Custom Iron On Patches dispatches every order from the Birmingham workshop on the day production completes. UK orders arrive via tracked courier within 1-2 working days of dispatch. International orders ship via tracked airmail with full customs documentation. Total order time from artwork approval to delivery is typically 6-14 working days depending on patch type, quantity and destination.
This page lists delivery options, lead times, costs and tracking information.
Total Order Time at a Glance
The total time from order to delivery is the sum of three stages:
| Stage | Time |
| Production lead time | 5-10 working days (varies by patch type and quantity) |
| Dispatch | Same day production completes |
| Delivery (UK) | 1-2 working days via tracked courier |
| Total order time (UK) | 6-14 working days from artwork approval to UK delivery |
| Delivery (international) | 5-14 working days depending on destination |
| Total order time (international) | 10-24 working days from artwork approval to international delivery |
Orders requiring physical pre-production samples take longer because the sample is produced and reviewed before full production begins. See sample and proofing policy for the full sample-included timeline.
UK Delivery
UK delivery uses two tracked courier options. Default courier is selected based on order weight and destination.
Royal Mail Tracked 24
| Detail | Value |
| Service name | Royal Mail Tracked 24 |
| Delivery time from dispatch | Next working day for most UK addresses |
| Tracking | Full barcode tracking with delivery scan |
| Use case | Standard orders up to 2kg |
| Coverage | UK mainland, Northern Ireland, Highlands and Islands |
| Standard cost | from £4.95 (varies by weight and destination) |
DPD Next Day
| Detail | Value |
| Service name | DPD Next Day |
| Delivery time from dispatch | Next working day for most UK addresses |
| Tracking | Live tracking with hour-window delivery prediction |
| Use case | Larger orders or orders requiring signed delivery |
| Coverage | UK mainland (extended areas may add 1 day) |
| Standard cost | from £8.95 (varies by weight and destination) |
For B2B accounts and orders above £120, UK delivery is included free.
Saturday and Sunday Delivery
Saturday delivery is available as an upgrade option at additional cost. Sunday delivery is not currently offered. For time-critical Saturday delivery, confirm availability and cost at quote stage.
International Delivery
Custom Iron On Patches ships internationally to most destinations via tracked airmail or international courier service.
Common International Delivery Destinations
| Destination | Typical Delivery Time from Dispatch | Indicative Cost (varies by weight) |
| Republic of Ireland | 3-5 working days | from £12.95 |
| Western Europe (FR, DE, NL, BE, IT, ES) | 5-7 working days | from £18.95 |
| Eastern Europe (PL, RO, HU, CZ) | 7-10 working days | from £22.95 |
| United States and Canada | 7-14 working days | from £24.95 |
| Australia and New Zealand | 10-14 working days | from £32.95 |
| Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | 7-10 working days | from £28.95 |
| Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan) | 7-14 working days | from £29.95 |
| Other destinations | Confirmed at quote stage | Confirmed at quote stage |
International delivery times are estimates. Customs clearance, local courier handover and weather can extend delivery beyond the typical timeframe. International orders include full customs documentation.
Customs and Import Duties
International orders may incur customs duties or import taxes in the destination country. These charges are:
- Levied by the destination country, not Custom Iron On Patches
- Payable by the recipient at delivery or before customs release
- Outside the supplier’s control
EU and US customers should expect customs charges on orders above local de minimis thresholds (typically £135 / €150 / $800 depending on destination). Customers are responsible for any customs duties, import VAT, handling fees or local taxes applied by the destination country.
For commercial buyers, Custom Iron On Patches can provide commercial invoices, certificates of origin and other customs documentation on request.
Tracking
Every order, UK and international, is dispatched with full tracking. The tracking number is sent to the customer by email on the day of dispatch.
Tracking includes:
- Dispatch confirmation from the Birmingham workshop
- Courier collection scan
- In-transit progress updates
- Out-for-delivery notification (where supported)
- Delivery confirmation with timestamp
For customers who do not receive a tracking email within 24 hours of expected dispatch, contact [email protected] with the order number.
Production Lead Times by Order Type
The production lead time element of total order time varies by patch type and quantity. Indicative production lead times:
| Order Type | Production Lead Time |
| Embroidered, woven, printed, under 250 units | 5-7 working days |
| Embroidered, woven, printed, 250-1,000 units | 7-10 working days |
| Embroidered, woven, printed, 1,000+ units | 10-14 working days |
| PVC patches (new design, mould creation) | 7-12 working days |
| PVC patches (repeat, existing mould) | 5-8 working days |
| Chenille patches | 7-12 working days |
| Multi-design orders | Lead time matched to longest single design |
Production lead time runs in parallel where possible (e.g. multi-design orders process designs concurrently rather than sequentially). The team confirms exact production lead time at quote stage.
Rush Production
Rush production is available for time-critical orders. Rush production typically reduces standard lead time by 2-4 working days and is subject to:
- Workshop capacity at the time of order
- Patch type (PVC patches with new mould creation are harder to rush)
- Order quantity (very large orders may not be rush-eligible)
- Confirmation of rush availability before order placement
Rush production carries an additional cost, typically 15-25% premium on the standard order price. Confirm rush availability and exact premium at quote stage.
