Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company
- Founded
- 1985-01-01 in San Diego, California, USA
- Headquarters
- 1277 N Cuyamaca St, Bldg A-B, El Cajon, CA 92020, USA
- Phone
- (619) 281-6688
Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company, widely known as Pacific Emblem, is a privately held custom manufacturer and importer based in El Cajon, California. Founded in 1985 by Rich S. ("Dr. Patch"), the company grew from the proceeds of an earlier mail-order hat business into a respected supplier of embroidered patches, private-label headwear, and promotional accessories. Over more than four decades, it has served a broad clientele including Fortune 500 corporations like Honda, Yamaha, Upper Deck, and Minecraft, as well as craft breweries, sports teams, and retail brands. The company is recognized for its patented LaserCut™ patch process, fast turnaround times (two weeks for patches, three weeks for patch/hat programs), and a 20-day quality guarantee. Beyond patches and hats, Pacific Emblem offers innovative products such as the uZAPPit® Smart Tag NFC device for breweries and the SofMask FaceWear developed during the pandemic. The company maintains a strong online presence with 24/7 AI-assisted customer support and bulk order discounts up to 74%. Despite its niche focus, Pacific Emblem has achieved steady organic growth and remains under the active leadership of its founder.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company was founded in 1985 in San Diego, California, by Rich S., a San Diego State University marketing graduate. The seed capital came from selling a mail-order hat business he had purchased in 1983 for $5,406 and later sold for $15,000. Initially the company sourced custom patches via telex and fax before transitioning to digital communication. Over the decades, it expanded into private-label headwear and promotional accessories, building long-term relationships with clients in the apparel, automotive, fast-food, gaming, and casino industries.
Business Model and Products
The company's core business is manufacturing custom patches in a wide range of styles: embroidered, woven, chenille, soft PVC/rubber, LaserCut™ (die-cut to shape), TPU, reflective, metal emblems, and dye-sublimated patches. It also produces private-label headwear (hats and caps) and promotional accessories such as keychains, challenge coins, lanyards, dog tags, and wristbands. A notable innovation is the uZAPPit® Smart Tag, an NFC tag designed for breweries to connect customers to online content, which nearly secured a spot on Shark Tank. During the pandemic, the company developed SofMask FaceWear. Pacific Emblem offers bulk order discounts up to 74% and guarantees delivery within 20 days.
Market Position and Clients
Pacific Emblem serves a diverse client base ranging from Fortune 500 corporations like Honda, Yamaha, Upper Deck, and Minecraft to craft breweries, sports teams, casino operators (listed on CasinoVendors.com), and retail brands. The company is recognized as a "quiet FORCE" in custom headwear and patch manufacturing, differentiating itself through patented processes, fast turnaround, and 24/7 customer support. It operates a small to mid-sized team at its facility in El Cajon, California.
Leadership
The company is privately held and closely managed by its founder, Rich S., who holds the title of President and is known as "Dr. Patch." No other C-level executives are publicly confirmed for this specific entity.
Recent Developments and News
Pacific Emblem has not reported any recent funding rounds or acquisitions, maintaining steady organic growth. Its website provides an e-commerce platform for ordering custom products, and it maintains an Instagram presence (@doctorpatch and @pacificemblem). The company actively sponsors events such as Native Nation Events and continues to introduce new product lines like the uZAPPit® Smart Tag.
Key Products
Custom Embroidered Patches
Traditional embroidered patches made with thread on fabric, available in various sizes and shapes.
Woven Patches
Patches woven with fine threads for detailed, high-resolution designs.
Chenille Patches
Soft, textured patches often used for varsity letters and jackets.
Soft PVC/Rubber Patches
Durable, waterproof patches made from flexible PVC material.
LaserCut™ Patches
Die-cut patches precisely cut to shape using patented LaserCut™ technology.
TPU Patches
Patches made from thermoplastic polyurethane for a smooth, glossy finish.
Reflective Patches
Patches with reflective material for visibility and safety.
Metal Emblems
Metal or metal-plated emblems for a premium look.
Dye-Sublimated Patches
Full-color patches created through dye-sublimation printing.
Private-Label Headwear
Custom hats and caps for businesses, teams, events, and retail brands.
Promotional Accessories
Keychains, challenge coins, lanyards, dog tags, and wristbands.
uZAPPit® Smart Tag
NFC smart tag for breweries to connect customers to online stores, new batches, and flavors.
SofMask FaceWear
Face masks developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Persons
- Rich S.
President / Founder