Promo Deep Dive: Patches

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Become a Patch Expert

Patches are one of those classic promotional products that are so prevalent, that it is easy to forget about their humble origins. Originally created as a way to mend and strengthen weak points in clothing, patches have evolved to be a form of individual expression and ironically, team solidarity and branding.

Custom patches have only grown in variety and popularity over the years. Increasing in retail settings, such as promotional merch for bands, artists, giveaways and clubs. Adorning jackets, bags and collection boards with pride.

But also, for the promotional product industry, our bread and butter are of course military, police, firefighters and other emergency service industries. As well as patches being produce for brands and company uniforms to increase brand recognition and communicating team membership.

Overall, patches on clothing and uniforms play a crucial role in communication, identification, and personal expression, making them an important and valuable addition to any garment.


Embroidered Patches

Our embroidered patch prices are determined by the percentage of thread upon the twill area, colors, and size.
The representations below show the types of embroidery coverage determined by the amount of thread on the surface of a patch. Grey represents twill, white is thread.

EP-50# • EP-75-# • EP-100-#

Embroidered patches are what you think of when you think of a classic patch. The style surviving in popularity for decades, or even hundreds of years. These patches are popular with emergency services and corporate branding due to their wide variety of customization options.

Choose up to 8 thread colors and your backing of standard sew-on, or additional cost for premium plastic, iron-on, stick-on and hook & loop.

Embroidered Coverage

Our embroidered patch prices are determined by the percentage of thread upon the twill area, colors, and size.
The representations below show the types of embroidery coverage determined by the amount of thread on the surface of a patch. Grey represents twill, white is thread.

50% Twill Backing.
50% Embroidery

25% Twill Backing.
75% Embroidery

All Stitching. No Twill Visible.
100% Embroidery

Types of Stitches

Types of Borders

Merrowed Border

Satin Stitch Border

Hot Knife Cut

Standard patch border.
A 1/8” border that overlocks
the patch edge, preventing fraying. For large, simple
shapes like circles and shields.

A hot knife cut border with a 1/16” satin stitch edge that simulates a merrow border
without overlocking the patches edge.

Smooth, hot knife cut stitched border. For patches with complex shapes or
detailed borders.


Woven Patches

PT-WV-#

Woven patches use a thinner, finer thread than embroidered patches, and offer a wider range of possible colors.

Perfect for art that has gradients, small lettering, fine details and are representations of photography.

Types of Borders

Hot Knife Cut

Standard patch border. A 1/8” border that overlocks the patch edge, preventing fraying. For large, simple shapes like circles and shields.

Merrowed Border

Ideal for complex shapes. We recommend this border be paired with iron-on backing for stability and application purposes.

Choose up to 5 PMS colors and your backing of standard sew-on, or additional cost for premium plastic, iron-on, stick-on and hook & loop.


Chenille Patches

IDP-CP-#

Embrace retro flair with our Chenille Classic Patches. Perfect for school letterman jackets, sports, colleges, retail, and industries steeped in history. These patches feature an interesting tactile experience.

Choose up to 8 thread colors and your backing of standard sew-on, or additional cost for premium plastic, iron-on, stick-on and hook & loop.


DSP-#

Dye Sublimated Patches

Need a perfect recreation of your high detailed, full color art? Then choose our dye sublimated patch option.

Perfect for

  • Gradients
  • Photography
  • Colorful artwork
  • Fine lettering & details

Choose your backing: sew-on, or additional cost for premium plastic, iron-on, stick-on and hook & loop.


PVC-PT-2D • PVC-PT-3D

PVC Patches

Our PVC patches are built to last through the toughest environmental conditions.

These durable patches are perfect for rough and tumble uses, such as military, outdoor uses, sports, and industrial
applications.

Choose up to 4 PMS colors, and standard sew-on backing, or for an additional cost hook & loop backing.


LP-#

Faux Leather Patches

These patches pop with a dimensional look and feel that your client is bound to love.

Emboss the logo into our leather material, with a choice of 40 stock colors.

Imprint with Dimension

Your imprint is debossed into the
faux leather material for dimension.
Add an optional black or brown
imprint color for increased contrast.

Sewable Border

Our faux leather patches can come with a recessed sewable border for
easy application.


SP-#

Faux Suede Patches

Baby soft faux suede patches are the emblem you need to elevate your brand. Available in over two dozen beautiful colors, these soft patches are perfect for pocket emblems clothing and textile tags.


TPU-#

TPU Patches

Embossed TPU patches are a favorite for uniforms, bags, police departments, military units, scout groups, sports teams highway patrols, and fire departments.

Made out of thermoplastic polyurethane of this patch features an iron on or adhesive backing that flows with the fabric and leaves it flexible and lightweight.


Backing Options

Backing options are variable by patch types:
*Faux Leather Patches: Sew-on, stick-on backing available only. • *PVC Patches: Sew-on, hook & loop backing available only. *TPU Patches: Iron-on, and adhesive backing available only. • Premium Backing is an additional cost (Except for TPU Patches).


Patches are the #1 promotional product for practically every industry, and able to fulfill multiple uses from uniforms,
identification, clubs and retail. So come to IDProductsource for the patches you need and love!

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