There's a moment at every great prize giving or charity donation event that people remember. Someone walks out holding an oversized cheque, the crowd reacts, cameras go up, and suddenly the whole room is paying attention. It's simple, it's visual, and it works.
Big cheque printing and novelty cheque printing have been a staple of fundraisers, sporting events, TV game shows, and corporate presentations for decades — and demand is growing fast. If you're organising an event and want that moment to land properly, here's what you need to know before you order.
What Is a Big Cheque (and Why Does It Matter)?
A big cheque — sometimes called an oversized cheque or presentation cheque — is exactly what it sounds like: a large-format printed cheque designed to be held up, photographed, and presented in front of an audience. They're not designed for banking. They're designed for impact.
Novelty cheques sit in the same family. The term tends to cover any custom-printed cheque used for promotional or ceremonial purposes, whether that's a giant version of a real cheque, a branded prop for a marketing campaign, or a fun prize at a company away day.
Both serve the same core purpose: making a moment visible and memorable.
Here's why that matters practically. If you're handing over a £500 prize at a local sports club presentation evening, a standard envelope with cash inside will be forgotten by the time the buffet opens. A printed cheque with the recipient's name, the amount, and your organisation's branding is something people photograph and share. It does the job of the prize and the marketing all at once.
The same logic applies to charity fundraising totals, competition wins, new business announcements, and trade show presentations. The big cheque isn't just decoration — it's evidence.
What to Think About When Ordering Big Cheque Printing
Getting the most from your novelty or oversized cheque comes down to a few key decisions before you brief your printer.
Size The most common sizes for big cheques are A2 and A1, though fully custom dimensions are available if you need something specific. A2 works well for indoor events where the cheque will be held by one person. A1 is better for larger rooms, press photography, or anywhere the cheque needs to be readable from a distance. If you're not sure, go bigger — you can always scale a photograph down, but you can't fix a cheque that's too small to read in photos.
What information to include A presentation cheque typically mirrors the layout of a real cheque: the payee's name, the amount in both figures and words, the date, and a signature line. You'll also want space for your organisation's logo and any sponsor branding. Think carefully about what the cheque will say — "Pay [Winner's Name] the sum of £1,000" reads far better in a photograph than a placeholder or generic text.
Leaving fields blank vs. pre-printing everything If you know exactly who's receiving the cheque and for how much, pre-print everything. It looks cleaner and more professional. If you're running a live event where the winner is announced on the night, you have two options: print with blank fields and fill them in by hand (use a thick black marker and write clearly), or have a few cheques printed with different amounts and names ready to go. For high-profile events, it's worth having a couple of spares printed in case of last-minute changes.
Paper and finish Big cheques are typically printed on a heavier stock than standard paper — something with enough rigidity to be held up without flopping. A gloss or silk finish tends to photograph well. If your event is outdoors or the cheque will be handled a lot, ask your printer about laminated options for added durability.
Common Uses for Novelty Cheque Printing
It's worth knowing just how broad the use cases are, because novelty cheque printing isn't limited to charity fundraisers.
Sporting events and club presentations — Local football clubs, golf societies, running events, and darts leagues all use presentation cheques for prize givings. They add ceremony to the moment without adding much to the budget.
Charity fundraising — Whether you're presenting a total raised to a chosen charity or thanking a major donor, a big cheque creates a focal point for the handover. Charities often use the images in newsletters, social posts, and annual reports.
Business and sales incentives — Sales teams, franchises, and retail groups use oversized cheques to celebrate top performers. It's a tangible, public recognition that means more than a certificate.
Trade shows and exhibitions — Competition prizes at trade events are routinely presented with big cheques. They draw attention on a busy show floor and give exhibitors strong visual content for post-show coverage.
TV and media productions — Quiz nights, game show-style corporate events, and live entertainment productions regularly use novelty cheques as props. Custom printing means you can match the cheque to the show's branding.
Promotions and marketing campaigns — Some businesses use oversized cheques as part of customer-facing promotions — think prize draws, loyalty rewards, or new product launches. A physical prop adds theatre to what might otherwise be a fairly ordinary announcement.
How to Order: What to Prepare Before You Get in Touch
Ordering big cheque printing doesn't need to be complicated, but being prepared will save you time and get you a better result.
Have the following ready before you submit your brief:
- The text for the cheque — payee name, amount in figures and words, date, and any signature lines
- Your logo — ideally in a high-resolution format (EPS, PDF, or PNG at 300dpi or above)
- Any sponsor or partner logos that need to appear
- Your preferred size — if you're not sure, A1 is a safe default for most event use
- Your event date — so your printer can confirm turnaround time
At Designs on Print, we handle big cheque printing and novelty cheque printing for events of all sizes across the UK. We'll walk you through the options, set up a proof for your approval, and make sure what arrives on your doorstep is exactly what you need for the day.
If you're organising an event and want a presentation moment that photographs well and gives people something to remember, a custom printed cheque is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to do it. Get in touch and we'll help you get it right.
