Base & Custom Engraving Options for Bennett Recognition Awards

Award Base Variations


Base Material

Our awards can be mounted on a variety of different base types, including marble, granite, crystal and wood. Most of our bronze and pewter recognition awards come standard with black stone bases (shown above and at right). Generally, these bases are made from black marble, but on occasion we may use black granite. Both of these base materials are virtually indistinguishable, and they both create a substantial, distinctive base choice for our unique awards. Most of our crystal recognition awards come with a crystal base, and in some cases this is part of the sculpture award itself. However, many of these crystal recognition awards can also be ordered with an optional marble base.

As an option, many of our recognition awards also support unique, custom wood bases that are handcrafted by a local artisan woodworker. These wood bases are created from a variety of hardwoods, including walnut, mahogany, teak, and hickory, and can be constructed in a variety of different custom sizes. In addition, multi-tier bases can be created, and in some cases these can be crafted out of multiple hardwood types. A few examples of these wood bases are shown below.

Finally, as another alternative, customers may choose an award base that is a combination of marble and wood. This is another unique way of creating a multi-tier base, and makes for very unique, eye-catching recognition awards.


Base Size

Our sculpture awards come with a standard base size, but they can usually support an optional, custom base size to meet the needs of a specific presentation. For example, a larger base size might be required for a perpetual award. For example, the base for the perpetual award can contain a primary engraving with information such as the name of the award, and then provide enough space to add annual recipients of the award. Annual additions are usually added via engraved plates. An example is shown at right.

Custom Base Engraving


Virtually all of the customers purchasing our unique awards choose to personalize their recognition awards by incorporating a customized engraving on the bases of their awards. These engravings can incorporate a virtually unlimited number of text and graphic options. For example, the engraving might contain the name of the recipient, the name of the award, the name of the presenting organization, and/or a special phrase or saying. In the case of corporate awards, the text may contain the company tagline, motto or logo.

There are a few different options for incorporating a personalized engraving on these unique awards:


Engraved Etchings in the Award's Base

One option is to have the engraving etched directly into the award base itself. The etching can be filled with either gold fill (see photo at top of page) or silver fill (see photo st right). Generally, it is a good idea for the fill color to match the finish of the unique awards - silver fill for brushed pewter or silver-plated pewter sculpture awards, and gold fill for gold-plated pewter and bronze sculpture awards.

Engraved Plates Affixed to the Award's Base

A second option is to have an engraved or sublimated metal plate attached to the base of the unique awards (see photo at right). These plates are usually silver- or gold-plated (see photo below right for both variations). The advantage of the engraved plate is that it is able to hold more text characters, and can contain color images (a color corporate logo, for example).

Engraving Directly Into the Award

A final option is to have custom engraving incorporated into the award itself. This is primarily an option with some of our crystal and glass awards, but a few of our pewter awards also support the option for custom engraving incorporated into the sculpture award itself – for example, the pewter recognition award Appreciation can support an engraved object held in its arms.

Customers of our unique awards have been thrilled with all of these options - they are all great choices that can make for a great presentation. Our consultants work closely with our customers to ensure that their award engraving adds to the beauty and impact of their awards and award presentation.