Designing your own custom patch

Designing and ordering custom embroidered uniform patches for your group can be an exciting and rewarding process. These uniform patches not only add a professional touch to your uniforms but also help build unity and pride within your organization. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to create and order the perfect custom patches for your group.

Conceptualize Your Design

Before diving into the creation process, it’s essential to have a clear vision of what you want your patch to represent. Consider the following:

• Your group’s logo or emblem
• Colors that represent your organization
• Any text or slogans you want to include
• The overall shape and size of the patch
• The most common round patch for a shoulder is 3” to 4” in diameter
  Sheild-style patches at 4 to 5-1/2” inches tall by 3 to 4-1-2” wide.

Pro Tips:
Clear design:
Remember, a good patch design is clear and simple to understand. Choose bold shapes that are easy to read from a distance and limit your color palette to 3-4 colors to ensure the design remains crisp and legible5. Understand that embroidery with small text is hard to stitch cleanly. Try not to create anything with text less than 3/16 Inch or it may look sloppy. For very fine details ask for woven patches.

Too many fonts and styles in one patch:
A common mistake in sign and patch design is to have several different fonts in the same patch. One font is best with no more than 2 fonts that keeps the text readable. It is a good idea to print out your design on paper in the same size. Cut out the shape and view it on the shirt, jacket, or gear bag you will be using. Then make changes as necessary.

Submit a final design:
Sometimes people have a basic idea of what they want but no finished artwork. They start the job with the patch company but want the company to make as many as 20 changes to the mockup. Having each committee continue to make changes adds weeks of time and costs. Graphic Artists are paid up to $65 PER  HOUR to make these minor changes. Most patch companies will allow one change/correction before the product is made.

So smart customers work out the final design with the group and then submit the design to the patch supplier to eliminate extra costs.   (Try programs like Canva to make the design you want for free)

Choose Your Patch Style

There are several styles of patches to choose from, each offering a unique look:

• Embroidered Patches: The classic choice, offering a traditional and professional appearance. The more the patch is stitched, the more it costs to make. Many people use a background fabric color they need and stitch the colors on top as opposed to 100% embroidery.
• Chenille Patches: Known for their fuzzy texture, ideal for varsity letters.
• PVC Patches: Durable and waterproof, perfect for outdoor use.
• Woven Patches: Offer intricate designs with a flat, smooth surface.

Select Your Border

The border of your patch can significantly impact its overall look:

• Embroidered Border: Adds a clean, professional finish with a raised edge.
• Merrowed Border: Creates a smooth, rounded finish, great for intricate designs.
• Frayed Edges: Offers a unique, edgy look with a textured border.
• No Border -Lazer cut: Provides a sleek, contemporary feel for modern designs1.

Determine the Size

The size of your patch will depend on its intended use and the amount of detail in your design. Common sizes include:

• Extra Small: Up to 1″ x 1″
• Standard: Up to 2″ x 2″
• Medium: Up to 4″ x 2″
• Large: Up to 4″ x 3″
• Extra Large: Larger than 4″ x 3″2

Ordering Your Custom Patches

Save Money by Buying Smart Quantities.

Buy the quantity that the factory makes. Most factories make a minimum of 100 patches per order. A common mistake buyers make is to insist on buying just a few, or 25 or even 50 patches. Your local patch supplier will still charge you for the full 100 units and then store the extra till next time when you come on for 25 more. They will pretend that the patches have to be remade and charge you for 100 patches again when you pick them up 3 weeks later. By only picking up your patches say 25 at a time over the next 2-4 years – you could be paying up to 400% more than getting a minimum 100 on the first order.  Estimate how many will I need over the next few years and round up to the nearest 100 units.

Example: Our school teaches about 25 practical nurses per semester.

Each student needs 3 patches to put on 2 scrubs (students should always have a spare top on the floor) and one lab coat.
This equals 75 patches per semester or 150 per year. Order 200 patches to be safe and save about 25% over ordering the exact amount. In fact, 500 patches is a little over a 3-year supply (with an even larger discount) and makes your budget save $ hundreds.

When your program is new or your budget is empty using MedPatches.com’s selections of stock patches allows you to get high-quality and the exact amount you need (quantity discounts are available)

Medpatches.com is a reliable patch supplier with good reviews and a history of producing high-quality patches. If you have good clean digital artwork we can make patches with extra artist charges.

Submit Your Design

Once you’ve chosen a patch maker, submit your design along with the following details:

• Patch type and style
• Size and quantity
• Color specifications
• Backing type (sew-on, iron-on, hook and loop)
• Any additional instructions or requirements4

Review and Approve the Digital Proof

Most patch makers will create a digital sample of your patch for approval. Carefully review this proof to ensure all details are correct before giving the go-ahead for production.

Place Your Order

After approving the design, complete your order by providing the necessary payment information. Be sure to confirm the turnaround time and shipping details4.

Tips for Professional Results

• Work with vector graphics for your design to ensure sharp, scalable images.
• Note If matching a company or organization logo requires an exact match, list the PMS color(s) you want used and the supplier will match the thread and fabric color as close as possible. Don’t just save “Navy Blue” or “Antique gold” as these may have many shades within that grouping.
• Consider the fabric your patches will be attached to when choosing colors and materials.
• For uniform patches, ensure the design is visually obvious to guarantee correct placement.

Caring for Your Custom Patches

To maintain the quality of your patches:

• Wash garments with patches in cold water
• Avoid harsh detergents
• Turn garments inside out before washing
• Air dry when possible to protect the embroidery5

By following these steps, you can create and order custom embroidered uniform patches that perfectly represent your group. These patches will not only enhance the appearance of your uniforms but also foster a sense of unity and pride among your members. Remember, the key to a successful patch lies in a clear, simple design that effectively communicates your group’s identity.

Over the years, our company has made over 100 thousand patches for hundreds of different customers just like you. What can we make for you today?