Custom Sublimation Patches
Custom printed patches are like mini personalized artwork you can sew on your clothes, bags, and hats or anything you want to make fancy! Sublimation printing ensures photo-realistic patches with durable and machine-washable finishes. Enjoy the flexibility of custom printed patches with a low 5-piece minimum!
Patches Made For Teams At
Custom Printed & Sublimated Patches: Pricing & Turnaround
Custom printed (dye-sublimated) patches from Panda Patches start at $0.74 per piece (2-inch design, 1,000 pieces) and reproduce full-color artwork, gradients, and photographic detail that thread cannot hold, with a 5-piece minimum, a free 12–24 hour mockup, and no setup fees. Ideal for complex, multicolor, or photo-based designs.
| Price from | $0.74/pc (2", 1,000 pc); smaller runs cost more per piece |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 5 pieces (bulk tiers at 50, 100, 500, 1,000+) |
| Turnaround | 11–15 business days after mockup approval; rush available |
| Mockup | Free digital proof in 12–24 hours, unlimited revisions |
| Setup fees | None |
| Best for | Full-color art, gradients, photos, fine multicolor detail |
| Rating | 4.8★ on Trustpilot (116 reviews) |
Patch Types Compared: Which Should You Choose?
| Type | Best for | Detail level | Durability | From (1,000 pc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidered | Uniforms, teams, classic logos | Medium | High | $0.91/pc |
| Woven | Fine detail, small text, labels | Very high | High | $1.54/pc |
| PVC / Rubber | Outdoor, tactical, waterproof use | Medium | Very high | $1.40/pc |
| Chenille | Varsity jackets, letterman, retro | Low | Medium | $1.30/pc |
| Leather | Hat lines, luxury branding | Low-Med | High | $1.74/pc |
| Printed / Sublimated | Full-color art, gradients, photos | Photographic | Medium | $0.74/pc |
When should I choose printed patches over embroidered?
Choose printed (dye-sublimated) patches whenever your design has gradients, photographic imagery, fine multicolor detail, or more colors than thread can practically reproduce. Sublimation dyes the design directly into the patch fabric, so there is no color limit and no detail loss — perfect for complex logos, realistic images, and intricate art. Embroidered and woven patches, by contrast, are built from thread and handle bold shapes and text better than photo-real gradients. Printed patches also often cost less for very high-color designs because there is no per-color thread charge. Panda Patches produces printed and sublimated patches with a free mockup and no setup fees; if you send detailed or AI-generated artwork, the design team will tell you honestly when printed will hold your art better than embroidery before you commit to a large run.
How much do custom printed patches cost?
Custom printed patches start at $0.74 per piece for a 2-inch design at 1,000 pieces; smaller runs cost more per piece. Every price includes free worldwide shipping, a digital mockup in 12 to 24 hours, unlimited free revisions, and zero setup or digitizing fees — the number you are quoted is the number you pay. Larger sizes and add-ons like metallic thread or Velcro adjust the per-piece rate, which the on-site calculator shows instantly before you order. There is no charge to get a quote or a mockup.
What is the minimum order for custom printed patches?
The minimum order for printed patches at Panda Patches is 5 pieces — far below the 50-to-100-piece minimum most patch manufacturers require. Bulk pricing tiers begin at 50 pieces and improve again at 100, 500, and 1,000+. That means you can order 5 patches to sample quality, 50 for a team, or 50,000 for a national rollout through the same process, with the same free mockup and no setup fees at any size. The low minimum exists so first-time buyers and small brands are not forced to over-order inventory just to hit a supplier's floor. If you only need a handful of patches, you are not penalized — you still get free design help and a proof before anything is produced.
How long does it take to make custom patches?
Standard production is 7-10 business days from the moment you approve your digital mockup, not from when you order or pay, and standard US delivery is 11-15 business days from that approval. Panda Patches delivers your free mockup within 12-24 hours of your request, and production only begins after your written approval — nothing is manufactured without your sign-off. Rush production is available for tighter deadlines at 25% of the order total with a $50 minimum, refunded if we cannot meet the date. Free worldwide shipping is included on every order, with door-to-door tracking. For very large runs over 10,000 pieces, we confirm the delivery date in writing at quote time. Because the mockup comes back within 12-24 hours, a quick approval is the fastest way to start the clock, which is how event deadlines are reliably met.
