Last-Minute Awards: What to Do When You Need a Custom Award Fast
Sometimes an awards event is planned months in advance. Other times, the deadline seems to appear overnight.
Maybe a recipient was just confirmed, an employee recognition event was moved up, an award was forgotten, or the original order didn't arrive as expected. Whatever the reason, needing a custom award at the last minute can be stressful.
That's where M Awards Plus can help. With rush services starting at just $35, you can rely on us to help meet your deadline—even when you need a personalized award in less than 24 hours. We'll work with you to determine the best available product and production option for your timeline.
The good news is that a short deadline does not necessarily mean you have to settle for something generic.
With the right information and a clear understanding of your options, you may still be able to get a personalized award that looks professional and is ready for your event.
At M Awards Plus, we proudly personalize, decorate, and assemble awards in Clifton, NJ, with fast turnaround and rush services available upon request. We also ship nationwide.
Need an Award Fast? Start With These 4 Steps
If your event is approaching quickly, don't panic. Contact M Awards Plus as soon as you know you have a deadline. The sooner we understand what you need, the better we can help identify an option that fits your timeline and budget.
1. Know Your Event Deadline |
2. Have Your Personalization Information and Budget Ready |
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The most important information is the date and time you actually need the award. Don't simply say, "I need it next week." Provide the exact date and, if possible, the time you need the award in hand. If you need an award in less than 24 hours, let us know right away. A tight deadline doesn't necessarily mean you're out of options. Knowing your deadline allows us to determine what products, decoration methods, production schedules, and pickup or shipping options may work for you. Our rush services start as low as $35, and depending on the product, availability, personalization, and deadline, we may be able to help with orders needed in less than 24 hours upon request. |
Before contacting us, gather as much information as possible about what you need. Helpful information includes:
You don't need to know exactly which award you want. If you're unsure, that's okay. Our team can help you determine the best option based on your occasion, personalization requirements, quantity, budget, and deadline. |
3. Contact M Awards Plus |
4. Be Ready to Review and Act Quickly |
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This is where we can help. Call or contact M Awards Plus and tell us about your deadline and what you need. We'll ask you to send us the available information, such as personalization details, artwork or logos, quantity, budget, and any other requirements. Once we have the information, we can determine the best available custom award option for your needs and check product availability and production timing. Some popular recognition options include:
Rush services start at $35, and depending on the product, availability, personalization, and deadline, we may be able to help with orders needed in less than 24 hours. |
To respect everyone's time and keep your order moving, we need your approval to move forward and payment before we begin working on your proof. Once we receive your approval and payment, we'll begin processing your request and preparing the proof as needed. For many custom awards, you may receive a proof showing how your personalization will appear on the product. This gives you an opportunity to review names, dates, wording, logos, and layout before production. When you're working under a tight deadline, every minute matters. Once you receive your proof, please review it carefully and respond as quickly as possible. Any delay in approving the proof or providing requested changes can affect the production schedule. The faster we receive your initial approval and payment, and your final proof approval, the sooner we can move forward with your order and work toward your deadline. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible, especially when you're working against a deadline. |
What Can Cause a Custom Award Order to Take Longer?
When ordering an award on a tight deadline, it's important to understand that several factors can affect turnaround time.
Product Availability
An award that is currently in stock may be easier to process quickly than a product that needs to be ordered.
Always let your award provider know your deadline so they can help identify appropriate options.
Quantity
Ordering one award and ordering 50 awards are very different projects.
Larger quantities may require additional production time, especially when each award requires individual personalization.
Artwork
If your award includes a company logo or custom artwork, the artwork may need to be prepared before production.
Vector artwork is often preferred for many applications because it can be resized without losing quality.
If you are unsure whether your artwork is suitable, ask before placing your order.
For more information, see our guide:
Artwork Requirements for Awards, Promotional & Printing Products
Proof Approval
Even a small delay in approving your proof can affect your deadline.
If you are working with a short timeline, make sure someone is available to review and approve the artwork or proof as soon as possible.
Shipping
Production is only part of the process.
Your order also needs to reach you before your event. When the deadline is tight, shipping time becomes especially important.
Be sure to provide the correct shipping address and discuss available shipping options with your award provider.
Local Pickup Can Be Helpful When You're on a Tight Deadline
If you're located in Northern New Jersey, working with a local award provider may provide another option.
M Awards Plus is located in Clifton, NJ, where we personalize, decorate, and assemble custom recognition products.
Local customers can contact us to discuss their deadline and, when available, arrange for pickup at our Clifton storefront.
For customers outside the area, we also ship nationwide.
Don't Wait Until the Last Minute If You Can Avoid It
While rush service can be a lifesaver, ordering early is always the better approach when possible.
For standard recognition awards, we recommend allowing enough time for product selection, personalization, proof approval, production, and shipping.
Our FAQ recommends ordering awards at least two weeks before an event when possible, with longer lead times suggested for crystal and cast bronze products. Rush options may be available when circumstances require a faster turnaround.
Planning ahead also gives you more choices.
When you're ordering at the last minute, you may need to select from products that are currently available and suitable for your deadline.
Need a Custom Award Fast?
A last-minute deadline doesn't automatically mean you're out of options.
The best thing you can do is contact M Awards Plus as soon as you know you have a deadline.
Have your event date, quantity, personalization, artwork, budget, and shipping or pickup information ready. From there, our team can help determine what products and production options may be available.
With rush services starting at $35, M Awards Plus is ready to help when time is critical—including requests for personalized awards needed in less than 24 hours, depending on product availability and production requirements.
At M Awards Plus, we specialize in personalized awards, recognition products, promotional products, and printing solutions. Our team proudly serves customers from our Clifton, NJ location and ships nationwide.
Have a tight deadline? Contact M Awards Plus and let us know what you need and when you need it. We'll help you explore the available options.