Your presence over here is a sign that you want to know the insightful strategies to design a great custom patch. The designing process is important to perfectly customize your badge and make it stand out from the rest. Whether you want to create attractive motifs to jazz up your apparel or add some flair to your accessory, you’re at the right place. You can also consider this practical guide to design your emblems in a way that aligns well with your brand image.
Keep in mind that achieving the perfect look of a custom patch is all about strategically nailing down the details. And that’s exactly what we’ll guide you about. The entire design process comprises of you making the creative decisions and we’ve provided insights for every step of the way. So, without waiting for further ado, let’s dive in!
The Right Size For Your Patch
There is no one right size since every patch requires a distinctive diameter according to its purpose and functionality. Consider your intention of use and the complexity of your design to pick a suitable size. For instance, opt for a larger dimension if you have to include a decent amount of text and other brand elements. On the other hand, a small size is ideal if you want to keep the motif’s look low-key and decent. Here’s further breakdown:
Small: It is around two to four inches, in which you can integrate subtle branding. It is suitable if you want to incorporate various elements up close to each other. It can become the perfect addition to clothing items, such as hats, sleeves, or small bags.
Medium: It ranges between four to six inches, ideal for showcasing logos, artwork, or slogans that you want to stand out. This size is a versatile choice and would work well for a variety of different applications, such as backpacks, jackets, or larger bags.
Large: It extends from inches and beyond, best for making bold statements or prominent branding. It provides ample space to show your desired intricate details. The large size looks perfect when attached to the back of jackets, the front of hoodies, or the sides of bags.
Colours That Make Your Custom Patch Stand Out
Consider the message and image you want to convey to choose colours accordingly. Also, think about the audience that will wear your custom badge and where they would possibly wear it. Test different colour combinations to determine the one that stands out the most and aligns with your purpose. Here are some colour choices you can consider:
Vibrant Colors: Bright hues, such as yellow, orange, green, and blue catch people’s attention effortlessly.
High-Contrasting Combinations: Pair up hues that are two poles apart yet look appealing when combined, like blue and yellow or white and black. It would create a contrast that would draw the consciousness of your target audience towards your motif.
Consider The Background: Think of the apparel or accessory you will adhere your motif onto to select colours that contrast well with it. Considering this tip would let you pick the hues that blend in well with the background.
Common Patch Shapes That Complement Your Design
You can let your creativity go wild and demonstrate that in your design by choosing any shape, from hearts to stars or animals. Here is our compiled list of common shapes to design a great custom patches. It will offer inspiration to choose a suitable shape or customize it according to your design aspirations.
Circle: It’s like a tiny button and works well for logos, symbols, or anything else that you want to highlight in the centre.
Square or Rectangle: It comprises sharp corners and straight lines, an ideal choice to keep the text or pattern neat and organized.
Oval: It is like a stretched-out circle and is good for longer designs or logos. This shape adds a touch of uniqueness while still keeping the look classic and decent.
Shield: Shield-shaped motifs give off a chic, tough vibe, perfect for crests or emblems to exhibit a superhero feel.
The Backing Options For Patch Attachment
There are so many options for the backing, but the one you choose would impact your overall cost. Pick according to the fabric or accessory your custom badges would attach to. Here are a few typical options:
Sew On Backing: It is the most straightforward type in which you would sew onto the garment using a needle and thread. Go for it if you want to achieve durable and permanent attachment.
Hook-And-Loop Backing: It has two sides, one is Velcro that consists of tiny hooks while the other one contains loops. They grip together if you press them against each other and separate if you pull them apart. This backing type is easy to attach and detach, ideal for temporary or interchangeable purposes.
Self-Adhesive Backing: It is a quick and convenient option, but certainly less durable compared to other types. It comes with an adhesive side that lets you apply the motif onto anything without the need for sewing or ironing.
Iron-On Backing: This type comprises the sticky backing that activates once you heat it through a household iron, heat press, or a hair straightener. An iron-on back is a simple and effective option but not as long-lasting as the sewing one.
Border Types That Align With Your Patch Art
You can pick the border that aligns with the art you demonstrate on your badge. Typically, there are two options in this regard:
Merrow Border: It is a standard option that works well on simple badge shapes, such as square, shield, round, or rectangles. This type seals the edges with thread by stitching all around the border area. The thinnest possible merrow border is around 3mm.
Laser Cut Border: It seals the edges by heat sealing the badge threads to avoid thread fray. Its melted edge isn’t clear to the naked eye and is suitable for geometric or complex shapes that have sharp edges. The thinnest laser-cut border comprises 1mm.
Readable Fonts For Small And Medium Size Patches
Whenever you choose typography for your custom patch design, keep readability and attractiveness in mind. Though every font would possibly complement a large badge, small and medium sizes have limitations. Here are some typographic styles that would suit tiny to the standard sizes:
Arial: It is a versatile and popular font that is easily readable within tiny diameters.
Helvetica: It is a widely-used option that looks appealing on small-sized badges.
Times New Roman: This classic serif typographic style is suitable for all badge sizes, as it effortlessly guides the eyes and makes the text readable.
Calibri: This font is the best option for your motif if you’ll use it for branding purposes. It is neat and clean, plus legible even on the tiniest emblem sizes.
Whatever typographic style you choose, the size and spacing of the text will also impact the readability. Therefore, make a mindful decision for every aspect of your typography to make sure the text on your badge is easy to read. Keep the text large enough and space out adequately to be easily read, even from far away.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it, folks! Designing a killer custom patch is all about attention to every detail and a gentle sprinkle of creativity. Keep in mind that whatever you choose for every aspect of badge design, the goal is to make its appearance easy to notice. So, select every option wisely to create an unforgettable design that makes your motifs pop!
Whether you want to create a subtle or bold statement, finding the right size, colour, etc. will bring your emblem to life. So, keep your patch-making goal in mind and unleash your imagination while you personalize your patches!