Custom Deal Toys & Financial Tombstones
Premium Lucite embedments & creative crystal designs crafted
for financial milestones, M&A, Private Equity, Pharma, Tech and more
Deal toys, also known as financial tombstones, commemorate major business milestones including M&A transactions, financings, fund closings and strategic partnerships.
The best ones do more than record the details of a transaction. They capture something about the company, asset, industry or people behind it.
Polaris designs and produces custom Lucite, crystal, resin, metal and mixed-media deal toys that turn those defining elements into pieces people want to keep, display and remember.
Learn more about the history of deal toys, how they’re made, and how thoughtful design can turn a transaction into a lasting symbol of success.
Why Polaris?
Experience that spans design and manufacturing
Work directly with people who understand not only what makes a strong concept, but how Lucite, crystal, resin, metal and mixed-media pieces are actually produced.
Initial concepts typically within 24–48 hours
We move quickly without treating design as a template exercise.
Designed around the story
Every project starts with what is being commemorated, not with a catalog of predetermined shapes.
Built around your deadline
We plan production schedules and buffers around the date the pieces actually need to be in hand.
Fully custom
No stock awards or off-the-shelf designs.
Prototype-first quality control
Every factory production job begins with a prototype or production sample that we inspect before full production.
Direct access to experienced design professionals
You work with the people developing and producing the piece, not through a separate sales layer.
How It Works
Step 1 — Understand the Project
Share the transaction or milestone, brand assets, quantity, target date and any budget considerations. We start by understanding what the piece needs to represent before deciding what it should look like.
Step 2 — Develop the Concept
We identify the strongest visual ideas and recommend the materials and production approach that best fit the story, budget and deadline. Initial concepts are typically developed within 24–48 hours.
Step 3 — Design & Engineer
We develop the selected direction into detailed renderings, dimensions, materials, finishes and production specifications. Creative decisions are made with manufacturability in mind from the beginning.
Step 4 — Approval
You review the design, specifications, quantity, timing and pricing. We refine as needed and do not proceed to production until the project is approved.
Step 5 — Prototype & Verification
Every factory production job begins with a prototype or production sample as part of our internal quality-control process.
We use it to verify materials, dimensions, artwork, finishes, proportions and overall execution before full production proceeds. Depending on the project, you may review the physical sample, photographs of it, or not require a separate client review.
Step 6 — Production
Once the sample is verified, full production begins with the appropriate Lucite, crystal, resin, metal, wood or mixed-media manufacturing process. We manage the production details throughout.
Step 7 — Final Quality Control
Finished pieces are inspected for clarity, surface quality, alignment, finish and consistency before shipment.
Step 8 — Delivery
Pieces are securely packed and shipped to one or multiple destinations as required. We build appropriate schedule buffers around your actual deadline whenever possible.
Components of Cost
What drives cost — and how to choose wisely
Cost is shaped by size, material, quantity, and complexity. We’ll give a fast estimate once we understand your goals and timeline. Most projects fall into one of these paths:
Simple & clean
Straightforward Lucite or crystal forms with tasteful graphics or etching — efficient, dependable, and budget-friendly.
Signature
Custom shapes, layered graphics, or mixed materials (e.g., Lucite with metal accents). Strong presence without over-engineering.
Showpiece
Sculptural forms, complex embedments, or hybrid builds with premium finishes. Reserved for when the story (and stage) demands it.
Materials & Techniques
Understanding Deal Toy Media
Lucite is so ubiquitous that many people refer to deal markers of all media as “Lucites,” but there’s actually a pretty big difference between Lucite, crystal, metal, resin, wood and other media:
Lucite (PMMA)
Ideal for embedments and layered graphics with optical clarity. Excellent for color, depth, and weight without brittleness.
Crystal / Optical Glass
Weighty presence and pristine polish with bevels and facets. Perfect when you want crisp engraving and a formal feel.
Metal / Hybrid Builds
Lucite or crystal paired with metal accents or sub-structures for strength, contrast, and texture.
Special Finishes
Tinting, texturing, edge polishing, etching/infills, custom bases, and protective coatings — chosen to match brand and environment.
Ask The Experts
You have questions. We have answers.
Q1. How long does a deal toy take to make?
Initial concepts are typically developed within 24–48 hours. Once a design is approved, most projects require approximately 3–4 weeks for prototyping, production and delivery, depending on the material, complexity, quantity and destination.
More complex custom resin, metal or model-based projects may require additional time. If you have a firm deadline, let us know at the beginning and we will recommend the most reliable production approach.
Q2. What determines the cost of a deal toy?
Size, material, quantity, embed complexity, finishing, and shipping. Send the basics and we’ll quote the best path for your goals.
Q3. Can you embed logos or small objects inside Lucite?
Yes. We regularly embed printed graphics, coins, models, and multi-layer designs. That said, not all materials are suitable for temperature, pressure and chemicals involved in the curing process.
Not every object or material can safely withstand the temperature, pressure and chemistry involved in the Lucite casting process. Our experience with custom embedments allows us to evaluate what can be cast successfully and recommend alternatives when necessary.
Q4. Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship globally and coordinate timelines and customs documents so pieces arrive with breathing room before the event.
Q5. Do you handle design, or should we provide artwork?
We can do both. Most clients rely on us for concept, 3D rendering, and production artwork. We’ll integrate your brand assets.
Q6. Can you match a specific closing date?
Share your target date and quantity — we’ll propose the most reliable production approach to hit the deadline.
Q7. Can you match brand colors and finishes?
Yes. Provide color specs (Pantone/HEX) and finish preferences; we’ll proof materials before production.
Q8. What about packaging?
Each piece is secured in protective packaging. Presentation boxes and custom printed gift boxes are available on request.
What Clients Say
“Another great deal toy. You guys continue to impress.”
VP, Investment Banking
“Appreciate your creativity and attention to detail.”
CMO, Pharmaceutical
“You made the whole tombstone process easy.”
Analyst, Investment Banking
“Great to work directly with the designers.”
Associate, Private Equity
Industries We Serve
Deal toys are used across industries, but the right design depends heavily on what is being commemorated. A real estate transaction may call for an architectural form; a pharma milestone may involve a vial, molecule or device; an industrial deal may lend itself to equipment, facilities or products.
Explore how we approach projects in different sectors.
Start a Project
You don't need a finished design to get started.
Send us the transaction or milestone, logos or other brand assets, approximate quantity, target date and anything else you think may be useful. We'll help determine the right design direction, materials and production approach.
Initial concepts are typically developed within 24–48 hours.
