundred Trophy and the ILT20 Trophy among numerous others. Notably, too, Thomas Lyte restores and repairs prominent global sporting trophies including the Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup.
The experienced master craftspeople at our London-based workshop will advise whether small tweaks in the design can speed up the crafting process and allow for tighter timescales. Our exceptional trophy gallery can be found here, where you are able to browse many of our fully customised works and commissions at your leisure.
Silversmiths are masters of their craft who are responsible for shaping your vision into reality, bringing life to your unique design.
The process to manufacture a true masterpiece crosses multiple industry boundaries. Silversmiths commonly work with both precious and base metals – such as gold, silver and brass – and also have the capacity to utilise various skills outside of the metalwork industry to breathe life into any concept. From woodworking to lathe-turning, from 3D printing to combining chemicals, silversmiths are an elite group within the world of making who are not limited to a singular manufacturing approach.
Silversmiths are elevated to elite craftspeople by their propensity to work at any scale. Frequently working within the jewellery industry, a silversmith will be skilled with the finer tasks, making light work of miniscule adjustments, filing and engraving. However, no task is too big. From an earring to a decorative vase, to trophies and ecclesiastical articles, Silversmiths combine their wide skill set to accomplish any mission.
Steeped in history, transcending skills and methods across centuries while continuously innovating and developing their craft, the role of a Silversmith is all-encompassing. Decades, and often centuries of combined labour and study accumulate during the manufacture of just one trophy. The master Silversmith’s involvement in your custom trophy project stems from design and lasts until your bespoke masterpiece is complete.
As the world leaders in bespoke trophy manufacturing, our familiarity with the process of ordering a custom trophy is unmatched. If you would like to begin the journey of creating your artisanal piece, we would be delighted to speak with you. Call us on +44 (0) 20 751 8844 or write an enquiry via our contact form.
There is no set time guaranteed when creating bespoke piece. Ensure you have allowed enough time from the trophies design inception to the day of presentation to establish reasonable expectations on trophy manufacture. Typically, we require between 9 – 12 weeks to complete a bespoke piece, however we will always try to accommodate shorter lead times.
It’s crucial to ensure you are transparent about your expectations. High quality, bespoke trophies are works of art, and are made to stand the test of time. Clients that commission bespoke gold- or silverware require significant budgets to meet the costs of pairing precious metals with the craftsmanship of master-smiths.
Absolutely. We have a purpose-built global distribution department, containing a staff force with a deep understanding and experience of worldwide shipping. Thomas Lyte have despatched commissions to every corner of the planet, to clients across every continent.
1. Identify your budget – have an ideal budget to ensure your needs are met.
2. Decide the purpose of your trophy – identify the event, sport or competition it needs to reflect.
3. Choose your trophy supplier – find the world-leaders in Custom Trophy manufacture, such as Thomas Lyte, and make contact.
4. Design your trophy – liaise with your designer and supplier to choose materials, customise size and shape, and tailor personalisation and branding.
5. Order your Custom Trophy – after final approval of design, the work can start on your trophy.
The process of ordering a custom trophy is not merely a transactional endeavour but a collective journey towards commemorating the pinnacle of achievement of elite competition. Custom trophies symbolise the essence of an event or brand, meticulously crafted to reflect its values and significance. Through the expertise of master craftsmen like silversmiths, these trophies transcend mere accolades, becoming enduring symbols of prestige and accomplishment. From conception to completion, the bespoke nature of these trophies allows for unlimited customisation, ensuring they stand out as unique works of art. By partnering with an esteemed manufacturer, such as Thomas Lyte, we can embark on a collaborative process that culminates in the creation of bespoke masterpieces worthy of adorning the most distinguished events and competitions worldwide.
Read about our press mentions and awards for the project
We have selected a number of case studies that demonstrate the broad range of our capabilities designing and making in precious metals.
