What’s the
process
of ordering
a custom patch?
One of the most frequent questions we get from new customers is
this: “So how does this work, anyway?”
Some folks want to hold a physical patch sample in their hands,
put it up the light, and examine the thread before proceeding
with production. Others are content with a digitized sample.
What’s important to remember is that everyone’s journey is
different, just as each patch has a unique purpose.
Some people come to us with a logo fully developed by in-house
graphic artists, thread colors picked, a style already in mind,
and all of that information beautifully laid out in a
spreadsheet; others come to us with a hastily-snapped photo of a
pencil drawing in their notebook. There’s no right or wrong way
to go about it, but understanding the process of developing a
custom patch will help you be prepared to get the most out of
your experience.
Without further ado, here’s a step-by-step guide to ordering
your first custom patch!
Step 1: Prepare your design
Before you can create your patch, you have to know what your
design will be! Now, some patch manufacturers will help you
create the actual artwork for the patch and some won’t – here at
Artex, we’re proud to provide a basic design service – but if
you (like most of us) weren’t blessed with artistic vision,
consider using a freelance graphic designer to bring your logo
to life. Websites like Fiverr and Upwork are great for quickly
locating available talent without straining your budget, plus
you get to feel good about supporting the little guy!
Once your logo is primed and ready, it’s time for step two.
Step 2: Select your patch style
This is a whole blog post in and of itself… luckily, we already
have one,
which you can read by clicking here!
The short version is this: the style of patch you choose
(embroidered, woven, sublimated, PVC, et cetera) will have a
tremendous influence on the way your patch looks and feels. If
you’re having trouble deciding, have a conversation with one of
our salespeople! They have decades of experience in the patch
industry and know which style will suit a particular logo simply
by looking at it.
Remember, the style of patch you choose will ultimately affect
the way the patch looks and feels. Once you’ve got your artwork
ready and you’ve picked the patch style that best suits your
logo, it’s time to get things moving!
Step 3: Approve your custom patch
Once the details are settled, the next step is to produce what’s
called a “stitch-out” or “sew-out” for your approval. So what
exactly is a stitch-out? It’s not complicated – a stitch-out is
just a scanned sample that will be passed along to you in order
for you to decide whether you’d like to make any changes to the
design prior to proceeding with production.
It’s important to be detail-oriented at this stage, but also to
remain realistic. Remember what attracted you to your logo and
focus on what’s important. It’s important that you love your
logo – it’s very important! – but no one will ever analyze it to
the same extent that you will during the design phase. Knowing
what matters most to you will help you keep that perfectionist
tendency in check while also ensuring that your custom patches
are exactly what you wanted.
Step 4: Production time!
As soon as your patch is approved, production begins. The lead
time on manufacturing a batch of new patches is typically around
three to four weeks but can vary depending on the size of the
order and the complexity of the design. Some styles – such as
metal pins – may also take a bit longer than a traditional
embroidered patch.
If you’re under a time crunch or if something unexpected comes
up, don’t be afraid to communicate your needs! There have been
times when our team at Artex has had to wrangle large orders of
custom patches in just two weeks, but the worst thing for both
the manufacturer and the customer is a breakdown of
communication
Step 5: Shipping your custom patches
Once your patches have been manufactured, the last step is
getting them to your doorstep! Artex Group offers shipping
options ranging from standard to overnight, but communication is
key! Make sure you leave room in your schedule for mishaps. If
you need your patches three days, for example, it’s best not to
select two-day shipping… we’ve seen packages left unscanned in
carrier warehouses and all other forms of slip-ups in our time,
and we can safely say that a little bit of cushion never hurts!
It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
… and that’s it! You have your custom patches!
If you have any questions about the process of ordering custom
patches or if you’d like a quote for your design,
feel free to reach out to us.
We’d be happy to help you get your next order of patches going!
How Do Heat Transfer
Patches Work?
Embroidered patches are becoming more popular, and not only
because they’re effective for marketing your business or
association. With heat transfer, you can place patches on jean
jackets, pants, bookbags, purses, and more, adding a fun and
even vintage aesthetic to your look.
But how exactly do heat transfer patches work? Here, we’ll help
you understand how to transfer your patches onto your clothing
or accessories so you can look your best while feeling confident
that your patches aren’t going anywhere.
How Do You Adhere Patches With an Iron?
If you’re using an iron to adhere your heat transfer patches,
you’re going to start by pre-heating your iron on the “cotton”
setting. Be sure that your steam setting is turned off. Set your
custom patch on the garment in the place where you’d like to
adhere it. Place a heat-safe piece of cloth such as a cotton
pillowcase over the patch and garment. Be careful that you don’t
move the patch. This fabric serves as a protective barrier
between the patch and the iron.
