Choosing between custom and pre-printed raffle tickets may seem like a small decision, but it can affect your fundraiser’s appearance, organization, sales process, and overall cost. The right choice depends on how much information you need to print, how important branding is, how many tickets you need, and how much time your team has.
If you’re considering custom raffle ticket printing, this guide will help you compare your options before placing an order. You’ll learn the differences between custom and pre-printed tickets, what each option costs, when customization is worth it, what information belongs on a ticket, and how to choose the right format for your event.
Whether you’re organizing a school fundraiser, church raffle, charity event, sports fundraiser, nonprofit campaign, or community drawing, the goal is simple: choose tickets that are easy to sell, easy to manage, and appropriate for your audience.
What Are Custom Raffle Tickets?
Custom raffle tickets are professionally printed tickets created specifically for your organization, fundraiser, event, or drawing. Instead of using a generic design, you can add your event information, organization name, logo, prize details, ticket price, drawing information, and other relevant details.
Custom raffle ticket printing is particularly useful when your tickets need to represent your organization professionally or communicate information that a generic ticket does not provide.
Depending on your printing provider and ticket format, custom tickets can include:
- Organization or school name
- Event name
- Logo or branding
- Ticket price
- Prize information
- Drawing date and time
- Drawing location
- Sequential ticket numbers
- Participant information
- Required rules or license information
- Contact information
- Sponsor information
Before creating your design, it is important to know exactly what information belongs on the ticket. Our guide on what information to include on a raffle ticket can help you create a complete checklist before sending your ticket to print.
What Are Pre-Printed Raffle Tickets?
Pre-printed raffle tickets are generic or ready-made tickets produced with a fixed design. They may include basic ticket numbering, a tear-off stub, or a standard layout, but they generally provide much less control over the wording and appearance.
Pre-printed tickets can be practical when:
- You need tickets quickly.
- Your event is small.
- Branding is not important.
- You have very little information to print.
- You want a simple, low-cost solution.
For an informal neighborhood drawing or small internal event, a generic ticket may do everything you need.
The important question is not whether custom tickets are always better. It’s whether the additional flexibility of customization provides enough value for your particular fundraiser.
Custom vs. Pre-Printed Raffle Tickets: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Custom Raffle Tickets | Pre-Printed Raffle Tickets |
| Design | Customized for your event | Predetermined design |
| Branding | Logo, colors and organization details | Limited or none |
| Event information | Flexible | Limited |
| Ticket numbering | Can be customized | Usually predetermined |
| Professional appearance | High | Basic |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Best for | Fundraisers and branded events | Simple, informal events |
| Design control | High | Minimal |
| Information capacity | Depends on size | Usually limited |
| Long-term usefulness | Can be created for a specific campaign | Generic |
The Short Answer
If your fundraiser needs branding, detailed event information, professional presentation, or a specific ticket layout, custom tickets are usually the better choice.
If you simply need basic entry tickets for a small event and don’t need organization-specific information, pre-printed tickets may be sufficient.
Why Choose Custom Raffle Ticket Printing?
The biggest advantage of custom raffle ticket printing is control.
Instead of adapting your event to a generic ticket, you can create a ticket around the way your fundraiser actually works.
1. Put Your Organization Front and Center
A custom ticket can include your school’s name, church, nonprofit, sports team, community organization, or fundraising committee.
This makes the ticket immediately recognizable and gives participants a clear connection between the purchase and your organization.
2. Include the Information Buyers Need
A generic ticket may leave you explaining important details separately.
A custom ticket can put information directly in front of the buyer:
- What the raffle supports
- What the prize is
- How much the ticket costs
- When the drawing occurs
- Where the drawing takes place
- How winners will be contacted
That can make the sales process easier for volunteers.
3. Use Sequential Numbering
Numbered tickets are useful for tracking sales and identifying winning entries.
When the ticket and its detachable stub carry matching numbers, your volunteers can collect the appropriate stubs while participants retain their ticket portions.
