Custom Swimming Badges & Club Awards
Trusted Badge Supplier for UK Swimming Clubs
Custom swimming badges keep club programmes moving because they make progress visible. At EmbroideryBadge.UK, we deliver professional swimming badges built for regular club use, including structured pool programmes, open-water events, and cold-water disciplines. With 35+ years of embroidery experience and 1.5 million+ designs digitised, we understand how artwork translates into a physical badge, so you get consistent results across repeat orders.
In addition, our reputation comes from dependable production and clear approvals. We have supplied large volumes of swim badges to clubs that need the same sizes, colours, and finishes to match year after year. Consequently, coaches and organisers can order awards with confidence, even when programmes run across multiple levels.
Affordable Ordering That Fits Real Club Programmes
Swimming clubs run multiple levels, age groups, and event categories, so you often need separate badge designs for each stage or distance. For that reason, minimum quantities apply per design, not across mixed levels. However, when you choose the right badge type at the start, you control cost, timeline, and expectations much more easily.
Choosing the Right Badge Type for Your Club
Most clubs use multi-level achievement programmes, so printed badges made using dye sublimation often become the most practical choice. With dye sublimation, the ink penetrates the fabric fibres rather than sitting on the surface, so designs stay clear and do not crack or peel with normal club use. In addition, you can order printed badges from 25 pieces per design, which suits stage-based awards.
Many clubs also choose printed badges with an embroidered border, often called Subli-Stitch. This hybrid option combines the flexibility of print with a traditional stitched edge, so it looks more premium while staying cost-effective for multi-level programmes. Meanwhile, when you repeat the same design in steady volumes, embroidered badges give a classic raised finish and also start from 25 pieces per design. Furthermore, if your design includes fine text or detailed logos and you plan higher repeats, woven badges remain a strong option, although minimums typically start at 100 pieces per design.
Two-Step Approval That Protects Clubs
Ordering stays simple because we handle everything through our online quote form. First, you upload your artwork, select the correct badge type, and submit your request. We then send a free digital mock-up with a clear quotation across quantities, so you can choose the right level for your programme. Once you approve the mock-up, you pay a sample fee and we produce a physical production sample, then upload photographs for final sign-off. Consequently, full production starts only after sample approval and balance payment, which keeps the process controlled and avoids bulk surprises.
Built for Everyday Club Use
We manufacture swimming badges using materials selected for regular wear and typical club conditions. Specifically, we focus on stitch quality, colour stability, and clean borders so badges keep a professional appearance when applied correctly and cared for appropriately. As a result, clubs can maintain a consistent look across awards, teams, and seasons.
You can apply badges to towels, kit bags, changing robes, hoodies, and selected garments, so swimmers can display achievements in and out of the water. However, you should match the backing and application method to the garment type, because performance fabrics and technical swimwear need extra care.
Application Advice for Better Long-Term Results
Correct application matters as much as badge choice. For performance fabrics and technical swimwear, manual stitching usually works best because it protects fabric integrity. On the other hand, for changing robes, bags, and hoodies, iron-on or heat-press application suits heavier polyester or cotton garments. In addition, we recommend testing on a spare garment first to confirm heat settings and bond strength.
Start Your Club Order
If you already know what you need, you can request pricing immediately. If you would prefer to talk things through first, our team is available to help you choose the most suitable badge option for your programme.
Start by confirming you have permission to use the club logo or artwork. Then upload your file through our online quote form and choose the badge type that suits your programme. If you want us to match an existing badge, send a clear image and share any Pantone references if you have them.
Most swim clubs order printed (sublimation) badges for multi-level awards because you can start from 25 pieces per design. However, if you repeat the same design in steady volumes, you may prefer embroidered or woven for a more traditional finish.
Decide how you’d like to attach the badge. Choose one of these three methods:
Need help applying badges? See our help videos for stitching and heat-press guidance.
Iron on
Best for hoodies, robes, bags and thicker garments. For extra durability, add a few stitches around the edge
Embroidery applique
You attach the badge to the garment on your embroidery machine, using the outline stitch file we provide for a smooth, professional result
Manual stitching
The badge is stitched by hand or by sewing machine.It’s the most secure long-term option
How much do custom swimming badges cost?
