Pricing Guide
How Much Do Custom Patches Cost?
Honest patch pricing. No setup fees, no hidden art charges, no minimums. The full breakdown of what drives patch cost and what you should expect to pay.
The Honest Pricing Reality
Most patch shops bury cost in setup fees, color upcharges, art fees, and digitizing surcharges. By the time you get a final quote it bears no resemblance to the price you saw on the homepage. EmbroideryLI publishes all-in patch pricing up front. The number we quote is what you pay.
Embroidered patches start at $12 for 2-inch and run up to $22 for 5-inch sew-on. Volume discounts kick in at 25 pieces. PVC, leather, chenille, and sublimated patches are quoted per project because tooling, material, or specialty processes drive cost. Below we break down every factor that influences what a custom patch costs.
EmbroideryLI Patch Pricing
Embroidered sew-on base pricing. All-in. No setup fees.
| Size | Price | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2" | $12 | Hat side, small chest, name patch |
| 3" | $14 | Standard chest, sleeve |
| 3.5" | $16 | Standard shoulder, jacket back |
| 4" | $18 | Large shoulder, club emblem |
| 5" | $22 | Full chest, biker back center |
+$2 iron-on. +$3 velcro. +$4 magnetic. Hot-cut border +$1-$2. Laser-cut border +$2-$4.
Cost Factors
Size
Larger patches cost more. 2-inch is $12, 5-inch is $22.
Quantity
More pieces = lower per-piece price. Discounts start at 25.
Backing
Sew-on included. Iron-on +$2. Velcro +$3. Magnetic +$4.
Border
Merrowed included. Hot-cut +$1-$2. Laser-cut +$2-$4.
Material Type
Embroidered baseline. PVC, leather, chenille, sublimated quoted per project.
Color Count
Up to 9 colors no upcharge. Above 9 colors adds setup time.
Complexity
High stitch density or fine detail adds production time.
Digitizing
Free on orders $150+. Otherwise $40-$80 one-time.
Volume Discount Tiers
| Quantity | Discount |
|---|---|
| 1-24 pieces | Base price - no discount. |
| 25-99 pieces | 10% off. |
| 100-249 pieces | 15% off. |
| 250-499 pieces | 20% off. |
| 500+ pieces | 25% off plus free digitizing. |
Real Cost Example: 25 Patches at 3.5"
A common order: 25 standard 3.5-inch embroidered shoulder patches with iron-on backing for a youth sports team.
- Base price: $16 x 25 = $400
- Volume discount (10% at 25+): -$40
- Subtotal: $360
- Iron-on backing (+$2 x 25): +$50
- Digitizing: Free (order over $150)
- Total: $410 + shipping
- Per-piece: $16.40 delivered.
Hidden Fees at Other Shops
What other shops charge that EmbroideryLI does not:
- Setup fees - $25-$75 per design at most shops.
- Digitizing fees - $40-$100 charged separately.
- Art preparation fees - some shops charge $25+ to prep your file.
- Color upcharges - per thread color above 4 or 5.
- Minimum order surcharges - extra fees if you fall below their MOQ.
- Rush fees - sometimes hidden inside expedited shipping costs.
We do not charge any of those on standard orders. The price we quote is what you pay.
Industry Price Ranges
For context, here is what the broader US patch industry charges for a standard 3.5-inch embroidered sew-on patch at common order quantities:
- 1-10 pieces: $15-$25 per patch industry-wide. EmbroideryLI: $16.
- 25 pieces: $12-$18 per patch. EmbroideryLI: $14.40 after volume discount.
- 100 pieces: $4-$8 per patch. EmbroideryLI: $13.60 after 15% off (note: domestic premium pricing).
- 500 pieces: $2-$4 per patch from overseas. EmbroideryLI: $12 after 25% off, no setup, no shipping delay, no minimums.
We are not the cheapest overseas option. We are the fastest, most flexible, no-minimum US option with no hidden fees and live preview before you order.
FAQ
How much does a single custom patch cost?+
Embroidered patch pricing starts at $12 for 2-inch, $16 for 3.5-inch, and $22 for 5-inch. There is no minimum order at EmbroideryLI, so you can buy a single patch at the listed price. Backings add $2-$4 depending on type.
Is there a minimum order quantity?+
No. We have no minimum on any patch type. Order one or ten thousand. Most patch shops require 25-100 piece minimums; we do not.
How much does it cost for 25 patches?+
For 25 standard 3.5-inch embroidered sew-on patches: $16 base x 25 = $400, with 10% volume discount = $360. Add $50 (iron-on +$2) for iron-on backing, or $75 for velcro. Digitizing free at this order size.
What hidden fees should I watch for at other shops?+
Common hidden fees at other patch shops: setup fees ($25-$75 per design), digitizing fees ($40-$100), art fees, color upcharges per thread color, minimum order surcharges. EmbroideryLI does not charge any of these on standard orders.
How much do PVC patches cost?+
PVC patches have a one-time mold setup ($50-$120 depending on size and complexity) plus per-piece cost ($4-$8 at volume). At low quantities embroidered is cheaper; at high volume PVC pulls ahead. We quote PVC per project.
Is digitizing included in the price?+
Digitizing is free on orders $150 or more. For smaller orders, digitizing is $40-$80 one-time depending on design complexity. Once your art is digitized you own the stitch file and can reuse it on future orders.
Do larger orders get a discount?+
Yes. Volume discounts: 10% off at 25+ pieces, 15% off at 100+, 20% off at 250+, 25% off plus free digitizing at 500+. Discounts apply per design.
What payment methods do you accept?+
Credit card, debit card, and ACH transfer for businesses. Payment due upon order approval. Larger orders ($1,000+) can be split 50% deposit / 50% on completion.
Get an Exact Quote
Use the configurator for instant pricing or send artwork and quantity for a custom quote.
Call: (631) 458-3842