For a Mardi Gras krewe, throws are more than something tossed from a float. The right throws can become part of your krewe's identity—something parade-goers recognize, look for and want to catch year after year.
Custom Mardi Gras throws take that idea even further. Incorporating your krewe name, logo, colors, parade theme, anniversary or original artwork can turn an ordinary giveaway into a signature piece.
Mardi Gras Creations works with krewes, businesses and organizations to develop and source custom products, from beads to apparel and other celebration-ready pieces.
The key is starting early and building a throw plan around your budget, riders, quantities and the moments when you want something extra special coming off the float.
Start With a Throw Strategy
Before choosing individual products, think about your throws as a complete assortment.
Not every item needs to be expensive or fully customized. In fact, a strong parade mix usually benefits from having different levels of throws.
Think in terms of:
Volume Throws: Items riders can throw frequently throughout the route.
Specialty Throws: More distinctive pieces mixed into the general assortment.
Signature Throws: Custom or highly recognizable items associated with your krewe.
Premium Throws: Limited pieces reserved for special moments, friends, family or particularly enthusiastic parade-goers.
This allows you to create excitement without putting the entire throw budget into one product.
Decide What Makes a Throw Feel Like Your Krewe
The most memorable custom throws usually have a clear connection to the krewe.
That could be, krewe name, krewe logo, signature colors, parade theme, year, anniversary, motto or phrase, mascot, custom artwork, float imagery, or a recurring symbol associated with the krewe.
You do not need to incorporate all of these into every item. A strong logo, color combination or recognizable symbol can sometimes be more effective than trying to fit every detail onto one throw.
Make Custom Beads Part of the Mix
Beads remain one of the most recognizable Mardi Gras throws, making them a natural starting point for customization.
A specialty bead can incorporate a custom medallion, krewe colors, logo, theme or artwork, creating something much more collectible than a standard strand.
For custom beads, think about what someone should immediately recognize when the medallion is held up in the crowd.
For a deeper dive into planning a custom bead order check out “How to Order Custom Mardi Gras Beads for Your Krewe or Event.”
Consider Custom Pieces Beyond Beads
A strong custom throw program does not have to stop with beads.
Depending on the project, think about other products that could carry your krewe's identity. Mardi Gras Creations' custom program extends from beads to custom apparel and other sourced pieces for krewes, companies and events.
Potential concepts might include:
Wearable Throws: Pieces people can put on immediately or wear again after Mardi Gras.
Branded Accessories: Small items incorporating a krewe name, logo or signature colors.
Commemorative Pieces: Products celebrating an anniversary, theme or milestone.
Member Merchandise: Coordinating items for riders or krewe members.
Event Pieces: Custom items that can be used at balls, parties, luncheons or other krewe events in addition to parade day.
Not every custom product necessarily makes sense as something thrown from a moving float, so consider size, weight, durability and safety when deciding what belongs on the route.
Create a Signature Throw People Look For
The most exciting custom throw may be the one you make harder to get.
Instead of ordering enormous quantities of your most elaborate design, consider creating a smaller run of signature throws.
Give riders a limited number and make those pieces recognizable.
A signature throw might feature that year's parade theme, a special anniversary design or a completely original piece created specifically for your krewe.
Over time, changing the design each year can make the series more collectible. That anticipation is part of the fun: What are they throwing this year?
Use Your Parade Theme as Inspiration
If your krewe announces a new theme each season, the theme is an obvious place to begin your custom throw design.
Pull recognizable imagery, colors or phrases from the year's concept and translate them into a medallion or other custom piece. You can also combine permanent krewe branding with a changing annual theme.
This gives the throw a consistent identity while making each year's version distinct.
Think About Collectibility
A throw becomes more memorable when someone wants to keep it after Carnival. That does not necessarily mean making it expensive. It means making it distinctive.
Ask:
Does this look different from everything else being thrown?
Can someone immediately identify our krewe?
Would someone want to display or save it?
Mardi Gras Creations focuses its broader product development on distinctive, design-forward pieces and small-batch creations intended to stand out during Carnival and beyond, the same thinking can be applied to your custom throws.
Calculate Quantities by Rider
Before placing a large order, break the numbers down. Start with:
Number of riders × quantity per rider = base quantity
Then consider:
- Parade length
- Number of floats
- Number of riding positions
- How frequently each item will be thrown
- Whether certain products are signature throws
- Pre-parade events
- Krewe members who need extras
- Sponsors or VIPs
- Post-parade events
- A reasonable quantity of backup inventory
Separate your estimates by throw type instead of calculating one enormous number for everything. A rider may need many standard beads but only a small number of signature custom throws.
