3D Printed Trophy Guide: Best Materials & How to Make One

Who says trophies have to be boring or mass-produced? A 3D printed trophy such as a football trophy, Mario Kart trophy, or golf trophy lets you create a unique piece with unlimited creativity. Think bold shapes, custom logos, and even names built directly into the design.

With 3d printing trophies, you’re not limited by molds or minimum orders. You get speed, precision, and style—all in one sleek, custom-made award.

3D Printed Trophy

What Is a 3D Printed Trophy?

Simply put, a 3D printed trophy is a custom award made using 3D printing technologies instead of traditional molding or mass production.

Professional 3D printing service providers will take your 3D model file and produce the trophy using technologies like SLA, LCD, SLS, SLM, MJF, or DLP. Depending on what kind of finish or strength you need, they’ll use materials like resin for smooth detail, nylon for durability, or metal powder for a more solid, premium feel.

So, what are the benefits of 3D print trophies?

In short, they’re faster to make, easy to customize, and way more creative than old-school trophies.

Traditional trophies made from metal, resin, or crystal glass often involve slow and expensive production processes. Most rely on mold casting or injection molding, which means long lead times (usually two to four weeks), high tooling costs, and little room for design changes once production starts.

But custom trophy 3D print solutions solve all that with:

Creative & Stunning Designs

Create anything you imagine—mascots, logos, geometric shapes, even interlocking or hollow structures that traditional methods simply can’t produce.

Small-Batch Customization

Custom trophies and sculpture awards with names, dates, or themes—even for short runs. There’s no need for expensive molds or high setup costs.

Faster Turnaround Times

Go from digital file to finished trophy in just days instead of weeks.

Today, you’ll find all kinds of 3D printed trophies out there—football and golf awards, esports trophies, school medals, or even fun, one-off designs for parties and niche events.

3D Printed Trophy3D Printed Trophy

Best Materials for 3D Printed Trophies

The material you choose matters just as much as the design. Want something light and fun? Or heavy and premium?

Here's a quick guide to the best materials for 3D printed trophies:

Material 3D Printing Tech Best For Durability Finish & Look Weight Cost Typical Use
Resin SLA, LCD, DLP Fine detail, artistic trophies Moderate Smooth, sleek, high-resolution Light $ Custom awards, branding
Nylon MJF, SJF, SLS High-usage trophies, batch production High Matte, slightly textured Very light $$ Sports, schools, promotions
Metal DMLS, SLM Prestige, executive awards Very high Metallic, solid, premium feel Heavy $$$ Corporate, luxury, top-tier competitions

Tips:

  • Go with resin if you want crisp detail and polished looks.
  • Choose nylon for lightweight durability, especially if the trophy will be handled a lot.
  • Opt for metal when prestige and lasting impact matter most.

In addition, you should also consider the structural complexity of bespoke trophies. Resin works great for fine details, hollow areas, or tricky curves—but metal might struggle with thin or intricate parts. Always confirm materials and processes with your 3D printing company before production.

How to Make a 3D Printed Trophy – Step-by-Step

So, how do you actually go from concept to finished award? Here’s a clear breakdown of each step involved.

1

Step 1 – Design Your Trophy

Create or source a 3D trophy model using software like 3ds Max, ZBrush, or Rhino. You can also download models from platforms like Thingiverse or MakerWorld.

Keep these tips in mind:

  • Ensure the 3D geometry is clean and fully closed, with no gaps or unsealed surfaces in the model.
  • If you're using resin-based printing (like SLA or LCD), minimize overhangs to reduce the need for supports
  • Double-check measurements and proportions

Once the model is ready, export it as an .STL or .OBJ file. Most slicing software will prompt you if something needs fixing before printing.

2

Step 2 – Choose the Right Material for Your Custom Trophy

Before production, confirm your material with the on-demand 3D printing provider.

Select based on your goals: fine detail, high durability, or premium metal aesthetics. The provider will then match it with the right 3D printing equipment and technology, taking into account build size, precision, and software compatibility.

3

Step 3 – Printing

Once design and materials are set, the provider will 3D print your trophy using the chosen method.

4

Step 4 – Post-Process & Assemble

After printing, the trophy will go through several post-processing steps to enhance its look and feel:

  • Remove supports carefully (for resin-based prints only)
  • Sand down rough edges (typically for resin or metal prints)
  • Prime and paint to add color or texture
  • High-end trophies may be electroplated for a premium, metallic finish

Finally, attach bases, nameplates, or other accessories to complete your personalized 3D printed award. Voilà — your trophy is ready to hand out!

3D Printing Services for Custom Trophies

We’re a professional 3D printing platform and provide custom trophy solutions for sports, corporate recognition, schools, art competitions, and e-sports. Our capabilities cover SLA, LCD, DLP, SLM, MJF, and other technologies, with popular custom trophy materials ranging from resin to nylon and metal.

With extensive experience in 3D printing, we offer:

  • Small batch & rapid turnaround
  • Full in-house workflow: modeling, printing, and post-processing
  • Advanced finishes like painting, and electroplating

You can customize trophies with your logo, create mini desktop versions, or design bold, one-of-a-kind pieces. We make sure every trophy meets your desired look and quality, giving it the perfect final touch.

Case Study

We recently produced a batch of anime-themed 3D printed trophies for a pop culture festival. The client provided their model file, and we confirmed size, material, and quantity before starting. From printing to post-processing, the entire process took less than a week. The client was very satisfied with the final sample.

Here are the production details:

Production Method: LCD
Material Used: Photosensitive Resin
Minimum Accuracy: 0.1mm
Production Lead Time: 2 days
Manufacturing Process: LCD Printing + Painting

Tell us your idea, and we’ll help turn it into a trophy that stands out. We support custom designs, fast production, and bulk 3D printed trophies for events of all sizes.

Start your custom trophy project now.

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