School Awards Glossary
This glossary defines the terms schools run into when planning letterman jacket awards, medals, plaques, certificates, recognition programs and custom orders. It is written for athletic directors, academic sponsors and music directors who want a quick, plain-language answer before they design a patch, set up a recognition program or request a quote.
Patches and Letters
Block letter
A block letter is a bold, squared letter style and the traditional shape for varsity letters, because it stays legible at jacket size and reads clearly from across a gym or stadium.
Captain patch
A captain patch is a small chenille or embroidered piece, often a letter C or the word Captain, that recognizes a team leader and is worn on the letterman jacket alongside the varsity letter.
Felt backing
Felt backing is the dense fabric layer that chenille is stitched onto. It gives a patch its shape, its border color and the surface that gets sewn to the jacket.
Graduation year numerals
Graduation year numerals are chenille numbers showing a student's class year, typically placed on a sleeve of the letterman jacket.
Script name
A script name is a student's name or nickname stitched in cursive lettering, usually worn on the chest or back of a letterman jacket.
Sublimated patch
A sublimated patch has its design dye-printed into the fabric, which allows full-color artwork, photos and gradients that stitching cannot reproduce.
Swiss embroidered patch
A Swiss embroidered patch is a flat, fully stitched patch with fine thread detail, often used for logos, club emblems and small recognition pieces.
Medals
Arts medal
An arts medal recognizes student achievement in visual or performing arts, giving art, theater and music students a keepsake that matches the recognition athletes receive.
Medal finish
Medal finish is the metal color of a medal, typically gold, silver or bronze, which schools often use to separate first, second and third place or levels of achievement.
Medal insert
A medal insert is the design set into the center of a medal that shows the sport, subject or activity being recognized, so one medal style can cover many events.
Participation medal
A participation medal honors every student who took part in a season, event or program, rather than only top finishers, and works well when a whole roster is recognized at once.
Plaques
Chenille plaque
A chenille plaque is a chenille patch mounted on a wooden board with a printed metal plate, giving a student a display-ready way to keep a patch for years.
Printed metal plate
A printed metal plate is the metal panel on a plaque that carries the recipient's name, the honor and the year being recognized.
Staff recognition plaque
A staff recognition plaque honors a teacher, coach, director or other staff member for service or achievement, and is often presented alongside student awards at a banquet or assembly.
Certificates
Foil stamping
Foil stamping applies a thin layer of metallic gold or silver foil to a certificate, adding a raised, reflective accent to seals, borders or school names.
Offset printed certificate
An offset printed certificate is produced on a printing press with embossed or flat ink on a choice of paper stocks, a practical option for larger quantities.
Participation certificate
A participation certificate recognizes a student for taking part in an activity, event or program, and is an affordable way to include every participant.
Screen printed certificate
A screen printed certificate uses layered inks for rich colors and professional graphics, and can be finished with gold or silver foil.
Recognition Programs
All-conference
All-conference is an honor given to the top players in an athletic conference for a season, and schools commonly recognize it with a patch, medal or plaque.
Honor roll
Honor roll is a school's list of students who meet a set GPA for a grading period. Many schools mark the achievement with an academic patch or pin.
Music letter
A music letter is a varsity-style letter earned by band, choir or orchestra students who meet their program's participation and performance standards.
Scholar-athlete
A scholar-athlete is a student who meets both athletic participation and academic standards, often recognized with a dedicated patch, certificate or banquet award.
Ordering and Production
Custom quote
A custom quote is a price prepared for a specific order based on the product, quantity and level of customization. Awards America works on custom quotes rather than published pricing.
Digital proof
A digital proof is a preview of the final design that the school reviews and approves before production starts, checking names, colors, spelling and layout.
Free sample
A free sample is a product example a school can request to check quality, materials and finish before placing a custom order.
Reorder
A reorder is a repeat order that reuses the artwork and specifications on file so new awards match the ones handed out in previous years.
Turnaround time
Turnaround time is how long an order takes from proof approval to delivery. Domestic production shortens it by removing overseas freight and customs.
Vector artwork
Vector artwork is a logo or design file built from scalable paths, such as AI, EPS or SVG files, that can be enlarged without losing sharpness.
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