A few possibilities. Your patch is made from your own artwork.
Every color. Every detail.
Custom Sublimated Patches
Turn any design into a full-color patch: photos, gradients and fine detail, printed right into the fabric.
✓ 25-piece minimum ✓ Free digital mockup ✓ Approve before production
From idea to everyday
Your design.
We take it from here.
Make it yours
Choose your size, shape, border and backing. Send us your artwork.
See it before anything is made
After 1–2 business days of processing, we send a free mockup for approval.
Bring your brand to life
Production takes about 10–14 business days after proof approval.
Custom sublimated patches, printed in full color
Our custom sublimated patches reproduce any design in full color: photos, gradients, shading and fine detail, with no limit on colors. Sublimation bonds dye into a polyester twill base, so the image won't crack or peel. Pick your size, shape and border, upload your art, and we handle the rest. No setup fees, no art fees, and every color included. The price you see is the price.* Minimum 25 pieces.
*We prep your artwork free. On the rare file that needs significant correction to be production-ready, such as a low-resolution scan or artwork that has to be redrawn, we will quote that small charge along with your proof. You approve it before anything is charged, and you can walk away at that point.
Built for photo and memorial patches, sports teams and leagues, events and fundraisers, brands with complex logos, tactical and morale teams, and anyone whose design has more color than thread can hold.
How to order
- Upload your artwork. We read its proportions automatically and set your width and height to match, so your patch comes out the shape you designed, not stretched. Adjust either box and the other follows.
- Empty space is cropped automatically. We detect the design itself and trim the blank margin so your patch is sized to your artwork, not the canvas.
- Set your finished size: up to 10" on the longest side.
- Pick your quantity: minimum 25 pieces. Bulk discounts step down automatically at 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pieces.
- Choose a shape and border: circle, square, rectangle, oval, or a custom shape cut to your artwork, with a merrow or hot-cut edge. Both borders are the same price.
- Select a backing: iron-on / heat seal, sew-on, sticker (peel & stick), or hook & loop (Velcro, +$0.25 per piece). Velcro is the only one that costs extra.
- Add to cart and check out. We'll send a free mockup for your approval. Production doesn't start until you sign off.
Borders, backing & application
- Merrow border. A thick, rolled overlock stitch wrapped around the edge. The classic patch look for circles, squares, ovals and simple shapes. No extra charge.
- Hot-cut border. A clean, heat-sealed edge that follows detailed and custom outlines exactly. No extra charge.
- Iron-on / heat seal. Our most popular backing. Press onto cotton, denim, canvas, twill and cotton-rich blends. Permanent once set.
- Sew-on (no adhesive). A plain back, stitched on by hand or machine. The traditional choice for uniforms and jackets, and the right pick for fabric you don't want to heat.
- Hook & loop (Velcro). +$0.25 per piece. Both hook and loop sides are included, so patches swap on and off bags, gear and hats with loop panels.
- Sticker (peel & stick). Quick, temporary application for events and displays. Not meant for the wash.
Recommended settings for iron-on / heat-seal sublimated patches:
- Temperature: 300–330°F (150–165°C). Start low and raise the temperature if the patch isn't bonding.
- Press time: 15–20 seconds on a heat press · 30–45 seconds with a household iron, moving slowly
- Pressure: medium to firm, even across the whole patch
- Pre-press: 3–5 seconds on the garment first, to drive out moisture and wrinkles
- Cover: parchment paper or a Teflon sheet over the patch
- Cooling: let the patch cool completely before you check the bond; press from inside the garment for a few seconds to finish
Fabric warning. Nylon, silk, leather garments, waterproof jackets, windbreakers and stretchy technical fabrics react badly to high heat. On those, choose sew-on, or hook & loop and sew the loop side on.
Care instructions
- Wait at least 24 hours before the first wash
- Wash the garment inside out in cold water with a mild detergent
- No bleach or harsh chemicals
- Tumble dry low, or air dry for the longest life
- Never iron directly on the patch. If you iron the garment, turn it inside out or lay a cloth over the patch
Specs
- Material: dye sublimation on a white polyester twill base
- Colors: unlimited, including photos, gradients and shading, all included
- Size: any width and height up to 10"
- How size is priced: by the longer of your two dimensions, rounded up to the next standard size (1.5", 2", 2.5", 3", 3.5", 4", 4.5", 5", then every inch to 10"). A 3.1" × 2" patch is priced at the 3.5" rate.
