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Whether you’re a repeat customer or placing your first order, you deserve fair value for your custom patch pricing. However, you might not be aware of all the factors that influence their cost.
At ZmCustomPatches, we believe in transparency. That’s why we’re here to explain the various elements of patch design and production that contribute to the final price. It’s not overly complicated, and we’ll walk you through each factor step by step.
A Little Bit of Embroidery History
Custom patches are among the most economical marketing tools available today. However, embroidery wasn’t always accessible to everyone. For most of history, it was so costly that only royalty and the wealthy could afford it.
Before the Industrial Revolution, embroidery was meticulously done by hand, requiring significant time, skill, and effort, which drove up the price. Each stitch had to be individually crafted, making the process extremely slow and labor-intensive. This not only made embroidered goods rare but also signified a mark of luxury and exclusivity.
The embroidery industry was revolutionized by the invention of the embroidery machine. In the mid-1800s, Izaak Grobli from Switzerland developed the Schiffli embroidery machine, which enabled the mass production of embroidered goods. This innovation dramatically reduced the cost and time required to produce embroidery, democratizing what was once exclusive to the elite. Grobli’s machine could replicate intricate designs with consistent quality, making embroidery more accessible to the general population.
By the early 1900s, the introduction of powered embroidery machines controlled by paper tape further advanced the industry. These machines brought a new level of precision and repeatability, allowing for more complex and uniform designs to be produced at a faster rate. The use of paper tape meant that designs could be duplicated exactly, ensuring consistency across large batches of patches.
In the late 1900s, the advent of microprocessor-controlled embroidery machines marked another significant leap forward. These machines provided even greater precision and control, allowing for highly detailed and intricate designs to be executed with ease. Additionally, they enabled high-speed production, significantly increasing output without compromising quality. The combination of computer technology and embroidery machines meant that designs could be digitally created and uploaded, allowing for rapid changes and customization.
Non-Labor Factors
With machinery replacing hand-stitching, the cost of embroidery dropped exponentially, making custom embroidery, and thus custom patches, available to virtually everyone.
Although labor was once the major factor in the cost of embroidery, other contributors also affect the cost of your patch order today. Let’s take a look at some of those:
Materials
Embroidery thread and twill backing are the basic materials that make up most custom patches. While those are generally low-cost items, their prices to providers are affected by the same forces that apply to every other product you buy. The cost of raw materials, shipping and supply chain issues will affect the price of your patch order.
The Size of Your Patch
Size definitely matters when it comes to custom embroidered patch pricing. It’s simple – the bigger the patch, the more thread and backing it will need, so the higher the cost.
Taking some examples from our Pricing guide, if you want to order 100 patches at a 2-inch size, those would be as low as $1.30 each. However, if you need the same number of patches in a 6.5-inch size, your cost would be $4.81 each. You can see there is a significant difference between the two, and that is why you must be careful while selecting a size. One wrong decision can cost you a fortune.
Order Size
How many patches you order will also affect the price you pay. Using the same 2-inch patch from above, if you order 100, that would be $130. Increase the number and your bill will reflect that. So, our point is that quantity matters a lot. However, you can be eligible for discount if you are ordering a certain number of patches. In which case, it will always be recommended that you try to contact your manufacturer and ask them if they provide anything like that or something similar.
Embroidery Percentage
Another factor that affects the price you pay is embroidery percentage. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as you might think.
embroidery percentage is dictated by your patch design. At ZmCustomPatches, we offer patches in 3 different embroidery percentages: 50%, 75% or 100%. This refers to how much of the embroidered design covers the twill backing. Here’s how it works:
A very simple patch, such as a basic name patch for a uniform is 50% embroidered, with the embroidered design covering half the backing. Moving up the scale, a more elaborate design will cover 75% of the twill. This is the most common percentage. If the embroidered design covers all of the twill backing, that’s a 100% embroidered design.
A related factor is the number of stitches required. Most patch providers specify a maximum number of stitches per patch, often 12,000. That’s plenty for the vast majority of designs.
If you have a very, very intricate design, or a very, very large patch, you might need more stitching. Your patch provider might add a surcharge for the extra stitches required.
It’s a straightforward equation for both embroidery percentage and stitch count – the more thread your patch requires, the higher the price.
Attach the Patch: A Key Pricing Factor
How you choose to attach your patches to garments will affect the price of your order. From the simplest to the most versatile, you can choose from a range of options.
Sew-On
This is the patch in its most basic form, and it is always the lowest price option. However, it might not always be the best choice for your needs.
Sew-on patches are simply the patch itself. There are no add-ons. You sew it on, and you’re done. It’s the most permanent form of attachment, and it sure to be durable. But in the long run, it might not be the most suitable option for you, so what matters most is what your requirements are.
Iron-On
While they do command a higher price than sew-on, custom iron-on patches can be a better choice for many people. They feature a heat-activated adhesive backing. This is great if you don’t know how to sew, or simply don’t want to. All you have to do is lay the patch on the garment and apply heat from an iron. The adhesive melts into the fabric, offering a secure hold.
Not all fabrics can take the heat required for iron-on patches, so it’s important to check before ordering your patches. Keep in mind though, that if you have multiple fabrics, you can always sew on patches without using the iron-on backing. In that way, iron-on backing gives you the greatest possible flexibility.
Hook-and-Loop (Velcro®) Fasteners
Velcro patches are the ideal choice for military morale patches or any other type patch you want to be able to remove easily or rotate between garments. They do add to the price of the patch, but give you ultimate flexibility in whether and when to wear a patch.
Heat Cut Edge
Unlike Velcro this is more complex choice for a border, which means that if you are ordering a substantial amount of patches, it can take a toll on your bill and if you are not careful enough, that can be a lot to manage in one go. That is why it is very important that you know your requirements beforehand, Custom patches are just as delicate as they look and neither you nor anyone else can do anything once they are made. There is no going back!
Aim For Value…
When ordering custom patches, prioritize value over price. You want patches that provide the best return on your investment and meet your specific needs.
At ZmCustomPatches, our experienced staff is committed to helping you maximize the value of your patches, regardless of your budget. We collaborate with you to ensure you get exactly what you need at a price you can afford.
Ready to order or have questions about custom patch prices? Contact us via email or phone. We’re happy to provide a free price quote and any additional information you need to make an informed decision.