For genuinely time-critical orders (e.g. event the following week), contact the team before placing the order to confirm capacity. Rush production cannot be added retrospectively to orders already in standard production.
Dispatch and Cut-Off Times
Orders complete in production are dispatched the same working day, subject to cut-off times:
| Courier | Cut-Off Time |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | 3:00 PM UK time |
| DPD Next Day | 4:00 PM UK time |
| International courier | 2:00 PM UK time |
Production completed after the cut-off time dispatches the next working day. The cut-off time applies to production completion, not order placement, an order placed on a Monday with 7-day production lead time dispatches the following Wednesday.
For large orders requiring multiple cartons or specialist packaging, dispatch may be staggered across two working days. Customers receive a tracking number for each dispatch.
Delivery Times Summary
The most common total order timelines, from artwork approval to delivery:
| Order Type | Production | UK Delivery | International Delivery |
| Small embroidered order (under 100 units) | 5-7 working days | 6-9 working days total | 12-21 working days total |
| Standard B2B embroidered order (100-500 units) | 7-10 working days | 8-12 working days total | 14-24 working days total |
| Large embroidered order (1,000+ units) | 10-14 working days | 11-16 working days total | 17-28 working days total |
| PVC patches (new mould) | 7-12 working days | 8-14 working days total | 14-26 working days total |
| Chenille patches | 7-12 working days | 8-14 working days total | 14-26 working days total |
For exact lead time on a specific order, confirm at quote stage.
Free Delivery Threshold
Free UK delivery is included on:
- B2B accounts ordering above [£120] in a single order
- All orders above [£120]
- Public sector framework agreement orders
- Recurring B2B accounts (subject to volume agreement)
Standard customers below the free delivery threshold pay courier costs at quote stage. Delivery cost is shown separately on the quote so customers can see the breakdown.
International delivery is charged on every order regardless of value due to international shipping cost variability.
Damaged or Lost in Transit
In rare cases where an order is damaged in transit or lost by the courier, Custom Iron On Patches handles the issue directly with the courier on behalf of the customer.
Damaged in Transit
If an order arrives with damaged packaging or damaged patches:
- Photograph the damage immediately, including the outer packaging
- Email [email protected] with the order number, photographs and a description
- The team raises a courier damage claim and arranges a remake at no charge
- The remake follows standard production lead time
Lost in Transit
If tracking shows an order has not progressed for 5+ working days beyond expected delivery:
- Email [email protected] with the order number
- The team contacts the courier to investigate
- Once the courier confirms loss, a remake is arranged at no charge
- The remake is typically priority-scheduled to compensate for the delay
For full quality and remake policy, see the quality guarantee.
Frequently Asked Delivery Questions
How long do custom patches take to deliver in the UK?
Total order time from artwork approval to UK delivery is typically 6-14 working days. This includes 5-10 working days production at the Birmingham workshop and 1-2 working days tracked UK delivery. Rush production can reduce total time to 4-8 working days for time-critical orders.
Do you offer next day delivery?
Next day delivery applies to the dispatch-to-receipt portion of the order. UK orders dispatched before the courier cut-off arrive next working day via Royal Mail Tracked 24 or DPD Next Day. Production lead time (5-10 working days) is separate from delivery time.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Custom Iron On Patches ships to most international destinations via tracked airmail or international courier. Common destinations include the Republic of Ireland, Western Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. International delivery times typically range from 5-14 working days from dispatch.
Will I have to pay customs charges?
International orders may incur customs duties or import taxes in the destination country. These charges are levied by the destination country, not Custom Iron On Patches, and are payable by the recipient. Customers are responsible for any customs duties, import VAT or local taxes applied at delivery.
Can I track my order?
Yes. Every order is dispatched with full tracking. The tracking number is sent by email on the day of dispatch. Tracking includes courier collection, in-transit updates and delivery confirmation.
What happens if my order arrives damaged?
Damaged orders are remade at no charge. Photograph the damage on arrival, email [email protected] with the order number, and the team will raise a courier damage claim and arrange a remake.
Do you offer free UK delivery?
Free UK delivery is included on B2B accounts and on orders above £120. Standard customers below the threshold pay courier costs at quote stage. Delivery cost is itemised on the quote separately from production cost.
Can I rush an order?
Yes, subject to workshop capacity. Rush production typically reduces standard lead time by 2-4 working days and carries a 15-25% premium on the standard order price. Confirm rush availability before placing the order, rush cannot be added retrospectively.
Can I have my order delivered to a different address?
Yes. Customers can specify a separate delivery address from the billing address at order stage. Common use cases include direct dispatch to a school, club, end-customer (for resellers) or warehouse address.
Do you deliver to PO Boxes?
Royal Mail Tracked 24 delivers to UK PO Boxes. DPD Next Day does not deliver to PO Boxes, orders requiring DPD delivery need a physical street address.
Get a Quote With Delivery Information
To request a quote including delivery cost and lead time:
- Request a free quote – delivery cost and lead time included on every quote
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 07746 501247
For full pricing detail, see the pricing guide. For ordering process detail, see how to order custom patches. For B2B account-based delivery (including free delivery thresholds), see bulk and trade enquiries.