When the iron is ready and the steam is turned off, press the
iron onto the patch. Keep the iron on the patch for
approximately 25 seconds and don’t move the iron. Use firm,
consistent pressure. Moving the iron back and forth can prevent
the patch from adhering properly to your garment. After ironing
on the patch, let your garment cool down for about five hours
prior to wearing it. This gives your patch enough time to
properly adhere to the fabric.
How Do You Adhere Patches With a Heat Seal Machine?
If you’re using
heat press patches
and a heat seal machine, you’ll start by setting your machine to
365 degrees. Unlike when you’re using an iron, you’ll need to
pre-heat the spot where you plan to adhere your heat press
patches. Pre-heat the spot on the garment for approximately 15
seconds and then place your patch in the pre-heated area. Using
about 50 to 70 pounds of pressure, apply heat to your patch for
approximately 18 to 20 seconds. Once the patch is adhered, let
the garment cool down for about five hours prior to wearing it.
Are you looking for custom iron on patches to add to your
clothes or accessories? We’ve got you covered. Artex Group
provides custom patches for individuals, sports teams, business
organizations, and more. Reach out to us today to learn more
about our heat press patches and how they work.
What type of patch is best for your design?
is best for your design?
There’s a lot of terminology to learn in the wide world of
patches. Do you need a sublimated patch or an embroidered one?
Or maybe you’d be better off with a woven patch? Do you want a
merrowed edge or a hot-cut one? Will your backing be heat-seal,
velcro, plain? It’s a tough decision to make unless you have the
right information, especially if you’re new to the patch game –
but don’t worry, it’s not as complex as it seems!
Patch styles: the good, the bad, and the… well, you’ll see
Embroidered patches
Our logo as an embroidered patch
There’s nothing quite like the classic, old-school look of an
embroidered patch. Although embroidered patches were first
widely adopted for military use in the early 19th century, their
modern purpose is twofold: they can bring a sense of officialdom
to a logo, such as on a police officer’s uniform, or they can
lend an undeniable coolness which harkens back to denim vests
and vintage Americana motifs. Which effect you get all depends
on your design!
Embroidered patches are classy and recognizable, bringing
dimension and character to your logo. Embroidered patches are
ideal for simple and bold designs, and they work best with 1″
patches and larger. They’re also great for achieving a textured
look.
No other style can match embroidery in flat-out coolness… at
least not in our opinion! Woven patches
Our logo as a woven patch
The big-city cousin of the embroidered patch! Because woven
patches are made using thinner thread and a different
methodology, they are able to render fine detail more cleanly
than a typical embroidered patch, which is why they’re often
used in clothing labels and other compact designs.
Examining a woven patch feels like sharpening the focus on a
camera lens: the blurred edges fall away and become crisper,
clearer. They capture minute details well and still retain a
sense of dimension. They’re also a very popular option for
apparel, bringing a refined look and modern flair to your logo –
in that last few years, for example, demand for woven patches in
the hat industry has skyrocketed.
If your design requires intensive detail, or if you’re creating
something like a shirt label or uniform name tag, woven patches
are a great choice! They’re flexible, attractive, and undeniably
stylish. Sublimated patches
Our logo as a sublimated patch
While woven patches may be capable of capturing more detail than
embroidered ones, sublimated patches take the prize when it
comes to faithfully rendering every element of your design.
Sublimated patches aren’t actually stitched onto a twill base
like a woven or embroidered emblem – they’re printed, which
means a sublimated patch can capture photo-quality detail. No
matter how busy or difficult your design, it can be digitized
and translated onto a sublimated patch.
If your logo looks like a work of art, with an array of colors
and a wealth of detail, sublimation is a great option for
showcasing the quality of your design. Background elements such
as gradients translate perfectly into sublimation, representing
complex imagery such as sunsets with a fantastic blend of color.
Plus – here’s an insider secret for you – you can always combine
embroidery with sublimation to achieve that sought-after
textured look! PVC, leather, and other nonstandard patches
Our logo as a PVC patch
Of course, not all patches are made up of thread and twill. PVC
patches, made with rubber, are fast becoming popular due to
their architectural qualities and their ability to match most
Pantone colors. And as an added bonus, they’re both extremely
durable and stylistically unique. PVC patches are totally
weatherproof and can stand up to whatever punishment you have in
store. They’re a great choice for outdoorsy apparel or any
equipment which might end up on the receiving end of constant
abuse, such as a hiking backpack. The thickness and makeup of
PVC patches give them an extra layer of armor, which means they
can keep a licking and keep on ticking.
Need help choosing a patch style?
That’s totally understandable! It’s a lot to take in all at
once. Fortunately, we have an expert team with dozens of years
of experience. If you’re wrestling with which style of patch
would look best with your design, we’d be happy to give you our
two cents – totally free of charge! Remember, creating a
business strategy can sometimes be a (pardon the pun) patchwork
enterprise. Not everything is always apparent at the outset. But
with some friendly advice and a few handy blog posts, you’ll be
armed with all the information you need to keep your patches –
and your business – going strong!
