Awards Timeline: When to Start Planning Customized Awards
As I began writing this blog, I did a poll of everyone who is involved with the award production process, here at Clearmount. Almost everyone on the manufacturing floor had input. Our sales team agreed that there are some important things we talk to clients about upfront so that we can create a perfect piece for them:
What is the purpose of the awards?
What is the budget and quantity for the awards?
When do the awards need to be delivered?
Timeline of Customized Awards
This discussion starts the process and then there is the actual production of the awards. That is why an award timeline is crucial in our production process as we are focused solely on deadlines. In planning an awards timeline, everyone in the office agreed that, realistically it would take about 2-3 months from start to finish – much longer, if working with an overseas manufacturer. Many of the awards we manufacture in our plant are event-based, so they have to arrive on time; one day late and the event is already over.
When creating customized awards, there are specific stages in the process. They aren’t arduous. In fact, they are what makes designing a custom award interesting and exciting, rather than taking something generic off a shelf and engraving a name or a logo on it.
Stages of Customized Awards Process
Let’s look at the stages to get a good idea of what needs to happen to put a customized award into the hands of the recipient:
Brainstorming the design – design around the brand logo, brand colours, specific shapes, and themes? Sending photos of past works are a big part of the process – then they can start to pick elements that appeal to them.
Consulting with the committee/group who is working on the awards program – customization and decorating ideas… embedding, laser engraving, screening, digital printing, or a combination of these?
Development of artwork.
Approval process – virtual and sometimes a prototype, especially with Lucite. Sometimes, it is a quick back and forth as clients have a design in mind and Clearmount works with their design team to make it a reality. However, sometimes a prototype is the route we choose. This part of the process is crucial to creating a customized award that is really special. Designers do not always know what the possibilities are, but at Clearmount, we are happy to work with them to explain and explore these possibilities. We always find that when clients have input into the award production, hidden talents come out and incredibly striking awards are created.
Lucite embedment process – we cast raw materials into molds, embed items, heat and pressure treatment, cut and shape, hand sanding and buffing, and finally engraved and boxed. Check out our recent blog post about the Lucite embedment process.
Shipping.
Custom Awards Shipping in North America
Working with a local Canadian manufacturer, like Clearmount, provides tremendous advantages when it comes to shipping and timelines. Overall, shipping is cheaper and easier to manage within Canada or North America, rather than working with a manufacturer overseas.
When shipping within Canada, you don’t have to worry about customs charges. If the awards are needed in a rush, then Clearmount can facilitate that – especially if the awards are to be delivered in the Toronto area; delivery can be as quick as same day or overnight. We can even deliver in other provinces next day at competitive rates.
For our U.S. clients, we handle all the paperwork and make it easy for duties and custom charges. Also, when shipping within North American manufacturer, packages are very well tracked, to put your mind at ease.
Start Planning Your Awards…
So, if you have an event down the road a few months, you should start thinking about getting started on the production of your award. We can help with planning, creating, designing, and ensuring you receive the best quality, unique customized awards for your next customized award program. How can we work with your and your team to design a remarkable award?