Do you charge setup or digitizing fees?
No. Panda Patches charges zero setup fees, zero digitizing fees, and no mold or art fees on any order, at any size. This matters because hidden fees are the most common way patch suppliers inflate a quote after you submit your design — a $40 to $150 surprise on an order of 100 patches is typical elsewhere. With Panda Patches, the per-piece price you see is the complete price: free artwork, free design assistance, a free digital mockup in 12 to 24 hours, unlimited free revisions, and free worldwide shipping are all included. The only thing you pay for is the patches themselves. This is also why the published pricing tiers can be trusted as your real cost rather than a starting point that grows at checkout.
Are custom patches made in the USA?
Panda Patches is a U.S.-registered company (My Custom Patches LLC, a Wyoming LLC) with a U.S. mailing address in Austin, Texas, serving customers nationwide with free worldwide shipping and US-based support that answers every quote within about two business hours. Its custom patches are produced at the company's own facility in Pakistan, operated by Panda Apparel & Technology; no products are manufactured in the United States. Most orders ship within 7 to 10 business days of mockup approval regardless of destination in the US. The company has delivered over one million patches and holds a 4.8-star Trustpilot rating across 116 reviews, with named customers from fire departments, police departments, sports teams, and Fortune 500 branding programs. Production follows a 5-point quality inspection — thread tension, color matching, backing durability, stitch integrity, and final visual check — on every patch.
Do I get a proof or mockup before production?
Yes — every order includes a free digital mockup delivered in 12 to 24 hours, and production does not start until you approve it in writing. You get unlimited free revisions until the design is exactly right, at no charge. For orders of 500 pieces or more per design, Panda Patches also ships a free physical pre-production sample so you can hold the finished patch and verify color, backing, and sizing before the full batch runs; smaller orders can request a sample for a small fee credited toward the order. This two-step proofing — digital mockup for everyone, physical sample for large runs — removes the two biggest risks in custom patch ordering: approving artwork you cannot fully judge on a screen, and discovering a color or sizing issue only after thousands of pieces are made.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. Panda Patches backs every order with a money-back guarantee: if your patches do not match the mockup you approved, the company makes it right. Because production only begins after your written sign-off on a digital proof — and, for orders of 500+, a physical pre-production sample — the finished patches are held to the exact design you approved. Real customer reviews on Trustpilot describe the company reshipping replacements at no cost when a small number of pieces arrived flawed, no argument required. That guarantee, combined with a 4.8-star rating across 116 reviews and over one million patches delivered, is why first-time buyers and repeat B2B clients — including fire departments, police agencies, and corporate branding teams — treat Panda Patches as a low-risk supplier for both small and large runs.
Last updated: November 2026 · See full pricing breakdown
REAL ORDERS FROM REAL CUSTOMERS
What customers say about working with us
Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot from 116 reviews — checked 3 November 2026
Reviews of our company and service on Trustpilot, not ratings of Custom Sublimation Patches specifically.
Read all customer reviews4 Things Every Order Gets. All Free.
Money Back Guarantee
Your satisfaction owns the patch; our promise ensures it's truly yours!
Low Minimums
Craft your distinct style starting from just 5 patches. Low minimums, maximum creativity!
Quick Turnaround
Standard 11-15 business days — rush in hand in as soon as 5 business days on qualifying orders.
Free Sample First
For orders 500+, get a free physical sample. Verify quality, color, and sizing before full production.
Backing Options
Choose the perfect backing for your patches
Iron On
Embrace the ease of iron-on backing. Custom printed iron-on patches bond instantly with a heat press. Properly heat-pressed the bond is near-permanent, and both machine washing and dry cleaning are safe. An under-pressed patch survives neither.
Sew On
Go sew on for lasting custom printed patches! It's durable, flexible, and comfy. Get reliability and longevity with sew-on backing for your brand's patches.
