Patches

Patches are a great way to give your logo a distinct look. Patches have gone far beyond the traditional embroidered patches. Options that are available include PVC patches, chenille patches, woven patches, leather patches (real or synthetic), embossed emblems and sublimated patches.  

We offer embroidered patches or vinyl patches in house. We also offer every other kind of patch through our vast network of partners that produce very high-quality products. Many patches can be applied with a specialized heat press however, we recommend that the patches are sewn on.

Patches can be used on any type of apparel and offer many creative ways to present your logo. From a traditional hat to specialized backpacks, patches are a very versatile decoration method with very few limitations.

We offer embroidered patches or vinyl patches in house with no minimum order size or set up fees however most other style of patches do have minimum order sizes and, in some cases, may have a set up fee. Contact us today and we can help you pick the perfect patch solution!

Artwork requirements for apparel patches depend on the patch type, decoration method,
fabric, size, and production process. In general, artwork should be simplified, clean,
and production-ready because patches have more limited detail than direct embroidery
or digital printing.

Below are some of the most common patch types and their typical artwork requirements.

Patch Type Common Uses Artwork Requirements
Embroidered Patches Uniforms, clubs, brands, workwear, sportswear Vector artwork is preferred. Use bold shapes and avoid very small details.
Minimum line thickness is typically around 1–1.5 mm. Keep colours limited where
possible, specify thread colours when required, and ensure lettering is large
enough to stitch clearly.
Woven Patches Premium logos, fashion labels, detailed designs Vector artwork is preferred. Woven patches can reproduce finer details than
embroidery, including thinner lines and smaller lettering, but artwork may still
require simplification. Gradients should generally be converted into simulated shading.
Chenille Patches Varsity jackets, collegiate apparel Use simple, bold artwork with large shapes and thick outlines. Keep colours limited
and avoid fine lettering or intricate illustrations.
PVC / Rubber Patches Tactical apparel, outdoor gear, streetwear Vector files are typically required. Use solid colours and clearly indicate any
raised, recessed, or debossed elements. Avoid gradients and separate artwork layers
where different heights or colours are required.
Leather Patches Denim, hats, premium apparel Simple logos and strong contrast work best. Avoid extremely thin lines. Artwork may
need to be prepared for engraving, embossing, or debossing. Specify the preferred
leather colour and finish where applicable.
Printed Patches Detailed logos, photo-like designs, promotional apparel Supply high-resolution raster artwork at approximately 300 DPI or vector artwork.
Gradients, fine details, and photographic elements are possible. Include appropriate
bleed and trim areas when required.
Heat Transfer Patches Sportswear, fashion garments Vector artwork with clean edges is preferred. Include a clear cut line, avoid tiny
detached elements, and specify any adhesive or backing requirements.
Reflective Patches Safety clothing, outdoor apparel High-contrast artwork and simple shapes generally produce the best results.
Specify the reflective material and colour, and avoid excessive fine detail.
Hook-and-Loop Patches Military, tactical apparel, uniforms These patches may be embroidered, woven, or PVC. Include the required hook backing
size and allow enough border area for attachment. Avoid fragile or overly intricate details.
Not sure which patch type is right for your artwork?

Our team can review your design, garment, intended use, and desired finish and recommend
the most appropriate patch style and artwork preparation method.

Creating a high-quality apparel patch starts with properly prepared artwork. Different patch materials and decoration methods have different production requirements, so submitting the right file format, colours, and design details helps ensure the best possible finished product.

General Artwork Requirements

For all patch types, please provide:

  • Vector artwork whenever possible
  • Clean, high-resolution files
  • Exact colours and design specifications
  • Final patch size and shape
  • Any special instructions for backing, borders, or finishes

Preferred File Formats

  • AI (Adobe Illustrator)
  • EPS
  • SVG
  • Vector PDF

High-resolution PNG or TIFF files may also be accepted when vector artwork is unavailable.

