By Sava is the Founder of Peach Labels
Patches are one of the easiest things a band can sell. They're light, they don't come in sizes, and fans put them on jackets, bags and hats where other people see them.
Most merch guides stop at "add patches." This one covers the part that comes next: what a run costs, how many to order, and what to charge.
A note on the numbers: I run a company that makes woven patches, and the prices below come from our own published price list. Treat them as one real data point, not an industry average. Other suppliers price differently, and it's worth comparing.
What a run of patches costs
Here is what a 2-inch woven patch costs at different quantities, with two thread colors, a stitched (Merrow) edge and sew-on backing, before shipping:
The pattern matters more than the exact figures. Every new design needs setup before the first patch is made, and that work costs about the same whether you order 50 or 1,000. On small runs, setup is most of the price. As the run grows, it's spread across more patches and the price per patch falls fast.
That's why the first few steps up in quantity are the cheap ones. Going from 100 to 250 patches adds $33 to the bill and gets you 150 more patches. Going from 250 to 500 adds $62 for 250 more.
How many to order for a tour
Start with a simple estimate: how many patches you expect to sell per show, times the number of shows, plus a buffer. A 15-date run selling about eight a night is 120 patches.
From there, look at where the price curve sits. In the table above, 250 patches cost only $33 more than 100. Patches don't come in sizes, so leftovers don't go stale the way an unsold XXL shirt does. They sell online, at the next tour, or go into bundles.
The exception is a dated design, like a tour patch with this year's dates on it. Order those close to what you expect to sell, and save the bigger run for your evergreen logo.
+Read more: "Upcycled Tour Merch Is Live Music's Next Green Frontier"
What to charge
At 250 pieces, each patch costs about $0.61. If you sell them at $5, that leaves about $4.39 a patch before card fees and any cut the venue takes from merch sales. If the venue takes a percentage, work it out on the sale price, not on your cost.
Patches also work well as add-ons: a patch with a shirt for a few dollars more, or a free patch with a vinyl pre-order.
Woven or embroidered?
Both are good, and they suit different artwork.
- Embroidered patches are raised and textured, the classic look. They're priced by stitch count, so a detailed design or one that fills the whole patch costs more, and small lettering can blur.
- Woven patches are flat and use much finer thread, so they hold small text, thin lines and detailed logos. They're priced mainly by size and quantity.
A simple rule: if your logo has small text or fine detail, go woven. If it's bold and simple and you want texture, embroidered is a good choice.
Iron-on, sew-on or hook-and-loop
Iron-on backing is convenient on cotton and denim, but heat can damage leather, nylon and some synthetics, so those need sewing. Even an iron-on patch lasts longer if it's stitched around the edge, especially on something that gets washed. Say which backing it is on the table sign or the product page, because fans will ask.
Hook-and-loop backing suits bags and gear with a loop panel, and lets fans swap patches around.
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Sizing
2 to 3 inches is the usual range for jackets, bags and hats. On small runs, size barely changes the price: in our table, a 3-inch patch costs only about 6% more than a 2-inch one at 50 pieces. So, pick the size your design needs to read clearly, rather than shrinking it to save a few cents. Large back patches are a different item and cost noticeably more per piece.
A quick checklist
- Estimate sales per show × shows, then check whether the next quantity step is cheap.
- Order evergreen designs in bigger runs, and dated designs close to what you expect to sell.
- Choose woven for detail and small text, embroidered for bold, textured designs.
- Match the backing to what fans will put the patch on, and tell them.
- Ask every supplier whether setup is included, and compare the order total, not just the per-patch price.
Check out the full price table, including larger sizes and quantities here.
Sava is the Founder of Peach Labels, a US company that makes custom woven patches and labels for bands, clothing brands and businesses.
