BEHIND THE SCENES • PATCHES R US
What Goes Into Making a Patch?
Artwork is only the beginning. Construction, thread, colour, materials, sizing, backing and testing all influence how a patch eventually looks, feels and performs.
A look behind the decisions that happen before the finished patch ever reaches you.
IT'S NOT JUST “MAKE THIS LOGO”
One design can become several very different patches.
The same artwork might suit embroidery, woven construction, chenille, print — or a combination of techniques.
Part of the job is working out which construction will reproduce the important parts of the design properly at the required size.
Artwork
How much fine detail, lettering and colour does the design contain?
Size
Details that work beautifully at 100mm may need simplifying at 40mm.
Construction
Embroidered, woven, chenille, printed or another technique?
Application
Sew-on, heat-activated, hook & loop or another backing.
FABRIC.
FINISH. IT ALL HAS TO WORK TOGETHER
COLOUR & MATERIAL CHOICES
It's more than choosing a pink or a blue.
Thread colour, background fabric, felt, border and finishing materials all affect the finished appearance of a patch.
For custom projects, we look at how those elements work together rather than treating every colour as an isolated choice.
This becomes particularly important for brands, teams and organisations where the finished patch needs to feel consistent with an existing identity.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATCH TYPE
The artwork helps choose the construction.
Raised stitched detail and the traditional patch finish.
Explore → ▤ FINER DETAIL WovenFlatter construction for smaller lettering and detailed artwork.
Explore → ☁ BOLD TEXTURE ChenilleSoft looped yarn for bold varsity-inspired designs.
Explore → ✦ AND THERE'S MORE Other OptionsPrinted, PVC and mixed techniques depending on the design.
See All Custom Patches →BEFORE FULL PRODUCTION
Sample. Check. Adjust. Approve.
A screen can tell us a lot. A manufactured sample tells us more.
Artwork preparation
The design is prepared for the chosen production method.
Sample production
The design becomes an actual patch rather than just an image.
Review
We look at colour, detail, proportions, borders and overall finish.
Changes if needed
The design can be adjusted before the main quantity is made.
Approval
Once everyone is happy, production can move forward.
TESTING MATTERS TOO
A good patch also needs to work.
Appearance is only part of the job. Application and intended use matter too.
Where heat-activated backing is involved, for example, the combination of fabric, temperature, pressure and application technique influences the final bond.
That's why our Academy guides go beyond simply saying “put an iron on it”.
READY-MADE PATCHES
Then there's the patch shop.
Alongside custom manufacturing, we hold a large catalogue of ready-made letters, numbers, decorative patches and accessories.
Keeping that range useful means monitoring stock, spotting which styles customers keep coming back for, introducing new designs and replenishing popular ranges.
If you're planning a larger catalogue order or need a specific quantity by a deadline, it's always worth contacting us before ordering so we can check availability.
NEED PATCHES NOW?
Start with the ready-made collection.
AND WHEN OFF-THE-SHELF ISN'T RIGHT...
Make something authentically yours.
Some projects simply shouldn't come from a catalogue.
If you have a logo, original artwork, event identity, club badge or an idea that only exists in your head, we can help turn it into a patch specification that can actually be manufactured.
You don't need to know the correct thread type, construction or backing before you contact us. That's part of what we help with.