To design a custom patch, start with the size and where it will go, simplify your artwork to bold shapes and a few strong colors, keep text at least 1/4 inch (6 mm) tall for embroidery, pick a shape and border, then send it in as a vector or high resolution image. You do not need to be a designer: a clear sketch or logo is enough to get a mockup.
This guide walks through the choices that make a patch look good at real size, and the mistakes that make one look blurry or crowded.
1. Decide where it goes and how big it is
Size sets how much detail fits. A 2 inch hat patch has room for a logo and one or two words. A 4 inch jacket patch can carry more. Most patches are 2 to 4 inches, and 3 inches is the most common. See the patch size guide for each placement.
2. Simplify the artwork
- Bold shapes read best. A patch is seen from a few feet away. Thick lines and clear shapes stand out.
- Remove tiny details. Thin lines, small dots and shading that look fine on screen can disappear in thread.
- Use strong contrast. Light on dark or dark on light. Two similar colors next to each other blend together.
3. Choose your colors
Embroidered, woven and PVC patches use solid colors, so a design with a few strong colors looks cleanest. If your art has gradients, shading or a photo, choose sublimated or UV + PVC, which both print full color. Send Pantone codes if you need to match brand colors.
4. Keep text readable
| Patch type | Smallest text height |
|---|---|
| Embroidered | About 1/4 inch (6 mm) |
| Woven | About 1/8 inch (3 mm) |
| PVC | About 3/16 inch (5 mm) |
| UV + PVC | About 1/8 inch (3 mm) |
| Sublimated | About 1/8 in (3 mm) |
Use simple, bold fonts. Thin script fonts and long sentences are hard to read on a patch.
5. Pick a shape and border
- Round, square or rectangle with a stitched (merrowed) border is the classic look and the strongest edge.
- Custom shape cut around your design makes it stand out. Very sharp points and deep inside corners are rounded off a little.
- Border color can match the background for a clean look or contrast it so the patch pops.
6. Choose the patch type
Embroidered for the classic raised look, woven for fine detail, sublimated for photo-quality full color on fabric, PVC for waterproof 3D rubber and UV + PVC for waterproof full color. The patch type comparison explains each one.
7. Send your file
A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) is ideal. A high resolution PNG or JPG works too, and so does a clear photo of a sketch. We redraw it into a patch design for your free mockup.
Common mistakes
- Too much detail for the size. Make the patch bigger or cut detail.
- Text too small. Check the table above.
- Low contrast. Similar colors blur together.
- Judging it on a big screen. Zoom out until the design is the real patch size on screen and check it still reads.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a designer to make a custom patch?
No. Send a sketch, a photo or a logo file and we turn it into a patch design on your free mockup.
What file format is best for a patch design?
A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) is best. A clear, high resolution PNG or JPG also works.
How many colors can a patch have?
Embroidered, woven and PVC patches use solid colors, and most designs look best with a few strong ones. Sublimated and UV + PVC patches print full color, including gradients and photos.
How small can text be on a patch?
About 1/4 inch (6 mm) tall for embroidery and about 1/8 inch (3 mm) for woven and UV + PVC patches.
Can I change the design after the mockup?
Yes. Revisions to the mockup are free until you are happy with it.
Get a free mockup of your design
Send your artwork on the quote page. You get a free digital mockup within 6 hours with unlimited revisions, then a physical sample before production. Prefer to talk it through? WhatsApp us at +1-437-703-7747.