Custom Trophies - Frequently Asked Questions

  • Turnaround time depends on your show date. We prioritize orders based on when the event is happening — not necessarily when the order was placed. So if you reach out 6–12 months ahead (which we love, by the way), you may not hear from us right away beyond confirming your deposit — unless you'd like to begin discussing design details sooner. We're usually focused on events coming up in the next 2–3 months.

    We also have limited storage space, so we try to time things just right — giving each order the attention it deserves without rushing or holding onto pieces too early. Our goal is to make sure everything arrives beautifully finished and right on time.

  • Nearly everything we make — aside from a few slate items — is made completely from scratch. We don’t use pre-made blanks. We hand-pick hardwoods from a locally owned mill, break them down in our shop, and sand, carve, engrave, and finish each piece ourselves. A single item might go through CNC carving, laser engraving, sanding (more than once!), and then multiple coats of oil-based polyurethane that cure over several days. Cold weather can extend this even further, and our small finishing space means we work in batches.

    Our resin items are just as demanding — each one requires multiple epoxy pours (often one color at a time), and long curing times between layers. We also can’t pour resin while the CNC or sanders are running, since dust in the air can ruin the finish. And yes, epoxy is absolutely the Goldilocks of materials — the temperature and humidity have to be just right.

    We take pride in the quality of our work and won’t ship anything we wouldn't be proud to award ourselves. That takes time — but we promise, it’s worth the wait.

  • It might be possible! It really depends on the size and complexity of your order. Some of our items have a quicker turnaround time than others, so if you're working with a tight deadline, reach out as soon as you can — we’re happy to see what’s doable.

    The fastest way to get started is by choosing items that can be made more quickly and having a clear idea of what you’d like — including wins, quantities, fonts, and any acrylic choices if needed. The more details you have ready, the faster we can move things forward.

    For short-notice orders, we may charge a rush fee — but we’ll always discuss that up front before anything is finalized.

  • We require a non-refundable deposit to officially reserve your spot in our schedule:

    • For orders under $300: a $100 deposit is due

    • For orders over $300: a 50% deposit is due

    This deposit covers the time we spend preparing your order — including materials sourcing, design setup, and scheduling your production slot — and ensures that we can begin work promptly.

    Once work has begun, design changes cannot be made. The remaining balance is due before delivery, pickup, or shipping.

    Shipping charges are the responsibility of the buyer and are calculated once your order is complete. We ship using carriers that include insurance and always add extra coverage to protect the full value of your order.

  • The deposit secures your place in our schedule and allows us to begin work on your order. The design fee is separate and only applies if you'd like to see mockups before committing to an order.

    Both are non-refundable, but the design fee will be applied toward your total if you move forward with the order.

    Our standard design fee is $50, which covers:

    • Drawing a custom breed silhouette

    • Importing a simple black-and-white logo into our software to show how it will engrave

    • Providing screenshots of layout or engraving previews using your provided files

    The design fee does not include extensive file cleanup, color separation, or converting complex images (like multi-layer JPGs) into usable cut files. For example, preparing a detailed image for a layered snow globe can take several hours and falls outside the scope of the standard fee.

    Please note: we do not provide physical mockups (e.g. finished sample pieces) unless otherwise discussed. Mockups are digital only and meant to help visualize the design before production.

    If your file needs more setup than usual, we’ll let you know before proceeding.

  • In many cases, yes! We're happy to review your club's logo or artwork to see if it can be adapted for laser engraving or CNC carving.

    To be usable, we need the file in a vector format, such as an SVG. Raster images like JPGs or PNGs can be more difficult to work with, especially if they contain:

    • Shading or gradients

    • Overlapping or layered elements

    • Fine text or intricate detail that doesn’t translate well when engraved

    Laser engraving works best with clean, high-contrast black-and-white artwork. Logos with lots of color or photographic elements often require significant cleanup or can't be used without redesign.

    If you’re unsure whether your logo will work, feel free to send it to us — we’ll take a look and let you know what’s possible. Just know that more complex conversions may require additional design time and incur a fee beyond our standard design charge.

  • We typically provide mock-ups for engraving or carving once we’ve finalized the overall design direction and received a deposit. For certain items — like trays, ornaments, or welcome signs — we may send a screenshot from our design software showing layout, font placement, or name spelling for approval. However, not every item will include a detailed proof, especially if it's a repeat design or has minimal text.

    We do not provide physical mock-ups, and we do not offer unlimited revisions. If your item includes engraved personalization, you'll have a chance to review it before we proceed — but once approved, no further changes can be made.

  • Not a problem — this is incredibly common. If you know your show date and have a general budget in mind, we can help suggest items that fit your timeframe and price range. You don’t need every detail figured out before reaching out. We’ll help guide you through the process and offer suggestions based on your breed, theme (if any), and show size. Once we understand your goals, we’ll send ideas, photos, and options to help you narrow it down.

  • Once you've received your formal estimate and are ready to proceed, just send us an email to confirm.

    We accept payment via:

    • Our website (we’ll create a custom listing for you)

    • PayPal

    • Venmo

    At this time, we do not accept checks.

  • Estimates are valid for 30 days from the date they’re sent. Because we’re a very small business (just the two of us!), material and supply costs — especially for hardwoods and specialty acrylics — can fluctuate. Demand also varies throughout the year, which may affect availability and pricing for certain items.

    If it’s been more than 30 days since your estimate, we’ll gladly provide an updated version that reflects current costs. To lock in pricing, we always recommend finalizing your order details as soon as possible.

  • We’re happy to discuss ideas and pricing in the early stages, but please note that pricing is only guaranteed once a formal estimate has been provided.