Pricing depends on the badge type, size, and total quantity ordered. Because we manage the process in-house, we provide clear, upfront pricing with no hidden charges.
You can order from as few as 25 pieces per design for embroidered and printed (sublimation) badges. In addition, higher quantities benefit from volume discounts, which is ideal when restocking distance awards or end-of-season badges.
Every quotation includes a free digital mock-up, so you can review the design before committing to production.
How do I place a repeat order, and what if I need a small change?
We keep detailed records of previous orders to ensure your club’s badges remain consistent year after year.
If you need an exact repeat, we reuse the original artwork, thread colours, and production settings to match your previous badges as closely as possible.
If you want to reuse a design but make a small change (for example, updating a date, level, or wording), this is treated as a new order. When ordering, please include your previous order number in the notes so we can copy the original specifications accurately.
When can I expect delivery?
We offer reliable turnaround times to support club events and award schedules.
7–10 working days is typical for printed (sublimation) and embroidered badges after approval.
2–3 weeks is typical for woven badges due to the precision weaving process.
If you are ordering for a specific gala or awards night, we recommend sharing the event date at the enquiry stage so we can plan production accordingly.
What is the safest way to attach a swimming badge?
For long-term durability in aquatic environments, manual stitching is the most secure method.
Hand sewing or sewing-machine attachment ensures the badge stays in place through repeated pool use and washing.
For high-performance Lycra or technical swimwear, manual stitching is the only recommended method, as heat application can damage the fabric.
Can I use a normal domestic iron for application?
Yes, a domestic iron can be used on badges with iron-on backing, but only on suitable items.
This method works for cotton hoodies, towels, changing robes, and heavy polyester kit bags.
Do not use heat on technical swimwear or Lycra suits. Even when ironing is used, adding a few stitches is recommended for extra durability.
What does “appliqué” mean, and do I need special equipment?
Appliqué is a professional method where a badge is integrated into a garment by stitching around its edge.
This technique creates a clean, built-in finish and is commonly used on uniforms.
Appliqué requires a commercial embroidery machine. If your club or supplier has this equipment, we can provide an outline stitch file to support a smooth application.
I have multiple levels. Can I combine them into one order?
Each unique badge design normally requires its own production setup.
However, if you are ordering printed (sublimation) badges where the shape, size, and border remain the same and only the internal text changes, please contact us. In some cases, we can offer a bespoke solution.
Woven and embroidered badges usually require separate setups and are treated as individual orders.
Can you accurately match our existing club colours?
Yes. You can provide Pantone colour references or high-resolution images to guide colour matching.
For the highest accuracy, you can also post an existing physical badge to our UK office. We will match the thread colours as closely as possible to maintain consistency with previous awards.
What is the best badge technique for swimming badges?
For most swimming clubs, printed (sublimation) badges are the best all-round choice because programmes usually have multiple levels and each level needs its own design. The print becomes part of the fabric, so it stays clear and does not crack or peel in normal use. In addition, you can start from 25 pieces per design, which makes stage awards cost-effective.
If you want a more traditional finish, choose printed badges with an embroidered border (often called Subli-Stitch). This option keeps the flexibility of print while adding a stitched edge that looks more premium.
Where your club repeats the same badge design in steady volumes, embroidered badges provide a raised, classic finish. However, very small text and fine detail can become limited on embroidery, so we recommend keeping lettering practical.
For logos with fine detail or smaller text, woven badges remain a strong choice because they hold sharper detail than standard embroidery. Typically, woven badges start at higher minimums, so they suit repeat designs and larger planned runs.
See each option:
Printed / Sublimation Badges |
Embroidered Badges |
Woven Badges
Attachment advice for swimming clubs
For anything used in wet conditions or on technical fabrics, manual stitching is the most secure method. For hoodies, robes and kit bags, iron-on can work well, although adding a few stitches around the edge improves long-term durability.
Watch application guidance:
Help Videos |
Types of Badges Playlist
If you would like help choosing the best option for your programme, call us on 0800 368 7414 or use LiveChat.
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