Award Styles for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place

There are some traditional rules when looking for trophies and awards to celebrate success. Prizes for different places come in different colors. However, there is some leeway regarding the styles of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. You can choose a traditional color or one of our unique alternatives. Either way, your team will appreciate them.

1st Place

For first place, gold is the standard. A gold medal shows someone has exceeded expectations and topped everyone else in their field. This bright, lustrous color stands out without being too flashy. When someone earns a gold trophy or medal, they and everyone else know they've done something right.

Another standard first-place color is blue, which commonly applies to ribbons like those given at state fairs and science competitions.

Alternatives

A crystal award can be a great alternative to a first-place medal or ribbon. Crystal is elegant, customizable and shows that the recipient has accomplished a remarkable feat. For elegant custom trophies that stand out, a simple and stylish crystal trophy built by one of our experts could be it.

2nd Place

The typical color for 2nd place trophies or medals is silver. We offer custom trophies showing a worker or team member that they did a great job, even if they didn't come in first. A silver award can be a great honor and motivator.

Alternatives

Look at glass trophies if you want something different than the typical 2nd place award. These custom awards are manufactured in various shades and shapes, so building an award anyone will appreciate is easy.

3rd Place

A 3rd place medal or trophy is usually in bronze. It's still a precious metal but doesn't stand out like silver and gold. For ribbons, most competitors will receive one of white. In any case, 3rd place awards show that someone has done a solid job and could see impressive improvement.

Alternatives

Both glass trophies and crystal awards can also make for great alternatives here. Or, you can build a custom plaque that shows your appreciation for your player or employee. The wood and engraving plate are close to matching the usual bronze theme. When hung on a wall, a plaque will serve as both a source of pride and a great motivator to do even better in the future. 

Whether you're looking for sports trophies or corporate awards, our experts at Branded Awards are ready to deliver outstanding results.