>
>
Which Patches Are Best?

OTHER BLOG POSTS:

Step-by-Step Embroidery Walk Through: How we bring your Designs to Life

Top Heavyweight T-Shirt Options: The Best Picks

FREE RESOURCES:

SIZING CALCULATOR

POPULAR MERCH COLLECTIONS:

ECO FRIENDLY

REQUEST A CUSTOM QUOTE

Laser Engraved Patches vs. Embroidered Patches vs. Woven Patches: Which is Best for Your Brand?

When it comes to adding a unique, eye-catching element to your custom apparel, patches are a classic and stylish choice. At Stay Golden Custom, we specialize in offering high-quality, long-lasting patches, including embroidered patches, woven patches, and our best-selling laser engraved patches.

Whether you're decorating uniforms, backpacks or winter beanies, choosing the right type of patch can make all the difference in how your logo looks and feels. In this blog, we'll explore the differences between laser engraved patches, embroidered patches, and woven patches, helping you decide which option best suits your needs.

 

 

Laser Engraved Patches: The Modern Option

Laser engraved patches are a flexible choice that brings a crisp, detailed finish to your designs. Using precise laser technology, these patches are created by engraving a logo into a leatherette material, allowing for highly detailed patterns and text. Stay Golden Custom's laser engraved patches are proudly Made in Canada!

 

How It Works:

The laser engraving process involves precisely cutting and burning a design into the top layer surface of a leatherette material. When the top layer is burned through, the lower layer is visible in a contrasting colour, producing distinctive patches that can capture fine lines often missed by embroidery or woven designs. Laser engraved patches can either be sewn or heat pressed onto garments depending on their shape and the fabric that they are being applied to.

 

Advantages:

 

Precision: Laser engraving allows for incredibly fine detail, making it ideal for intricate logos or designs that require sharp lines and precise edges. 

Durability: The engraving is embedded into the material, making it resistant to wear and tear, ensuring that your design lasts over time.

 

Quick Turnaround: With a minimum order quantity of 12 units, laser engraved patches ship within 10 business days, making them a fast and efficient option

 

Considerations and Limitations:

 

Limited Color Options: Laser engraving produces monochromatic designs, focusing on texture and contrast rather than multiple colors. The laser engraves through the top layer of the material, revealing the color beneath, which limits the design to two colors, the top layer and the bottom layer. This means that full colour designs aren't always suitable for this type of patch.

 

Embroidered Patches: The Classic Choice

Embroidered patches are a timeless favorite, offering a traditional look that adds texture and depth to your designs. These patches are created by stitching thread into a twill backing material, forming a raised, textured design. We offer embroidered patches made in Canada, in as few as 12 units per order. Embroidered patches are typically sewn onto garments but also can be created with velcro backing.

 

How It Works:

Embroidered patches are made by stitching your design onto a twill fabric backing using high-quality threads. The result is a textured, embroidered crest that’s both durable and visually striking.

 

Advantages:

 

Textured Appeal: The raised stitches create a rich, tactile feel, adding depth to your design. Embroidered patches bring a classic charm that’s perfect for uniforms and event emblems.

Color Variety: We can embroider designs using up to six thread colors, allowing for vibrant, multi-colored designs that capture your brand’s essence.

Durability: Embroidered patches are built to last, withstanding frequent washing and wear.

Multiple Backing Options: Available with heat seal or velcro backing by request, embroidered patches can be applied to a variety of fabrics and can be attached to products in multiple ways.

 

Considerations and Limitations:

 

Design Limitations: While embroidery is great for bold designs, it may not capture fine details as clearly as other styles of patches. Small details may need to be enlarged or adjusted to ensure clarity.

Cost: Embroidered patches can be more expensive than other styles of patches, especially for smaller quantities.

Woven Patches: The Premium Pick

Woven patches offer a blend of the fine detail of printed designs with the durability of embroidered patches. Unlike embroidered patches, which use thicker threads, woven patches are made by weaving threads together, creating a flat surface on the patch. They do not have the raised texture of embroidered patches and feel much smoother.

 

How It Works:

Woven patches are created by weaving threads together to form a flat, seamless design on a solid backing. This technique allows for intricate detail and smooth gradients that are difficult to achieve with embroidery. Woven patches can be heat applied or sewn onto garments.

 

Advantages:

 

High Detail: Woven patches can capture fine details and small text that might be lost in an embroidered patch, making them ideal for customers who want a fabric patch with a higher level of detail.

 

Smooth Finish: The flat, soft surface of a woven patch's fabric provides a clean, smooth  finish that’s great for both casual and business apparel.

 

Versatility: Woven patches can be applied to a variety of fabrics and are available with heat seal or velcro backing, making them suitable for everything from uniforms to promotional items.

 

Limitations and Considerations:

 

Lack of Texture: Unlike embroidered patches, woven patches do not have a raised texture, which may be a drawback if you’re looking for a more classic retro feel for your patches.

 

Higher Minimum Order: With a minimum order quantity of 50 units, woven patches have a higher threshold making them less flexible for small orders.

 

Longer Production Timeline: Due to the complexity of manufacturing woven patches, it typically takes 12-20 business days for them to arrive at Stay Golden Custom's production facility before we can attach them to your garments.

Suggested Shapes for Custom Patches

Which patch is right for you?

Patches are a great way to add personality and branding to your custom apparel and merchandise. Whether you opt for the modern precision of laser engraving, the classic look of embroidery, or the detailed finish of woven patches, each option brings its own unique advantages. At Stay Golden Custom, we’re here to help you choose the perfect patch style that aligns with your brand’s vision and meets your needs for your next project!

 

SEE ALL PRODUCTS AND DESIGN ONLINE

REQUEST A CUSTOM QUOTE

SEND US AN EMAIL

Search
Your quote is empty
Search