How Much Can I Sell Police Shoulder Patches for in the UK?

If you make or sell custom police shoulder patches in the UK, pricing is important. Your price needs to cover production, packaging, delivery, design work and business costs. It should also leave you with a healthy profit.

There is no single price that works for every patch. The final cost depends on the patch size, backing, stitching, order quantity and design.

Typical UK Selling Prices for Police Shoulder Patches

For custom police-style shoulder patches, a useful starting point is around £5 to £15 per patch for small retail orders.

Larger orders can be much cheaper per patch because production costs are spread across more pieces.

Order quantity Typical selling price per patch 1–10 patches £8–£15 11–25 patches £6–£12 26–49 patches £5–£10 50–99 patches £4–£8 100–249 patches £3–£6 250–499 patches £2.50–£5 500+ patches £2–£4

These are general selling-price examples, not fixed UK market prices. Your actual price should reflect your production cost and the quality of your patches.

What Affects the Price of Police Shoulder Patches?

Several factors can change the price of a custom police shoulder patch.

1. Patch Size

Larger patches usually cost more to produce.

A small shoulder patch may use less material and thread. A larger patch requires more fabric, stitching and production time.

Common sizes include:

• 7–8 cm
• 8–10 cm
• 10–12 cm
• Custom sizes

If you offer different sizes, make sure the price increases gradually.

2. Patch Quantity

Quantity has a major effect on your price.

A customer ordering 10 patches will normally pay more per patch than someone ordering 500.

For example:

10 patches at £8 each = £80

100 patches at £4 each = £400

The larger order gives the customer a better unit price while still giving you a worthwhile total sale.

3. Backing Type

The backing can also affect your selling price.

You can offer:

• Velcro backing
• Sew-on backing
• Iron-on backing

Velcro is often a popular choice for removable shoulder patches. Sew-on patches are suitable for permanent attachment.

4. Embroidery Detail

Simple designs are usually easier to produce.

A patch with a simple badge, text and border may cost less than a detailed design with several colours and fine stitching.

When calculating your price, consider:

• Number of colours
• Stitch density
• Fine details
• Border style
• Text size
• Overall design complexity

5. Custom Design Service

If you create the artwork for the customer, you can include a design charge.

You could offer:

Free basic design with larger orders

or

£10–£30 design fee for small custom orders

This helps cover the time spent preparing artwork and digital proofs.

How Much Profit Should You Make?

Your selling price should not simply be your production cost plus a small amount.

You also need to consider:

• Patch manufacturing
• Artwork preparation
• Packaging
• Delivery
• Website costs
• Advertising
• Payment processing fees
• Customer service
• Returns or replacements
• Business overheads

For example, if your total cost is £2.50 per patch and you sell it for £5, your gross profit is £2.50 per patch before other business expenses.

If you sell 100 patches:

100 × £5 = £500 revenue

100 × £2.50 = £250 production cost

Estimated gross profit = £250

Your actual profit will be lower after other business costs.

Example Police Patch Pricing Structure

A simple pricing structure can make your website easier for customers to understand.

Quantity Price per patch Example order value 10 £8.00 £80 25 £6.50 £162.50 50 £5.00 £250 100 £4.00 £400 250 £3.25 £812.50 500 £2.75 £1,375 1,000 £2.25 £2,250

You can adjust these figures according to your own production costs.

Should You Offer Free Delivery?

Free delivery can make your offer more attractive.

For example, instead of advertising:

£4.50 + £5 delivery

you could advertise:

£5.00 with free UK delivery

Customers often find a simple all-inclusive price easier to understand.

For larger orders, you can include free delivery as part of your standard service.

How to Price Small Custom Orders

Small orders need careful pricing because the production cost per patch can be higher.

For example, a customer ordering only five patches may still require:

• Artwork preparation
• Digital proof
• Production setup
• Packaging
• Delivery

Because of this, selling five patches for £2 each may not be profitable.

A better approach is to set a minimum order quantity or a higher price for small orders.

How to Price Bulk Police Shoulder Patches

Bulk orders are ideal for clubs, organisations, teams and other approved groups that require custom patches.

