How much do custom patches cost in 2026?

Most patch companies hide their pricing behind a “request a quote” form. We publish ours. Here is exactly what custom patches cost, what moves the price, and how to get an exact number in about a minute.

The short answer

Custom embroidered patches cost roughly $1.30 to $4.80 per patch, depending mostly on size and quantity. A common order of 3-inch patches, 100 pieces, lands around $3.90 each. The single biggest lever on price is quantity: the more you order, the less each one costs. Woven runs a touch lower. PVC and UV printed PVC are priced separately.

Patch pricing is not complicated once someone actually shows you the numbers. Four things determine what you pay: how big the patch is, how many you order, how much of the patch is stitched, and what backing you choose. Everything else is either free or a one-time charge. Below is the real table, then a plain-English breakdown of each factor.

Custom patch price table (per patch)

These are live factory-direct prices for standard embroidered patches with sew-on backing. Price shown is per patch and drops as quantity climbs.

Size50 pcs100 pcs500 pcs1,000 pcs
2×2"$3.60$3.20$2.50$1.90
3×3"$4.20$3.90$2.90$2.30
4×4"$4.80$4.50$3.20$2.50
5×5"$6.20$5.50$3.90$3.20

Prices are factory-direct and include free US shipping and free digitizing. There is no setup fee on a patch order.

1. Quantity is the biggest factor

This is the number that changes your price the most. A 4-inch patch costs $4.80 each if you buy 50, but only $2.50 each if you buy 1,000. That is not a discount trick; larger runs genuinely cost less per piece to set up, stitch, and ship. If you already know you will reorder, ordering a bigger first batch locks in the lower rate. Ordering for resale, distribution, or a uniform program? Our wholesale pricing adds volume tiers and Net-30 terms.

2. Size and stitch count

Bigger patches use more thread and more machine time, so they cost more. A 2-inch patch is the most affordable; 4-inch and up sit at the top of the range. Detailed artwork that fills the whole patch with stitching (100% coverage) adds about 18%, because there is simply more thread laid down. Leaving some background twill showing keeps the price lower and often looks cleaner anyway.

3. Backing and finishing options

Standard sew-on backing is included. If you want the patch to attach without sewing, those options add a small per-patch cost:

Iron-on backing+$0.15 / patch
Velcro (hook & loop) backing+$0.55 / patch
100% embroidery coverage+18%
Rush productionQuoted per order

4. Digitizing: a one-time cost, not a per-patch cost

Before a machine can stitch your logo, the artwork has to be converted into a stitch file. That is digitizing, and on a patch order we include it. There is no setup charge in its place, and the stitch file is saved so reorders reuse it. It is still worth asking any supplier for the all-in number, because setup and digitizing charges are the usual gap between a quoted per-patch price and what actually lands on the invoice.

What should be included at no extra cost

A fair patch price includes more than just the patch. Here is what comes standard on every PANTHER PATCH order, with no upcharge:

  • A free digital mockup within 24 hours
  • Unlimited mockup revisions
  • Free US shipping
  • No setup fees
  • Pantone color matching so the colors are exactly what you picked
  • Approved design saved so reorders start from it

Get your exact price in 60 seconds

Pick your size, quantity, and backing and see your real total instantly. No email required, no waiting on a sales rep.

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Custom patch pricing FAQ

How much does one custom patch cost?+

At our 25-piece Small Run minimum a 3-inch embroidered patch runs $6.51 each. Per-patch price drops fast with volume: the same patch is $2.30 at 1,000 pieces. Digitizing and US shipping are included, so that is the whole number.

Why is there a 25-piece minimum?+

Twenty-five pieces is our Small Run tier. It carries a modest per-piece premium because the setup work is the same whether you order 25 or 500. At 50 pieces you hit Best Value pricing, and the per-piece price keeps dropping as your quantity climbs. We would rather be upfront about how the setup works than fold it into a bigger minimum.

Do you charge a digitizing fee?+

Not on a patch order. Digitizing converts your artwork into the stitch file the embroidery machines follow, and on a production order that work is included in the per-patch price with no setup charge in its place. Buying a stitch file on its own, without ordering patches, is a separate service we quote individually.

Are there setup fees or hidden charges?+

No setup fees, ever. The price you see is per patch, with artwork setup included, and embroidery digitizing on a new design is free. Mockups, US shipping, and unlimited mockup revisions are all included at no extra cost.

Do embroidered and woven patches cost the same?+

No, they are priced separately by size and quantity. Put your spec into the instant calculator and it shows the real number for each type, so you can compare them directly rather than working from a rule of thumb.

How much do custom patches cost in bulk?+

Bulk is where patches get cheap. A 4-inch patch is $4.80 each at 50 pieces but $2.50 at 1,000. If you know you will reorder, a larger first run locks in the lower per-patch price.

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