Uniform Patches For Your Employees & Staff Members

If your business needs to project a professional image, uniforms are one of the best ways to do so. Creating a single, cohesive appearance for your staff helps give customers or clients a sense of confidence in your organization.

In turn, custom patches boost that spirit of professionalism even further. Patches can add exposure for your logo, greater name recognition for your employees and an overall positive identity for your brand.

Uniforms are a nearly universal part of American life. Almost everyone has worn a uniform at some point. Whether as a Scout, a first responder, a member of the military, or for a job, school, or sports team, uniforms show that you belong to a particular group or organization. 

What Patches Add to Uniforms

Custom patches add a distinctive, unique touch to uniforms. They enhance the wearer’s link to your organization. For the customer or client, it makes the wearer the embodiment of your brand during their interaction.

Uniform patches serve multiple symbolic purposes. These include:

Identity and Representation

Uniform patches can represent an organizations motto, mission, or an individual’s specific role. For example, military patches can denote an individual’s rank, unit or specialty. For police and firefighters, patches can help identify each individual in  what can be challenging field conditions.

Camaraderie and Team Spirit:

Everyone wants to feel that they’re a member of something bigger than themselves. Uniform patches help create a sense of connection and belonging among police, firefighters, first responders and others. Sports teams, Scouting groups and even volunteers can benefit from the feeling of togetherness that in turn helps build loyalty.

Branding

As noted above, in a business environment, custom patches help reinforce a brand image. Branded patches featuring the business logo create consistency and high visibility in areas such as hospitality, and customer service. The increased recognition helps create trust in your brand. 

Recognition and Achievement

For many, custom patches can be used to celebrate accomplishments and milestones. Military uniforms, Scout uniforms, even sports uniforms can display custom patches that reward notable performance.

A Brief History of Custom Patches

As you might expect, custom patches began with military units. Some U.S. soldiers wore crude, unofficial patches on their uniforms as early as the War of 1812. Others wore such patches in the 1845 Mexican War, and in the Civil War as well.

By World War I, U.S. military leaders authorized limited use of unit identification patches, known as shoulder sleeve insignia. The first of these was the “Big Red One” patch created for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

Shoulder sleeve insignia patches became more common in World War II, and today custom patches exist for each individual unit of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Types of Uniform Patches

Tactical Patches

Tactical patches are a specific uniform patch type common to military units, police and firefighters. These patches are meant to convey important information at a glance, often only to those who need to know.

For example, U.S. soldiers often wear custom military patches on their uniforms that are visible via infrared light when viewed through night vision equipment. These patches can show the difference between fellow Americans and enemy soldiers in night operations. They also can show information such as a wounded soldier’s blood type, which can be critical when seconds count.

Tactical police patches and firefighter patches can be found on the back of jackets and vests, and are designed to be highly visible in dark or smoky conditions, or in other situations where visibility may be limited. The ability to see a partner or fellow team member can mean the difference between life or death in such circumstances.

Morale Patches

Morale patches are closely related to tactical patches, but don’t necessarily serve an official purpose. They’re commonly a way to express an opinion about military bureaucracy, present a joke or make a political statement. 

Because they’re not considered an official part of military uniforms, morale patches are most often attached with Velcro® hook-and-loop fasteners. That makes them easily removable when necessary to avoid offense or concern from officials or senior officers.

Name Patches

Custom name patches are perhaps the most common type of uniform patches. They’re part of military uniforms and civilian ones as well. In both cases, they serve to identify the wearer and indicate that they are part of a specific organization.

Civilian and corporate uniform name patches aren’t limited to just the wearer’s name. They can feature position titles and relevant logos or company icons as well.

In fact, uniform patches don’t have to include a name at all. They can feature your company logo, employee-earned certifications and other information. For example the A.S.E. logo at your local mechanic indicates the person wearing the patch has passed a rigorous training and certification program in various aspects of auto repair.

Team Patches

If you want to extend your company branding, uniform patches for teams and special occasions are an excellent way to do so. You can craft custom patches for fundraising groups, benefit events such as 5K runs, and other events that your company takes part in. And of course you can add a logo patch or team name to the company softball team jerseys. They help promote your brand while also boosting camaraderie and a sense of teamwork.

A Word About Design

When you’re creating uniform patches, remember the basics. You don’t need an overly intricate design to represent your brand or logo. Keep it simple, and you’ll reap the rewards.

At Patches4Less.com, we’re always happy to work with you every step of the way from design to production to ensure your custom uniform patches look exactly the way you want them to. Our experienced staff can help you craft the perfect uniform patches for your military unit, corporation, nonprofit or school.

Your Reliable Source

With 20 years’ experience creating custom patches of all kinds, Patches4Less.com is your Number One choice for first rate patches, the best prices you’ll find anywhere and outstanding customer service.

Ready to find out more? Call us toll-free at 866-847-2824, email us, or fill out our no-obligation free quote form. We’re here to serve all your custom uniform patch needs.