The recent advent of multi-component alloys with exceptional glass forming ability has allowed the processing of large metallic specimens with amorphous structure. The possibility of formation of thermal tempering stresses during the processing of these bulk metallic glass (BMG) specimens was first investigated using an "instant freezing model". It was shown that convective cooling of Zr(41.2)Ti(13.8)Cu(12.5)Ni(10)Be(22.5) plates with high heat transfer coefficients could potentially generate significant compressive stresses balanced with mid-plane tension. The predictions of the instant freezing model were then compared to calculations that consider the viscoelastic properties of BMGs.