If you are still deciding how many tickets you need, our guide to how to calculate raffle odds can also help you understand how ticket quantities affect the overall drawing.
4. Match Your Event Branding
Personalized raffle tickets can incorporate your organization’s colors, logo, event name, or fundraising theme.
For a school fundraiser, you might use school branding. For a charity gala, you may want a more polished design. For a sports fundraiser, team colors can make the ticket instantly recognizable.
You can also review Raffles For Less raffle ticket samples for examples of different ticket formats and designs.
5. Create a More Professional Presentation
A well-organized fundraiser should feel organized from the first interaction.
Clean typography, consistent information, appropriate ticket sizing, numbering, and professional printing can all contribute to that impression.
When Are Pre-Printed Tickets the Better Choice?
Custom tickets are not automatically the best option for every fundraiser.
Pre-printed tickets can make sense when speed and simplicity matter more than customization.
Consider pre-printed tickets if:
- You have a very small event.
- You don’t need organization branding.
- Your event information is minimal.
- You need a basic ticket immediately.
- Your budget is extremely limited.
- The ticket will be used for an informal drawing.
For example, a small private event with a simple prize drawing may not justify creating a heavily customized design.
However, don’t choose a generic ticket simply because it appears cheaper. Consider the total cost of preparing, numbering, labeling, organizing, and distributing the tickets.
Customizable Raffle Tickets: What Can You Change?
One of the biggest differences between generic and customizable raffle tickets is the ability to build the ticket around your event.
Common customization elements include:
| Customization | Why It Matters |
| Organization name | Identifies the fundraiser |
| Logo | Reinforces branding |
| Event name | Makes the ticket specific |
| Ticket price | Clearly communicates the purchase |
| Prize details | Tells buyers what they could win |
| Drawing date | Prevents confusion |
| Drawing location | Helps participants plan |
| Ticket number | Supports tracking |
| Stub information | Helps with winner verification |
| Rules or required wording | Can support event requirements |
| Contact information | Gives buyers a way to ask questions |
Not every fundraiser needs every element. The goal is to include useful information without overcrowding the ticket.
How Much Does Custom Raffle Ticket Printing Cost?
The cost of custom raffle ticket printing depends on factors such as ticket size, quantity, printing options, stock, and finishing.
Raffles For Less offers several ticket sizes and quantities, allowing organizations to choose a format based on their event requirements.
Before ordering, compare the current raffle ticket pricing for your desired size and quantity.
Don’t Compare Price Per Ticket Alone
A low unit price isn’t necessarily the lowest overall cost.
When comparing suppliers, consider:
- Printing quality
- Numbering
- Perforation
- Ticket size
- Design assistance
- Quantity
- Finishing
- Shipping
- Production time
- Reprint risk
For example, if a cheaper option requires your volunteers to print, cut, number, and assemble hundreds of tickets, the labor involved can outweigh the apparent savings.
If you’re trying to determine the right ticket price for your fundraiser, our guide to how to price raffle tickets provides additional planning guidance.
What Should You Put on a Custom Raffle Ticket?
A strong custom raffle ticket should answer the basic questions a participant might have without requiring a volunteer to explain everything.
At minimum, consider including:
- Organization name
- Event or raffle name
- Prize information
- Ticket price
- Drawing date and time
- Drawing location
- Ticket number
- Organization contact information
- Required rules or license information, where applicable
Depending on your event, you may also want to include how the proceeds will be used, sponsor information, winner-notification instructions, or a note explaining whether the winner must be present.
For a more detailed checklist, read What Information to Include on a Raffle Ticket before finalizing your design.
Don’t Overload the Ticket
More information does not automatically make a better ticket.
If the ticket becomes crowded, the important details can become difficult to read.
Use a hierarchy:
Most important: raffle name, prize, ticket price, ticket number
Next: drawing date, location, organization
Additional: rules, sponsor information, contact details
If you have a large amount of copy, choose a ticket size that gives the information enough room.
How to Choose the Right Raffle Ticket Size
Ticket size should be based primarily on the amount of information you need to print.
