How To Attach Custom Patches To Your Favorite Garments

Patches are a great addition to any garment or accessory. When adorned with custom patches, jackets, hats, sweaters, vests, bags and backpacks, all stand out. Patches are a fantastic way to show your style and personality. 

Choosing an attachment method is an important step when creating a patch. Not all patches are the same, and neither are fabrics. The attachment method you choose is determined by the patch type you choose and the material to which it will be applied. Let's explore the best way to attach custom patches to your favorite items.

Sew-On, Iron-On and More

Each method for attaching patches to garments has its pros and cons. Let's take a look at a few of them.

Sew-On

Sew-on patches are the classic, most popular patches. Sew-on patches are permanent and durable, though they can be a little bit challenging to apply. 

Iron-On

Iron-on patches are a close runner-up in popularity. Iron-on patches are durable and semi-permanent and can easily be put in place with an iron and about five minutes of your time. But they're not suitable for every fabric, as we'll see below.

Velcro® and Tape

Velcro® hook-and-loop backing is another popular option, which allows you to quickly and easily remove your patch and reapply it to another garment. Tape backing is available too. This provides an easily removable patch that is less permanent than other backings. Tape backing is recommended only for short-term attachment, such as for a one-time event.

Now that you know your options let’s talk about garments, accessories, and fabrics.

Fabrics – The Key to Your Attachment Choice

Jackets and vests are among the most popular articles of clothing for patches. Denim and leather jackets make ideal homes for patches, but these materials are incredibly different from one another. 

Denim or Leather

Denim jackets are made from cotton, which can withstand the heat of an iron, for iron-on patches. If you prefer, it’s a perfect material for  sew-on patches as well. As for leather, iron-on patches are a no-go. 

Leather cannot stand up to the heat of an iron and can scorch or burn. The last thing you want to do is damage the garment onto which you apply your patch. Sew-on patches are the best option for leather jackets or leather garments of any sort.

Jeans are the perfect home for any patch. As noted earlier, denim is an exceptional material for both iron-on and sew-on patches. It’s more about placement when it comes to jeans and patches. If you place your patch in an area that wears and tears, a sew-on patch is more likely to stay in place. Sites with less wear can accept iron-on patches.

Cotton, Silk and Other Fabrics

Shirts and sweaters can look amazing with custom patches too. For men and women, shirts come in all sorts of materials, from cotton to silk. Like denim and leather, some patches are better suited for specific fabrics. Cotton shirts and sweaters are durable, which means you can opt for either traditional sew-on or iron-on backing. Silk cannot withstand the heat of an iron, and must have patches sewn into place instead.

Velcro® patches are ideal if you want to move patches between garments or want to be able to remove them at will. One section of the hook-and-loop fastener gets sewn onto the garment, the other section onto the back of the patch. When pressed together, the two halves create a secure attachment, that can easily be changed instantly.

Need Advice? Count on Us

At Patches4Less.com, we've been helping customers create great looking patches for more than 20 years. We'll work with you not only to design your patch, but also to determine the best attachment methods for your needs. Whether it's sew-on, iron-on, Velcro®, tape or any other style, we'll make sure it's right for your patch, fabric and attachment skill level. 

Want to find out more? Give us a call, toll free at (866) 847-2824, or email us. We'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about patch design or attachment methods. If you already have a design you'd like to make, fill out our no obligation free quote form and we'll respond with a free digital proof of your design. We're here to serve all your custom patch needs!