If you are looking to customize your patches, choosing the perfect attachment method from a range of available patch attachment methods is a very important decision to make. Patches can be a great way to market your business or send out a message about your brand; therefore, choosing an attachment method can make or break your decision that affect the utility and visibility of your patches and therefore, your brand.
Several factors can affect your choice, so answering the following questions will help you shortlist the available choices and conclude which patch attachment methods will work best for you.
- What kind of material/surface will the patches be attached to?
- Would you like to attach the patches for the short term or long term?
- Are the patches going to be used for a one-off event, or are these going to be used daily on a uniform?
- Do you want to attach your patches to something that will be frequently washed?
- Do you want to switch between different patches frequently?
Below is a list of available attachment methods for you to choose, your choice will depend on how you answer the above questions.
Patch Attachment Methods
Sew-on
Sew-on patches can be attached to any clothing material that is soft enough for a needle to pass through, like cotton, polyester, denim, leather (depending on thickness), wool, or any articles like shirts, jackets, jeans, hats, and backpacks.
Iron-on
Iron-on or heat press patches are quick and easy long-term solutions to attach a patch on textile articles. Heat sensitive glue is applied at the back of the patches, which will melt on to the article when an iron is applied from the top. Use a piece of cotton cloth to cover the top of the patch (design side) and press the iron on top, and the heat will melt the glue at the back of the patch onto the article or garment, and the patch will be securely glued. Iron-on patches can also sustain frequent washing. This attachment works best on garments and textile-based surfaces. Read this comprehensive article if you want learn how to iron on patches.
Velcro
Velcro (hook and loop) attachment is perfect if you want to frequently replace your patches with other patches that you have. These patches are perfect for uniforms for military, law enforcement, and fire departments. These are hook and loop fasteners. Usually, the loop side is sewn on to the garment or article, and the hook side is sewed on to the patch backing. This allows you to change the patches as many times as you want to.
Magnetic
Magnetic backing is great for patches used as a promotional giveaway and is excellent to attach to the refrigerator, cars, or metal surfaces. These can be removed at any time and can be put back again. Magnetic patches are also water-resistant, and it won’t affect the patches if they are exposed to water.
Tape/Peel and Stick
Tape or peel and stick backing is a quick method and good for the short term. A peel and stick tape backing is used to stick the patches to almost any surface for short-term use. This attachment method is good when you are short on time to sew them on or iron-on or have a one-off event where you think the patches will be of no use once the event is over.
Button loops
Button loops are also a temporary patch attachment method. A threaded loop is stitched on to the patch’s border and can be hanged on a button. This method does not require any sewing or gluing and its a great short term attachment method that is also very convenient for the long term as it does not make the patch unusable once it is removed and can be transferred to other garments as well. Make sure you order the right size of the loop according to the size of the button.
Choose The Right Custom Patch Maker
If you want to customize your patches, you must choose the right manufacturer, tell them how you intend to use the patches, and advise you on the perfect attachment method depending on your intended use. At UltraPatches we will advise you on the appropriate types of custom patches considering your artwork and usage. We also recommend the appropriate patch attachment methods considering your intended use.
Let us know if you have any questions. Fill out the quote form available throughout the website or call us at 541-248-8831 or send us an email at info@ultrapatches.com and we would be happy to respond to your questions and advise you on your custom patch project.