Velcro
Rock your gear with Velcro fabric patches. Velcro backing has a sew-on loop side that catches onto any surface for easy swaps. Ideal for adding versatility to backpacks, military uniforms, military jackets, and gears!, Velcro
Sticker Backing
Sticker backing combines the convenience of stickers with the versatility of custom designed printed patches. Easy peel and stick application. Ideal for quick fixes and temporary use, perfect for outfits and costumes!
Border Options
Customize your patch borders and colors
Embroidered Border
Refine your printed patches custom with precise shapes and embroidered borders. Mix sublimated patches with embroidered borders for a touch of flair, adding definition and durability.
Merrow Border
Seal the deal with a custom touch! Our Merrow border, a stitched edge, reinforces and adds polish to your patches custom printed. Ideal for sublimated designs, it prevents fraying and elevates your brand's professional appeal.
No Border
Choose the sleek no-border option for clean-cut edges and a modern look. Perfect for simple designs, but consider durable options for long-term wear. Choose Panda Patches for custom printed patches with a low 5-piece minimum!
Upgrades & Add-ons
Enhance your patches with premium options
Print On Embroidery
Discover the fusion of texture and detail with Print On Embroidery. Our printed patches capture precise images, blending vibrant colors with intricate embroidery for a unique, dynamic look. Choose quality and versatility for your brand!
Embroidered Details
Enhance your printed patches with embroidery details for texture. Choose custom sublimated patches for vivid images. Elevate your brand with increased visual appeal and finer features!
Specs & pricing
Custom Sublimation Patches: how they are made, what they cost
Construction
Dye-sublimation puts the artwork directly into the fabric rather than building it from thread or molded rubber. Because it is printed, it is the only patch type with no practical colour limit and true gradient support — photographic images, soft shading and unlimited colours all reproduce. It is also the finest-detail option we make: text holds down to 2 mm and lines to 0.3 mm. The trade-off is surface texture: printed patches are completely flat, with none of the raised feel of embroidery or chenille.
Production limits we hold
These are the real limits our production floor holds for this type — design to them and your artwork comes out crisp the first time. Figures are for finished patches; minimum text height assumes a clean sans-serif.
| Min text height | 2 mm |
|---|---|
| Min line / stroke weight | 0.3 mm |
| Recommended line weight | 0.5 mm |
| Max colors | Full color, no fixed limit |
| Gradients | Yes |
| Maximum standard size | 14 in |
| Larger custom sizes | Available by quote |
| Instant pricing up to | 14 in |
From our published patch manufacturability standard (v1.12, November 2026) — free to cite.
What they actually cost
Live prices for a 3-inch design as of November 4, 2026, straight from the same calculator that runs checkout — not an estimate. No setup, digitizing, or mold fees, and free worldwide shipping is included at every quantity.
| Quantity | Per piece | Order total |
|---|---|---|
| 5 pc minimum | $23.07 | $115.34 |
| 25 pc | $5.59 | $139.70 |
| 50 pc | $4.66 | $233.20 |
| 100 pc | $2.79 | $279.40 |
| 250 pc | $1.62 | $405.17 |
| 500 pc | $1.12 | $561.00 |
| 1,000 pc | $0.99 | $990.00 |
Per-piece figures are rounded to the nearest cent, so multiplying one out can land a few cents from the order total — the total column is what checkout charges. Advertised “from” prices elsewhere on the site use a 2" x 2", 1,000 pcs basis; larger sizes cost more per piece. For your exact size and quantity, use the instant calculator.
HERE'S EXACTLY HOW WE MAKE YOUR PATCHES IN 3 STEPS
From your artwork or idea to a patch in hand. Three steps, no surprises, no setup fees.
WORK SAMPLE
Real orders, real deadlines
Karbach Brewing: 1,200 Patches, Delivered a Day Early
Six designs, 1,200 pieces, a mix of woven and laser-engraved genuine leather, and an event in Los Angeles that could not move. Mockups were approved on January 9, the order shipped on January 14, and it was signed for on January 19 — one day before the event and ten calendar days after approval.