You can offer quantity discounts such as:

50 patches: £5 each

100 patches: £4 each

250 patches: £3.25 each

500 patches: £2.75 each

1,000 patches: £2.25 each

This gives customers a reason to order more while increasing your overall order value.

A Good Pricing Formula

A simple way to calculate your selling price is:

Production Cost + Packaging + Delivery + Business Costs + Profit = Selling Price

For example:

• Production: £2.00
• Packaging: £0.25
• Delivery allowance: £0.50
• Business costs: £0.50
• Profit: £1.75

Selling price: £5.00 per patch

This is only an example. Your own figures should be based on your actual costs.

Custom Police Patches vs Ready-Made Patches

Custom patches can command a higher price because customers are paying for a personalised product.

A custom police-style shoulder patch may include:

• Customer’s artwork
• Custom wording
• Specific colours
• Custom shape
• Different backing options
• Digital proof
• Production to order

This gives you more opportunities to add value than selling generic patches.

Important Legal Considerations in the UK

If you sell police-style patches, be careful with designs that could be mistaken for genuine police insignia.

Avoid presenting a custom patch as an official police item when it is not.

You should also be careful with protected names, logos, crests and official insignia. If a customer asks you to reproduce an official design, make sure you have the necessary permission or rights.

A clear product description can help avoid confusion. For example:

Custom-made police-style patches produced to your approved design.

Do not claim that a patch is an official UK police item unless you are authorised to do so.

How to Increase Your Police Patch Order Value

You can increase your average order value by offering useful options.

Offer Multiple Backings

Give customers a choice of:

• Velcro
• Sew-on
• Iron-on

Offer Multiple Sizes

Allow customers to choose the size that suits their application.

Offer Custom Artwork

A professional digital proof can make your service more valuable.

Offer Quantity Discounts

Encourage customers to order 50, 100 or more patches.

Offer Free Delivery

You can include delivery in the price for qualifying orders.

Recommended Starting Price

If you are starting a custom police shoulder patch business in the UK, a sensible starting structure could be:

Small orders: £8–£12 per patch

50 patches: £4–£6 per patch

100 patches: £3.50–£5 per patch

250+ patches: £2.50–£4 per patch

500+ patches: £2–£3.50 per patch

Adjust these prices once you know your exact manufacturing and delivery costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge for custom police shoulder patches?

For small UK orders, around £8–£15 per patch can be a reasonable starting point. For larger quantities, the price can drop to around £2–£6 per patch, depending on the specification.

How much are 50 custom police patches?

A 50-piece order could be priced at around £200–£400, depending on size, backing, design and production quality.

How much are 100 police shoulder patches?

A 100-piece order could be around £300–£600. Your exact price should be based on your production cost and required profit.

Should I charge more for Velcro backing?

You can. Velcro backing normally adds an extra production cost, so you can include it in the base price or offer it as an upgrade.

Can I charge for custom artwork?

Yes. You can charge a separate design fee, especially for complicated artwork or very small orders. You can also offer free artwork for qualifying bulk orders.

Is £5 a good price for a custom police patch?

It can be. If your total cost is well below £5 and the patch has good quality, £5 can provide a reasonable margin. Always calculate your complete cost before setting the final price.

Is it better to sell patches individually or in bulk?

Offering both options is usually better. Individual customers can buy a small quantity, while organisations and groups can receive a lower unit price for larger orders.

Should I offer free UK delivery?

Free delivery can make your offer more attractive. You can include the average delivery cost in your patch price or offer free delivery above a minimum order value.

What is the best way to price custom patches?

Start with your complete production cost. Add packaging, delivery, business expenses and your desired profit. Then compare your final price with similar products in the UK market.

Can I sell police-style patches in the UK?

You can sell custom patches, but you should avoid misleading customers into thinking unofficial patches are genuine police insignia. Be especially careful with official names, crests, logos and protected designs.

Final Thoughts

The right price for UK police shoulder patches depends on your costs, quality and order quantity.

For a simple starting point, you could charge around £8–£12 for small orders and reduce the unit price for bulk orders. A clear quantity-based pricing system makes it easier for customers to order more.

Most importantly, do not price your patches only by looking at competitors. Calculate your complete cost first. Then choose a price that gives you a sustainable profit while offering customers good value.