Every custom patch starts with an idea. The idea may be a theme, an event to commemorate, or a brand identity. Stadri has a team of award-winning, in-house artists, ready to create your patch from a text description, photograph, or sketch. The design service is free with each patch order.
The intended message of you custom patch needs to come across to your audience. Simplicity is best. Don't try to crowd in too many details. Prepare a rough or finished sketch, or send a logo, photo, or sample patch. If you are not an artist, don't worry! Simply describe your patch design in words. Our art department will interpret your ideas into a stunning graphic! If you are an artist, be as precise as you'd like. We will conform to your design as closely as possible.
Below are some suggestions for the shape of your custom patch. Your design is not limited to the shapes pictured here, although they represent popular patterns. Use these if applicable, but feel free to consider other shapes as well.
Patches can be made in virtually any shape. The traditional shapes such as ovals, circles, squares, and octagons have always been popular choices, but are not the only shapes available. Through the use of lasers and hot and die cutting processes, patches can be made into any shape imaginable.
The proper size for your custom patch is usually determined by its intended use. Start by using a ruler to measure the location the finished patch will be displayed. This will help give some idea as to what will fit within the patch.
Patch size is calculated using a simple formula of adding the width and the height of the patch and diving by 2. The resulting number is the patch size. A simpler way to put it would be to average the patch's two dimensions.
The most common type of border is a merrowed border, which wraps around the edge of the entire patch, and is always 1/8” in thickness. This is best for simple shapes, such as circles, squares, rectangles, etc.
A diecut border is cut to the shape of the design and is ideal for more complex custom shapes with many in-cuts and sharp angles.
There is no price difference between these two types of borders. We choose the border that is most appropriate for the design, unless the customer has a specific preference.
For best clarity, we recommend text be at least 1/4" tall, approximately 14 points in a standard word processing program. Smaller text tends to lose sharpness and will not stitch as effectively as larger text. Allow plenty of room for best legibility. If lettering seems cramped, consider abbreviating. Block letters are most common and work best.
Plastic: Adds stiffness and gives your patch support, allowing it to retain its shape over time. Still thin enough to sew through. No charge.
Iron-on: Allows you to apply your patch to a garment using a home iron. NOTE: Iron-on will not stick to nylon or other synthetic fabrics.
Hook and Loop Backing One (hook) side or both sides are available.
Adhesive: A peel and stick backing to hold a patch in place for a single event. It will not hold up to machine washing. For permanent placement, go with the iron-on option, or with plastic and sew your patches.
Every embroidered patch starts with a piece of twill fabric; then threads are stitched on top. Embroidery coverage simply refers to whether or not the entire surface of the twill will be covered by thread.
As you can see in the example, the patch with under 100% embroidery coverage has an unstitched background, leaving the gray twill exposed. This is ideal if your design has a large area of solid color. It is also a lower-cost option. In the 100% embroidery example, thread completely covers the twill, with no gray twill showing.
Select contrasting colors for a more dramatic and beautiful embroidered patch. If lightly-colored lettering or design elements are desired, then select a dark background color. Use dark lettering for designs on a light background.
You may use up to 10 colors and one twill (background) color without incurring any extra charges. So be creative!
If you have access to Pantone Matching System, you may specify exact colors from the PMS Color Chart. Otherwise, you may leave your color matching in the hands of our professional artists.
Once you submit the following information, you will be emailed a quote. If the quote is acceptable to you, you must click on the "place order" link in the email to turn your quote into an order and receive your free artwork. No artwork will be received without first placing an order.
