Preparing squadron gear for the new season: getting ahead of September
Starting your gear orders in summer avoids the September rush. A look at lead times, quantities and mess-fund budgeting.
The start of the season is when everyone gets going at once: new postings, promotions, incoming juniors. As a result, gear requests reach us over a short window, and lead times stretch. Here's how to go about it so you're not stuck the week before the ceremony.
Why September is a pressure point
Between summer transfers and season-opening events, demand concentrates into a few weeks. A custom patch isn't a stock item: you go through the proof, the approval, production, then shipping. Each step takes time, and that time can't be compressed indefinitely.
If you're aiming for a late-September handover, the logic is simple: start the project before the summer break. A file approved in late June goes into production calmly. A file started in early September is a bet on tight deadlines.
Sorting out quantities
Before pricing, take stock. How many people in the unit at the start of the season? How many arrivals? Always allow a margin: losses, swaps between units, last-minute requests. An order cut too close will force you to reorder a small batch at a higher unit cost.
On our grids, the price drops with quantity. At 100 pieces, a PVC patch is 3.75 € excl. VAT, a woven or embroidered one is 3.29 €. Grouping the year's needs into a single order — unit patch, a version for arrivals, a possible anniversary variant — mechanically lowers the unit cost.
The mess-fund budget: anticipate, don't improvise
The mess fund often pays for these purchases. The classic mistake is treating gear as a one-off expense decided under pressure. Better to set the budget upfront, over the year, and balance it between line items.
A few concrete markers to build the envelope:
- The unit patch is the baseline. A run of 100 in woven or embroidered remains the most affordable option. - The custom name tape, at 6.89 € excl. VAT per piece on a base of 100, is a separate item since it depends on named headcount. - Variants (subdued, glow-in-the-dark, coin) are extras to plan separately.
A budget announced early also lets you smooth the mess fund's cash flow rather than paying everything out in September.
Group orders to save
If several needs are coming up — patch, coin, name tape — handle them in a single exchange with the workshop. This avoids multiplying fixed costs and back-and-forth approvals. One well-prepared proof for the season-opening campaign beats three scattered orders.
Think about the artwork too: if you need a unit logo redone or a pennant reworked, that's prep time upfront. Gathering clean files, official colours and dimensions before summer is time saved at the restart.
The calendar to remember
Simple rule: the earlier you start, the more room you have on techniques and finishes. A project started before summer leaves you the choice; a project started in September often forces the fastest option, not necessarily the one you wanted.
If you're preparing your season, send us your material now. We produce a free proof within 48 hours, giving you time to approve calmly before the break. Request a quote directly through the site — price several quantities at once to set your mess-fund budget without surprises at the restart.