Complete Size Reference

Custom Product Size Guide

Everything you need to choose the right size for your custom dance patches, enamel pins, and lanyards — with placement guides, measurement tips, and international conversions for studios worldwide.

Patches Pins Lanyards Placements Conversions FAQ

Category 01

Custom Patch Sizes

Our patches are available from 2\" up to 15\" in any dimension. All sizes are measured at the widest point of the patch.

XS — 2"–3"5–7.6cm

Common PlacementsSleeve logo, hat front, wristband, leotard chest

Best ForSmall accent logos, studio initials, youth garments

💡 Pro TipUse a credit card (3.375") as a reference — perfect for visualising the 3" option.

S — 4"–5"10–12.7cm

Common PlacementsFront-left chest, hoodie chest, bag front panel

Best ForThe standard studio logo patch — most popular size for competition jackets

💡 Pro Tip5" is the industry standard for competition jacket chest logos worldwide.

M — 6"–7"15–17.8cm

Common PlacementsCentre chest, large bag panel, hoodie back

Best ForDetailed studio crests, competition awards patches with text

💡 Pro TipIdeal when your design includes both a logo and studio name text together.

L — 8"–10"20–25.4cm

Common PlacementsBack of competition jacket, back of hoodie

Best ForThe classic 'statement' back patch — bold, competition-grade branding

💡 Pro TipMeasure the width between your jacket shoulder seams to confirm fit before ordering.

XL — 11"–12"27.9–30.5cm

Common PlacementsFull jacket back, large banner patches

Best ForLarge studio names, oversized artistic designs, senior showcase jackets

💡 Pro TipBest with simple, bold designs — fine detail can get lost at this scale.

Custom — up to 15"Up to 38.1cm

Common PlacementsAny garment or location you specify

Best ForUnique oversized designs, toddler garments, non-standard placements

💡 Pro TipOur largest patch is 15" — tell us your exact dimensions when ordering.

CARD

The Credit Card Sizing Trick

A standard credit card is exactly 3.375\" wide. Hold one against your garment to instantly visualise whether a 3\" or 5\" patch fits your vision. For back patches, measure the width between your shoulder seams — this is your maximum safe patch width.

Category 02

Custom Pin Sizes

Our custom dance pins are available from 0.75\" up to 3.5\". Sizes are measured at the widest point of the pin head. Applies to all pin types: soft enamel, hard enamel, printed, die-cut, 3D, acrylic, and hat pins.

XS — 0.75"19mm

Best ForSubtle branding, pin sets, children's jackets, hat bands

NoteFine detail is limited at this size — keep designs bold and simple.

S — 1"25mm

Best ForCompetition trading pins, studio identity pins, welcome packs

NoteThe most popular competition trading pin size. Maximum detail-to-wearability balance.

M — 1.25"32mm

Best ForAward pins, team identity pins, bag and lapel pins

NoteBest for designs with text AND a logo — enough space for both.

L — 1.5"38mm

Best ForAchievement award pins, studio principal pins, showcase commemoration

NoteThis size commands attention — ideal for prestige recognition pins.

XL — 2"51mm

Best ForKeepsake collector pins, 3D cast pins, statement hat pins

NoteMaximum visual impact — chosen for pins that are displayed, not just worn.

Max — up to 3.5"Up to 89mm

Best ForOversized novelty pins, large die-cut designs, display collection pins

NoteOur largest pin is 3.5" — best for die-cut custom shapes.

Hat Pin Stem Length

Hat pins have an extended metal stem designed for thick fabrics. Our standard hat pin stem is 2\" (50mm) long, with extended 3\" (76mm) stems available for very thick hat brims or lapels. The stem length is separate from the decorative pin head size listed above.

Category 03

Custom Lanyard Dimensions

Our custom lanyards come in three widths and a standard 90cm length. All include a breakaway safety clasp as standard for dance studio environments.

Specification	Value	Best For
Standard Width	15mm (most popular — balanced visibility and comfort)	The default for studio staff ID and student welcome lanyards.
Narrow Width	10mm (subtle, lightweight)	Preferred for youth dancers and everyday class wear.
Wide / Premium Width	20mm (maximum brand presence)	Best for competition event management and VIP lanyards.
Standard Length	90cm / 35" (adjustable)	Positions ID badge at approximately chest level when worn.
Breakaway Clasp	Standard on all dance studio lanyards	Releases under tension — required for active dance environments.
Badge Holder	Vertical (85×54mm) or Horizontal (54×85mm)	Fits standard credit-card sized ID cards.

Placement Guides

What Size for Which Location?

