Expert Answers on Deal Toys and Custom Awards
What’s the difference between a deal toy and a deal marker?
“Deal toy” is the industry term you’ll hear most often—it’s what people say at closing dinners, in pitch decks, and in Google searches. It’s familiar and easy, which is why we use it in SEO and on the site.
But at Polaris, we see it differently.
We call them deal markers—because these aren’t toys. They’re tangible, lasting symbols of hard work, high stakes, and meaningful achievement. A deal marker doesn’t just sit on a shelf. It tells a story. It captures the moment your idea became real.
So whether you call it a deal toy, a Lucite, a financial tombstone, or a commemorative—what we build is something more.
What are financial tombstones?
Originally, a “tombstone” referred to a simple, text-based announcement in a newspaper or print publication—typically disclosing the parties involved in an IPO, M&A transaction, or capital raise.
Today, the term has evolved. A financial tombstone is the engraved or printed deal information that appears inside a physical commemorative piece—often referred to as a deal toy or deal marker.
What exactly is a deal toy?
A deal toy is a custom, physical object designed to commemorate a specific financial transaction or business milestone. It includes the tombstone information (deal details), but adds a creative, symbolic layer—through material, shape, or embedded objects—that reflects the significance of the deal.
At Polaris, we design these with intention. Every piece is custom-made to tell the story behind the deal—not pulled from a template.
Who typically receives a deal toy or deal marker?
Deal markers are most commonly ordered by investment banks, law firms, or corporate development teams to celebrate transactions such as:
IPOs and SPAC listings
M&A closings
Fundraises and financings
Follow-on offerings and recapitalizations
Recipients often include:
Bankers (analysts, associates, VPs, MDs)
Clients/executives on the issuer or acquirer side
Legal and advisory teams
Law firms sometimes receive deal toys from bankers, but often place their own orders to ensure their firm is remembered. It's not just about the deal—it’s a lasting, visible reminder of who made it happen.
Are deal markers only for financial transactions?
Not at all.
We design custom awards across industries—including pharma, biotech, energy, real estate, and corporate recognition.
Some of the most meaningful pieces we’ve created mark:
FDA drug approvals with embedded vials
Biotech breakthroughs
Energy infrastructure milestones
Years of service and retirement
Employee recognition at the enterprise level
If it matters to you, it’s worth marking.
How much do deal toys cost?
Costs vary depending on design complexity, material, size, and quantity. But here’s a general guide:
Basic Lucite or crystal rectangles (small size): $50–$60 each
Most designs fall between: $75–$150 each
High-end or large pieces: $150–$300+
Per-piece pricing does not include setup or shipping costs. At Polaris, we always provide upfront, all-in quotes based on your design, quantity, and delivery needs—so there are no surprises at invoice time.
What are setup costs, and why do they exist?
Setup costs are flat fees associated with small-batch custom manufacturing. They cover processes like:
Printing (silkscreen, UV, digital)
Etching and color-filling
CNC machining or laser cutting
Mold creation for cast pieces
Setup costs are not per-piece—they're one-time charges tied to the production method.
If your supplier can’t clearly explain what each setup charge covers, it’s a red flag. That usually means you’re working with a reseller who doesn’t fully understand the production process.
What are deal toys made of?
Our most commonly used materials include:
Lucite (PMMA): Lightweight, versatile, and great for embeds.
Crystal: Premium feel, often used for elegant or classic shapes.
Resin: Ideal for custom-molded designs or replicas.
Metal (e.g., pewter, aluminum): Great for detail, durability, and weight.
Wood and recycled materials: Available on request for sustainability-focused designs.
We choose materials based on what best suits your story, budget, and timeline.
What’s the difference between crystal, optical glass, and K9?
The short answer? Probably nothing—at least in our industry.
Most award and deal toy companies use the same material we do: K9 crystal. It’s a high-clarity borosilicate glass with excellent engraving and polishing properties, and it's the global standard for crystal awards. But you’ll often see it called other things—“optical crystal” or “optical glass.”
Here’s the problem: those terms are used loosely, and not always accurately.
