The Essentials! All About Patch Collecting

It’s a simple fact that just about everyone collects something. From baseball cards to sneakers, pens, books, vinyl records, hats, and even old electronics, there is a collector for nearly everything. 

Many people have started collecting patches as a fun hobby, trading, sharing, and purchasing patches of all sorts. It's easy to see why patches have become popular for collectors. They are colorful and each one features unique artwork that can be bold, subdued, and packed with meaning. Unlike some other collectibles, they're also affordable, portable, and easy to store.

Who Uses Patches? 

Custom patches are used as emblems of police and fire departments, Scouts, military units, and many other organizations. For police and fire departments, each station or department will have their own patches. We have even seen different patches for different units within the departments. The vast range of patches and different patch styles is part of what makes collecting them so popular. 

Military units have their own custom patch designs as well, and these unique designs are exactly what collectors are looking for. With a countless number of organizations, units, departments, brands, businesses, and organizations, the range  of unique patches to choose from is virtually endless. 

Collectors Often Start Early

Many patch collectors start the hobby young. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts often trade patches during their involvement in Scouting. They collect patches at local or regional gatherings, while others collect patches from national and international organizations. Lots of collectors have started out collecting Scout patches as children, then continued the hobby in adulthood. 

Types of Patches to Collect

There are many ways to start collecting patches, and many different kinds of patches to choose from. Some of the most popular patches to collect include:

Police and Firefighter Patches

Police patches are popular among collectors. Police officers wear patches for identification and to signify department or squad membership. For collectors, they serve as a reminder of service above self. 

Police patches also honor those who make our communities safer. They also can  commemorate special moments in an officer's career. 

Firefighter patches have long been part of fire department wear for decades. Each department features its own design to show identification and provide a sense of camaraderie. 

With so many different police and fire department patches, it's no wonder trading and collecting them has become so popular. Many departments trade patches among themselves, a popular way to see what designs their peers are using.

Military Patches

Military patches are a popular starting point for many patch collectors. Each patch carries unique meaning, especially for those who have served. For both active duty and former service members, unit patches are a way to commemorate their own service. For some, patches carry extra sentimental meaning, collected as memorials for lost friends and loved ones. 

Space Mission Patches

Collectors also value U.S. space program patches. Official NASA custom patches are harder to come and thus carry more value. 

Space patches have been a part of the uniforms of American astronauts for more than 50 years. But not everyone knows that a Soviet Union cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova, was the first person to wear a space patch.

At just 26 years old, Tereshkova launched on June 16, 1963 aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft. On the inside of her space suit, she wore a small patch showing a dove clutching an olive branch in its beak, against a backdrop of sun rays. To this day, Tereshkova remains the only woman to have flown a solo mission to space. Her dove patch became the very first space mission patch.

Two years later, U.S. astronaut Gordon Cooper designed a uniform patch for his Gemini V mission with Pete Conrad. The patch featured the name of the mission above a Conestoga wagon, with Cooper and Conrad’s names flanking it below.

The wagon originally featured the words “8 Days or Bust,” referring to the mission’s planned length. But skittish NASA officials ordered the phrase covered in case the mission ended early. 

The Gemini V flight was a success, and every NASA mission since then has featured a patch designed by the astronauts. While original mission patches are limited and very difficult to come by, reproductions are plentiful and popular.

Travel Souvenir Patches

An easy way to get started collecting patches is with travel souvenir patches. These are often available at landmarks, cultural sites, gift shops and so-called “tourist traps.” They’re bright, colorful and affordable. They’re also a terrific way to remember vacation trips, overseas adventures and national monuments.

Finding Patches to Collect

For patch collectors and those just getting started, finding patches is easy. Check out Scouting activities, fairs, swap meets, flea markets, and other events. These sorts of events are an excellent resource for locating patches to collect and trade. 

Online groups also offer a wide selection of patches for sale and trade. Patch collector enthusiast groups can be a great resource, especially for beginners. Be sure to check out local antique stores and thrift stores for unique and random patches as well.

 Just keep your eyes open. You can find great patches just about anywhere. Often, you will find them in places you would least expect. The best collectors are always looking for patches wherever they are, seeking the rarest and the most unique on their adventures. 

Creating Your Own Collectible Patches

One excellent way to get started collecting is to create your own custom patches. If you are a member of a band, school, military unit, fraternity, sorority or other group, create your own limited-edition patches for your members!

Finding a dependable source for new custom patches can be tricky. For the best quality patches, lowest prices, and outstanding customer service, you need look no further than Patches4Less.com.

More than just a one-stop source for custom patches, we have 20 years of experience and a team of incredible artists and designers. You can expect upfront pricing, first rate quality and legendary customer service that sets us apart from other patch providers. 

Interested in finding out more? Take a moment to fill out our no-obligation Free Quote form or email us. We'd be happy to speak with you and respond to your custom patch needs.