How Far in Advance Should I Order Trophies for My Tournament?

Order trophies 2-4 weeks before your event. This gives you time for production (3-5 business days), shipping (3-7 days), and a comfortable buffer in case you need to make changes or handle unexpected delays.

Recommended Timeline by Order Size

Small Orders (1-25 trophies): 2-3 weeks minimum. Standard production and shipping should easily meet your deadline with time to spare.

Medium Orders (25-100 trophies): 3 weeks recommended. Larger quantities may require slightly more production time, and you'll want extra time to review bulk orders carefully.

Large Orders (100+ trophies): 4-6 weeks ideal. Large orders often need special handling, and this timeline allows for proof approval, any necessary adjustments, and coordination of delivery.

Custom or Specialty Trophies: 4-6 weeks minimum. If you're designing custom trophies, adding logos, or ordering specialty items that aren't in stock, build in extra time for the design and sourcing process.

Peak Season Considerations

Trophy demand spikes during certain times of year:

• May-June: End of school year, spring sports championships, graduation season
• November-December: Fall sports, holiday recognition events, year-end corporate awards

During peak seasons, add an extra week to the recommended timelines above. Trophy companies are busiest during these periods, and production times may extend by a few days.

The Risks of Waiting Too Long

Ordering too close to your event creates several problems: you'll likely pay rush fees ($25-$50+), you have no buffer if something goes wrong (shipping delays, engraving errors, damage in transit), limited time to review and approve proofs, and high stress as your event date approaches. The money saved by procrastinating is quickly lost to rush charges.

Related Questions

• How long does trophy production and delivery take?
• How many trophies should I order?
• What should I engrave on my trophies?