1
Submit Your Idea
Fill out our free quote form with your design concept. Upload any reference images, logos, or sketches you have. A napkin drawing works just as well as a finished logo.
Designing Your Custom Patch
From concept to finished product, our expert design team guides you through creating patches that look exceptional.
We Make Designing Easy
Creating your own custom patch doesn't require design expertise. At Custom Patches 4 Less, our experienced graphic artists work directly with you to transform your ideas into professional, production-ready artwork.
Whether you have a polished logo, a rough sketch, or just a concept in your head, we'll guide you through the process and handle the technical details. All artwork and revisions are free, so you can experiment until your design is exactly what you envision.
- No design experience needed
- Professional artists create your artwork
- Unlimited revisions until you're satisfied
From concept to sketch to finished patch
Our Design Process
A straightforward path from your idea to a finished custom patch
2
We Create Artwork
Our artists convert your concept into embroidery-ready artwork, optimizing it for thread and stitch quality. We'll select the best colors and adjust details for production.
3
Review & Revise
We email you a digital proof for approval. Request any changes you want. Colors, sizing, text, layout changes are all free. We revise until it's perfect.
4
Approve & Produce
Once you approve, we begin production. Your patches are crafted with precision and shipped to you with free USA delivery.
Key Design Considerations
Understanding these factors helps create patches that look great and function well
Size Matters
Patch size is calculated by averaging length and width. A 3" x 4" patch is considered 3.5". Most popular sizes range from 3" to 4" for standard patches.
- Small patches (2-3"): Best for simple logos, names, and basic shapes
- Medium patches (3-4"): Ideal balance of detail and visibility
- Large patches (5"+): Full artwork, back patches for jackets
Detail Level
Embroidery uses thread stitches, which have physical limitations. Very fine details, thin lines, and tiny elements may not translate well to stitched form.
- Works well: Bold lines, clear shapes, distinct elements
- Challenging: Photo-realistic images, gradient shading, hairline details
- Solution: We simplify complex designs while preserving their essence
Text & Lettering
For clear, readable text on embroidered patches, letters should be at least 1/4" tall (about 14pt in standard block fonts). Script and thin fonts need to be larger.
- Block fonts: Best readability at smaller sizes
- Script fonts: Require larger sizing (3/8" minimum)
- Serif fonts: Thin serifs may fill in; we recommend sans-serif
Color Selection
You get up to 7 thread colors free with every order. Additional colors are just 12¢ per patch. Our artists match your design colors to our thread palette.
- Color matching: Provide Pantone (PMS) numbers for exact matches
- Contrast: High contrast between elements improves visibility
- Special threads: Metallic, neon, and glow-in-the-dark options available
Accepted File Formats
We accept virtually any file type you can send. Vector formats produce the best results, but our artists can work with any image you provide.
Preferred (Vector)
AI, EPS, PDF, SVG, CDR — Scalable vector files give our artists the cleanest starting point and produce the sharpest embroidery.
Accepted (Raster)
PNG, JPG, PSD, GIF, BMP, TIF — High-resolution images (300+ DPI) work well. We'll redraw as needed for production quality.
Also Accepted
DOC, PPT, XLS — If it's all you have, send it. Our artists can extract and recreate your design. (No Publisher or embroidery machine files)
No Artwork? No Problem.
You don't need finished artwork to get started. We regularly create patches from:
- Hand-drawn sketches — Scan or photograph your drawing
- Written descriptions — Tell us what you want and we'll design it
- Reference images — Show us patches or artwork you like
- Existing patches — Mail us a patch and we'll duplicate it exactly
Design Pitfalls to Avoid
Common issues that can affect patch quality, and how our team helps you avoid them
Text Too Small
Lettering under 1/4" becomes illegible when stitched. We'll recommend sizing adjustments or suggest relocating text to ensure readability.
Too Many Colors
Designs with many colors often look cluttered on small patches and increase production costs. We help simplify color palettes for maximum visual impact.
Low-Res Images
Blurry or pixelated source images make clean digitization difficult. Send the highest quality files you have; we'll let you know if we need better resolution.
Complex Gradients
Embroidery can't reproduce smooth color gradients. We use thread blending techniques to approximate gradients, but solid colors produce cleaner results.
Thin Lines
Lines thinner than 1mm won't hold stitches properly. We thicken fine lines to ensure they're visible and durable in the finished patch.
Wrong Patch Type
Photo-realistic designs work better as printed or dye-sublimated patches. We'll recommend the best patch type for your specific artwork.
Understanding Embroidery Coverage
The percentage of your patch covered by thread stitching affects appearance and pricing
50%
50% Coverage
Half embroidery, half visible twill background. Commonly used for patches with large text or simple logos where the background color is part of the design.
75%
75% Coverage
Most PopularThe standard for most custom patches. Good balance of detail, durability, and cost. Some twill shows through in design elements.
100%
100% Coverage
Fully embroidered with no visible twill. Creates a rich, premium look with maximum color vibrancy. Ideal for detailed designs and prestige patches.
Expert Design Tips
Advice from our design team based on thousands of custom patch projects
Keep It Simple
The best patches often have clean, bold designs. A simple design with strong colors and clear shapes will be more recognizable and durable than an overly complex one. When in doubt, simplify.
Consider the Viewing Distance
Think about how your patch will be seen. Uniform patches viewed at arm's length need larger, bolder elements than display patches examined up close. Design for the context your patch will live in.
Leave Border Room
Keep important design elements at least 1/8" from the patch edge. This ensures your design isn't cut off by the border stitching and gives your patch a cleaner, more professional appearance.
Use High-Contrast Colors
Colors that look different on screen may appear similar when stitched. Choose colors with strong contrast between adjacent elements. Dark text on light backgrounds (or vice versa) ensures legibility.
Order a Sample First
For large orders, consider ordering a small quantity first to see and feel the actual patch before committing to a full production run. This lets you verify colors, size, and overall appearance in hand.
Ready to Start Your Design?
Our experienced design team is ready to bring your vision to life. Get started with a free quote and free artwork today.
Free artwork, free revisions, free shipping within the USA