Patch Types
ISSUE 0007
Intro
Hat patches are small decorative or informative embellishments that are attached to hats. They serve a variety of purposes, such as identifying the wearer as a member of a particular group or organization, expressing personal interests or beliefs, or adding an aesthetic touch to the hat.
Hat patches can be embroidered, iron-on, Velcro, or leather, and just as a hat can be an extension of one’s identity and style, hat patches can be a way to further personalize and individualize a hat.
There are several different types of patches that can be found on hats:
Embroidered patches are created using a needle and thread to stitch the design onto a fabric backing. They are often high quality and durable, and are often found on military and sports team hats.
Iron-on patches are applied using heat to bond the patch to the hat. They are an easy and inexpensive option, but may not be as durable or high quality in appearance as embroidered patches.
Velcro patches are attached to hats using a Velcro backing, allowing for easy removal and interchangeability. They are often used on military and law enforcement hats.
Leather patches are made of leather and are often found on trucker and baseball hats. They are durable and have a high-quality appearance, but may not be as flexible or interchangeable as other types of patches.
BadgeCaps badges are laser cut from marine grade stainless steel, and are hand assembled on premium structured trucker caps. They are the ultimate in customizability, quality, and durability.
BadgeCaps Steel Badges
BadgeCaps badges are marine-grade stainless steel plates that are laser-cut in high detail, and hand assembled onto premium caps. They are designed, manufactured, and assembled at our production facility in Texas, USA.
The stainless steel is incredibly durable, high-quality, and eye catching, and adds a premium style to your caps that can’t be found anywhere else.
Our badges are attached with stainless steel precision hardware that won’t rust or wear out. They can also be removed and re-attached to new caps, as the stainless steel badge will long outlive the average cap.
We use only premium structured fabric caps for our BadgeCaps and, with hand-finished stainless steel badges and hardware, they are quality that can’t be matched.
Durability: Stainless steel is an incredibly durable modern material, making BadgeCaps the longest-lasting option for decorating a hat.
High-quality appearance: Our stainless steel is a high-quality material that adds a touch of luster and style to a hat. Our badges are brush finished in a way that maximizes the light they catch, so they’re bright and eye catching without being mirror-reflective.
Customization: BadgeCaps badges can be customized with your own design or graphic, and in incredible detail, making them the perfect option for representing your business.
Versatility: Our badges can be assembled on either the left panel of the cap, or across the front in a centered arrangement, or on toboggans.
Cost: Our stainless steel badges are a premium product, and carry a premium price tag. This can be a disadvantage for those on a budget or for projects where cost is a major concern, but our badges also command a higher price from customers as well. Our products are often sold for as high as $45-$65 per piece with the right positioning and brand authority, with the average promo cap creating almost 4,000 impressions for your business.
Embroidery
Embroidered patches are a classic and timeless way to decorate a hat. These patches are created using a needle and thread to stitch the design onto a fabric backing, resulting in a soft and colorful finish.
You’ll often see embroidered patches on military and sports team hats, where they serve as a symbol of pride and identification. But embroidered patches aren’t just for the military or the sports world – they can also be found on hats for clubs, organizations, and even as a personal touch on a DIY project.
With the ease of access and quick-turn around nature of embroidery, these patches are a tried-and-true way to add some personality and flair to your hat game.
High-quality appearance: The stitching of embroidered patches gives them a professional and polished look.
Customization: Embroidered patches can be made in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing for a wide range of customization options.
Versatility: Embroidered patches can be applied to a variety of fabrics and materials, making them suitable for use on a wide range of hats.
Long-lasting: Because of their durability, embroidered patches have a longer lifespan than other types of patches. They can be worn and washed repeatedly without losing their quality.
Cost: Embroidered patches are generally more expensive than other types of patches, such as iron-on patches. This can be a disadvantage for those on a budget or for projects where cost is a major concern. Complexity: Creating an embroidered patch requires more complex equipment and processes than other types of patches, such as iron-on patches. This can make the process of designing and producing embroidered patches more time-consuming and costly. Limited customization: Because of the complexity of the embroidery process, it can be more difficult to customize embroidered patches with specific colors or intricate designs. Weight: Embroidered patches are generally heavier than other types of patches due to the added weight of the embroidery thread. This can make them less suitable for use on lightweight fabrics or for hats that will be worn for extended periods of time. Not as easily removable: While embroidered patches can be removed, it requires more effort than simply peeling off an iron-on patch or unvelcroing a Velcro patch. This can make them less suitable for situations where patches need to be frequently removed or replaced.Iron-On Patches
Iron-on patches are patches that are applied to hats using heat to bond the patch to the fabric. They are an easy and inexpensive way to add a decorative or informative touch to a hat. To apply an iron-on patch, the patch is placed onto the desired location on the hat and a hot iron is pressed onto the patch for a few seconds. The heat activates the adhesive on the back of the patch, causing it to bond to the fabric.
Iron-on patches are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and designs, making them a versatile option for decorating a hat. They combine embroidery, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, and even vinyl into an easy to apply product. However, it’s important to note that iron-on patches may not be as durable or high quality in appearance as other types of patches, such as embroidered patches. They may peel or fade over time, especially if they are subjected to washing or heavy wear.
Inexpensive: Iron-on patches are generally less expensive than other types of patches, such as embroidered patches. This makes them a good choice for those on a budget or for projects where cost is a factor.
Wide range of options: Iron-on patches are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and designs, making it easy to find a patch that fits your needs and style.
