Sep 7, 2021

Durable, Versatile, and Functional! The Uses and Benefits Of Velcro Patches

If you need the flexibility to change patches quickly, hook-and-loop fasteners are the perfect attachment method.

When it comes to attaching custom patches to garments, you have several options. Choosing the right one is important if you want to maximize the utility and function of your patches.

Sew-on and iron-on styles are the most popular ways to attach patches, but they’re not ideal for every situation. Sometimes you want to be able to remove patches quickly, exchange them or swap them between garments. For those kinds of applications, Velcro® hook-and-loop fasteners are the best approach.

What Is a Hook-and-Loop Fastener?

Although it’s in common use today as a generic term for hook-and-loop fasteners, Velcro is actually a specific brand with a registered trademark. It’s the name given to the original version, invented by a frustrated inventor with help from his dog.

In the 1940s, Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral enjoyed walking in the woods with his dog, Milka. But he was annoyed by the way burdock burrs kept sticking to his clothing and the dog’s fur.

Curious as to what made the burrs so persistent, he looked at them under a microscope and discovered hundreds of tiny hooks. That made the burrs easily catch on anything with a loop, such as clothing, animal fur like Milka’s, or hair.

It took de Mestral several years to find the right fiber for his concept, one that could stand up to repeated attachment and removal. Eventually, he discovered that nylon sewn under infrared light formed the proper hooks.

About the Name

De Mestral named his new product Velcro, a combination of French words “velours,” meaning velvet, and “crochet,” meaning hook. He formed a corporation to produce it, which still exists today, although it has transitioned from Swiss to British ownership.

Patch Attachment and Velcro®

Most of the time, when you apply a patch to a garment, it’s meant to stay in one place. Sewn on and ironed on patches are considered a permanent part of the garment.

Not all patch needs are alike, however. Military members in a combat zone might need to remove patches to make camouflage more effective. For example, a full color flag patch in red, white and blue would stand out against a camo background, making the wearer a more visible target. Replacing the patch with a drab, subdued version helps protect the wearer while maintaining the identification function for fellow soldiers.

Military members also often wear morale patches in addition to regulation uniform patches. These can express the wearer’s attitude toward their service, military bureaucracy or other sensitive topics. It pays to be able to remove them quickly if necessary. Velcro patches are the ideal solution.

Hook-and-loop fasteners also allow the wearer to transfer patches between uniforms or other garments easily. A single patch can be worn for multiple days on different shirts. This versatility also makes hook-and-loop patches ideal for police, firefighter and other first responder uniforms.

Because the patches are removable, they also can be taken off when garments are laundered, which helps to extend the life of the patches.

How They Work

Hook-and-loop fasteners work on the simple principle de Mestral discovered. You sew one side of the fastener to the garment(s) in question. The other side is attached to the back of the patch at the factory.

One side has tiny loops, and the other has little hooks just like the burrs on de Mestral’s dog. The hooks and loops come together to form an attachment that’s both strong enough to hold securely, yet easy to remove when desired.

More Uses for Velcro® Patches

Scout Patches

Scouting is an adventure for young people that can produce multiple great-looking patches. Hook-and-loop fasteners are ideal for Scout patches. They’re easy to transfer to new uniforms as young scouts grow. They’re much easier to transfer than sew-on or iron-on patches.

Band Merch

Custom patches of all kinds make outstanding promo merchandise for bands and musicians of all kinds. They enable you to get your logo out into the world in a way that makes fans feel they’re a part of an “in” group or family.

Hook-and-loop fasteners on your patches enable fans to transfer their patches between jackets or shirts easily, giving them a fun way to show their belief in your music.

Fashion Patches

Custom patches and fashion go hand in hand. Over the years, we've seen plenty of custom patches on a range of stylish designs. Hook and loop patches make it easy to transfer patches on handbags, backpacks or clothing. The fast, easy ability to swap patches among outfits enable fashionistas to wear different outfits while maintaining their favorite patches and what they stand for.

Comparing Velcro® Patches to Others

The three most common ways to attach patches to garments – sew on, iron on, and Velcro -- all offer different benefits, depending on your particular needs. Here’s a comparison of what each does best:

Velcro®

Semi-permanent
Easily removable or transferable
Relatively easy attachment (minor sewing of one small part)
Ideal for morale and tactical patches

Iron On

Considered Permanent
Easiest to apply
Not suitable for all fabrics

Sew On

Most permanent form of attachment
Requires some sewing ability (either by hand or machine)
Least expensive attachment choice

Your patch provider can advise you which attachment method is best for your specific application.

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