The Basics: Why Embroidered Patches Are The Most Common

If you’re thinking about ordering custom patches, you’ll find a range of choices for your consideration. While each patch order is unique to the buyer’s needs, there are some embroidered patches basics to keep in mind.

One of those basics is embroidered patches. They are by far the most popular patch style on the market, and for good reasons. The classic embroidered patch is what most of us think of when we think of a custom patch. Let's take a look at the advantages of embroidered patches.

A Short History of Embroidery

Few other patch types can match the visual and tactile richness of embroidery. The thick threads, varied stitching techniques, and layering options provide a dimensional quality that makes embroidered patches pop. 

To fully appreciate embroidered patches, it’s helpful to look at the history of embroidery itself. It’s an ancient art form that has existed for thousands of years. 

For millennia, embroidery was a painstaking, time-consuming skill, done entirely by hand. As a result, embroidered items tended to be both rare and expensive. Only royalty and aristocrats were able to afford it, most commonly as decorative elements for clothing and tapestries.

Embroidery was known as an art form, an example of craftsmanship passed down through generations. The intricate detailing and rich texture fostered admiration for the beauty of embroidered items.

Machine Embroidery Expands Availability

The invention and rapid improvement of embroidery machines in the 1800s made custom embroidery much more affordable and accessible to more and more people. By the early 1900s, automated embroidery machines established one of the greatest embroidered patches basics by making designs uniform and repeatable.

Today, computerized machines use digitized patterns to create embroidered patches. The digital process allows for even greater precision and faster production. 

The increased affordability of embroidered patches coincided with increased use of patches as part of military uniforms. Patches that denoted name, rank and unit became a standard uniform accessory around the world. Over the years, tactical patches for specialized units and morale patches to express a point of view have become a common part of military uniforms as well.

What Makes Embroidered Patches So Popular?

Several factors account for the enduring popularity of embroidered patches compared to other patch styles. They include:

• Classic Appearance
• Tactile Appeal
•  Cost-Effectiveness
•  Durability
•  Flexibility

Let’s consider each of those factors individually.

Classic Appearance

As we noted before, embroidered patches are the timeless look most people think of when you say the words “custom patch.” The raised surface and colorful thread have a timeless appeal for just about any setting.

Tactile Appeal

Embroidered patches, with their raised border and threaded imagery offer a “touchable” appearance and three-dimensional appeal. They look like something real, rather than just an image. Woven, PVC and printed patches, by contrast, all have a flatter, smoother look that limits their tactile appeal.

Cost-Effectiveness

This is one of the greatest strengths of embroidered patches basics. Embroidered patches are the lowest priced patch type to begin with. When purchased in bulk, the more you buy, the lower the cost per patch. This can lead to significant savings. It also makes patches economical enough to be used as giveaways at trade shows, conventions and conferences. They can be a tremendous promotional tool when used in this way.

Durability

Embroidered patches have the material strength to withstand even the harshest conditions, such as on the battlefield. They can handle all kinds of weather, frequent washing and rough treatment and still look good as new. That’s what makes them popular with military units, sports teams and first responders worldwide.

Flexibility 

Embroidered patches offer tremendous flexibility in both their design and application. For starters, they can be created in virtually any shape you desire. Whether you want traditional round, square or rectangular patches, or a custom design in the shape of a ship, aircraft, animal or anything else, it’s easy to create an embroidered patch.

And that’s not all. You can customize far beyond embroidered patches basics with many choices of thread and background twill colors. You can even use metallic and neon threads to give your patches a bold, brilliant look that’s impossible to miss.

Embroidered patches also offer the greatest flexibility of any patch type in their application to garments, bags, hats and other items. 

Sew On

You can sew on embroidered patches for a truly permanent bond that will last the life of the garment the patch is attached to. With no added backing, this is the lowest cost choice. All you  pay for is the patch itself. For just a little bit more, you can add a plastic backing to stiffen the patch and enable it to better hold its shape.

Iron On

Iron on backing lets you attach your patches without needing to sew. It’s fast, easy and nearly as permanent as sewing patches on. It’s available for a slight cost increase over sew on patches.

Velcro® Hook-and-Loop Fasteners

Hook-and-loop fasteners are ideal for patches you need to be able to remove quickly and/or transfer between multiple garments. You can easily remove morale patches, transfer first responder patches between shirts and more.

Disadvantages of Embroidered Patches

Despite their popularity and versatility, embroidered patches aren’t the solution to every patch need. It depends on your specific requirements.

For example, if your design is highly detailed with a lot of different elements, embroidered patches won’t be a good choice. Too much detail will blur the imagery and reduce the impact of the patch. 

Another concern is patch size. For very small patches, the size of the embroidery thread won’t allow enough detail. Text will be blurry or illegible. For these kinds of patches, woven patches or PVC patches are the better choice. PVC is also an excellent choice if you want near-photorealistic detail on your patches.

The One Embroidered Patches Basic to Know

This one’s easy. Patches4Less.com is your Number One provider for custom embroidered patches. With 20 years’ experience crafting patches, we understand why they’re so popular. We’ll help you create the perfect patches for your needs, whether you need uniform patches, tactical patches, morale patches or any other type.

We’re dedicated to offering the highest quality patches, at the lowest price, and with outstanding customer service. Want to find out more? Give us a call toll-free at 866-847-2824 or email us at [email protected].  Do you already have a design in mind? If so, take a few minutes and fill out our free quote form. Let us show you how easy ordering custom embroidered patches can be.