    We typically respond to all emails and messages within 24–48 hours, but we often experience long delays in communication — whether it’s waiting for customer follow-up, coordinating with a club board, or working out event details. In some cases, weeks or even months may pass between replies. During that time, our materials costs, inventory, and design offerings may change.

    If you've reached out, received general pricing info, but never moved forward with a formal quote, we may not be able to honor those original numbers — especially if significant time has passed. We always try to keep our pricing fair and up to date, and we're happy to provide a new estimate that reflects the current details of your request.

    To secure pricing, we recommend finalizing order details as soon as you're ready to move forward. We're always happy to revisit the conversation when you're ready — just keep in mind that availability and pricing can shift with time.

  • Yes, we’re happy to ship internationally — just be aware that it can get expensive. All international orders must be shipped using a method that includes full tracking and insurance to cover the value of the order. We’ll calculate shipping costs once everything is packed and weighed, and we’ll provide you with options based on speed, carrier, and cost. Please note that any import duties, taxes, or customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer. If you’re considering an international order, just let us know and we’ll walk you through the details.

  • We ship all trophy orders through PirateShip, using USPS, UPS, or FedEx — whichever offers the best rate or aligns with your preference.

    Because each order is unique in size, weight, and packaging needs, we calculate shipping only after all items are completed, securely packed, and weighed. At that point, we’ll send you the exact shipping total along with tracking information.

    All shipments include insurance covering the full value of your order, not just the default $100 included by most carriers.

    We take great care when packaging, using plenty of bubble wrap and packing peanuts. However, once your order is in transit, we can't guarantee that replacement items can be made in time for your event — especially if your show is less than 4 weeks away.

  • Because each order is custom made — often from raw materials — we cannot accept cancellations once work has begun. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot in our production schedule, and that deposit ensures we can source the materials and begin design work. If you need to change something about your order, contact us as soon as possible — we’ll do our best to accommodate, but after carving, cutting, or finishing has started, changes are generally not possible.

  • We don't offer discounts or sales at this time — and here’s why: the majority of clubs we work with already have non-profit status, and we work hard to keep our pricing fair and competitive for everyone.

    While we previously offered small discounts on select larger orders, rising material and production costs have made that unsustainable. Instead, we focus on maintaining consistent, honest pricing — no inflated markups just to offer a “deal.”

    That said, we’re always happy to help you find options that work within your club’s budget. Just reach out — we’ll do our best to create something meaningful and affordable.

  • Great question — and totally fair to ask! We price each item using a consistent formula that factors in:

    • Material costs

    • Labor time

    • Machine and finishing time

    • Material waste (yes, some items generate a LOT)

    For example, our lanterns are incredibly labor-intensive and create nearly as much scrap wood as usable material. So even if two items look similar in size or design, they may require very different amounts of time and resources to make.

    Also, changing the size of an item doesn’t always mean a proportional drop in labor. Sometimes a “small” version takes nearly the same effort to produce as the larger one.

  • Not even close. We take pride in sourcing our materials from local and small businesses whenever possible — not big-box stores or mass-market suppliers.

    • Our hardwood lumber is hand-selected from a locally owned mill right here in Colorado

    • Our patterned, clear, and “Eco” acrylics come from a small business in North Carolina

    • Most of our slate is manufactured in Virginia

    Supporting other small businesses is important to us — and it's part of what sets our work apart.

  • We love supporting junior handlers and youth events whenever possible! While we’re not able to offer discounts, we’re happy to work within your budget to find something meaningful and special. From custom ornaments to smaller trays or magnets, there are plenty of creative options we can explore that still honor your young exhibitors in a memorable way.

  • In many cases, yes — we’re happy to adapt existing designs into trophy pieces!

    Some items in our shop started life as one-of-a-kind pieces for craft fairs or as creative side projects, so pricing may not reflect current material costs or custom work. If the item isn’t listed under Custom Trophies, there’s a good chance it can be offered as one — but pricing and availability may vary.

    A few pieces, like our pine needle baskets, fiber arts, or clay miniatures, are created by my mom and are only available when she has the time (and creative spark!) to make more.

    Even if something wasn’t originally dog-themed, we can often customize the design to make it breed- or event-specific — just ask!

  • In many cases, yes — we keep design files and layouts on hand for several years, especially for clubs we work with regularly. However, exact reproduction is not always possible due to natural variation in wood grain, changes in available materials, or updates we’ve made to improve the design. If you’re looking to reorder, send us a photo or the name of the previous event, and we’ll check our records.

  • We’re not able to accept orders for turned bowls — they’re only available as finished, one-of-a-kind pieces when we happen to have them in stock.

    Each bowl represents an investment of time, patience, and craftsmanship. The process begins with raw wood blanks that must air dry for at least a year before they’re stable enough to even attempt turning. Even then, there’s no guarantee the wood will cooperate — bowls can crack, warp, or outright explode during turning. This isn’t just frustrating — it’s dangerous. A single blank can weigh up to 15 pounds and spins at speeds between 500 and 2,000 RPM. Yes, people have died doing this.

    Because of that, we don’t treat bowls as products — they’re art pieces, created when conditions, time, and inspiration align. There’s simply no way to guarantee availability, reproduce specific shapes or sizes, or accept made-to-order requests.

    That said, when bowls are available, they make incredibly special trophies or keepsakes — a true celebration of craftsmanship and nature’s beauty.

Still have questions or are ready to get started?

Please fill out our Trophy Request Form and we’ll be in touch within 24–48 hours.
If your question isn’t covered in the FAQ or form, you can also email us at alienwoodshopllc@gmail.com.