Sourcing + selling custom patches

We’ve streamlined the process to help you easily source and sell custom patches. This product is perfect for adding a personal touch to items like backpacks, beanies, jackets, and more. Now you’ve unlocked patches in the launcher, you’ll be able to submit your product request for processing. 

Just like lapel pins and keychains, patches cannot be produced on demand and require a minimum order quantity of 100 units. You have the option to pay for inventory upfront, or you can create a pre-order listing and we’ll process orders using the money generated from pre-order sales. Don’t forget as part of our TeespringGo service we’ll handle inventory storage, order fulfillment, custom support, etc. for you too. Continue reading to learn more about how you can source and sell custom patches.

Part 1: Customizing your patch

The patch type you choose will depend on your design.

• Embroidered patches make the most of high-contrast designs and are the perfect combination of affordability, durability, and design potential. Embroidery makes designs look sharp and textured by highlighting details
• Printed patches offer a higher level of design detail compared to embroidered patches. Choose printed patches if you want to create a vibrant, full-color design. 

Patch Characteristics

• Backing: embroidered patches feature iron-on backing—this way customers can easily attach their patches to various fabrics (following these steps for example). Keep in mind customers can also attach patches to clothing and accessories by sewing them on or using safety pins if they prefer. 
• Base material: patches feature polyester blend twill base material. This provides each patch with a stiff base to embroider on. 
• Border: patches feature a merrowed border (overlock stitch) to secure design threads.

When submitting your embroidered patch request, these are the characteristics you can customize using the form:

Design file

Vectorized design files are preferred, but we can accept JPEG, .JPG, .PNG, .AI, .EPS,.PSD, .TIFF and .PDF design files. We recommend submitting high resolution files (300 DPI) with at least 2.5” x 2.5” (750 x 750 pixels) dimensions. If you’re not able to submit a design file through the form you can provide a design link in the comments section of the form instead. Keep in mind small fonts/details are not recommended for embroidery. We recommend limiting designs to 9 colors or less; adding 10+ colors will increase the base cost of your patches. Keep in mind if your patch design features neon colors this may increase the base cost slightly as well.

• Embroidered patches: Small fonts and details are not recommended for embroidery. We recommend limiting designs to 9 colors or less; adding 10+ colors will increase the base cost of your patches and/or require the use of printed patches instead. Keep in mind if your embroidered patch design features neon colors this may increase the base cost slightly as well. 
• Printed patches: Printed patches enable you to use full-color designs. Keep in mind the complexity of your design will determine the print method used; for example screen printing is typically used for basic designs and patterns, while direct-to-garment printing is used for photo-realistic images and complex, multi-color designs.

Patch size

The most popular patch size is 3 Inches, however, if your design features text or lots of details we may recommend choosing a larger size. Keep in mind the larger the patch size the more the base cost increases. Standard sizes range from 2 inches to 6 inches. Custom sizes are available upon request.

Quality (base cost)

Because patches are not produced on demand they require a minimum order quantity of 100 units—meaning you must order (or pre-sale) at least 100 units for your inventory to be produced. Keep in mind that the more units you order, the lower the base cost. Please note we also recommend ordering an additional 5% of inventory for replacements and exchanges. Below is a table with examples of price ranges, please note your quote may vary depending on the number of thread colors in your design and patch size.

Selling price

Popular pricing for patches ranges from $4 to $12. You will decide what selling price you want your patch to have and how much profit you’ll earn per sale. Spring charges a fulfillment fee that is 15% of the selling price (minimum $2) which covers inventory storage, order fulfillment + packaging, customer support, etc. This fee is collected each time a patch is sold.

Part 2: Sourcing & selling patches 

Here’s a breakdown of how the sourcing process works.

1. Submit request

Once you’ve unlocked patches you’ll see the ‘Custom patch’ product icon in the launcher. Click the icon and fill out the form with your patch characteristics and submit your request. We aim to process all requests within 24–48 business hours.

2. Pay deposit

Once we receive your submission we’ll send you a non-refundable deposit payment link for $50. The deposit will go towards the inventory cost once you’re ready to place your order. 

3. Approve quote

Once the deposit is paid we will process your request and follow up with a quote and product mockups in the next 24-48 business hours. These will require your approval before we continue with processing your request.

4. Source + sell

You have the option to source patch inventory upfront, or you can run a pre-order listing and use the funds from pre-orders to pay for inventory. Here’s how it works:

Quotation 1: Pay for inventory upfront

When you approve the quote and the mockups the next step is to pay for the full inventory. Once full inventory payment is received your patch order will be processed and we’ll confirm the estimated delivery time for your patches to reach our facility. Once payment is processed your patches should reach our facility within 14 business days. 

Once inventory arrives we’ll take product photos and create the patch listing for you. We’ll make sure to set the listing to ‘private’ so you can make it public and start selling when you’re ready. You can sell your patches until stock runs out.

Quotation 2: Pay for inventory upfront

We offer a pre-order option for creators who are unsure how much inventory to order or would like to avoid paying for inventory upfront. Here’s how it works:

• After approving the mockup you’ll need to confirm the minimum order quantity (MOQ) you’re comfortable with — i.e. the minimum number of patches you plan to sell. Note the MOQ must be at least 100 units and the quoted price is locked in once the listing is created (i.e. if you sell over 100 units the base cost will not change). 
• Next we’ll create a pre-order listing for buyers to reserve their patch. The pre-order period usually lasts two to four weeks. The limited time aspect can create FOMO (fear of missing out) and result in more orders placed within a short period of time. 
• We’ll inform buyers of the estimated delivery timeline for their order on the listing page and within confirmation emails. We’ll also advise them of the minimum order quantity so if the MOQ isn’t reached they’ll understand why their order is cancelled. 
• After the pre-order period ends (and MOQ is reached), we will use the funds from orders  to pay for the inventory. Please note we also recommend ordering an additional 5% of inventory for replacements and exchanges.  
• Inventory should arrive within 14 business days once production begins. At that time we’ll send the orders to your buyers.

5. Get Paid

After patch orders are shipped to buyers, profit from sales will be available for withdrawal within your Spring account.

Visit the launcher now to see if you’ve unlocked patches.