Custom Awards & Corporate Plaques – Sustainable Wooden Recognition, Made in Ireland

Custom Wood Designs creates bespoke awards, plaques and medals that feel as meaningful as the achievement. Hand-finished in Dublin using FSC-certified timbers (oak, birch ply, beech) with precision laser engraving From one-off centrepieces to 500+ unit rollouts, we blend craft, brand consistency, and sustainability.

Bespoke wooden awards and plaques, made in Ireland. FSC timber, laser engraving, Pantone/RAL matching. One-off to 500+ units. Fast 3–4 week lead times.


Custom Awards & Plaques

Custom Awards & Plaques

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Wooden Awards vs. Other Types of Employee Recognition: Which is Best? - Custom Wood Designs

Wooden Awards vs. Other Types of Employee Recognition: Which is Best?

When it comes to recognizing the achievements and contributions of employees, wooden awards have become a popular choice among organizations. However, within the category of wooden awards, there are several options available. In this blog post, we will compare different types of wooden awards with other forms of employee recognition to determine which type of wooden award is best.

Types of Wooden Awards:

  1. Solid Wood Awards: These awards are made entirely of solid wood and are often handcrafted. They have a natural, warm look and feel, and can be customized with unique designs and engravings. Solid wood awards are durable and long-lasting, making them a timeless option for employee recognition.

  2. Veneer Wood Awards: Veneer wood awards are made by layering thin slices of wood onto a substrate material, such as plywood. They have a similar look and feel to solid wood awards but are generally more affordable.

Other Forms of Employee Recognition:

In addition to wooden awards, other forms of employee recognition include certificates, plaques, trophies, and medals. Certificates are often used to recognize employee milestones and achievements, while plaques, trophies, and medals are tangible forms of recognition that can be displayed by the recipient.

Which Wooden Award is Best?

The choice of which type of wooden award to use ultimately depends on the organization's budget, the intended purpose of the award, and the preferences of the employees. Solid wood awards are a luxurious and long-lasting option but may be more expensive. Veneer wood awards offer a similar look and feel to solid wood awards but are generally more affordable.

Compared to other forms of employee recognition, wooden awards have a timeless elegance and warmth that is hard to replicate with other materials. Certificates, plaques, trophies, and medals are all viable options, but wooden awards offer a unique and sophisticated look that can make a lasting impression on the recipient.

In conclusion, both solid wood and veneer wood awards are excellent choices for recognizing the achievements and contributions of employees. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the organization's budget and the intended purpose of the award. However, compared to other forms of employee recognition, wooden awards offer a timeless and elegant look that can make a lasting impression on the recipient.

Bespoke wooden awards and plaques, made in Ireland.

Premium, sustainable recognition pieces for corporate, hospitality & events

Custom Wood Designs creates bespoke awards, plaques and medals that feel as meaningful as the achievement. Hand-finished in Dublin using FSC-certified timbers (oak, birch ply, beech) with precision laser engraving and UV colour printing. From one-off centrepieces to 500+ unit rollouts, we blend craft, brand consistency, and sustainability.

Why choose our awards


  • Sustainable materials: FSC wood, water-based lacquers, low-waste production

  • Brand-perfect finishes: laser engraving, UV print, paint-fill, RAL/Pantone colour matching

  • Any format: desk awards, wall plaques, wall medals, trophy blocks, certificate frames

  • Fully custom: sizes, shapes, stains, inserts, mixed materials (wood + glass/acrylic accents)

  • Personalisation at scale: names, categories & numbering via CSV/Excel import

  • Made in Ireland: fast, reliable lead times and worldwide shipping

Popular styles


  • Solid Oak Block Awards — timeless, weighty, engraved or printed front face

  • Wall Plaques — oak/birch with hidden fixings; ideal for reception or back-bar walls

  • Tiered/Layered Awards — laser-cut face plates for depth, colour and contrast

  • Medals & Wall Medals — wooden medallions with ribbons or wall-mount sets

  • Eco Recognition Sets — plaque + certificate frame + gift box for premium presentation

Finishes & options


  • Natural, smoked, walnut, black or white stains; clear matte/satin lacquer

  • Laser engraving, spot-colour paint-fill, UV full-colour print, metal/acrylic badges

  • Edge profiles (bevel/chamfer/radius), hidden keyhole hangers for plaques


Gift packaging: branded boxes, kraft sleeves, foam fitments

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