Patches and emblems once served a purely utilitarian function: extending the life of fraying fashion, or proving one’s allegiance and achievements (think military insignia, scouting badges and varsity letters). By the 1960s, they’d developed counterculture cachet, worn by flower children, bikers and eventually punk rockers. These days, patches evoke both a DIY charm (thanks to their abundance on social media sites) and a high-fashion flare, with designers like Gucci and Marc Jacobs incorporating them into their lines.

Hot Styles

• Embroidered: “Traditional embroidered patches are our best seller by a mile.” – Giana De Young, Arrow Emblems (asi/36901)
• Leather: “Customers love leather’s vintage appeal and hand-tooled detailing, making it a very popular choice for hats and bags.” – Giana De Young
• Polyurethane: “Our FlexStyle emblems were made popular by high-end fashion and professional sports teams. They have the highest resolution available in all decoration with limitless finishes.” – Nicolás Restrepo, World Emblem (asi/98264)
• Chenille: “From simple, small, one-color letters to huge super-complex, multicolored designs, we just can’t make enough.” – Karen Habe, Quality Punch (asi/80207)

Did You Know?
Patches and emblems are among the top five techniques decorators offer, and they’ve been trending up in recent years. In 2019, 52% of apparel decorators offered patches, compared to 48% in 2018. Source: 2019 Wearables State of the Decorated Apparel Industry Report

Three Ways to Improve Your Patches

1. Emphasize quality. Saving a few cents per piece isn’t worth it if the supplier is skimping on the quality of fabric, thread and other materials, Habe says.

2. Ask for samples. Verifying color and detail accuracy is easier with a physical proof than an image on a screen. “Quality vendors should have the ability to deliver this without adding much to your turn times,” Restrepo says.

3. Why not DIY? Most patches can be easily applied using a heat press, which requires only a small investment and minimal office space. “Patches are heat and go, simple as that,” Habe says.

Product Hub
Find the latest in quality products, must-know trends and fresh ideas for upcoming end-buyer campaigns.