- Shapes: circle, square, rectangle, oval, or custom cut to your artwork
- Borders: merrow or hot cut, same price
- Resolution: 300 DPI at your finished size for photos and raster art
- Backings: iron-on / heat seal, sew-on, sticker (all no charge), hook & loop Velcro (+$0.25 per piece, both sides included)
- No extra fees: no setup, artwork or revision fee, and no small-order surcharge, unless your file needs significant correction, which we quote with your proof before anything is charged
- Accepted file types: PNG, JPG, PSD, TIFF at 300 DPI, or vector (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG)
- Minimum order: 25 pieces per design
Pricing
Pricing is set by the longer of your two dimensions rounded up to the next standard size, and by quantity. The bigger your run, the lower your per-piece price. All prices are per patch in USD.
| Size | 25–49 | 50–99 | 100–199 | 200–499 | 500–999 | 1000+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5" | $2.50 | $1.75 | $1.25 | $1.00 | $0.75 | $0.75 |
| 2" | $2.75 | $2.00 | $1.50 | $1.25 | $1.00 | $0.75 |
| 2.5" | $3.00 | $2.00 | $1.50 | $1.25 | $1.00 | $0.75 |
| 3" | $3.25 | $2.00 | $1.50 | $1.25 | $1.00 | $0.75 |
| 3.5" | $3.25 | $2.25 | $1.75 | $1.50 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| 4" | $3.50 | $2.50 | $1.75 | $1.50 | $1.25 | $1.00 |
| 4.5" | $4.00 | $2.75 | $2.00 | $1.75 | $1.25 | $1.00 |
| 5" | $4.50 | $3.00 | $2.25 | $1.75 | $1.50 | $1.25 |
| 6" | $5.50 | $3.75 | $2.75 | $2.25 | $1.75 | $1.50 |
| 7" | $6.75 | $4.75 | $3.50 | $2.75 | $2.00 | $1.75 |
| 8" | $7.25 | $5.00 | $3.50 | $3.00 | $2.25 | $2.00 |
| 9" | $9.50 | $6.50 | $4.75 | $3.75 | $3.00 | $2.50 |
| 10" | $10.00 | $6.75 | $5.00 | $4.00 | $3.00 | $2.50 |
Best-price guarantee. You will never pay more than you would by ordering a larger quantity. If your order sits just under a price break, the calculator automatically charges you the lower tier's total and tells you how many extra patches you can add at no additional patch cost. (Velcro backing at $0.25 still applies to every patch made.)
Our guarantee
- 100% satisfaction guarantee on every order
- Free design revisions until you're happy. Production doesn't start until you approve the proof
- Quality control inspection on every patch before it ships
- Free reprints for any manufacturing error
- 30 days to report an order issue. Email support@atlantavinylstore.com with photos, or call (404) 720-5656, and we'll make it right
One note: because every patch is made to your artwork, changes requested after you approve the proof may carry additional cost. Please review your mockup carefully.
Production & turnaround
- Order processing: 1–2 business days
- Free mockup: sent for your approval before production starts
- Production: about 10–14 business days after you approve the mockup
- Reorders: have a past order number? Drop it in the “Notes for Production” field and we'll match your previous specs exactly.
FAQ
What is a sublimated patch? A sublimated patch is printed rather than stitched. Your design is printed with heat-activated dye and pressed into a polyester twill base, where the dye bonds with the fibers. That lets it reproduce photos, gradients and unlimited colors in a thin, smooth patch.
How many colors can a sublimated patch have? Unlimited. Sublimation prints full color, so photos, gradients, shading and many-color logos cost the same as a one-color design.
Can you put a photo on a patch? Yes. Sublimation is the best patch type for photos, portraits, pets and memorial designs. Send the largest original file you have, ideally 300 DPI at your finished patch size.
What is the difference between sublimated and embroidered patches? Embroidered patches are stitched in thread, giving raised texture but a limit of about 9 colors and no gradients. Sublimated patches are printed, so they're flat and smooth but reproduce any number of colors and photographic detail.
Should I choose a merrow or hot-cut border? Merrow is the thick rolled stitched edge on classic circle, square and oval patches. Hot cut is a clean heat-sealed edge that follows detailed or custom outlines. Both cost the same.
Is there a minimum order for custom sublimated patches? The minimum is 25 pieces per design. Volume pricing steps down automatically at 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pieces, and the calculator never charges more than the next tier's total would cost.
Will sublimated patches fade or crack? No. Sublimation dye bonds into the polyester fibers instead of sitting on top, so it won't crack or peel, and it holds color well through regular washing. Wash inside out in cold water for the longest life.
Which patch backing should I choose? Iron-on for apparel you want it permanent on. Sew-on for uniforms, jackets and anything heat sensitive. Hook and loop Velcro to swap patches between bags, gear or hats. Sticker for quick temporary use. Only hook and loop carries an extra charge.
How long do custom sublimated patches take? Order processing takes 1 to 2 business days, then a free mockup is sent for your approval. Production runs about 10 to 14 business days after you approve the mockup.