Recommended sizes for specific garment locations — based on 15+ years of dance industry experience and thousands of orders.

Patch Placement Guide

Back of Competition Jacket

8"–10"recommended

Measure shoulder-to-shoulder width. Most competition jackets fit 10" comfortably.

Front Left Chest

4"–5"recommended

5" is the global competition standard for chest logos.

Sleeve

2"–3"recommended

Measure the flat arm circumference — the patch must not wrap around the sleeve edge.

Dance Bag Front Panel

4"–6"recommended

Most standard dance bags have a 7"–8" wide front panel.

Hoodie / Sweatshirt

5"–7"recommended

For back of hoodie, 8"–10" creates a strong statement without overrunning the seams.

Hat (front panel only)

2"–2.5"recommended

Measure only the flat visible area — most structured hat fronts are 2.5"–3" high.

Leotard / Costume

2"–3"recommended

Keep it lightweight — use woven or embroidered styles for delicate fabrics.

Wristband

1.5"–2"recommended

Width of standard sports wristband. Small bold logo or studio initials only.

Pin Placement Guide

Jacket lapel / chest

1"–1.5"recommended

Standard for competition trading and studio identity.

Hat band

0.75"–1"recommended

Use hat pins (long stem) for thick hat fabric.

Dance bag strap or front

1"–1.5"recommended

Lightweight pins — acrylic or soft enamel recommended.

Lanyard or ribbon

0.75"–1"recommended

Small pin attached directly to lanyard ribbon.

Display board / collection

1.5"–3.5"recommended

Larger sizes for display — 3D or die-cut styles work well.

Award / recognition

1.25"–2"recommended

Hard enamel or 3D cast for prestige recognition pins.

How to Measure Correctly

1.Use a flexible tape measure or ruler on a flat surface
2.Measure the flat area where the patch or pin will sit
3.For patches: add 0.5\" margin for stitching or iron-on border
4.For hats: measure only the visible flat front panel area
5.Not sure? Share your measurements with Stacy in your order — she will advise

International Reference

Inches to cm & mm Conversion

For studios in the UK, Australia, and Canada — all sizes converted for your reference. We accept orders specified in inches, centimetres, or millimetres.

Inches	Centimetres	Millimetres
1"	2.54cm	25mm
1.5"	3.81cm	38mm
2"	5.08cm	51mm
2.5"	6.35cm	64mm
3"	7.62cm	76mm
3.5"	8.89cm	89mm
4"	10.16cm	102mm
5"	12.70cm	127mm
6"	15.24cm	152mm
7"	17.78cm	178mm
8"	20.32cm	203mm
9"	22.86cm	229mm
10"	25.40cm	254mm
11"	27.94cm	279mm
12"	30.48cm	305mm
15"	38.10cm	381mm

Sizing Questions Answered

What is the standard patch size for a dance competition jacket?

For the front chest, 5" (12.7cm) is the global competition standard. For the back of the jacket, 8"–10" (20–25cm) is most common. Always measure your jacket's flat area before ordering to confirm fit.

What is the most popular enamel pin size for competition trading?

1" (25mm) is the most popular competition trading pin size worldwide. It is large enough to show your design clearly and small enough to trade, wear, and collect comfortably.

Can I order a fully custom size not listed in your guide?

Yes — for patches, we can produce any dimension up to 15". For pins, up to 3.5". Simply specify your exact dimensions when you start your custom order and Stacy will confirm feasibility in your free digital mockup.

How do I measure the correct patch size for a jacket back?

Lay the jacket flat and measure the width between the two shoulder seams. Then measure from the collar seam down to the desired bottom edge of the patch. This gives you your maximum width and height. Most competition jackets comfortably fit an 8"–10" back patch.

Will patches shrink or distort after washing?

No. Our custom embroidered and chenille patches are pre-treated and produced to maintain their dimensions permanently. Follow the care instructions provided with your order (cold wash, inside out) for best long-term results.

What is the minimum size for a readable text on a patch or pin?

For patches, text smaller than 0.2" (5mm) in height may lose clarity — we recommend a minimum letter height of 0.25" (6mm) for clear readability. For pins, minimum readable text is approximately 2mm height at 1" pin size. Our design team will flag any text that may not reproduce clearly at your chosen size.

Do you provide size recommendations as part of the free mockup service?

Yes — Stacy reviews every design before production and will flag if your chosen size is not optimal for your design's level of detail, or recommend a size adjustment. This is included in the free digital mockup at no charge.

Still Not Sure? Ask Stacy.

Include your garment type, placement, and approximate area measurements in your order — Stacy will recommend the right size in your free digital mockup. No commitment required.