Files to Avoid

  • Low-resolution JPG files
  • Screenshots
  • Images copied from websites
  • Blurry or heavily compressed artwork

Patch Type Artwork Guidelines

Embroidered Patches

Best for: Uniforms, workwear, sports teams, clubs, and branded apparel

Embroidered patches use thread to recreate your design, so artwork should be bold,
clean, and easy to stitch.

Requirements

  • Use simple, clean shapes
  • Avoid extremely small details
  • Use thicker lines and readable lettering
  • Provide thread colours or Pantone references
  • Convert text to outlines before submission
Recommended guidelines

  • Minimum line thickness: approximately 1–1.5 mm
  • Small text should generally be at least 5–7 mm tall
  • Avoid tiny gaps or intricate details

Woven Patches

Best for: Fashion labels, premium branding, and detailed logos

Woven patches allow finer detail than embroidery because they use thinner threads.

Requirements

  • Vector artwork preferred
  • Fine details should still be simplified
  • Specify exact colours
  • Avoid complex gradients unless converted into a production-ready format

Chenille Patches

Best for: Varsity jackets, collegiate apparel, and sports designs

Chenille patches create a textured, raised appearance and work best with bold designs.

Requirements

  • Simple artwork with large shapes
  • Strong outlines
  • Limited colours
  • Large, readable lettering
  • Avoid fine lines and intricate illustrations

PVC / Rubber Patches

Best for: Tactical gear, outdoor apparel, streetwear, and modern branding

PVC patches are created from moulded material and require layered artwork.

Requirements

  • Submit vector files
  • Use solid colours only
  • Separate layers for different colours or raised levels
  • Avoid gradients and transparency effects
  • Clearly indicate raised, recessed, or textured areas

Leather Patches

Best for: Denim, hats, premium apparel, and lifestyle brands

Leather patches provide a premium appearance through engraving, embossing, debossing,
or printing.

Requirements

  • Keep designs simple and bold
  • Avoid thin lines and tiny details
  • Specify leather colour and finish
  • Provide engraving or embossing instructions if required

Printed Patches

Best for: Detailed artwork, promotional designs, and photo-style graphics

Printed patches allow more colour variation and fine detail than most stitched patch options.

Requirements

  • Provide 300 DPI artwork when using raster files
  • Use CMYK colour format where required
  • Include bleed and trim information
  • Supply high-resolution images
  • Gradients and detailed artwork are possible

Heat Transfer Patches

Best for: Sportswear, fashion garments, and lightweight applications

Requirements

  • Provide vector artwork
  • Include cut-line information
  • Keep small elements connected and durable
  • Specify adhesive and application requirements

Reflective Patches

Best for: Safety apparel, outdoor clothing, and performance gear

Requirements

  • Use high-contrast designs
  • Keep artwork simple
  • Specify reflective material type and colour
  • Avoid overly detailed graphics

Hook-and-Loop (Velcro®) Patches

Best for: Tactical apparel, uniforms, and removable branding

Requirements

  • Provide patch artwork and finished dimensions
  • Specify hook backing size
  • Consider the durability of small details
  • Artwork may be embroidered, woven, or PVC

Colour Guidelines

  • Provide Pantone (PMS) colours whenever possible
  • Specify embroidery thread colours for stitched patches
  • Avoid transparency effects
  • Convert gradients into solid colours or production-friendly shading where required
  • Confirm all colour choices before production

Border and Shape Requirements

Merrow Border

Traditional raised stitched edge. Best suited to classic embroidered patches.

Laser-Cut Border

Allows more complex shapes and detailed outer contours.

Satin Stitch Border

Creates a smooth, clean, premium stitched edge.

Please provide:

  • Final patch dimensions
  • Outer cut shape
  • Border style
  • Border thickness

Artwork Submission Checklist

  • Artwork is supplied in a production-ready format
  • Text has been converted to outlines
  • Colours are clearly identified
  • Final patch size is provided
  • Patch type and backing are specified
  • Unnecessary layers and effects are removed
  • Design details are suitable for the selected patch method

Need Help Preparing Your Artwork?

If you are unsure which patch style is best for your design, our team can review your
artwork and recommend the most suitable production method.

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