5 best places to get the custom pickleball paddles you've always wanted

Looking to set yourself apart on the pickleball court? Want to draw some envious eyes? Need a special gift for that special someone?

There’s nothing like strutting up to the court and pulling your own customized pickleball paddle out of its bag. The perfect splash of custom color, a handle that fits your grip, and a shape that allows for precision dinks.

So, if you want to make it your own, here are the best places to get custom pickleball paddles. Now get those creative juices flowing, and let’s dive in!

Dink USA

Sometimes, custom sports equipment can overpromise and underdeliver. That’s not the case for Dink USA. The brand only offers a handful of options – but they are the most important changes you can make to a pickleball paddle set.

Choose between a classic, widebody, or elongated shape, two different types of skin, and various grip sizes. Upload your image with their easy design template. You can even order in bulk if you’re looking to outfit an entire club.

The best part? The custom design paddles are entirely produced in California. So, Dink USA can (depending on where you are located) offer delivery times as short as 24 hours! Same-day production is available no matter where you are. The brand also offers a 100% money-back guarantee.

Speaking of money, these are more than just reasonably priced. They’re some of the cheapest customized pickleball paddles on the market, despite being of solid paddle design and quality.

There isn’t anything else you could ask for, and their legions of satisfied customers agree.

Price: $99.99 to $199.99

Third Shot Drop

If it’s more about performance than looks, Third Shot Drop might be the answer for you. While they do offer custom image design, this is all about finding the right paddle to support your play style.

With multiple core options, surface materials, and an entirely customizable handle (even down to its shape), there’s nothing that Third Shot Drop can’t do.

One of the few downsides is that because of how finely tuned each option is, these paddles take three to four weeks to create. That can be rushed to five days for an extra $40. It already costs a little more than some of the other options. So it can get pricey if you need it in a hurry.

Price: $140 to $290

Paddletek

Speaking of performance, Paddletek is one of the top players in the pickleball paddle game, with some nice customized pickleball paddle options.

This is for the player who is serious about competition and doesn’t want just a funny logo. In fact, you want to show off that you’re using a Paddletek, even if it does have a bit of customization.

With automatic color blending and custom text, Paddletek won’t let you sacrifice any of the class-leading performance when you get it specially made.

Price: $119.99 to $169.99

The Dink

Say you aren’t just ordering for you, but the whole club. Or maybe you’re a school district that wants to introduce the game to gym classes.

Perhaps a brand that wants to hand out paddles as a marketing opportunity. Or even a new player in the pickleball paddle industry.

Then Dink Pickleball may be the way to go, with their customizable bulk ordering options. These can be branded the way you like, built with specific dimensions and different materials. It’s also a great choice for pickleball balls.

The big hurdle for this kind of custom pickleball paddle is that there is a minimum of 100 units. That poses a problem for the casual user. So, this is the answer only for bigger organizations.

Price: $17 to $20 per piece, minimum of 100 pieces per order

Customizable feature options:

Just Paddles

Maybe you aren’t looking for something flashy. You don’t need a full-size flag design, or a picture of your dog on the back. Maybe you just want something small to signify it’s your paddle, without compromising any performance or being forced into buying a certain brand.

That’s where Just Paddles comes in. The brand offers you a custom end cap on nearly 600 different types of pickleball paddles.

Pick the right pickleball paddle for your game, price range, and design sensibilities. Then add a little something to make it yours.

Price: $49.95 to $249.99

So how do you decide what's best for you? Here are a few key features to consider:

High quality is the most important factor. You want a paddle that's going to last and won't warp or break easily. But how can you tell if a paddle is of good quality?

The best way is to read reviews online. Look for custom paddles that have mostly positive reviews, and avoid those with lots of complaints.

If the seller offers a money-back guarantee or warranty, it’s also a good sign of the best seller. It can give you peace of mind.

Make sure you know what the new paddle is made of before you buy it. Most custom paddles are made with either wood, graphite, or composite materials.

Wood is the most classic pickleball paddle material and usually offers a good starting point for the beginner player. A graphite pickleball paddle is typically lighter weight and offers more maneuverability on the court.

Composite paddles are a mix of different materials like wood, graphite, fiberglass, etc. They often offer a great combination of power, control, and durability.

Do you need something special? For example, many players need a wider pickleball paddle grip to accommodate their hand size. If you have any special requests, make sure the seller can accommodate them.

Beyond that, if you're getting it as a gift, you might need it to look a certain way, have a funny design, or say something specific. Whatever it is, make sure the seller can do it for you. Don't settle until you've found someone who can.

Not everyone wants the classic paddle shape. Some people prefer a more rounded paddle or even one with an ergonomic grip. It comes down to personal preferences. So try out different shapes until you find one you like.

Remember, you can always ask the seller for a custom shape if you don't see what you're looking for (though you might not get it).

Have a big match coming up? You certainly want fast shipping for your order. Make sure you check the delivery time before you buy. Some sellers have a longer turnaround time than others. So if you need it fast, be sure to checkout.

Make sure you always buy a USAPA-approved product. But a lot of custom paddles won't be USA Pickleball-compliant.

So, if you’ve had any thoughts about entering a tournament down the line and getting yourself noticed by Major League Pickleball team, you'll want to make sure the paddle you choose is compliant.

Think about that if you’re buying a gift as well, is the receiver a serious player? If so, you'll want to make sure the paddle is compliant.

Just like anything else, you don't want to overspend on a paddle. But you also don't want to cheap out and end up with something that's going to break easily. Spend what you can afford, and not a penny more. If you’re lucky, you may find exclusive offers like a coupon for your purchase.

Buying a custom pickleball paddle can be a great way to get the perfect paddle for your playing style.

Not only will you be able to pick the perfect weight, grip size, and dimensions, but you’ll also support small businesses and local artisans. Do you have a custom paddle? Tell us about it in the comments!