Embroidered patch

An embroidered patch is an embroidered design on firm backing that is applied to clothing by organizations to distinguish membership or rank, youth groups to mark accomplishments and individuals for art or expression.

Manufacture

Manufacture can be done by hand, using a machine, or in a factory like patchsuperstore with computer digitization. A firm backing, the twill, forms the support and is ideally suited for the embroidered design using thread. Rayon and polyester are most common in commercial manufacture, but cotton and hemp can also be used.

Custom embroidered patches belonged to an age old industry whereby the identity of a group is deemed as important enough to be shown. Industries, societies and organizations will often get custom embroidered patches on clothing’s to make uniforms, sewn on bedding's and towels and even undergarments to symbolize the object or wearer belongs to a certain group. The creation of silk printing and iron patches however, creates a competition with embroidered patches which is slightly higher in cost and requires more setting for mass production. Nowadays, custom embroidered patches are done using high tech and rapid automated machinery, not hand-sewn by a bunch of old ladies, to help reduce production time and cater to bulk order demands.

Internet gave an extra edge to patchsuperstore and the marketing of custom embroidered patches by providing a stage whereby publicity and promotions can be shared with internet users or targeted market using emails and advertisement on websites. The olden method of marketing by word of mouth and small cottage industry used to be associated with custom embroidered patches is no longer adequate.

To gain a competitive edge most suppliers of custom embroidered patches like patchsuperstore tries to catch the attention of targeted market by offering high quality, high thread count, custom embroidered patches at lower cost and faster delivery time. When collection of custom embroidered patches used to be the job of the person ordering, nowadays suppliers are even promising free delivery and the getting it right the first time. Due to the large number of big suppliers flocking to the internet to ensure survival of their business, competition among suppliers brought advantages to the customers. This has provided the customers the chance to get their custom embroidered patches only from the best in the industries, usually for a fraction of the price that they usually have to pay from the local stores. Customers get to select and compare between suppliers of custom embroidered patches based on quoted price, lead time and even offers of free delivery and free reworks.

Custom embroidered patches from patchsuperstore can be a special design on clothing, towels and bedding's, depending on the customers’ demand. The concept of patch superstore using embroidered patches instead of printed design is to ensure that the symbol stays-on and is clearly visible throughout the test of time and repeated washing. Thus, most suppliers of custom embroidered patches will select only from high quality thread materials and backing materials to ensure maximal life span. The improvements in custom embroidered patches allow suppliers to provide customers a selection of backings depending of the type of usage. Examples of backings include iron-on, Velcro, plastic, and double-sided tapes. The visibility of the custom embroidered patches design can be enhanced using metallic threads, neon threads or additional matching colors. Most suppliers like patch superstore offer free support on designs and will not charge for artwork or revisions. They have to incorporate the requirements for customer satisfaction to ensure repeated orders. This is true when most customers who order will require more custom embroidered patches for as long as the group exists.

Most modern people who doesn’t find it interesting to belong to any organization might not know much about custom embroidered patches. Blue collar workers such as factory or industrial workers used to wear uniforms with custom embroidered patches but it’s getting less common for factories as free selection of clothing is allowed at most work places and plain uniforms are issued with printed logos. In the olden days, custom embroidered patches were a luxury enjoyed by the rich and royalties. High ranking officials, rich business people and kings have their own family symbol which they embroider on many items such as clothing. These are also used to symbolize the ranks of the members of the family from lowly servants to high position employees. The concept is still practiced in law enforcement and other official organizations. The best example is the police whereby, the custom embroidered patches from patchsuperstore will show the unique logo of the police department and also the rank, with more patches is a sign that a certain police officer is of higher ranking in the hierarchy. Custom embroidered patches seem like a minor industry but it is a fact that this industry is a giant, still going strong at this modern age. Special thanks to PatchSuperstore.com [http://www.patchsuperstore.com]

Application

Iron-on, heat seal, and sew-on are the three most common types of patches. Iron-on can be created by applying heat from a household iron, but heat seal requires a professional machine. Both heat types melt the thermoplastic glue and adhere it after drying, but heat seal requires the higher temperature and pressure of a professional heat press machine. Sew-on patches can be applied with fabric glues or sewn on. Other backings include rubber, magnet, and velcro.

Other types

Embroidered patches have the advantage of three-dimensional texture, but the limitations, especially with regard to small detail, have created the need for other methods. Dye sublimation can create photographic detail and woven patches look similar to embroidered but allow for small lettering detail.

ee also

* Mission patch