Raffles For Less offers several standard formats, including:
| Size | Dimensions | Best For |
| Regular | 2-1/8″ × 5-1/2″ | Short, simple information |
| Medium | 2-3/4″ × 5-1/2″ | More event details |
| Large | 3-1/2″ × 5-1/2″ | Longer copy |
| Medium Wide | 2-3/4″ × 8-1/2″ | Wide layouts |
| Large Wide | 3-1/2″ × 8-1/2″ | Lots of information |
If you’re unsure which format will work best, review the best raffle ticket sizes before ordering.
You can then use the raffle ticket order forms to compare available formats and ordering options.
Before ordering, choose a size that gives your text enough space without making the ticket unnecessarily large.
Custom Raffle Ticket Printing vs. DIY Printing
There are two separate decisions organizers often confuse:
Custom vs. pre-printed is about the ticket design and level of personalization.
Professional vs. DIY printing is about how the tickets are produced.
You can create a custom design and print it yourself. You can also have professionally printed custom tickets.
DIY printing may work well when you have:
- A small quantity
- A suitable printer
- Enough preparation time
- Simple numbering requirements
- Cutting or perforating equipment
Professional raffle ticket printing becomes more attractive when you need hundreds or thousands of tickets, consistent numbering, professional perforation, or less hands-on preparation.
If you want to compare different production methods, read How to Make Raffle Tickets in 4 Easy Ways.
How to Order Custom Raffle Tickets
Ordering raffle tickets printing for a fundraiser doesn’t have to be complicated.
Step 1: Estimate Your Quantity
Start with your expected sales rather than automatically choosing the smallest quantity.
Consider your expected number of buyers, average tickets per buyer, pre-sales, and event attendance.
Ordering a reasonable buffer can prevent a second order shortly before your drawing.
Step 2: Choose Your Ticket Size
Review the amount of information you need to print.
If your design contains only basic information, a smaller ticket may work well. If you need several lines of prize information, rules, or sponsor details, choose a larger format.
Step 3: Gather Your Information
Prepare your:
- Organization name
- Event name
- Logo
- Prize information
- Ticket price
- Drawing date and time
- Location
- Contact information
- Required legal or license wording
Step 4: Choose Your Design Method
You may create your own design or select a design assistance option.
Raffles For Less provides options for organizations that want to create their own design as well as customers who want professional design assistance.
Step 5: Review the Proof
Never skip the proof.
Check:
- Spelling
- Dates
- Times
- Ticket price
- Prize description
- Phone numbers
- Website information
- Ticket numbering
- Drawing location
- Required wording
- Perforation
- Overall readability
A five-minute proof review can prevent a much bigger problem after printing.
Step 6: Place the Order
Once the design, size, quantity, and details are confirmed, place your order and allow enough time for production and delivery.
For additional ordering guidance, visit the Raffles For Less order forms before submitting your final order.
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Custom Tickets
1. Choosing the smallest ticket automatically
Small does not always mean better. If your ticket contains too much information, the result can be difficult to read.
2. Forgetting the ticket number
Numbering is an important part of physical raffle management. Make sure your numbering sequence is correct before production.
3. Leaving out important event information
Don’t make participants search for the drawing date, prize information, or contact details.
4. Designing before gathering the content
Collect all of your wording first. Then design the ticket around the actual amount of information.
5. Ignoring your distribution process
Think about how volunteers will sell, track, collect, and reconcile tickets before choosing the format.
6. Focusing only on the cheapest quote
Compare the complete value of the order rather than only the initial price.
7. Failing to proofread
Never approve thousands of tickets without carefully checking the final proof.
Best Practices for Custom Raffle Tickets
The best personalized raffle tickets are not necessarily the most elaborate. They are the ones that make the fundraiser easier to understand and manage.
Follow these best practices:
- Keep the most important information prominent.
- Use readable fonts.
- Include the organization name and event name.
- Make the ticket price easy to find.
- Use sequential numbering.
