Guide
Award wording ideas and staff award categories
What to put on a glass or crystal award, with examples for staff awards, long service, retirements, golf days and sports clubs, plus a list of award categories for your awards night.
What goes on an award
Most awards follow the same order, top to bottom. Leave out anything you don’t need: fewer lines means bigger, clearer engraving.
- Logo or crest: your company, club or event logo
- Event: for example “Staff Awards 2026”
- Award title: the category, such as “Employee of the Year”
- Winner’s name
- A short line: a date, a thank-you or the reason for the award
Ordering a set? The logo and event usually stay the same and only the category and name change on each one. Every award page shows its engraving area, and we send a free proof before anything is engraved.
Employee of the year award wording
- [Company logo] Employee of the Year 2026 Sarah Williams
- Presented to Tom Richards Employee of the Year in recognition of outstanding commitment and hard work
- [Company logo] Outstanding Contribution Awarded to Priya Shah Awards Night 2026
Long service award wording
- [Company logo] 25 Years of Service David Price 2001 – 2026
- Presented to Lynne Jenkins in recognition of 30 years’ loyal service to [Company]
- Thank you, Mike 20 years of dedication from everyone at [Company]
Retirement award wording
- Happy Retirement Carol Bevan With thanks for 35 years
- Presented to Roger Hale on his retirement with best wishes from all your colleagues
- [Company logo] Congratulations Janet Enjoy every moment 1989 – 2026
Golf award wording
- [Club crest] Captain’s Day 2026 Winner Gareth Morgan
- [Company logo] Charity Golf Day Nearest the Pin
- Annual Society Golf Day Longest Drive 2026
Football and sports award wording
- [Club badge] Players’ Player of the Season 2025/26 Owen Jones
- [League logo] Division One Champions 2025/26
- [School crest] Sports Personality of the Year 2026
Sales, team and corporate award wording
- [Company logo] Salesperson of the Year Rachel Hughes 2026
- [Company logo] Team of the Year Customer Services Awards 2026
- [Event logo] Welsh Business Awards 2026 Winner Best Small Business
Staff award category ideas
Popular categories for awards nights and staff recognition. Mix and match: the minimum order is 2 awards in total, and they don’t all have to be the same design.
- Employee of the Year
- Rising Star
- Team of the Year
- Manager of the Year
- Leader of the Year
- Customer Service Award
- Salesperson of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- Newcomer of the Year
- Innovation Award
- Unsung Hero
- Going the Extra Mile
- Outstanding Contribution
- Lifetime Achievement
- Long Service
- Volunteer of the Year
- Health & Safety Champion
- Community Award
- Above and Beyond
- Chair’s Award
Not sure which award? Try the award finder → See awards we’ve engraved →
Frequently asked questions
What should I write on an employee of the year award?
Usually your logo, the event (for example “Staff Awards 2026”), the award title and the winner’s name. Add a short line such as the year or “in recognition of outstanding commitment” if there’s room.
How much text fits on a glass award?
It depends on the award. Every award page shows its engraving area, and as a rule four to six short lines look best. We send a free proof so you can see the layout before anything is engraved.
Can every award in a set have different wording?
Yes. Most sets keep the same logo and event and change the category and name on each award. Send us a list and we’ll proof each one.
Can you engrave our company or club logo?
Yes. Send it as a PDF, EPS or SVG and we’ll set it up for engraving.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes. Glass award orders start at 2 awards in total, and you can mix different awards and sizes.
Got your wording?
Email it with your logo and we’ll reply within 24 hours with a quote, then send a free proof.