Do you offer wholesale or recurring orders? Yes. Email support@atlantavinylstore.com and we'll set you up with priority production and volume pricing.
Related guides
- Custom morale patches: materials, sizes and hook and loop
- Embroidered vs woven vs PVC patches: which should you order?
- Patch backings compared: iron-on, sew-on, velcro and sticker
- How much do custom patches cost?
- How to apply an iron-on patch (heat press and iron settings)
- Compare all six patch types, with prices
The sublimated patch guide
Everything worth knowing before you order: how custom sublimated patches are made, which border and backing to pick, what size to choose, and when sublimation beats embroidery or woven.
How custom sublimated patches are made
Sublimation prints your design with heat-activated dye that bonds into the fabric itself. It isn’t a layer of ink sitting on top, so it won’t crack or peel.
- 1
Your art is color-managed
Your design is prepared at print resolution. Photos, gradients and any number of colors are welcome.
- 2
Printed and heat pressed
Your design is printed onto transfer paper with sublimation dye, then pressed with heat into a white polyester twill base, where the dye becomes part of the fibers.
- 3
The edge is finished
A merrow border wraps the edge in a thick rolled stitch, or a hot-cut edge is sealed with heat to follow detailed outlines exactly.
- 4
Backed and inspected
The backing you chose is applied, and every patch is checked before it ships.
Sublimated patches are thin, smooth and flexible, with the most color and detail of any patch type.
Sublimated patch borders and backings compared
Both borders are the same price. Only hook & loop backing costs extra.
| Border | What it looks like | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrow | A thick, rolled overlock stitch wrapped around the edge | Circles, squares, ovals and simple shapes. The classic patch look. | Included |
| Hot cut | A clean, heat-sealed edge flush with the patch face | Custom and detailed outlines, sharp corners, die-cut shapes | Included |
| Backing | How it attaches | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron-On / Heat Seal | Heat press or household iron | Cotton, denim, canvas, twill. Permanent once set. | Included |
| Sew-On (No Adhesive) | Stitched by hand or machine | Uniforms, jackets, workwear, and fabric you don't want to heat. | Included |
| Hook & Loop (Velcro) | Loop side sewn to gear, patch swaps on and off | Tactical gear, packs, morale patches, hats with loop panels. Both sides included. | +$0.25 ea |
| Sticker (Peel & Stick) | Peel and press | Temporary use, events, displays. Not for the wash. | Included |
Heat-sensitive fabric? Nylon, silk, leather garments, waterproof shells and stretchy technical fabric can melt or refuse the adhesive. Choose sew-on or hook & loop instead.
What size should my sublimated patch be?
Size is priced on the longer of your two dimensions, rounded up to the next standard size. Sublimated patches go up to 10". Circles below are drawn to scale against each other.
- 2"Short side of a credit cardHat side, sleeve, polo chest
- 3"About a coffee mug rimHat front, left chest, morale patch
- 4"About a drink coasterJacket chest, uniform shoulder
- 5"An index card’s long sideBag front, large chest emblem
- 7"About a paperback book’s heightJacket front, banner patch
- 10"About a dinner plateJacket or vest back
Photos need resolution. For photo patches, send the largest original file you have (300 DPI at your patch size is ideal). Upload your art first and the calculator sets width and height from your file’s own proportions, so nothing gets stretched.
Sublimated vs embroidered vs woven patches
Sublimation isn’t always the right answer. Here’s the honest comparison.
| Feature | Sublimated | Embroidered | Woven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Smooth, printed, photo quality | Raised thread, classic and textured | Flat thread, finely detailed |
| Colors | Unlimited, including gradients and photos | Up to 9 thread colors | Up to 9 thread colors |
| Detail | Finest detail of any patch type | Good. Text needs to be at least 1/4" tall. | Very fine. Text down to about 1/8". |
| Feel | Thin, smooth and flexible | Thick and textured | Thin and flat |
| Choose it when | Your design has photos, gradients or lots of colors | You want the traditional textured patch look | You want fine detail with a thread finish |
Not sure which suits your artwork? Send it to support@atlantavinylstore.com and we'll tell you which one it will actually look good as.
Who orders custom sublimated patches
Photo & memorial patches
Portraits, pets and memorial designs reproduced in full color.
Sports teams & leagues
Full-color team logos, player numbers and tournament patches.
Events & fundraisers
Colorful event patches at the lowest per-piece price of any patch type.
Brands with complex logos
Gradients, shading and many-color artwork that thread can’t reproduce.
Tactical & morale patches
Full-color designs on hook & loop for packs and plate carriers.
Resellers & decorators
Volume pricing steps down to 1000+ pieces. Email support@atlantavinylstore.com for recurring-order and wholesale terms.