Set a Budget Before You Design
Custom options can multiply quickly, so establish the overall budget before getting too attached to a concept.
Think about the total throw budget, then decide how much belongs in each category. For example:
Largest share: High-volume throws
Next: Specialty throws
Smaller share: Custom signature throws
Smallest quantity: Premium or commemorative pieces
Your exact mix will depend on your krewe, but thinking in tiers makes it easier to decide where customization provides the most value.
Get Rider Input Early—But Set a Deadline
Large groups can make design approval difficult. If riders or committee members need to weigh in, establish the process before designing begins.
Choose:
- Who submits ideas
- Who narrows the options
- Who approves the artwork
- Who approves pricing
- Who has final sign-off
Too many rounds of feedback can slow a custom project considerably. Give everyone an opportunity to participate, but designate a final decision-maker.
Start Custom Mardi Gras Throws Early
Custom throw planning should begin well before Carnival season is in full swing, at least 3-9 months in advance.
Custom products may require concept development, artwork, sampling, approval, production, transportation and final distribution to riders. The earlier you begin, the more flexibility you have to adjust a design, quantity or product without putting the parade deadline at risk.
Do not treat the parade date as your delivery deadline, either. Build in time to receive, inspect, sort and distribute everything before riders load their floats.
Have Your Information Ready
You do not necessarily need finished production artwork before starting a custom inquiry. You should, however, have the basic project details organized.
Gather:
- Krewe name
- Parade or event date
- Approximate quantity
- Target budget
- Logo files
- Krewe colors
- Parade theme
- Artwork or inspiration
- Desired wording
- Preferred product type
- Delivery requirements
- Primary decision-maker/contact
A clear brief makes that collaboration much easier.
Don't Forget Custom Pieces for the Krewe Itself
While you're planning what comes off the float, think about what stays on it.
Custom Mardi Gras products can also help create a more cohesive look for riders, captains and events throughout the season. Consider coordinating custom or branded apparel, hats, accessories, event merchandise, gifts, or commemorative items.
Creating a consistent visual identity across rider merchandise and signature throws can make the krewe feel even more recognizable.
How to Start a Custom Project With Mardi Gras Creations
Mardi Gras Creations has a dedicated Custom Product Request process for krewes, companies and events.
Start with five things:
1. Define the goal.
Is this a volume throw, signature throw, commemorative piece or rider item?
2. Choose the concept.
Identify the logo, theme, colors or artwork you want incorporated.
3. Estimate quantity.
Calculate needs based on riders and intended distribution.
4. Establish the deadline.
Work backward from when riders actually need the merchandise—not simply parade day.
5. Submit a Custom Product Request.
Share the details with Mardi Gras Creations so the project can be evaluated and next steps determined.
Plan Throws People Will Remember
The best Mardi Gras throw strategy is not necessarily about throwing the most—it is about creating the right mix.
Use classic beads for volume. Add specialty throws for variety. Reserve custom pieces for the moments when you want your krewe to stand out.
And when you're ready to create something specifically for your parade, Mardi Gras Creations can work with your krewe on custom beads, apparel and other custom product concepts designed around your identity, theme and audience.
Because catching something is fun. Catching the throw everyone on the route was hoping for is better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are custom Mardi Gras throws?
Custom Mardi Gras throws are parade giveaways designed specifically for a krewe, business or event. They may incorporate a logo, krewe name, signature colors, parade theme, year, mascot or original artwork.
What should a krewe customize on its throws?
Start with the most recognizable parts of your identity. A krewe logo, name, colors, annual theme or signature symbol can work well. Avoid trying to fit too many ideas into one design.
Should every throw on our float be custom?
No. Combining high-volume traditional throws with specialty pieces and a smaller quantity of custom signature throws can create a more varied assortment while helping manage the overall budget.
What makes a good signature Mardi Gras throw?
A good signature throw is recognizable, distinctive and connected to your krewe. Consider incorporating your annual theme, logo, anniversary or another design element that makes people immediately associate the piece with your organization.
How early should krewes order custom Mardi Gras throws?
Begin planning as early as possible, at least 3-9 months in advance. Custom products involve design, approvals, production and logistics, and you should also leave time to receive, inspect, sort and distribute the order before parade day.
Can we create a new custom throw every year?
Yes. An annual series can make your signature throws more collectible. Keep one consistent krewe element and change the year's theme, artwork, colors or date to distinguish each edition.
