If you’ve ever planned an event, you know that it’s the little things that can trip you up.
One detail that can easily catch you off guard is ordering lapel badges.
Too early, and they end up as clutter on your desk.
Too late, and you’re left shouldering 'rush order' fees or worse - no lapel badges at all.
At Badges And Medals, we’ve helped hundreds of customers order their lapel badges on time, every time.
We know the ins and outs of the process and can guide you through it so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
By the end of this blog post, you’ll know exactly what to do - and when to do it. Let’s dive in.
How long does it take to make custom lapel badges?
Making custom lapel badges usually takes about 30 days from start to finish.
This includes everything from designing to making to shipping them to your door.
But not every order is the same.
Some badges take longer than others to arrive, and here’s why:
- Complex designs:
Want a design with special features? If so, your lapel badges will take longer for the supplier to make than usual.
- Shipping times:
Where you live and the time of year can affect how fast your lapel badges arrive. For example, if you order around the end-of-year holidays, you might find shipping is slower because postal services are swamped with packages.
Some lapel badges take longer than others to make.
The ultimate lapel badge order timeline:
Now that you know how long it takes to make a custom lapel badge, let's look at how that affects when you should place your order, and what steps to take before then:
40-45 days before the event: Choose a lapel badge supplier
The first step in getting your custom lapel badges is choosing a supplier you trust.
With so many options out there, it’s important to narrow down your list to find the right fit.
Here’s how to do it:
- Experience matters: Look for companies with a solid history in the industry. A long track record usually means they’ve had time to perfect their craft, leading to better designs and quicker turnaround times.
- Check their work: Don’t just take their word for it – ask for samples or browse their previous work online. This gives you a clear idea of their design quality and whether it meets your expectations.
- Reputation counts: Take some time to read customer reviews and case studies. These can reveal a lot about a supplier’s reliability. Keep an eye out for any recurring issues that could impact your event, like delays or poor communication.
- Align with your values: If sustainability or ethical practices are important to you, choose a supplier who shares those values. For example, look for ones that use sustainable materials or have fair labour practices (like us at Badges And Medals!).
- Product guarantee and refund policy: A good supplier should stand behind their work. Check if they offer a product guarantee or a refund policy. This is your safety net in case your lapel badges arrive damaged, incorrect, or late.
- Transparency in pricing: Make sure the supplier’s pricing fits within your budget. Request a free quote and ask about any potential extra costs, like shipping or custom design fees, to avoid surprises later on.
- Customer service: Finally, reach out to the suppliers directly. How quickly do they respond? Are they helpful and clear in their communication? This interaction can tell you a lot about what it’ll be like to work with them.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to finding a custom lapel badge supplier who not only meets your needs but exceeds your expectations.
37-40 days before the event: Come up with a unique design
Even though most suppliers – like us at Badges And Medals – can design your lapel badges for you, coming in with your own ideas can speed up the process and lead to a final product that’s truly yours.
So take some time to brainstorm with your team.
Your ideas don’t need to be perfect!
Even a rough sketch on paper can give your supplier a clear direction.
An example of a picture collage you might send your supplier.
Here are some key questions to help get those creative juices flowing:
- Who will receive the badge? Think about the age, interests, and tastes of the recipients. The more you tailor the design to them, the more personal and meaningful the badge will be. For example, if the badge is for high school students, you might consider picking badge colours that match their school uniform.
- What colours or symbols matter to your event? Reflect on any colours, symbols, or themes central to your event. These elements can be incorporated into the design to make the badge more relevant to its owner.
- How can you make your badge stand out? Think outside the box. What unique materials, shapes, or designs could make your badge pop? Could it be a different shape, or made from a material that ties into your organisation? A distinctive design will not only catch the eye but also make the badge more memorable.
- What’s your budget? If you’re stuck on ideas, consider your budget as a starting point. Knowing what you can afford can help you narrow down your options and focus on designs that are both creative and cost-effective.
37 days before the event: Order your custom lapel badges
So, you’ve chosen a reliable supplier and nailed down your design – now it’s time to place your order.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, aim to place your order at least 37 days before your event.
This timeline gives your supplier enough time to design, produce, and deliver your badges, with wiggle room for unexpected delays.
However, add an extra three to five days if your lapel badges:
- Exceed more than 5000 units
- Have a complex design, or
- Are due to arrive during school holidays.
What happens if you don't follow this timeline?
If you place your lapel badge order less than a month before your event, you’ll likely need a 'rush order'.
While this might seem fine, it can pose a few challenges.
When time is tight, your supplier’s production team has less time to perfect your badges.
This might mean having to settle for a simpler design.
Additionally, rush orders often come with higher costs because your request has to be prioritised over others.
On the other hand, ordering your badges earlier – or more than 37 days before your event – has plenty of benefits with no real downsides.
Lapel badges don’t expire, so once you’ve settled on a design you love, you can order them anytime.
Here’s why ordering early is a smart move:
- Reduced stress: By giving yourself and your supplier more time, you can avoid the pressure of last-minute decisions and ensure everything goes smoothly.
- Time for samples: Ordering early allows you to request a sample lapel badge. This lets you see the final product and make any necessary adjustments before the full order is produced.
- Potential cost savings: With more time on their hands, suppliers can often bundle your order with others, which may lower your shipping costs. Plus, early orders can sometimes be less expensive since there’s no need for rush fees.
Check a supplier’s website or social media pages to see their previous work.
How to quickly find the best day to order?
Understanding the process of creating custom lapel badges is key to ensuring they arrive on time for your event.
By knowing when to choose a supplier, brainstorm designs, and finalise your order, you can avoid last-minute rushes and potential delays.
At Badges And Medals, we’ve outlined the best timeline for each step, helping you stay on track effortlessly.
But we didn’t stop there – to make planning even easier, we’ve created a free calculator that takes the guesswork out of ordering your lapel badges.
Simply enter your event date, and the calculator will give you the ideal time to place your order.
This way, you can be confident that everything will be ready well before your event, giving you one less thing to worry about.