In scientific manufacturing, “optical glass” refers to glass used in precision lenses. And “lead crystal” refers to glass with a high lead content—something you won’t find in modern deal toys due to safety and import concerns. In our world, though, most of what’s called optical glass is actually K9, or simply “crystal.”
Why the confusion?
Sometimes it’s honest ignorance—sales teams don’t always know what factories are actually using. Other times, it’s more intentional: vague language designed to sound premium, without offering any real clarity.
At Polaris, we prefer transparency. We use K9 for crystal designs because it’s the best material for the job—crystal clear, highly durable, and engraves beautifully. You don’t need inflated terms or buzzwords when the product speaks for itself.
Why are they called Lucites?
“Lucite” is a brand name for a type of acrylic (PMMA). Over time, it became the generic term for embedded awards in the finance world—like Kleenex for tissues.
In reality, Lucite is one of several acrylic types used in our industry, along with Perspex and Plexiglass. Many clients still say “Lucite” even when referring to pieces made in other materials like crystal or resin.
Where are Lucite deal toys made?
The type of Lucite work we specialize in—small-batch, cell-cast embedments—is practiced by only a handful of expert factories worldwide.
Early deal toys were made in the Northeastern U.S. and Beauce, Quebec. Today, high-quality Lucite awards are produced in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and China—depending on scale, timing, and factory relationships.
At Polaris, we’ve spent decades working directly in those factories. We know what’s possible, what’s smart, and how to deliver consistent quality across borders.
Where are crystal deal toys made?
Most crystal awards are manufactured and refined in China, with additional production in India and parts of Europe.
Final decoration and personalization (etching, color-fill, printing) may be done in Asia, Europe, or North America depending on logistics and client preferences.
How fast can you make a deal toy?
This is where Polaris stands out.
Because of our deep manufacturing expertise, we’re faster than anyone in the industry—without compromising quality. We work directly with factories and production teams around the world, which allows us to eliminate delays, cut unnecessary steps, and move with urgency.
Our designs are grounded in real-world production knowledge, not guesswork. That means we don’t just respond fast—we build efficiently and deliver reliably.
Can you do rush orders?
Absolutely. No one is better equipped for rush production than we are.
But it’s important to understand: every piece we make is custom-made, not pulled from a shelf. That means there are limits to how fast something can be produced, especially when precision matters.
What we can promise is this: if it’s possible, we’ll make it happen. We’ve worked around the clock to meet client deadlines—and we’ll do the same for you.
Is there a minimum quantity for orders?
We have no official minimums. If you need a one-off for a key client or a single prototype to preview, we can make it happen.
That said, because setup charges apply regardless of quantity, most orders typically start at a minimum of around $500 total. We’re happy to talk through your goals and tailor a solution that works for your needs.
Can I see a sample or prototype before full production?
Yes—and in many cases, we’ll suggest it. For complex or highly custom designs, we often produce a prototype for review before moving into full production. Depending on your timeline and preferences, we can ship a physical sample or provide high-resolution photos and video for approval. Even if you’ve ordered with us before, we never discourage the request. We want you to feel confident in what you’re getting—because your deal deserves to be marked the right way.
Do I need a sample if I’m ordering something simple or similar to a past design?
Not usually. For long-time clients who reorder the same design or format with updated content, a sample is often unnecessary—they know what to expect, and we know how to deliver it. In some cases, even photos aren’t needed. But for new clients—or for anyone trying a new material like switching from Lucite to crystal—we’ll take the time to walk you through it. If a sample helps you feel confident, we’ll never discourage it. Because we care just as much about the end result as you do.
How does Polaris know every aspect of tombstones, deal markers and small batch custom manufacturing so thoroughly?
Because we’ve lived it.
The experts at Polaris started their careers in the design studio and on the factory floor—not in a sales office. We’ve produced tens of thousands of one-of-a-kind pieces. We’ve led design teams in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. We’ve poured Lucite, cut crystal with water jets and sculpted molds for cast resin.
We’ve worked inside the biggest deal toy companies in the world—hiring, training, and mentoring the very people your current supplier might use today.
So when you ask us a question, you're not getting a guess or a scripted response. You're getting straight answers from real experts. We believe that level of expertise is priceless.