Since 1972 TAGS Awards & Specialties has been a leading provider in Awards, Trophies, Plaques, Rubber stamps, Name badges, Promotional products, Custom apparel and so much more. We Strive to create quality products, build memorable brands while providing the best customer service to all our customers. Thank you for giving TAGS the opportunity to work with you.
The name of the store, TAGS (Trophies, Awards, Gifts and Specialties), hasn’t changed since it first opened in 1972. And the integrity synonymous with the name—friendly customer service and quality work with innovative design—hasn’t changed either.
Denise and Rob Sawatzky bought the store in 2018 and strive to carry on the culture at TAGS by serving and connecting with the community. “When people go online or take the time to come in and place an order with TAGS we know it’s important to them so it’s important to us,” says Denise.
We create everything from plaques, custom trophies, name tags, pens, apparel and just about any logoed promotional item a business might use in brand development and marketing.
If a customer wants something personalized, such as a custom corporate gift or branded apparel, TAGS is the place to get it done.
The store’s top priorities are QUALITY and FRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE. People often come in at the last minute and say they need something immediately. Usually our process takes a week, but sometimes life happens, and people need things right away. We usually say, “Let’s find something for you. WE CAN DO IT!”
I walked into TAGS this morning and was greeted by every employee I encountered. A clip had broken off a name tag and I was asking if they could help. Two minutes later, the young lady returned with a new clip secured to the name tag. I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently they took care of my problem. Then I was blown out of the water when I asked, “How much?” The lady responded with, “No Charge.” TAGS is customer-oriented and I will be sure to spread the word. Thank You.
—Jon Alexander
From the start, TAGS Awards and Specialties has been on the cutting edge. It was one of the first stores in the country to use computerized engraving in the late 1970s. Nearly 10 years later it was first in the country to use laser engraving equipment. Today, it is one of the largest and most successful retail awards stores in the United States. TAGS gets orders from across the country and the production area is continually expanding.
TAGS is a community legacy. Orville Armstrong, President of the National Awards Association (ARA) at one time, first owned the store. His wife, Bernice, owned a beauty shop next door. The chairs from her store were still downstairs when Carl Salstrom bought TAGS in 2001, and when Mike and Brenda Williams, the third owners, bought it after that. In 2004, Denise and Rob Sawatzky moved to Olympia. Denise continued to work full time in the medical field managing patients, human resources and surgeries while taking care of their three children. Rob continued to work in public education as a school administrator and manager of capital bond construction. She was also a surgical assistant and marketer for a local surgical practice. Rob was working for Tumwater Schools as principal at Black Lake Elementary School. He later moved into the private sector with K-12 capital improvements and then back into public schools managing the 2013 bond work for Tacoma Public Schools as the Director of Planning and Construction. They bought TAGS from the Williams’ family in 2018, becoming the fourth owners of the business.
Rob took on an additional role managing the West Coast for a manufacturer out of Wisconsin in late 2017. This launched a new adventure for Denise as the majority owner/operator and president of the company. You can find her at TAGS most days growing this woman-owned business, ready to offer service with a smile and provide you with a one-stop shopping experience.
