If you have watched a donation, a competition win, or a CSR presentation in Nigeria, you have seen a dummy cheque — the oversized printed cheque handed over for the cameras. Here is what it actually is and how to get one made correctly.
What is a dummy cheque?
A dummy cheque, also called a presentation cheque or novelty cheque, is a large printed replica of a bank cheque used for ceremonial handovers. It is not a real financial instrument — it cannot be deposited or cashed. Its entire purpose is visual: to make a donation, prize, or payment presentation look impressive in photos and video, at an event, a press event, or a charity function.
Common uses in Lagos and across Nigeria include: charity and CSR donations, competition and lottery prize handovers, church and mosque donation presentations, corporate sponsorship announcements, and scholarship award ceremonies.
Standard dummy cheque sizes
Unlike a real cheque (which is a fixed bank-defined size), a dummy cheque is made large specifically to be visible from a distance and to photograph well. Common sizes used in Nigeria:
| Size | Best for |
|---|---|
| 2 × 3 feet | Small indoor presentations, close-up photos |
| 3 × 4 feet | The most common size — works for most stage handovers |
| 4 × 6 feet | Large stage events, big-ticket donations, press coverage |
| Custom | Any size to match a specific stage or venue |
Choosing a size: think about how far the audience and cameras will be from the stage. For a hotel conference room or small hall, 3 × 4 feet reads clearly. For a large auditorium or an outdoor event with a distant crowd, go to 4 × 6 feet so the amount and names are still legible from the back.
What goes on a dummy cheque
A dummy cheque mirrors the layout of a real bank cheque, but with the details of the presentation:
- Payer name — the organisation or individual making the donation or payment
- Payee name — who is receiving it (a person, charity, school, or organisation)
- Amount — in figures and in words, exactly as a real cheque would show it
- Date — the date of the event or presentation
- Purpose or occasion — sometimes added as a line below the main details, e.g. “Scholarship Fund 2026” or “CSR Donation”
- Logos — the donor organisation’s logo, and sometimes the recipient’s, printed prominently
- Bank-style design elements — a cheque-like border, routing-number-style detail line, and signature line for authenticity of look
Material and finish
Dummy cheques are typically printed on one of two materials:
Foam board or rigid board
The standard choice. Lightweight enough to hold and carry on stage, rigid enough to stay flat and not bend or curl under lights. Mounted with the design printed and laminated or directly printed onto the board surface.
Flex or vinyl banner material
Used for larger sizes or when the cheque needs to be more durable — for example if it will be reused, transported repeatedly, or displayed outdoors. More flexible and less prone to damage in transit than rigid board, though it does not hold its shape as crisply on stage.
Most event dummy cheques use foam board for the crisp, flat presentation look, reserving flex for larger or more heavily reused pieces.
How to order one
The process is straightforward but needs the right information supplied clearly to avoid errors on something that will be photographed and, often, cannot be easily reprinted before the event.
- Confirm the exact wording. Payer name, payee name, amount in figures and words, date, and any occasion text. Spell names exactly as they should appear — get this checked by whoever is presenting, since a misspelled name on a cheque handed over on stage is a hard mistake to walk back.
- Supply logos. High-resolution versions of any organisation logos that need to appear. Low-resolution logos pulled from a website tend to look blurry when enlarged to cheque size.
- Confirm the size. Based on venue size and viewing distance, as covered above.
- Approve a proof. Always review a digital proof before printing — the amount in words, spelling of names, and logo placement should all be double-checked here, not after printing.
- Plan for the event date. Order with enough lead time that a correction, if needed after proofing, does not put the event date at risk.
Double-check the amount in words. This is the most common error on dummy cheques — a typo in the written-out amount (for example “One Million Naira” not matching the figures shown) is exactly the kind of detail that gets noticed in event photos. Read it aloud during proofing.
Turnaround time
A standard dummy cheque, once wording and logos are confirmed, typically takes 1–2 working days to produce. Same-day production is sometimes possible for urgent requests, particularly for smaller sizes on foam board. Larger custom sizes or additional design work (adding organisation branding elements beyond a standard cheque layout) may take longer.
Typical pricing
Pricing depends on size and material. As a general guide in Lagos:
| Size | Foam board | Flex/vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| 2 × 3 ft | ₦10,000 – ₦18,000 | ₦8,000 – ₦15,000 |
| 3 × 4 ft | ₦18,000 – ₦28,000 | ₦15,000 – ₦24,000 |
| 4 × 6 ft | ₦28,000 – ₦42,000 | ₦22,000 – ₦35,000 |
Design work is usually included for a standard cheque layout; more elaborate custom branding may carry a small additional design fee.
Common questions
What is a dummy cheque used for?
A dummy cheque is a large printed replica cheque used for ceremonial handovers such as donations, competition prizes, and sponsorship presentations. It is for display and photography only and cannot be deposited or cashed.
What size should a dummy cheque be?
3 by 4 feet is the most common size and works for most stage presentations. For large auditoriums or outdoor events with a distant audience, 4 by 6 feet keeps the details legible from further back.
What material is a dummy cheque printed on?
Most dummy cheques are printed on foam board for a crisp, flat, stage-ready look. Flex or vinyl banner material is used for larger sizes or cheques that need to be more durable for repeated transport or outdoor use.
How long does it take to print a dummy cheque?
Once wording and logos are confirmed and a proof is approved, a standard dummy cheque typically takes one to two working days. Same-day production is sometimes possible for smaller sizes.
What information do I need to provide to order a dummy cheque?
The payer name, payee name, the amount in both figures and words, the date, any occasion text, and high-resolution logos for any organisations that need to appear on the design.
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