FAQ

Do you have minimum order quantities?

No! No minimums!

When I started MicroPatches, I noticed that many custom product companies required large minimum orders, often around 50 pieces or more, and some charged mold fees that could easily add another $200 to $300 before production even started.

That creates a major barrier for smaller agencies, fire departments, military units, specialty teams, schools, clubs, small businesses, and customers who only need a few custom items instead of a large bulk order.

MicroPatches was built to remove those barriers. You can order one item or a larger quantity, and because our process does not require a mold, there are no mold fees.

One note on numbers so nothing here reads mixed up: if you see “50” on our pricing page, that is a volume discount tier, not a minimum. Order 50 or more of the same item and the price per piece goes down. You can still order just one.

What products can I order?

Any of them!

MicroPatches makes MicroKeychains, MicroMagnets, MicroPins, MicroCharms, flexible patches, MicroFlexBadges, and challenge coins.

Most designs in our shop are ready to ship today as a MicroKeychain, MicroMagnet, MicroPin or MicroCharm — just pick the product type on the listing before you add it to your cart. We also stock a small run of our own morale patches.

Custom flexible patches, MicroFlexBadges and challenge coins are custom order only right now. If you don't see your agency, unit or design in the shop, every product type is available by custom order. As MicroPatches continues to expand, more designs and product types will be added directly to the website.

What is a MicroFlexBadge?

A MicroFlexBadge is a flexible replica of your actual badge — the same material and finish as our flexible patches, cut to your badge shape and friendly to hook-and-loop. Every MicroFlexBadge is made true to size to match your actual badge — there is no standard size tier to choose.

To make one we need three things:

1. A clear photo of the badge. Lay it flat, shoot straight down from directly overhead, even light, no glare on the metal. Fill the frame with the badge.

2. Your badge number. Type it out exactly as it appears, including any leading zeros. We set the number from your typed text rather than reading it off the photo, so it always comes out sharp.

3. The badge dimensions. Height and width in inches or millimetres, measured at the widest points. This is required for every order, since every MicroFlexBadge is made true to size — there is no fallback standard size.

MicroFlexBadges are custom order only and priced by quantity: $24.99 each for 1–4, $23.99 each for 5–9, $22.99 each for 10–19, and $21.99 each for 20 or more. Want your badge design on a keychain, magnet, pin, charm, or coin instead? We can do that too, priced the same as our standard pricing for that product.

Can I get my badge on something other than a MicroFlexBadge?

Yes. The same badge artwork goes on a MicroKeychain, MicroMagnet, MicroPin, MicroCharm or challenge coin.

Custom badge artwork is a custom order on every product type, including the ones we normally keep in stock. One badge design covers all of them, so the $25 design fee is still charged only once no matter how many product types you order it on.

Is there a design fee?

Yes. We charge a one time flat $25 design fee per unique custom design.

This fee covers the time needed to review your artwork or reference image, make any necessary adjustments, prepare the design for production, create the custom product file, provide a proof, and make sure the final product is ready to be made correctly.

It also serves as the deposit for your order.

Ordering 25 or more pieces of the same design? The design fee is waived entirely. Reach out before you pay and we will set the order up with the fee removed.

And once a design has been created, it is done. If you order a design we have already made — even one that started as someone else's custom request — or reorder your own with no changes, there is no design fee, because the work already exists. A new design fee only applies to a brand new design, or if you request changes or modifications to an existing one.

Many traditional custom product companies charge setup fees, mold fees, or tooling fees before production even starts. Those fees can often range from $200 to $300 or more, depending on the product and manufacturer. MicroPatches does not require a mold for production, so instead of charging a large mold or tooling fee, we keep it simple with a flat $25 design fee per unique custom design.

Once the design is completed and approved, the remaining balance is based on the product type, quantity, and any custom details included in the order.

Is the design fee per item?

No. The design fee is not charged per item, and not per product type.

The $25 design fee is charged once per unique custom design. Example: you order 10 MicroKeychains and 5 MicroPins of your department patch. That is one design, so you pay one $25 fee — not one per piece, and not one per product type. Send a second, different patch and that is a second design, so a second $25 fee applies.

And at 25 or more pieces of the same design, the fee disappears completely.

This is why the custom order page has no quantity selector — you are paying the design fee one time, not per piece. Tell us how many pieces you need after checkout and we invoice that separately.

Where are your products made?

All MicroPatches products are made in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Our products are designed, 3D printed, UV printed, finished, packed, and shipped from our workshop. Keeping production in the United States helps us maintain quality control, avoid overseas manufacturing delays, and provide faster turnaround times for custom orders.

How long does a custom order take?

Turnaround time depends on the product, design complexity, order size, and current order volume.

Because MicroPatches makes products in house in Phoenix, Arizona, many orders can be completed much faster than traditional overseas manufacturing. Current average order to completion time is often around 1 to 5 days, but this is subject to change depending on workload and the details of the order.

Shipping time is separate. Once your order is completed, it ships from Phoenix, Arizona with standard delivery times based on your location and the shipping method you choose at checkout.

A more accurate timeline will be provided once your custom request is reviewed.

How is checkout handled?

Ready to ship items can be ordered directly through the storefront.

For a custom order you can pay the one time $25 design fee online to get started. We then email you to collect your artwork and confirm the product type, quantity, pricing and turnaround, and the remaining balance is invoiced through Shopify's secure checkout.

If you would rather get a quote before paying anything, or you are ordering 25 or more pieces and the fee is waived, send us the details first and we will get back to you.

What designs will you not make?

MicroPatches will not make licensed sports or entertainment designs without authorization, federal seals or agency designs without permission, patches or logos where ownership cannot be verified, or anything offensive, hateful, or disrespectful toward those who serve.

If you are unsure whether your design can be made, submit the request and ask first.

Badges are treated the same way. We recreate a badge for the person it belongs to, or for an authorized representative of the agency it belongs to. If you are asking about a badge that is not yours, tell us the context up front and we will let you know whether we can make it.