PATCH BAR · NEW YORK CITY · BRAND EVENTS
A patch bar
pressed live at your event.
PrintAWorld runs patch bars for brand events in New York City. Guests choose patches from a menu, and our crew heat-presses them onto a canvas tote or a hat we supply while they wait: 2 patches on a tote or 1 on a hat. A patch bar costs $4,900 for 100 guests over 3 hours, $8,500 for 250 guests over 5 hours and $13,500 for 500 guests over a full day, items included: an activation from $2,500 plus $18–$24 per guest. Minimum 100 guests. Pick from our stock patch menu on short notice, or have custom patches made from your artwork at least 4 weeks ahead.
01 / HOW THE PATCH BAR WORKS
Pick the patches,
watch them pressed on.
The patch bar is run by the crew that runs our live engraving events. We bring the presses, the items, the patches and the display.
- Guests choose
- Each guest picks a tote or a hat, then picks patches from the menu: 2 for a tote, 1 for a hat. A third patch on a tote is +$3 per guest.
- We press them on
- The crew places the patches where the guest wants them and heat-presses them on. The guest leaves with the finished piece.
- The items
- Canvas totes and hats, supplied by us and stocked above your guest count. Premium totes or hats are +$6 to +$12 per guest.
- Patches are made ahead
- Every patch is finished before the event. Nothing is sewn or stitched on site; the press bonds the patch to the item.
- Our items, not guests’ own
- We press onto the totes and hats we bring, not onto guests’ own clothing or bags. If you supply your own blanks, the rate is $12 per guest, press only.
02 / THE PATCH OPTIONS
A stock menu,
or patches from your artwork.
- Stock patch menu
- A menu of up to 6 ready-made patch designs, chosen with you to suit the event. It is the short-notice option, and the one we use for rush bookings.
- Custom patches
- Embroidered, woven or chenille patches made from your logo or artwork. They need 4 weeks before the event. Setup is $150 setup per design, plus the patches.
- Proofs first
- We send a proof of each custom patch for approval before it is made.
- More designs
- Up to 6 designs are included. Extra designs are $75 per design.
03 / THE PRICE
An activation,
plus a rate per guest.
The price is a flat activation for the event length plus a per-guest rate that includes the tote or hat and its patches. Live personalization stations run from $4,900 for 100 guests over 3 hours to $14,500 for 500 guests with a tote bar and live engraving. The activation starts at $2,500, plus $18–$24 per guest with the items included. Minimum 100 guests.
| On-site time | Crew and presses | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 hours | 2 crew, 1 press | $2,500 |
| Up to 5 hours | 3 crew, 2 presses | $3,500 |
| Full day, up to 8 hours | 3–4 crew, 2–3 presses | $4,500 |
| Each additional day | Same crew | $3,500 |
The activation covers the crew, the presses, setup and teardown, a menu of up to 6 designs, the display and a certificate of insurance. Add a live engraving station for $2,000 per day.
04 / PER GUEST
The rate per guest
falls as the count rises.
On the patch bar the item is a tote with 2 patches or a hat with 1 patch.
| Guaranteed guests | Per guest |
|---|---|
| 100–149 | $24 |
| 150–249 | $22 |
| 250–399 | $20 |
| 400 or more | $18 |
Each guest chooses one item: a tote, a hat, or an engraved tag or keychain when the engraving station is added. The rate covers the item, the personalization and the extra stock. Minimum 100 guests.
05 / EXAMPLES
What a station costs,
by event.
For a patch bar: $4,900 for 100 guests over 3 hours, $8,500 for 250 guests over 5 hours and $13,500 for 500 guests over a full day, which is $49, $34 and $27 per guest all in.
| Event | Guests | Total | Per guest, all in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office party, tote bag bar, 3 hours | 100 | $4,900 | $49 |
| Launch party, tote or hat bar, 5 hours | 150 | $6,800 | $45 |
| Brand activation, 5 hours | 250 | $8,500 | $34 |
| Conference evening, 5 hours | 300 | $9,500 | $32 |
| Brand launch, tote bar plus live engraving, 5 hours | 500 | $14,500 | $29 |
| Trade show booth, 2 show days | 300 | $14,000 | $47 |
Totals are the activation plus the per-guest rate, before tax.
06 / ADD-ONS
Patch add-ons
and extras.
A third patch on a tote is +$3 per guest. Custom patches add $150 setup per design, plus the patches.
| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Live engraving station beside the presses | +$2,000 per day |
| Extra hour on site | $500 per hour |
| Extra press with an operator | $750 per day |
| Third patch on a tote | +$3 per guest |
| Premium totes or hats | +$6 to +$12 per guest |
| Extra designs beyond 6 | $75 per design |
| Custom patches from your artwork | $150 setup per design, plus the patches |
| You supply the blanks | $12 per guest, press only |
| Rush, booked under 10 business days | +30% |
Custom patches need 4 weeks; the stock patch menu and printed transfers are the short-notice options.