- Leave adequate room on the stub.
- Use a size appropriate for the amount of copy.
- Avoid unnecessary design elements.
- Proof every detail before printing.
- Order enough tickets for expected demand.
- Keep your ticket design consistent with your organization.
- Check applicable state and local raffle requirements before printing.
For visual inspiration before placing your order, browse the Raffles For Less ticket samples.
Example: Choosing Tickets for a School Fundraiser
Imagine a school expects to sell 1,500 tickets for a spring fundraiser.
The school wants to include:
- School name
- Fundraiser title
- Logo
- Grand prize
- Ticket price
- Drawing date
- Drawing location
- Contact information
- Sequential ticket number
A custom ticket makes sense because the school has enough information to communicate and benefits from recognizable branding.
A generic pre-printed ticket could technically work, but volunteers would likely need to provide additional information separately.
Example: Choosing Tickets for a Small Community Drawing
Now consider a small neighborhood event with only 100 participants and one simple prize.
If the organizers need only a basic numbered entry ticket and have no need for branding, a pre-printed ticket may be perfectly adequate.
The lesson is simple:
Choose the ticket based on the job it needs to perform, not simply on whether customization sounds more professional.
Raffle Ticket Ordering Checklist
Before you place your order, make sure you can check every box:
Content
- Organization name
- Event name
- Prize information
- Ticket price
- Drawing date
- Drawing time
- Drawing location
- Contact information
- Required rules or license information
Design
- Logo added if needed
- Readable fonts
- Appropriate ticket size
- Enough space for the ticket number
- Enough stub space
- Clear information hierarchy
- Branding matches your organization
Production
- Quantity confirmed
- Numbering sequence confirmed
- Perforation confirmed
- Finishing requirements confirmed
- Proof reviewed
- Delivery date checked
Custom vs. Pre-Printed Raffle Tickets: Which Should You Choose?
Choose custom raffle ticket printing if your fundraiser needs professional branding, specific event information, sequential numbering, a particular layout, or a ticket designed around your organization.
Choose pre-printed tickets if you need a basic, generic solution for a small or informal event and customization provides little additional value.
For most organized fundraisers, custom tickets offer a useful combination of presentation, information, flexibility, and easier event management.
If you’re ready to compare current sizes, quantities, and ordering options, check the Raffles For Less raffle ticket pricing and then review the custom raffle ticket order forms before placing your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is custom raffle ticket printing?
Custom raffle ticket printing is the professional production of raffle tickets designed specifically for an organization, event, fundraiser, or drawing. Custom tickets can include organization branding, event details, prize information, ticket prices, numbering, and other information needed for the event.
Are personalized raffle tickets worth it?
Yes, personalized raffle tickets can be worthwhile when branding, event information, professional presentation, and organized ticket management matter. They are particularly useful for school fundraisers, charity events, church raffles, nonprofit campaigns, sports fundraisers, and larger community events.
What is the difference between custom and pre-printed raffle tickets?
Custom tickets are designed around your specific event and can contain your branding and information. Pre-printed tickets use a generic, predetermined design. Custom tickets provide greater flexibility, while pre-printed tickets can be suitable for simple events where customization is unnecessary.
Can I customize the design of a raffle ticket?
Yes. Customizable raffle tickets can be designed with organization names, logos, event information, prize details, ticket prices, colors, numbering, and other appropriate information.
What should be printed on a raffle ticket?
A raffle ticket should generally include the organization or event name, prize information, ticket price, drawing date and time, drawing location, ticket number, contact information, and any required rules or license information.
For a complete checklist, see what information to include on a raffle ticket.
Are custom raffle tickets more expensive than pre-printed tickets?
They can cost more because custom production provides additional design and printing flexibility. However, the difference depends on quantity, size, printing options, and finishing.
What size should a custom raffle ticket be?
The right size depends on how much information you need to print. A smaller format works well for short copy, while medium, large, or wide formats provide additional room.
Review the best raffle ticket sizes before making your choice.
