Unconventional Patch Ideas to Boost Brand Power

If you’re thinking about using custom patches to increase awareness of your brand, you’re probably thinking about applying them to jackets, jeans, shirts, backpacks and the like. Those are the most common places for them.

You don’t have to limit patches to just those uses. They’re versatile enough to be used just about anywhere as a way to get your logo or brand seen. Let’s take a look at some of the ways and places you can use patches that you might not have thought of.

The Appeal of Patches

It’s easy to understand why people love patches. They’re miniature works of art! They can capture a vision either in simple, embroidered lines or in intricate printed detail. They’re portable, fun to design and wear, and readily affordable. That’s what makes them ideal for branding purposes. With a little imagination, they can go just about anywhere.

Uses for Today’s Consumers

Electronics

Just about everyone you know carries some kind of electronic device with them today. Whether it’s a cell phone, a tablet, or a laptop, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone without at least one of them in a pocket, purse, briefcase or backpack. And most of them look pretty much the same. Patches make it easy to add a touch of individuality. At the appropriate size, they look and feel like a custom design, but don’t have to be permanent.

Phone Cases

Let’s start with that universal accessory, the cell phone. Many people choose phone covers and cases, but still want to add a little more personal style. The back of that case is the perfect spot for a custom patch.

Tablet Covers

These offer considerably more room for bigger patches, or even multiple patches. They’re an ideal canvas for self-expression, and for promoting your logo.

Laptop Sleeves and Cases

Now we’re getting into some serious room for a large image. These can be a great background for a large patch to really showcase your brand or logo. Alternatively, consider going with a smaller patch for a more subtle impression.

 Offer the Whole Package

Each of these patches are so well suited to the product that you might want to consider offering the cases, covers or sleeves with the patches already included. They make terrific onboarding gifts for new employees. At trade shows and conferences, give them away to qualified leads. Have prospects fill out a contact form or schedule a meeting in exchange for a tablet cover, for example. Make a connection right there that lesser swag can’t match.

Other Innovative Uses

You can also combine custom patches with other products in new ways. How about attaching a patch to a water bottle or tumbler? The patch gives you a full-color way to include your logo or brand, as well as a unique tactile element. It’s a great way to make a popular item even more memorable.

Notebooks

Notebooks and portfolios also pair well with patches. You can add a patch to either in an appropriate size for your logo, and for employees, an engraved name plate as well.

Cooking Accessories

For restaurants, food competitions (chili cook-off, anyone?), patches make terrific additions to chef hats, aprons and even shoes. For casual dining restaurants, patches make a great addition to front-of-house uniforms as well.

Wedding Professionals

If you’re a wedding photographer, videographer, DJ or caterer, consider using custom patches with your name and contact information instead of business cards. Patches are more tactile and harder to lose. They make a stronger first impression than just a flat piece of paper.

Sponsored Events

If your organization is sponsoring a fundraising event, a 5K awareness race, concert or other event, patches make great giveaways for the participants. Or you can sell them to raise even more cash for the cause. Limited edition patches are a keepsake people will appreciate, especially if you add new designs each year.

Designing For Branding Power

As we’ve seen, custom patches can be adapted to complement just about any kind of promotional product. The most important thing to remember if you want to add a patch to a product such as a tumbler, phone cover or tablet cover is that you’re adding a tactile element. The feel of the patch can be just as important as the look.

Regarding the look of the patch, it’s a good idea to keep your design simple for this kind of use. A bold, uncluttered silhouette makes a better impression than an overcrowded patch with muddled art.

If you have a standard logo, that’s a great starting point for your patch. With the logo in the center of the patch, you can add text above or below to note the occasion, product or event you want to highlight. Commemorative dates work well too.

For more information about designing your patches, consult our Complete Patch Guide.

A Highly Effective Tool

When done right, the combination of patches and other products leverages the branding power of both products. A stylish, colorful patch increases the attractiveness of a custom tumbler, adding a premium look and feel to it. Patches are a low-cost, high-impact addition to many custom items. Don’t be afraid to think outside the usual framework when considering your designs.

Your Dependable Source

When it comes to combining custom patches and other products, the easiest thing to do is order from a single source. That’s where we come in at Patches4Less.com. Our parent company, TJM Promos, is a full-line promotional products provider. We can combine your orders for just about any product, such as phone cases, tumblers, notebooks and more, and custom patches as well.

You can count on us for top quality products at a fair price, and our legendary customer service. We’ll work with you every step of the way, from design to production to shipping the products right to your door. Best of all, we back up everything we sell with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you find any product you buy from us defective in either workmanship or materials, we’ll replace it at no extra cost to you.

Ready to find out more about how patches can add even more brand power to your promotional products? Give us a call at (866) 847-2824, or email us today. Let us show you just how much custom patches can do.