If you are starting a streetwear brand, providing corporate team uniforms, or equipping a local sports team, you can add custom patches to your collection of logos in a way that is both stylish and long-lasting. But when you are looking for hundreds or even thousands of patches, managing your budget is a priority.
If you are in the market for bulk custom patches UK, understanding how manufacturers calculate their costs is the key to unlocking the best deals. Here is your comprehensive guide to getting the lowest price per unit without sacrificing quality.
The Advantage of Ordering Wholesale Patches UK
The golden rule of manufacturing applies perfectly to custom patches: the more you buy, the less you pay per unit.
When a patch maker sets up your design, they incur fixed costs for digitising your logo/artwork and setting up for the embroidery or weaving machines. If you order 50 patches, those setup costs constitute a large portion of the price.
But when you order custom patches in large quantities, those initial setup fees are spread across hundreds of units, drastically driving down the individual cost. This helps to hit break-even by spreading the cost over many patch pieces.
Factors that Influence Your Price Per Unit
Before you start requesting quotes from patch makers, it is helpful to know exactly what drives the cost up or down. Here are the main factors:
| Factors | Details |
| Size | Use a standard size of 3 inches or less for patch designs to keep costs down. Large patches are expensive because of more material and production time. |
| Embroidery Coverage | The percentage of twill backing covered by thread impacts the cost. A 50% embroidery patch is cheaper than one with 100% coverage. |
| Number of Colours | 7 to 9 thread colors are included for free by patch makers. Anything more than that or requesting metallic threads increases the cost. |
| Backing Type | Sew-on is the cheapest standard option. Adding iron-on, adhesive, or Velcro hook-and-loop backings increases the prices. |
Tips to Get the Best Price on Bulk Custom Patches UK
Want to effectively utilise your budget? Follow the tips below when placing your order.
Simplify Your Design
Complex designs like turning pictures into patches with heavy details require high thread counts and longer machine times. By simplifying your logo, using fewer colors, and leaving some negative space (showing the twill background), you can instantly reduce your production costs.
Choose the Right Patch Style
Embroidery may be considered a traditional patch style, but when it comes to larger volumes with intricate designs, especially those that need to be produced quickly, woven or printed patches may be a more cost-effective solution. Woven patches utilise finer and thinner thread. Therefore, they can have more detail than embroidered patches without a huge increase in production time.
Hit the Magic Quantity Tiers
Patch pricing for wholesale patch manufacturers is dependent upon a high-quality patch pricing structure as well. Wholesale patches UK manufacturers will discount their pricing at different quantity tiers, such as 100, 250, 500, 1000+, etc.
If your total quantity is 450 patches, it would be much cheaper overall and usually substantially cheaper per unit if you moved your total quantity to 500 pieces to reach the next tier of costs.
Opt for Standard Sew-On Backings
If it is possible to sew the patches on the fabric with a sew-on backing method, you should opt out of purchasing specialty backings for patches. It might be very convenient to use Velcro or iron-on patches.
However, removing specialty backings will easily save pennies on every individual patch, which significantly adds up to a large number of patches when purchasing bulk quantities.
Finding the Right Patch Maker
Getting a great price should not mean settling for fraying edges and poor color matching. When searching for bulk custom patches UK, always ask for digital proofs and samples before the full run is produced.
A reputable manufacturer will gladly provide a sample image and transparent pricing without hidden fees. Take the time to compare quotes from a few different suppliers to ensure you are getting the true market rate.
FAQs
Order in Bulk with Best Pricing
Ordering custom patches in bulk is a smart, cost-effective way to brand your apparel or merchandise. By understanding the pricing tiers, simplifying your artwork, and choosing the right backing, you can secure high-quality patches that fit perfectly within your budget.
When looking for a trusted custom patch vendor, Patch Maker UK is the best online option for placing your patch orders. We deal with bulk patch orders, offering rapid delivery across the UK. Every patch we make is of the finest detail and quality.
Order now with us to get the best custom patches in the entire UK!