At Stitch Patches CA, your design proof arrives in about 24 hours. After you approve it, standard production takes 7–10 business days, and Canadian delivery takes approximately 4–7 business days after production. From proof approval to your door, plan on roughly 11 to 17 business days, or about two to three and a half weeks.
The stage you control most is proof approval. Work backward from your deadline and leave room for it.
A custom patch timeline is the total time from sending your design to holding the finished patches. It has four stages: design proof, revisions and approval, production, and delivery. Most missed deadlines come from underestimating the stages around production, not from production itself.
Stitch Patches CA is based in Edmonton, Alberta, and serves customers across Canada. This guide explains each stage, shows how to plan backward from a deadline, and covers what can slow an order down.
The Four Stages of a Custom Patch Order
1. Design proof (about 24 hours). We turn your logo, sketch or idea into a proof. This stage is in our hands once we have your artwork.
2. Revisions and approval (depends on you). You review the proof. Revisions after the proof are free. The time this takes is up to you and anyone else who needs to sign off.
3. Production (7–10 business days). Production begins after you approve the proof, so every day you take to approve is a day added to your deadline.
4. Delivery (approximately 4–7 business days after production). Your patches ship to you. Shipping is paid by the customer, so include it in your budget.
Business days are weekdays. Weekends are not counted, and holidays may add time.
Stages 1 and 2: Proof and Approval
Your proof arrives within about 24 hours of us receiving your design. It is your best chance to catch problems before anything is made. Check spelling, names, colours, size and the backing you want, such as Velcro, sew-on or iron-on.
Revisions after the proof are free, but each round takes time on both sides and moves your date.
Stage 3: Production
Standard production is 7–10 business days after you approve the proof. When you request your quote, ask us to confirm the timing for your specific order.
Stage 4: Delivery
Canadian delivery is approximately 4–7 business days after production. These are estimates, and your location can affect them.
How Long Is It From Proof Approval to Delivery?
- Shorter end: 7 business days of production plus 4 business days of delivery is 11 business days, or about 2 weeks.
- Longer end: 10 business days of production plus 7 business days of delivery is 17 business days, or about 3½ weeks.
These totals simply add the ranges above. They are estimates, not guarantees, and they do not include the time you spend reviewing the proof.
How to Plan Backward From Your Deadline
- Start with the date you need the patches in hand. Use the day they must be on the uniform, jacket or table, not a date a week earlier.
- Subtract 17 business days. This covers the longer end of production and delivery.
- Subtract your approval time. Count the days it will take everyone who needs to sign off to review the proof.
- Add a buffer. A few extra business days is sensible, and more if a holiday falls in the window.
What Your Deadline Means in Practice
- Under 2 weeks away: too tight for the standard timeline. Contact us before ordering to ask what is possible.
- About 3 weeks away (15 business days): risky. It works only if the proof is approved at once and everything runs at the shorter end.
- About 4 weeks away (20 business days): workable if you approve the proof within a few days.
- 5 to 6 weeks away: comfortable, with room for a revision round and some slack.
Worked Example: An Event Six Weeks Away
Say your club’s event is six weeks away, which is about 30 business days.
- Day 1: you send your artwork.
- Day 2: your proof arrives, about 24 hours later.
- By day 5: you approve the proof.
- Day 12 to day 15: production finishes, 7–10 business days after approval.
- Day 16 to day 22: your patches arrive, 4–7 business days after production.
- Day 30: the event.
In this example you have at least eight business days of slack, enough to absorb a revision round or a holiday. If you approve the proof on day 12 instead, that slack shrinks quickly.
What Can Make a Patch Order Take Longer?
- Slow proof approval. This is the most common cause and the easiest to avoid, especially when several people must agree.
- Multiple revision rounds. Free revisions are valuable, but each one takes time.
- Unclear artwork or details. Low-resolution logos, uncertain spelling or undecided sizes cause back-and-forth.
- Changes after approval. Altering the quantity, backing or design late can affect your date, so check with us before you change anything.
- Holidays and delivery location. Both can lengthen the shipping stage.
How to Keep Your Order on Schedule
- Decide the basics first: size, patch type and backing.
- Line up approvals. Tell everyone who must sign off that a proof is coming so it does not sit in an inbox.
- Check every name and spelling before you approve.
- Settle quantity early. The minimum order is 25 patches per design, and special bulk pricing may be available for orders of 50 or more. Several designs mean several runs to plan for.
Timeline Planning for Common Uses
- Teams and clubs: order before the season or event starts, not after the roster is finalized. See our custom letterman patches.
- Uniform rollouts: allow extra time for managers to review and approve the proof. See our custom uniform patches.
- Hats and merchandise: confirm your hats and backing before you order. See our custom hat patches in Canada.
Common Timeline Mistakes
- Counting calendar days instead of business days.
- Waiting until the last week to approve the proof.
- Forgetting shipping costs, which are paid by the customer.
- Leaving no buffer for a revision round or a holiday.
- Ordering for a fixed event date without checking the timeline first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until I get a design proof?
Your design proof arrives in about 24 hours.
Are revisions free?
Yes. Revisions after the proof are free.
How long does production take?
Standard production is 7–10 business days after you approve the proof.
How long does delivery in Canada take?
Delivery is approximately 4–7 business days after production.
Is shipping included?
No. Shipping is paid by the customer.
What is the minimum order?
The minimum is 25 patches per design. Special bulk pricing may be available for orders of 50 or more.
What if my deadline is earlier than this timeline?
If your deadline is earlier than the standard timeline allows, contact us before you order so we can talk it through with you.
Ready to Plan Your Order?
Tell us your deadline when you request your quote, and we will help you work backward from it. Request your quote and design proof.