Call sheets change. A scene moves a day earlier, a table spread becomes a vault reveal, or the director adds a second take of a handover with a different bag. When cash is in the shot, the art department is the department that feels it first. Ready prop money, meaning stacks that are already counted, strapped and sized, takes the preparation out of a late change. This guide explains what ready stacks are, when they save time, how to size and store them, and how to order them for a fast turnaround. Every note we sell is a specimen-marked, non-legal tender prop.
The short answer
Ready prop money is supplied as pre-counted, strapped stacks, so the art department can place them instead of building them. It saves prep hours, keeps stacks matching across set-ups and makes late changes manageable. Orders dispatch from our Melbourne studio by Australia Post Express, with a signature required on delivery. Browse the Money Stacks category to see what is available.
What ready stacks are
A ready stack is a bundle of notes that has been counted and strapped at the studio. The art department opens the box, checks the count and places the stack. Nothing needs to be banded, squared or counted on the morning of the shoot. Stack sizes are standard, so you can plan around them. Our stack tiers run from a Starter Stack through 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 stacks, which covers anything from a wallet shot to a full vault.
Why ready stacks help on a tight schedule
- Less prep. There is no counting or banding on the day. A prop master with a small team can dress a scene in minutes instead of an hour.
- Consistent look. Matching stacks make continuity simpler between takes and between set-ups.
- Fewer mistakes. A strapped stack has a known count, so you can track it in and out at the end of the day.
- Easier handover. The second unit or a new art department assistant can pick up the stacks and place them without a briefing.
- Faster dispatch. Orders leave our Melbourne studio by Express Post within 24 business hours of payment.
When ready stacks matter most
Ready stacks pay off whenever time is the scarcest resource:
- Late scene changes. A move from a table spread to a vault reveal needs more stacks, not more preparation.
- Multi-camera days. Two cameras and three set-ups need identical stacks in several places at once.
- Series work. Episode six has to match episode one. Order once, and use the same size and strapping throughout.
- Small crews. Student films and independent productions rarely have a spare person to count and band notes.
- Photography. A studio shoot with an hourly rate benefits from stacks that go straight on the set.
For a longer look at how to match volume to scene, read how much prop money you need for a scene and prop cash for heist and bank scenes.
How to size a ready-stack order
Use a simple process:
- Count the visible stacks. Walk the shot list and count how many stacks the camera sees in each scene.
- Add the hidden ones. Add stacks that sit behind hero bundles, under bags or in the background. The lens may blur them, but they still need to be there.
- Allow for continuity. If the same money appears twice in a scene, double the count for the second set-up.
- Add a reserve. Keep one stack unopened as a spare for late changes.
- Round up to the nearest tier. The tiers are Starter ($115), 1 Stack ($200), 5 Stacks ($850), 10 Stacks ($1,600), 50 Stacks ($7,500) and 100 Stacks ($14,000), in AUD.
Orders start at $300 AUD, delivery is free from $500 AUD and payments in cryptocurrency receive a 10% discount. For larger or repeat runs, ask about wholesale rates on our wholesale page.
Choosing denominations for ready stacks
Ready stacks work best when the denomination mix fits the scene. Use $100 and $50 notes on the visible faces of hero stacks, because those colours read strongly on camera. Add $20, $10 and $5 stacks for tills, wallets and counters. See our $100 bundle size guide for how to size the biggest stacks, and the guide to the best Australian banknote denominations for film and TV for the mix.
A worked example: a three-day shoot
Imagine a short drama with a bank scene on day one, a car handover on day two and a kitchen-table scene on day three, all using the same money. The art department needs hero stacks for the bank counter, a bag for the car and a close-up bundle for the table.
With ready stacks the plan is simple. Order 5 Stacks for the bank counter and drawer, add a 1 Stack and a Starter Stack for the handover and the table, and keep one stack sealed as a reserve. Because every stack is strapped and counted, the prop master can reset the bag between takes in a minute, track the count at wrap each day and hand the same stacks to the next location. Without ready stacks, each of those resets means banding, squaring and counting by hand while the crew waits.
Common mistakes with ready stacks
- Opening everything on day one. Keep the reserve sealed until it is needed.
- Ordering different sizes for the same scene. Matching stacks protect continuity, so keep sizes consistent across a scene.
- Not counting at wrap. A quick count at the end of the day is the cheapest way to avoid a missing-stack surprise.
- Leaving the notes unattended. Assign one person and a secure place before the parcel arrives.
- Waiting until the night before. Ready stacks are fast, but a signature is required on delivery and weekends and remote addresses take longer.
Storing and handling ready stacks on set
A stack that is ready to place should stay that way. A few simple rules keep the notes in good shape and keep the paperwork clean:
- Keep them in the box until the scene. A strap protects the edges and keeps the count.
- Assign one person. The prop master or art department assistant is responsible for the notes, in and out, each day.
- Count at wrap. A quick count at the end of the day catches anything missing before it leaves the location.
- Keep one stack sealed. A reserve for late changes is cheaper than a rush order.
- Protect from moisture and heat. Archival paper handles normally, but damp conditions and hot cars curl edges.
- Never leave notes in a car or on a location overnight. Store them securely.
Ordering for a fast turnaround
The fastest way to get ready stacks on set is to plan the order a few days before the shoot:
- Choose your stack tiers and denominations in the Money Stacks category.
- Place the order and pay at checkout. If you pay in crypto, the 10% discount applies.
- Orders dispatch from Melbourne by Australia Post Express within 24 business hours of payment.
- A signature is required on delivery, so make sure someone is at the address.
- On arrival, check the count, file the invoice and store the stacks with the prop master.
If your shoot date is very close, contact the studio and we will tell you what is realistic for your state. Our guide to shipping and dispatch shows typical timings.
Compliance and responsible use
Ready stacks are still props. Every note carries permanent specimen markings, and every product is a non-legal tender reproduction made for motion pictures, television, theatre, visual arts and simulation training. They must never be spent, handed out as gifts or tips, or presented as real cash. Keep the invoice on the production file, control the notes on set and brief the cast and crew. Read our Section 22 guide and visit the compliance page for the full standard.
Where to go next
Browse Money Stacks, compare the $100 and $50 products, or send your shot list through the contact page for a quantity suggestion.
