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Bespoke trophies for extraordinary moments

Bespoke Trophies

When Should You Order Custom Trophies?

Timing is everything when planning an awards event. From locking in your dream venue to getting your trophies over the line, every decision runs on a deadline; and if you leave it too late, you could end up with a room full of disappointed attendees.

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Adam Hutchinson

March 27, 2026

Categories

General
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In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about when to order custom trophies, so you can avoid the stress of a last-minute scramble.

Start Sooner Than You Think!

Considering custom trophies for your event? The sooner you place your order, the better.  

It usually takes us 4-6 weeks to create your fully custom trophies once your order is confirmed, depending on the materials used and the intricacy of your design. If your design is especially complex, this can extend to 10-12 weeks, although that’s very rare. 

Our recommendation? If your event date is locked in, that’s your cue to submit your design brief and get the ball rolling! Because with more time on your side, you can:

  • Explore bolder, more intricate designs
  • View multiple design iterations to refine the details 
  • Choose from a wider range of materials and finishes
  • Ensure every element perfectly aligns with your branding or event
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Check out our bespoke trophy creation timeline blog for more info on the steps involved in bringing your trophies to life.

TPI Awards 2025, group shot

What Affects Custom Award Lead Times?

No two custom trophies are the same, which is what makes them so special. However, this flexibility also means that timelines can vary. Here are the four key factors that influence how long it takes us to produce your custom trophies:

1) The Design

Before we start crafting your trophies, we have to design them. At Gaudio Awards, we offer a free custom trophy design service for every bespoke project. This usually takes us around a week to turn around – but if you need to tweak the design, this stage could take a little longer. Time spent designing is time well spent, though, as it’ll make your final piece that much stronger.   

2) Size and Scale

Larger trophies often require more intricate manufacturing processes. For example, we may need to collaborate with trusted external partners to create oversized components, which can add time to the production schedule. So, if you’re envisioning a bold statement piece, we recommend allowing additional breathing room in your timeline.

A designer sits at a computer working on a 3D trophy design for Coca Cola

3) Materials and Finishes

We offer an extensive in-house material library, which means we can begin producing most custom trophies immediately after the design is approved. However, some designs call for specific finishes, colours, or material thicknesses that we need to source. If this happens, we’ll flag it during the design stage so you have full visibility of how it impacts your lead time.

4) Quantity

We assemble every custom trophy by hand at our Gaudio Awards HQ. Naturally, larger orders require more production time. That said, we’ll never commit to a quantity that we can’t deliver on schedule. Before sending over a quote, we’ll carefully assess our team’s production capacity to ensure your order can be completed in time for your event.

The Bartletts Award - assembly

What If You’re Short on Time?

Sometimes, despite your best intentions, timelines get tight and you need trophies, fast. That’s where our ready-made trophies come into play.

We offer a range of high-quality ready-made trophy options with significantly shorter lead times. We only need 7-10 working days to manufacture and deliver your ready-made trophies, plus a little extra time for proofing. Once you’ve sent us your details, we’ll turn your proofs around within 24 hours to keep your trophies moving quickly. 

You can explore and order our ready-made trophies directly through our website at a time that suits you, making them a reliable solution for last-minute award ceremonies.

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Exceptionally Crafted Custom Trophies from Gaudio Awards

At Gaudio Awards, we’re proud to have crafted truly dazzling custom trophies for some of the UK’s biggest award ceremonies – from the Official Charts Number 1 Awards to the iconic Masterchef Trophy. 

Every custom trophy we create is designed to capture your event, amplify your brand, and make every win feel earned. Think bold, architectural shapes, premium materials, vibrant colours, and flawless finishes. Whatever your vision, we’ll make sure that your awards stand out long after the lights go down.

Start your custom trophy design today and let our talented team bring your dream awards to life.

FAQs

How far in advance should I order custom trophies?

We recommend starting the ordering process at least 5-7 weeks before your event. This allows plenty of time for design, revisions, and production. Earlier is always better for more complex projects.

What is the typical lead time for custom awards?

Most bespoke trophies take us 4-6 weeks to produce once the order is confirmed. More intricate designs can take up to 10-12 weeks to create, depending on the materials and complexity of designs.

How long does the design process take?

Our initial design concepts are usually ready within around one week. If you need any revisions to the design then this stage can take slightly longer, but it’s time well spent to get the details right. 

What’s the fastest trophy option if I’m short on time?

Our ready-made trophies are the quickest solution, taking just 7-10 working days for production and delivery, plus a little extra time for proofing. They’re ideal when you need high-quality awards, fast.

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Tel 01242 232 383 Email sales@gaudio.co.uk

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Blank

When you order a blank trophy, it will arrive without any personalised details. The trophy is blank for you to add your own personalisation, or use as a decorative piece.

Engraved

Engraving etches your design into the surface of the trophy.

Printed

Print is colour-matched. Based on variations in computer and screen settings, and manufacturing tolerances, colours may appear differently to what you see on screen.

Personalise Online

Select your layout using the dropdown menu, then enter your details. The live proof shows you an approximate visual of how your trophy will look when it’s engraved. Once you’ve added the details you want and purchased your trophy, we’ll begin manufacture right away.

Please note: The live render is an estimate of how your trophy will look, and the final result may vary in size, colour and placement.

Gaudio Proofing Service

With the Gaudio Proofing Service, simply add your chosen trophy to your cart and checkout as normal. A member of the team will be in touch to collect the required details, and we’ll send you proofs to approve before manufacture. Delivery time excludes proofing.