Inside the Paddle

Inside the paddle.

Construction, materials, certification, and what actually happens inside a production run, written by the people who manufacture paddles, alongside guides for the game itself.

How to Start a Pickleball Paddle Company: Pick a Niche First

iMPACT has been building paddle brands for other people for more than five years. Some of those brands sold their…

Custom Pickleball Paddles as Corporate Gifts and Event Merchandise

Most branded merchandise is forgotten almost as quickly as it is handed out. A custom pickleball paddle is different.…

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Pickleball Paddle? Where the Money Goes

People ask us what it costs to make a paddle more than they ask anything else. This post does not answer with a…

Cold Pressed or Thermoformed: Choosing a Construction for a Custom Paddle Run

Every production run we build starts with one decision: cold pressed or thermoformed. Both make a real paddle. They…

Pickleball Paddle Artwork Guidelines: How to Prepare Full Face Print Files

The most common reason a paddle proof goes back and forth is not the design. It is where the design sits on the face.…

Design Your Own Pickleball Paddle: How the One-of-One Works

Until recently, getting a paddle with your own design on it meant ordering dozens. The One-of-One changes that. It is…

From One Custom Paddle to a Production Run: What Changes at 1, 10, 50 and 500

Most paddle programs start smaller than people expect. A player designs a paddle for themselves. A friend wants one.…

Private Label, White Label and Full Custom: What Each Means for a Paddle Brand

Paddle brands source from manufacturers in three ways, and the words for them get used loosely. Private label, white…

How to Run a House Paddle Program at a Pickleball Facility

Every facility ends up with house paddles. The question is whether they are a plan or a pile. A house paddle program…

How to Get a Custom Pickleball Paddle USA Pickleball Approved

USA Pickleball approval is the certification that lets a paddle be used in USA Pickleball sanctioned tournaments, the…

UPA-A Paddle Certification Explained: Fees, Process and What the Lab Requires

The UPA-A is the governing body for professional pickleball: the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. Its paddle…

What DDP Shipping Means When You Order Custom Pickleball Paddles

Every quote we send says the shipping is quoted DDP, and almost every first-time buyer asks what that means. It is…

Pickleball Doubles Strategies: Communication, Coordination, and Domination

If singles pickleball is a solo dance, doubles is a chaotic group performance where one wrong move can send…

Serving Secrets: How to Turn Your Serve Into a Weapon (Without Breaking the Kitchen)

In the world of pickleball, the serve is your opening move, the first impression of your game. It’s like a firm…

How to Stay Calm Under Pressure During a Pickleball Tournament

You’ve made it. The pickleball tournament is here. Your paddle is ready, your shoes are laced, and your nerves? Well,…

How to Find the Right Pickleball Shoes (And Why Your Tennis Shoes Won’t Cut It)

If you’ve been playing pickleball in your old running shoes, we need to talk. Sure, they’ve been with you through…

How to Handle Smash Shots Like a Pro (And Not Get Smacked in the Face)

We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a friendly pickleball rally, feeling confident, maybe even a little…

Advanced Dinking: How to Play Chess in the Kitchen

So, you’ve mastered the basics of the dink. You’re soft-tapping the ball over the net, keeping it low, and landing it…

Pickleball Etiquette: How to Play Nice Without Losing Your Edge

Pickleball is known as one of the most friendly and welcoming sports out there. It’s where competitive play meets…

Dinking 101: Mastering the Gentle Art of Pickleball’s Signature Shot

Ah, the dink, the gentle, sneaky little shot that makes pickleball so much more than just mini-tennis with a wiffle…

The Top 5 Mistakes Every Newbie Makes in Pickleball (And How to Avoid Them)

Welcome to pickleball, the sport that’s part tennis, part ping-pong, and entirely addictive. You’ve got your paddle,…

How to Choose Your First Pickleball Paddle Without Crying

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into the world of pickleball. Congratulations! You’re about to join a community…

Pickleball Terms You Need to Know (So You Don’t Sound Like a Noob)

Welcome to pickleball, where the rules are simple, the game is fast, and the lingo sounds like something out of a…

The Anatomy of a Pickleball Paddle

A pickleball paddle looks simple: a flat face and a handle. Inside that shape are six decisions that set how the…

Pickleball Scoring Explained: Simple Math or Brain Twister?

If you’ve ever played pickleball and walked away muttering, “Wait, was the score 5-2-1 or 2-5-1?”, you’re not alone.…

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Pickleball (No, It’s Not Played with Pickles)

So, you’ve decided to give pickleball a shot. Maybe your friends wouldn’t stop talking about it, or maybe you walked…

Pickleball 101: Why It’s More Than Just Ping-Pong’s Cousin

Pickleball. The name alone sparks curiosity, confusion, and sometimes laughter. “Do you play with pickles?” No. “Is…

Finding the Perfect Pickleball Paddle: A Guide for Every Player

Pickleball has grown from a niche backyard pastime into a full-fledged sporting phenomenon. Whether you're playing to…

Who Makes Your Paddle: An Introduction to iMPACT Pickleball

iMPACT Pickleball is a custom paddle manufacturer. We build paddles to specification for brands, facilities,…

Cold Pressed, Thermoformed, and What Changed Between Them

Paddle construction has moved through a few clear stages. Understanding them explains most of what you see on the…

Paddle Face Materials: What the Names Actually Mean

Paddle faces are sold with a lot of names attached: fiberglass, graphite, carbon fiber, T700, 3K, 12K, 18K, UD, raw,…

10 Tips for Pickleball Beginners

Welcome to the exciting world of pickleball! Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills,…

Pickleball 101! The Basics…

Welcome to Pickleball 101! Whether you're new to the sport or just looking to brush up on the rules and etiquette,…

Strategies and Techniques for Improving Your Pickleball Game

If you're an avid pickleball player, you're probably always looking for ways to improve your game and become a…

The Different Types of Pickleballs: Which One is Right for You?

When it comes to playing pickleball, the type of ball you use can make a big difference in your performance and…

The History and Evolution of Pickleball

Pickleball is a popular racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on…

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