Wise: Nasdaq Times Square Activation
Congratulations to Wise on its Nasdaq listing. When the global money platform marked it with a brand activation in Times Square, the 9,600 custom patches in the giveaway came from Panda Patches, designed, approved, and delivered in two shipments on May 4 and May 7, both on contractual dates that could not move.
Nashville Activation: 1,500 Patches in 9 Business Days
Ten different designs, 150 pieces each, and a hard in-hand date two days before the event. Panda Patches produced 1,500 woven patches with peel-and-stick backing in 9 business days from mockup approval, and the shipment landed on August 6 — over a day ahead of the deadline.
How ordering works
After helping thousands of customers now we have cracked the best way to help a customer order 100% hassle free!
Let's Get Started!
Quick, easy, and convenient
Ready to order custom patches? Get started in just a few steps—use our quote form or chat with our patch experts today!
Free Digital Mockup
Approve before anything is made
A free digital mockup lands in your inbox in 12 to 24 hours, with unlimited revisions until you approve it — nothing goes into production before you sign off. Physical samples are separate: order a sample box at pandapatches.com/sample-box, or get a free pre-production sample on orders of 500 pieces or more.
The Production Begins!
We Turn Ideas into Reality
After approval, our skilled team begins production with attention to every detail. In a hurry? We also offer rush orders.
Delivery at Your Doorstep
Ready to Be Impressed with Panda Patches?
Once our quality control team gives their stamp of approval, your patches ship with full tracking directly to your door. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality, on time, every time.
Explore More
Other Custom Patch Types
Custom Iron-On Patches
Every patch type accepts iron-on backing. What differs is how it is applied: most types are pressed from the front, while PVC, chenille and embroidered heat transfers are pressed from behind so the heat never touches the rubber face, the yarn pile or the embroidery, and silicone can go either way. See sizing, pricing, and application details on our dedicated custom iron-on patches page.
Going deeper on custom sublimation patches
Worth reading next: when to choose printed over embroidered. Design limits for every type are published in our patch manufacturability standard. Ordering a small run? The floor is 5 pieces per design on every type and size, with no setup, digitizing or mold fees. For a fixed price with no calculator, see fixed-price packs on /offers.
What we don’t charge for
Minimum 5 pieces per design, on every patch type and size — order three designs, that's 5 of each.
- Setup fee$0
- Digitizing$0
- Mold fee (PVC)$0
- Art fee$0
- Revisions$0
- Digital mockup$0
- Worldwide shipping$0
- Duties on arrival (DDP)$0
The per-piece price is the whole price. What no setup, digitizing or mold fees actually saves you, ordering below a 5-piece minimum, and free worldwide shipping delivered duty paid.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. Sublimation-printed patches can reproduce full-color photographic images, gradients, and complex artwork with photo-realistic quality. This is not possible with embroidered or woven patches, making printed patches ideal for portrait patches, detailed illustrations, and full-color brand imagery.
Printed patches are highly durable with proper care. We use UV-resistant, fade-proof inks. The print is sealed under a protective coating. However, embroidered patches generally have a longer lifespan under heavy washing conditions. For best results, wash printed patches inside-out in cold water.
High-resolution PNG, TIFF, or PDF files work best for printed patches. We require a minimum of 300 DPI at the final printed size. Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG) are also accepted and provide the sharpest output. Low-resolution images may appear blurry when scaled up.
Printed patches can be cut to any shape: circle, square, rectangle, oval, or fully custom die-cut to the outline of your design. Custom die-cut printed patches give a professional, polished look with no visible background fabric.
Our minimum order for printed patches is 5 pieces, and there is no minimum beyond that: no setup fee and no digitizing fee. For a 2-inch design, 5 pieces is $115.34 total (about $23.07 each), as of November 2026. Unlike embroidered patches, there are no color limitations — full-color printing is included at the same price regardless of the number of colors in your design.
Yes. Printed patches are perfect for memorial patches, photo patches, and commemorative patches. We can reproduce a portrait, team photo, or any photograph onto a patch with high clarity. These are popular for memorial jackets, tribute patches, and custom gifts.
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