Ever wished you could give a chocolate gift that’s as unique as your message? Whether you’re planning a memorable event, celebrating a milestone, or just want to delight someone special, creating custom Hershey’s treats can make any occasion stand out.
In this article, you’ll discover how Hershey offers easy ways to personalize their iconic chocolates. We’ll walk you through the process, offer tips for memorable customization, and answer common questions—so your sweet gift leaves a lasting impression.
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How to Create Your Own Custom Hershey Products
If you’re searching for ways to make a Hershey’s product uniquely yours, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s for a birthday party, wedding, corporate gift, or just for fun, creating custom Hershey gifts adds a sweet, personal touch to any occasion. From personalized candy bar wrappers to building an entirely custom candy bar, there are a variety of options available—each with its own exciting process. Let’s dive into how you can create your own Hershey custom experience.
Ways to Personalize Hershey Products
Customizing Hershey products generally falls into two main categories:
- Customizing the Candy Bar Wrappers
- Creating a Fully Custom Candy Bar
We’ll explore both options, breaking down the steps, benefits, challenges, and giving you practical advice along the way.
1. Customizing Candy Bar Wrappers
Perhaps the easiest and most popular way to personalize Hershey candy is by designing your own wrapper. Many companies and Hershey’s affiliated stores offer this service.
Steps to Customize a Wrapper
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Choose Your Candy Bar
Start by selecting the type of Hershey’s product you want to personalize. Classic options include the standard milk chocolate bar, Hershey’s Special Dark, or even Hershey’s Minis for party favors. -
Select a Template or Upload Your Design
- Use an online design tool or select from pre-made templates for occasions like weddings, birthdays, or holidays.
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Many platforms allow you to upload photos, add names, and craft a special message.
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Preview Your Wrapper
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Before placing your order, preview how your design looks on the wrapper. This step lets you tweak the layout, text, and colors.
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Place Your Order
- Decide how many customized bars you need. Many services offer bulk discounts for larger orders.
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Complete the checkout process, providing shipping details.
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Wait for Delivery
- Your customized Hershey bars will arrive at your doorstep, ready for gifting or sharing!
Benefits of Custom Wrappers
- Personal Touch: Makes any occasion feel special.
- Ease: No need to handle the chocolate, just design the wrapper and let the professionals do the work.
- Great for Events: Perfect as party favors, marketing giveaways, or surprise gifts.
Challenges and Considerations
- Minimum Order Requirements: Some sites require you to order a minimum number of bars.
- Design Complexity: Keep designs and text simple so they’re clear and readable.
- Lead Time: Custom orders take longer to process; plan in advance, especially for large events.
2. Creating Your Own Custom Candy Bar
For the ultimate in personalization, you can create a fully custom candy bar at select Hershey’s locations or limited online venues.
Steps to Create a Custom Candy Bar
- Visit a Hershey’s Customization Center
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Some Hershey’s stores and amusement destination locations offer experiences where you build your own bar from scratch.
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Choose Your Chocolate Base
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Decide whether you want milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate.
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Select Mix-Ins
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Choose from an array of delicious add-ins like mini marshmallows, pretzel bits, sprinkles, nuts, cookie pieces, or toffee.
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Watch Your Bar Being Made
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Enjoy watching your custom bar come together, often with a fun behind-the-scenes look at the production line.
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Personalize Your Wrapper
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As a finishing touch, you also get to design your own custom wrapper, often including your name, date, or other branding.
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Enjoy or Gift Your Creation
- Once crafted, your creation is packed up and ready to enjoy or gift.
Benefits of Custom Candy Bars
- Unique Flavors: Mix and match ingredients for a one-of-a-kind taste.
- Interactive Experience: Great for kids, families, and chocolate enthusiasts.
- Perfect Souvenir: Commemorate a trip or event with your edible creation.
Challenges and Considerations
- Availability: This experience is not always available online and may require visiting a physical Hershey’s Chocolate World location.
- Higher Cost: Custom bars are usually more expensive than standard products.
- Shipping: If you can’t visit in person, some locations may offer to ship your custom bars (at an additional cost).
Practical Tips for Customizing Hershey Products
To get the most out of your Hershey’s customization experience, follow these best practices:
Keep Your Design Simple
Clarity is key. Choose high-contrast colors and readable fonts for wrapper text. Remember that less is often more when it comes to small packaging.
Plan Ahead
Both custom wrappers and bars take time to produce. Order several weeks ahead of events, especially if you need your items shipped.
Use High-Resolution Images
If you’re including photos or logos, use high-quality images to avoid pixilation.
Consider the Event and Recipient
Think about the age group, event formality, and intended use of your customized Hershey bars (e.g., thank-you gifts, party favors, marketing).
Compare Options
Many companies offer similar services but vary in price, minimum order size, and design freedom. Shop around before making a final choice.
Cost Tips and Shipping Advice
Understanding Pricing
- Custom Wrapper Only:
- Some services let you buy only the wrappers and wrap the bars yourself, which can save on shipping heavy chocolate—but does require some DIY work.
- Complete Candy Bars:
- Buying bars already wrapped is more convenient but costs more due to chocolate and increased shipping weight.
- Bulk Discounts:
- If you’re ordering for a large event, look for bulk pricing tiers.
Shipping Tips
- Warm Weather Surcharge
- Many chocolate shipments include ice packs or require expedited shipping during warm months to prevent melting, which can increase costs.
- Location Matters
- Shipping from East Coast facilities is cheaper for nearby states; nationwide or international delivery can be pricier and take longer.
- Pick-Up Options
- If you’re near a Hershey’s retail location, see if you can pick up your order to save on shipping and avoid heat risks.
- Track Your Order
- Choose services that offer clear tracking so you can plan for delivery and avoid chocolate sitting outside.
Extra Ideas: Personalizing Beyond the Bar
- Custom Candy Assortments: Some stores let you mix and match different Hershey candies in personalized packaging.
- Corporate Gifting: Add your business logo and colors to bars for unique business gifts.
- Themed Events: Pick designs tailored to baby showers, graduations, or brand launches.
- Custom Shoe Alert: Beware of unrelated sites offering “custom Hershey” products–Hershey is chocolate, not footwear!
Summary
Customizing Hershey products—whether through personalized wrappers or building your own bar—is a delightful way to add a memorable touch to any event. You get to showcase your creativity, delight recipients, and make your moment even sweeter. With the right planning, attention to detail, and smart cost management, you can create a customized Hershey experience that’s as unique as you are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How far in advance should I order custom Hershey products?
It’s best to place your order at least 2–4 weeks before your event, especially during holidays or peak seasons. This allows for production, shipping, and potential delays.
Can I design both the wrapper and the actual candy bar?
You can customize wrappers at many online stores. Fully customizing the candy bar itself (ingredients, chocolate base, etc.) is typically available only at select Hershey’s physical locations and special events.
What if I only want to buy custom wrappers and not candy bars?
Yes, some companies let you purchase just the wrappers. You can then buy regular-size Hershey bars locally and apply the wrappers yourself, which can save on shipping and control freshness.
Are there minimum order sizes for custom Hershey products?
Most services require a minimum order, often around 12–24 units for custom bars or wrappers. Double-check requirements before designing.
How do I prevent melted chocolate in shipping?
Order early and, if possible, choose expedited shipping with ice packs during warmer months. Track your shipment closely and arrange for someone to receive it as soon as it arrives.
With these actionable steps and insights, you’re ready to start your own custom Hershey adventure—enjoy making your moments deliciously personal!