Versatility: Iron-on patches can be applied to a variety of fabrics and materials, making them suitable for use on a wide range of hats.
Quick turnaround: Iron-on patches can be produced and shipped quickly, making them a good choice for last-minute projects or events.
Durability: Iron-on patches may not be as durable as other types of patches, such as embroidered patches. They may peel or fade over time, especially if they are subjected to washing or heavy wear.
Quality: Iron-on patches may not have the same high-quality appearance as embroidered patches. The adhesive used to bond the patch to the fabric may be visible or the patch may not lay flat on the hat.
Limited customization: Iron-on patches may not be able to accommodate very intricate designs or specific colors, as the heat transfer process can cause some distortion or loss of detail.
Not suitable for all fabrics: Iron-on patches may not adhere well to certain types of fabrics or materials, such as leather or synthetic fabrics.
Heat required: Applying an iron-on patch requires access to a hot iron, which may not be convenient or possible in all situations.
Risk of damaging the hat: If the iron is not used correctly or is too hot, it could potentially damage the fabric of the hat.
Velcro Patches
Velcro patches are patches that are attached to hats using a Velcro backing. Velcro, also known as hook and loop fasteners, consists of two strips of fabric with a rough and a soft side.
The rough side, also known as the hook side, is made of small plastic loops, while the soft side, also known as the loop side, is made of a fuzzy material.
When the two sides are pressed together, the loops catch on the fuzzy material, creating a secure hold.
Velcro patches offer several advantages for use on hats. They are easily removable and interchangeable, making it simple to switch out patches on a hat. This makes them a popular choice for military and law enforcement hats, where patches are used to identify rank, unit, and other information.
Velcro patches can also be found on hats for sports teams, clubs, and organizations, as well as on hats for DIY projects or as a personal touch.
Velcro patches are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, and can be customized with your own design or message. They can be applied to a variety of fabrics and materials, making them a versatile option for decorating a hat. However, Velcro patches may not be as durable or high quality in appearance as other types of patches, such as embroidered patches. They may wear out over time, especially if they are subjected to frequent removal and replacement.
Easily removable: Velcro patches are easily removable, as they can be simply unvelcroed from the hat. This makes them a good choice for situations where patches need to be frequently removed or replaced.
Interchangeable: Velcro patches can be easily swapped out for different patches, allowing for a range of customization options.
Customization: Velcro patches can be customized with your own design or message, making them a great option for personalizing a hat or expressing your interests or beliefs.
Versatility: Velcro patches can be applied to a variety of fabrics and materials, making them suitable for use on a wide range of hats.
Wide range of options: Velcro patches are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and designs, making it easy to find a patch that fits your needs and style.
Quick turnaround: Velcro patches can be produced and shipped quickly, making them a good choice for last-minute projects or events.
Durability: Velcro patches may not be as durable as other types of patches, such as embroidered patches. They may wear out over time, especially if they are subjected to frequent removal and replacement.
Quality: Velcro patches may not have the same high-quality appearance as embroidered patches. The Velcro backing may be visible or the patch may not lay flat on the hat.
Not suitable for all fabrics: Velcro patches may not adhere well to certain types of fabrics or materials, such as leather or synthetic fabrics.
Risk of damaging the hat: If the Velcro is not properly aligned or is applied too forcefully, it could potentially damage the fabric of the hat.
Limited reuse: Velcro patches can only be used a few times before the Velcro starts to lose its grip, making them less suitable for long-term use.
Leather Patches
Leather patches are patches made of leather or composite synthetic material that are used to decorate hats. Leather is a durable and high-quality material that adds a touch of sophistication and style to a hat. Leather patches are often found on trucker and baseball hats, where they are used to add a touch of character or to display a logo or message.
Leather patches can be applied to a hat in several ways. They can be sewn onto the hat, glued onto the hat, or attached using a Velcro backing. Sewn leather patches are the most durable option, as the stitching holds the patch securely in place. Glued leather patches are less durable, but are easier to apply and remove. Velcro-backed leather patches offer the convenience of easy removal and interchangeability, but may not be as durable as sewn or glued patches.
Leather patches are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be customized with your own design or message. However, they may not be as versatile as other types of patches, as they are best suited for use on certain types of hats and fabrics. They may not be suitable for use on lightweight fabrics or on hats that will be worn for extended periods of time, due to the added weight of the leather.
Durability: Leather is a strong and durable material, making leather patches a long-lasting option for decorating a hat.
Versatility: Leather patches can be applied to a variety of hats, including trucker and baseball hats.
Wide range of options: Leather patches are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making it easy to find a patch that fits your needs and style.
Cost: Leather patches are generally more expensive than other types of patches, such as iron-on patches. This can be a disadvantage for those on a budget or for projects where cost is a major concern.
Weight: Leather patches are generally heavier than other types of patches due to the added weight of the leather. This can make them less suitable for use on lightweight fabrics or for hats that will be worn for extended periods of time.
Limited customization: Leather patches may not be able to accommodate very intricate designs or specific colors, as the printing or embossing process can cause some distortion or loss of detail.
Not suitable for all fabrics: Leather patches may not adhere well to certain types of fabrics or materials, such as synthetic fabrics.
Limited reuse: Leather patches may not be as easily removable or interchangeable as other types of patches, such as Velcro patches.
Complexity: Creating a leather patch requires specialized equipment and processes, making the process of designing and producing leather patches more time-consuming and costly.
If you’re ready to speak with our design team about bringing out the best of your business, click below to get in touch. We’re ready to help you get started on your custom BadgeCaps!