07 / AT A GLANCE
Speed, space
and the details.
- Guests an hour
- The presses handle 40–50 totes an hour per press, or 30–40 hats an hour per press. Choosing patches is the slow step, so a patch bar moves slower than a single-design tote bar. We size the crew and presses to your guest count and hours.
- Minimum
- 100 guests. The guaranteed guest count locks 10 business days before.
- Space and power
- Two 6 ft tables and two standard 20-amp outlets.
- Insurance
- A certificate of insurance (COI) naming your agency or venue is part of every activation.
- Booking
- A 50% deposit books the date and orders the blanks. The balance is due 7 days before the event.
- Leftovers
- Leftover items stay with you.
- Location
- We run stations in New York City. Events outside the city are quoted case by case.
08 / PAIR IT WITH
Add a station
beside the patch bar.
One crew, one booking and one certificate of insurance for every station.
- Tote bag bar
- Guests choose a design from a menu and we press it onto a canvas tote. Tote bag bar
- Hat bar
- Guests choose a hat and a patch, pressed on while they wait. Hat bar
- Live engraving
- Guests’ names laser engraved on tags or keychains on site. The station is +$2,000 per day. Live engraving
- Engraved leather patch hats
- A leather patch engraved with a name or logo, then pressed onto the hat. Leather patch hats
09 / THE PIECES
Totes and hats
with patches pressed on.
10 / HOW IT’S MADE
From your guest list
to patches pressed live.
4 weeksnotice for custom patches
- 01
Send the date, the venue, the guest count, the hours, and stock or custom patches.
- 02
We send a written quote from the published price, with the patch menu or proofs of your custom patches.
- 03
A 50% deposit books the date and orders the blanks.
- 04
Custom patches are made ahead of your event. The guaranteed guest count locks 10 business days before.
- 05
On the day we set up, press patches for every guest, and pack down.
- 06
Leftover items stay with you. The balance is due 7 days before the event.
Live event personalization · Tote bag bar · Hat bar · Live engraving · Live event personalization ideas
Who runs patch bars for brand events in New York?
PrintAWorld runs patch bars at brand events across New York City, staffed by the crew that runs our live engraving events. We supply the totes, hats and patches, bring the presses and the display, and can add a live engraving station under the same booking. We run stations in New York City. Events outside the city are quoted case by case.
How much does a patch bar cost for 100, 250 or 500 guests?
For 100 guests over 3 hours, about $4,900 ($2,500 activation plus 100 × $24), or $49 per guest. For 250 guests over 5 hours, about $8,500 ($3,500 activation plus 250 × $20), or $34 per guest. For 500 guests over a full day, about $13,500 ($4,500 activation plus 500 × $18), or $27 per guest. Totes, hats and the included patches are in the price; tax is extra.
What do guests press patches onto?
A canvas tote with 2 patches or a hat with 1 patch, supplied by us. A third patch on a tote is +$3 per guest, and premium totes or hats are +$6 to +$12 per guest. We do not press onto guests’ own clothing or bags. If you supply your own blanks, the rate is $12 per guest, press only.
How many guests an hour can a patch bar serve?
The presses handle 40–50 totes an hour per press, or 30–40 hats an hour per press. Choosing patches takes guests longer than pressing them, so a patch bar moves slower than a tote bar with a single design. For a long line, add an extra press with an operator at $750 per day.
What is the difference between stock and custom patches?
The stock menu is up to 6 ready-made designs and works on short notice. Custom patches are embroidered, woven or chenille patches made from your artwork; they need 4 weeks and add $150 setup per design, plus the patches. Bookings made under 10 business days out are +30% and use the stock menu.
Do you embroider patches at the event?
No. We do not offer live embroidery. Every patch is made before the event, and the crew heat-presses it onto the tote or hat on site.
What is the minimum guest count?
100 guests. The guaranteed guest count locks 10 business days before. Guests above the guaranteed count are billed at the per-guest rate.
How much space and power does a patch bar need?
Two 6 ft tables and two standard 20-amp outlets. A bigger event with more presses needs more table space; we confirm the layout with the venue.
Do you provide a certificate of insurance (COI)?
Yes. A certificate of insurance (COI) naming your agency or venue is included in the activation. Send the venue’s requirements with your brief.
How do we book, and what is the deposit?
A 50% deposit books the date and orders the blanks. The balance is due 7 days before the event. The guaranteed guest count locks 10 business days before.
12 / START WITH THE EVENT
Planning a
patch bar?
Tell us the date, the venue, the guest count and the hours. We’ll send a written quote and the patch menu.
What to send
- The event date, venue and hours
- The guest count
- Totes, hats or both
- Stock patches, or your artwork for custom patches