Guides

Custom patch, pin and coin guides, written for buyers.

How to choose a patch type, size, backing and border, what drives the price, how to prepare artwork and how an order runs from quote to proof to delivery. Written by Brad Aboff at Patchworks USA in Holly Hill, Florida.

Every guide, newest first.

Filter by topic: patch constructions and finishes, buying guides, guides for your industry, and the other products we make.

Olive embroidered patch reading MORALE in raised orange letters with a merrowed border, on the front of a tan plate carrier.
Industries

Custom military, morale and unit patches: a planning guide

How to plan unit, morale and name tape patches for a unit, veterans group or deployment.

Shield-shaped embroidered patch on black twill showing a figure above a waterfall, a red diagonal band with two dates, a red hanging loop at the top and a red merrowed border.
Buying guides

How to order custom patches, step by step

The full custom patch ordering process, from first spec to delivery, with a timeline to plan around.

Embroidered luggage tag cut in the shape of a megaphone, reading This is my Cheer Bag Not Yours in light blue thread on brown, with a strap slot.
Other products

Embroidered luggage tags: specs, design tips and ordering

What goes into a custom embroidered luggage tag, how to design one, and how to order for a group.

Round challenge coin with an Aqua Predator shark design, raised gold lettering reading No One's Safe, and black, blue, red and grey enamel.
Other products

Challenge coin design guide: both faces, size, metal and finish

How to plan a challenge coin: both faces, size, construction, colour, plating, edges and timing.

Soft enamel lapel pin in a ten-point star shape with AQUILA across a pink compass star over a globe, the colour set below raised gold metal lines.
Other products

Soft vs hard enamel pins: how they differ and which to order

How soft and hard enamel lapel pins are made, how they look and wear, and when to choose each one.

Close-up of a navy printed lanyard end: the strap joined in a polished metal crimp, with a split ring and a silver swivel hook.
Other products

Lanyard attachments and materials: how to pick the right combination

How to match lanyard hardware, material, width and imprint to the badges, keys or cards your people carry.

A clothes iron pressing a round floral embroidered patch onto a cream canvas tote bag.
Patches

How to attach iron-on patches so they stay on

A step by step method for ironing on patches, plus the fabrics to avoid and how to fix lifting edges.

Large die-cut back patch with yellow and orange chenille flames and a chenille radiation symbol, two embroidered grey skulls and black block lettering around a ring.
Industries

Motorcycle club patches: rockers, back patches and how to plan a set

How riding clubs plan back patches, rockers, chest patches and officer tabs that match as a set.

Four small round embroidered patches showing a campsite, a star, a campfire and a mountain lake, inside a large blue merrowed ring on khaki fabric.
Industries

Custom scout and troop patches: a planning guide for leaders

How scout leaders and club officers plan troop, event and fundraiser patches, from design to in-hands date.

Woven All Aboard Storage patch with a blue and white train above red lettering on a yellow ground.
Industries

Custom patches for business uniforms: a rollout guide for your team

How to choose, size and roll out logo patches for staff uniforms, caps and jackets across a whole team.

Shield-shaped embroidered patch on black twill showing a figure above a waterfall, a red diagonal band with two dates, a red hanging loop at the top and a red merrowed border.
Patches

Embroidery coverage explained: 50%, 75% and 100% patches

What 50%, 75% and 100% embroidery coverage mean, and how to pick the right level for your patch.

Shield crest patch with a gold lion and an open book on red, under a navy band with a gold border, on a navy blazer.
Buying guides

How to prepare artwork for embroidery: files, colours and detail limits

The file types, colour notes and detail limits that turn your logo into a clean embroidered patch.

Chenille patch shaped like a varsity jacket in orange and royal blue, with a white chenille letter N on the chest.
Patches

Chenille patches for letterman jackets: letters, mascots and numerals

What coaches and booster clubs should know before ordering chenille letters, mascots and year numerals.

Navy shield-shaped shoulder patch with a gold embroidered star and a raised gold merrowed border on a uniform sleeve.
Industries

Police and sheriff patch design guide: shoulder patches that read at a glance

How to lay out a police or sheriff shoulder patch that reads clearly and matches on every reorder.

Red and gold Maltese cross patch with a gold axe emblem in the centre, on the sleeve of a navy work jacket.
Industries

Custom fire department patches: design, size and ordering for your roster

How to design, size and order fire department shoulder patches that match across the whole crew.

Shield-shaped satin tackle twill patch with layered navy, white and red twill pieces and a red and white zigzag stitched edge, on grey fabric.
Buying guides

How much do custom patches cost? What actually drives the price

The factors that set the price of custom patches, and how to get a quote you can compare fairly.

Woven Space Coast Marathon finisher patch shaped like a space shuttle over a blue orbit emblem, cut to its outline.
Patches

Merrowed vs heat cut patch borders: how to choose the edge

The two patch edge finishes compared on look, shape, wear and usable design area.

Black and tan embroidered American flag patch being lifted off the hook-and-loop panel of an olive tactical pack.
Patches

Patch backing types explained: sew-on, iron-on, hook-and-loop and more

Sew-on, iron-on, hook-and-loop and plastic backings compared, and how to pick one for your garment.

Navy work jacket laid flat with a shield patch on the upper sleeve and a round star patch lower down, beside a plain navy cap and folded trousers.
Buying guides

Patch size guide: what size patch to order for each placement

Common patch sizes for chests, sleeves, caps, jackets and bags, and how to pick the right one for your design.

Round embroidered patch of mountains, a river and gold pine trees on a grey ground, with a navy and gold merrowed border, on grey fabric.
Patches

Embroidered vs woven patches: which one suits your design

How embroidered and woven patches differ in look, detail and feel, and how to choose between them.

Have the artwork and a date in mind?

Send both through the quote form and you have one quote, built on the factory price, within two or three business days.