Johnny,

Cast acrylic, is what's typically used in the production of the acrylic awards you've seen in the trade magazines etc.

Here are some past discussions detailing the attributes of each type of acrylic:

http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=289.1

http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=616.10

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA