Embroidered badges
An embroidered badge and an embroidered patch are the same thing. “Badge” is the word clubs, schools, scouts and British and Commonwealth buyers tend to use; “patch” is the word most American shops use. What you are buying is a twill base, stitched with your design, finished with a border and a backing. We make them to order from 50 pieces.
| Price | From $0.75 per piece — full grid on patch pricing |
| Minimum order | 50 pieces |
| Production | 10–12 business days standard, 5–7 rush at no extra charge |
| Shipping | Free and tracked worldwide, usually 3–7 business days in transit |
| Proof | Free digital proof — nothing is made until you approve it |
| Payment | 50% deposit once the proof is approved, 50% before dispatch |
What you get
- Your artwork, stitched. A logo file, a sketch or a photo of an old badge is enough to start.
- Up to nine thread colours as standard, matched to Pantone on request. Metallic, glow and neon threads add 15%.
- Any outline. Circle, shield, rectangle or cut to the shape of the design.
- A border that suits the shape. Merrowed edge for simple shapes, hot-cut or laser-cut satin edge for die-cut outlines.
- Your choice of backing. Sew-on, iron-on or Velcro hook — all three are the same price.
- A free digital proof showing size, colours, border and backing before anything is stitched.
Personalised embroidered badges, and who orders them
Most badge orders fall into a handful of groups, and each one cares about something different. Knowing which group you are in tells you where to spend the budget.
| Who orders | Typical badge | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Schools and academies | Blazer pocket crest, 3–3.5 in | Colour accuracy across reorders, and a backing that survives the wash |
| Clubs and sports teams | Shirt or jacket crest, 2.5–3 in | Bold shapes that read from a distance; sew-on for kit that is washed hot |
| Scout groups and youth organisations | Event and camp badges, 2–3 in | Price per piece at 100–300, and a design that holds detail at small sizes |
| Businesses and uniforms | Chest logo badge, 2.5–3.5 in | Consistent colour with the brand, and a backing that suits workwear laundering |
| Events, reunions and charities | Commemorative badge, 3 in | A date and title that stay legible — lettering above 5 mm |
Sizes and pricing
Badges are priced on the average of height and width, by quantity. This is the same grid we use for every embroidered patch, so a badge never costs more because of what it is called.
| Size | 50 pcs | 100 pcs | 300 pcs | 500 pcs | 1,000 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inch | $2.95 | $1.85 | $1.10 | $0.95 | $0.75 |
| 2.5 inch | $3.45 | $2.15 | $1.35 | $1.15 | $0.90 |
| 3 inch | $3.95 | $2.55 | $1.60 | $1.35 | $1.05 |
| 3.5 inch | $4.65 | $2.95 | $1.90 | $1.60 | $1.25 |
| 4 inch | $5.35 | $3.45 | $2.25 | $1.90 | $1.55 |
| 4.5 inch | $6.15 | $3.95 | $2.65 | $2.25 | $1.85 |
Full embroidery coverage (no twill showing) and specialty thread each add 15%. Badges above 4.5 inches and runs above 1,000 are quoted individually. Rush production costs nothing extra.
Designing a badge that stitches well
- Keep lettering at 5 mm or taller. Below that, embroidery fills in. If you need finer text, a woven badge holds type down to about 2 mm.
- Think in solid areas, not gradients. Thread is one colour per stitch. Shading is simulated with a second thread colour, not a blend.
- Let the border do the framing. A crest drawn with its own outline plus a merrowed edge ends up with two borders. Pick one.
- Use fewer colours than you think. Most strong badges use four to six. Nine is the standard limit, not the target.
Embroidered badges for clothes: choosing the backing
| Backing | Best for | Avoid it when |
|---|---|---|
| Sew-on | Blazers, school uniform, anything washed often | You want to fit it yourself without a needle |
| Iron-on (heat seal) | Cotton and denim jackets, quick application | Nylon, polyester sportswear, leather — heat seal will not grip |
| Velcro (hook) | Bags, tactical kit, badges that move between garments | The garment has no loop panel and you cannot sew one on |
If you are unsure, choose sew-on. It is the only backing that is never the wrong answer, and an iron-on badge can always be stitched round the edge as well. Our guide to sewing on a patch covers both hand and machine methods.
Specification
| Construction | Polyester thread on a polyester twill base |
| Thread colours | Up to 9 standard; Pantone matching on request |
| Borders | Merrowed, hot-cut or laser-cut satin edge |
| Backings | Sew-on, iron-on, Velcro hook; others on request |
| Sizes | 1–4.5 in on the price grid; larger quoted |
| Minimum | 50 pieces per design |
Common questions
What is the difference between an embroidered badge and a patch?
None in the product. “Badge” is the common word in schools, scouting and the UK; “patch” is the common word in the US. Both are a stitched design on a twill base with a border and a backing, and we price them on the same grid.
How much do custom embroidered badges cost?
From $0.75 each for a 2-inch badge at 1,000 pieces, and $2.95 each at the 50-piece minimum. A 3-inch badge is $1.05 at 1,000 and $3.95 at 50.
Can each badge be personalised with a different name?
Yes. Tell us on the quote form and we will price the set. For name-only designs see our custom name patches.
What is the minimum order?
50 pieces per design.
How long do embroidered badges take?
10–12 business days after you approve the proof, or 5–7 on rush at no extra charge. Shipping is free and tracked, usually 3–7 business days in transit.