From Lucite to Legacy: How Materials Tell a Story
Lucite, crystal, and mixed materials have long shaped how deal toys look and feel. Each material tells part of the industry’s story, from early embedments to the modern blend of technology and craftsmanship. Here is how those materials evolved into the art form we know today.
History of Deal Toys
Deal toys have a deeper history than many people expect. We recently shared an article on LinkedIn that traces the tradition from ancient trade to modern finance. Here is a short preview and a link to the full piece.
Why Every Deal Deserves a Marker
A deal marker isn’t just a keepsake — it’s a symbol of partnership, trust, and shared success. Here’s why every transaction deserves one, and how these custom pieces turn business milestones into lasting stories.
Design Follows Story
Great deal toys are not generic. They are designed with purpose and shaped by the story behind each deal. Here is why understanding your transaction leads to better creative results.
Featured in GRAPHICS PRO Magazine
Polaris Custom Awards is proud to be featured in GRAPHICS PRO Magazine, introducing designers and fabricators to the world of deal toys—custom awards that capture the story behind major business milestones.
Doing It Right
Recognition is most effective when it’s structured. Learn best practices for building programs that align with values and make recognition lasting.
Story Time
Recognition isn’t just about the moment—it’s about the meaning. Discover how custom awards tell your company’s story and make recognition unforgettable.
Quick Start Guide
The five basics that let us quote quickly and design accurately: deal text (even a draft), vector logos, estimated quantity, budget range, and delivery details. Share these upfront and we’ll handle materials, layout, and production — fast.
Culture Club
Culture isn’t announced—it’s practiced. Learn how recognition programs and custom awards turn values into lived behaviors employees embrace.
Reward and Retain
Turnover costs more than money—it weakens culture. Learn how recognition programs and custom awards strengthen retention and loyalty.
Personal and Purposeful
Generic awards fade into the background. Custom awards become lasting symbols of achievement. Discover why thoughtful design makes all the difference in recognition programs.
The Case for Recognition
Recognition isn’t a perk—it’s a business strategy. Discover why custom awards reduce turnover, build loyalty, and deliver lasting impact.
Why We Still Love What We Do
After thousands of projects, we still treat every deal toy like it matters. Because behind every piece is a story worth honoring—and we believe that story deserves to be told with care.
Modern Deal Toys: CAD, Sustainability, and the Return of Craft
In the 2000s, deal toys entered a new era—driven by digital tools, custom storytelling, and sustainability. But design only matters when it’s backed by care, expertise, and follow-through.
The 1980s: When Deal Toys Got Loud
By the 1980s, deal toys weren’t just commemoratives—they were creative statements. Designs got bolder, materials more varied, and the culture of Wall Street wanted trophies as unique as the deals themselves.
When Robert Evans Used Lucite to Make a Statement
In a legendary Hollywood pitch, Robert Evans used a custom Lucite block to make a statement. It wasn’t about the material—it was about the message. And that moment mirrors how deal toys evolved in finance.
Brass Balls and Bold Statements
In the 1970s, a Lucite cube with two brass balls changed the tone of financial commemoratives. Deal toys had evolved from formal to fearless—bold symbols of what it took to close the deal.
How Lucite Changed Everything
Lucite was never made for Wall Street—but it turned out to be the perfect medium for capturing the spirit of a deal. This is how one wartime material laid the foundation for the modern deal toy.
How Tombstone Ads Gave Rise to the Modern Deal Toy
Before deal toys existed, there were tombstone ads—plain, regulated newspaper notices that quietly changed how Wall Street marked deals. This was the first step toward the modern financial tombstone.