Picking The Right Material For Your 3D Trophy

Despite the growing number of items on the list of potential usages for 3D printing technology, one of the most common uses this kind of technique sees is as the means of producing a 3D trophy or cup. With tournaments happening all over the world, in all sorts of different fields, awards like this are constantly in demand. The reduction in cost and time three-dimensional printing brought about quickly helped make it the go-to means of manufacturing this sort of item.

In this regard, one of the aspects of this technique that designers and customers alike value the most is its versatility. The sky often seems to be the limit, be it in terms of design or of materials that can potentially be used to create the trophies and other pieces. In fact, these items can be produced out of virtually anything, although each material has its own very specific set of pros and cons.

Below are three of the most common materials a 3D trophy can be made out of, with a brief explanation of what manufacturers and printers can expect from each.

Plastic

Plastic is the ‘cheap and cheerful’ material par excellence, and customers or designers wanting to produce a 3D trophy without incurring too many costs may well opt for this material as the base for their creations. Aside from price, plastic presents a number of other advantages, being much more malleable and versatile than either of the other two popular materials used for these cups, and less prone to damage or erosion. Furthermore, many plastic objects can now be made to replicate other materials – such as wood or metal – with reasonable accuracy, although the effect will never quite be the same.

Glass And Crystal

Glass and crystal are perhaps the most popular materials from which to make awards, owing greatly to the sense of sophistication and style they exude. As many advantages as plastic has, there is little comparison between a plastic piece and a futuristic-looking crystal one. The downside, of course, is that both materials are extremely easily damaged, meaning the owners will need to be much more careful when handling or displaying them.

Metal

Finally, metal helps establish a link between the traditional cups and awards of yore and the new printed breed. While significantly more complex to print with this new technology than either of the other materials, metals – like glass or crystal – look very impressive when fashioned into a final product. The downside, in this particular case, is that the added element of specialisation when printing or etching it can make the cost of the finished 3D trophy more expensive than it would be for either of the other popular materials.

In the end, it is up to the consumer to analyse the pros and cons of each of these materials in order to decide which one to use for their cups or awards. It is nice to know, however, that there is this much variety, and that all tastes are accounted for.

George Berdichevsky is the Founder of 3Design Center, which designs image files to be used in engraving machines for 3D trophy designs. His team of talented artists can create bespoke images for a 3D trophy from any idea or image. Visit the website for more information.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.