There's a moment at every cheque presentation where the room holds its breath. Someone steps forward, the giant novelty cheque comes out, and suddenly — cameras appear from nowhere, people start cheering, and the whole thing feels real. That's the power of a big cheque done well.
But before you get to that moment, there are a few things worth knowing. Get the details right and your cheque will look brilliant in every photo. Get them wrong and you might end up with a misspelled name, the wrong amount, or a cheque that arrives the day after your event. Not ideal!
Whether you're presenting a charity donation, celebrating a competition win, or rewarding a fundraising team, this guide covers everything you need before you place your order.
What Is a Giant Novelty Cheque (and When Should You Use One)?
A giant novelty cheque is an oversized printed cheque — typically used for ceremonial presentations rather than actual banking. They're not legal tender, but they are incredibly effective at making a moment feel significant.
You'll see them at:
- Charity fundraising events — handing over the total raised to a chosen cause
- Lottery and prize draws — giving winners something tangible to celebrate with
- Corporate sponsorships — publicly acknowledging a donation or partnership
- Sports club presentations — marking a milestone or grant award
- School and community events — making fundraising results feel exciting
The big cheque signals to everyone in the room (and everyone in the photos) that something meaningful just happened. It turns a number on a spreadsheet into a proper occasion.
If you want your presentation to land with impact, a giant novelty cheque is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make it happen.
Sizes, Materials, and What to Expect
Giant novelty cheques come in a range of sizes, and the right choice depends on your event. A small community gathering is different from a televised charity gala — so it's worth thinking about how the cheque will be used before you order.
Common sizes include:
- A1 — a solid choice for smaller events and indoor presentations; easy to carry and store
- A0 — the most popular size for fundraising events; visible across a room and great in photos
- Custom sizes — some suppliers can go even bigger for large-scale events or outdoor settings
Most giant novelty cheques are printed on foam board or rigid board, which makes them easy to hold up without flopping around mid-photo. Some suppliers also offer laminated finishes for a more polished look, or lightweight board if you need to post the cheque to a recipient.
A quick tip: Think about who will be holding the cheque. If it's children, older adults, or anyone who might struggle with a large rigid board, a lighter option or slightly smaller size could be the better call.
Colours and design templates vary by supplier. At Megacheques, we offer a range of professionally designed templates so your cheque looks the part without you needing any design experience at all.
What to Include on Your Giant Novelty Cheque
This is where people sometimes get caught out. A giant novelty cheque has several fields to fill in, and it's easy to overlook something — or to realise too late that you've spelled a name wrong.
Here's what you'll typically need to provide:
- Pay to (recipient name): This might be a charity name, an individual, or an organisation. Double-check the spelling — especially for charity names, which often have specific capitalisation or punctuation.
- Amount in numbers: For example, £5,000 or £12,500. Make sure this matches the written amount exactly.
- Amount in words: "Five thousand pounds" — take care with formatting here. "Five-thousand pounds" and "five thousand pounds" are both fine, but inconsistencies look untidy on a large print.
- Date: Some people prefer to leave this flexible; others want the exact event date. Either works — just decide in advance.
- Signed by / From: This could be a company name, a team name, or a fundraising group. Some people also include a personal signature field.
- Memo / reference line: Optional, but a nice touch — something like "Marathon fundraising 2026" or "Community garden project" adds context.
Before you submit your order, read every field out loud. It sounds simple, but it's the fastest way to catch a typo before it ends up printed at A0 size for the whole room to see.
Ordering Timeline: Don't Leave It Too Late
One of the most common mistakes people make with giant novelty cheques is underestimating how much lead time they need. If your event is in three days and you haven't ordered yet, you'll be relying on express delivery — which is possible, but not the most relaxed way to do things!
Here's a sensible timeline to work backwards from your event date:
- 2+ weeks before: Ideal. You have plenty of time to review a proof, request any changes, and receive standard delivery without stress.
- 1 week before: Still comfortable. Most suppliers can turn around orders within a few business days, and standard delivery gives you a buffer.
- 3–5 days before: Tight but doable — look for suppliers offering fast turnaround and tracked delivery options.
- Under 48 hours: You'll need express printing and next-day delivery. Check availability with your supplier directly before assuming this is possible.
At Megacheques, we offer fast turnaround times and clear delivery options so you know exactly when to expect your cheque. If you're ever unsure, just get in touch — we'd rather help you plan ahead than have you stressed the day before your event!
One more thing: always check whether a proof is included in your order. Seeing a digital preview before printing gives you the chance to catch any issues early — and it's well worth taking a few minutes to review it carefully.
Make Your Presentation Moment Count
A giant novelty cheque does a lot of the heavy lifting on its own — but a little planning goes a long way to making the moment even more memorable.
Think about:
- Who's presenting and who's receiving — make sure both parties know where to stand and who's holding which end
- Photo logistics — position people so the cheque text faces the camera and isn't obscured by hands
- Backdrop — a plain or branded wall behind the cheque makes for a much cleaner photo than a busy background
- Announcement timing — reveal the total before bringing out the cheque so the room is already reacting when the photo is taken
The giant novelty cheque is the centrepiece of your presentation — give it the moment it deserves!
Whether you're raising money for a local cause, celebrating a big win, or recognising an incredible fundraising effort, getting the cheque right makes the whole thing feel official, exciting, and worth celebrating.
Ready to order? Head to megacheques.co.uk to choose your size, customise your design, and get your giant novelty cheque sorted in just a few clicks. Your presentation moment is waiting!
