An In-Depth Guide for B2B Buyers (Focused on 14 mm / 16 mm / 20 mm Cores)
Choosing the “best” paddle is more than chasing peak performance. It is the art of aligning materials, construction, and brand positioning with the exact needs of your downstream customers. Shuen Pickleball runs five dedicated production lines, ships up to 2 000 paddles a day, and supports a flexible OEM / ODM program. The content below has been fully adjusted to highlight the three core thicknesses you now promote most—14 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm.
1、 Three Flagship Face Technologies That Anchor a Winning Catalog
1 · Carbon-Fiber Series – Tour-Proven, Incredibly Versatile
Performance profile Raw T700 / 3K / 12K / 18K carbon fabrics carry a natural texture that boosts spin; their high modulus keeps the face rigid at very low weight.
Target markets High-volume clubs, national retail chains, mid-to-premium private labels.
Business upside About 70 % of touring pros play carbon faces, so consumer education costs are low. MOQ is only 10 paddles, samples leave in 3–4 working days, and bulk orders up to 1 000 units ship in 7–14 days.
2 · Kevlar Series – Comfort, Personality, and Visual Impact
Performance profile Aramid fiber cushions vibration; its golden weave stands out instantly on a retail wall or social feed.
Target markets Players who need elbow relief, youth and women’s segments, new brands seeking high-end differentiation.
Business upside Retail price can run 15–25 % above comparable carbon models. Shuen’s low-temperature prepreg process locks color and avoids heat yellowing.
3 · Titanium-Wire Reinforced Series – Explosive Power for Heavy Hitters
Performance profile Microscopic titanium strands woven into the carbon layer lift torsional stiffness and limit energy loss, turning big swings into blistering pace.
Target markets Singles power players, windy outdoor venues, elite clubs selling premium demo packages.
Business upside A true “tech story” that is still rare on store shelves. Lab tests show an 18 % stiffness boost at the same swing weight, giving your sales staff a concrete advantage to justify higher margins.
2、 Core Thickness, Shape, and Static Weight – Engineering Specs for Different Price Bands
2.1 Core Thickness Matrix
| Thickness | Control | Power | Sweet spot | Typical FOB price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Medium | High | Medium-high | Mid-range club |
| 16 mm | High | Medium | Large | Upper mid / Premium |
| 20 mm | Extremely high | Medium-low | Extra large | Boutique luxury |
14 mm balances speed with punch
16 mm is the industry’s volume “golden thickness”
20 mm maximizes dwell time and forgiveness, ideal for defense-first or rental programs
2.2 Shape and Weight Zones
Standard 16 × 8 inches covers roughly 60 % of retail volume. Elongated 17 × 7 inches owns 20 %. Hybrid and wide-body outlines take the remaining 20 %.
The 7.5–8.3 ounce window pleases most players; Shuen cartons are matched to ± 5 g so labels remain honest.
3、 How Shuen’s Triple-Advantage Program Converts High Specs into Reliable Profit
Material freedom Single-face or dual-face builds, including creative combinations such as carbon on one side and Kevlar on the other.
Core flexibility 14 / 16 / 20 mm polypropylene honeycomb, available pressed or thermo-formed to tune sound and feel.
Visual ownership UV full-color print, silkscreen accents, and heat-transfer layers provide photo-grade graphics and Pantone-true edge guards.
Speed to shelf Samples in 3–4 days, bulk ≤ 1 000 paddles finished in two weeks, consolidated air and sea freight via Shenzhen, Yantian, or Hong Kong.
Cost control Total landed cost can fall 30–50 % below Western contract plants, freeing margin for promotion or dealer incentives.
4、 Prototype-to-Pallet: A Four-Step Roadmap
Step 1 Define the player persona
Are your buyers spin fans, comfort seekers, or power hitters? Clear persona mapping trims the material shortlist.
Step 2 Match face and thickness
• Carbon + 16 mm to cover the broadest segment
• Kevlar + 16 mm to build a joint-friendly premium line
• Titanium + 14 mm to launch an aggressive flagship
• 20 mm variants for training, rental fleets, or ultra-stable defense
Step 3 Run a 10-piece mixed sample test
At least two shapes and two thicknesses let coaches and members generate real feedback before you commit capital.
Step 4 Activate tiered pricing at 1 000 units
Our Pro Partner discount unlocks nationwide margin for launches, influencer campaigns, or big-box tenders.
5、 Success Stories at a Glance
Southeast Asia · Arm Care Pro Kevlar 16 mm line sold 25 000 units in three months through PT endorsements, maintaining a 22 % net margin.
North America · Storm Drive Titanium-reinforced 14 mm elongated model outperformed forecast by 41 %, retailing 35 % above the client’s prior carbon flagship.
Europe · Eco-Spin Set Carbon 20 mm paddle plus accessories rolled to 12 countries via a supermarket chain, proving the workhorse role of carbon at smart price points.
6、 Frequently Asked Questions
Will titanium faces exceed USAPA roughness limits?
No. Titanium wires sit beneath the resin, so surface grit remains compliant while stiffness gains persist.
Can you supply biodegradable edge guards?
Yes. PLA and recycled-TPU blends are available. Lead time is only about one week longer.
Which trade terms and payment methods do you support?
EXW / FOB / CIF / DAP / DDP; T / T, PayPal, credit card, Alipay, Alibaba escrow. Standard terms are 30 % deposit, 70 % balance before shipment; LC is negotiable above US $150 000.
7、 Conclusion
Carbon fiber satisfies mainstream demand for spin, stability, and value. Kevlar delivers comfort and striking visual identity. Titanium-wire reinforcement merges futuristic storytelling with measurable speed benefits. Combine one of these faces with a 14 mm, 16 mm, or 20 mm core, choose the right silhouette and graphics, and you hold a product that outperforms on court and out-earns on the balance sheet. Shuen Pickleball has shipped more than half a million paddles across five continents. If you are ready to develop a paddle your customers will call “best in class,” we are ready to deliver it—on time, on budget, and on brand.
Contact Shuen Pickleball
Email info@shuenpickleball.com
WhatsApp +86 137 1215 6638
WeChat +86 158 2090 1084
Address Room 502, Building 5, No. 1 Huaxia 3rd Road, Qiaotou Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, China