I received the patches today. They are exactly as we wanted them. Thank you for the rush order and also having such a great product at a very good price! Thanks again and I will be sure to come through your company for future orders.
Mike
14 Jun 11
18 May 11
Here at Custom Patches, our Art Department will gladly take your artwork in any format and assist you in creating the design you envision for your custom product.
If you are placing a patch order with us:
We suggest the following submission formats for optimum design communication and the fastest turnaround time.
The best file for us to work with is a vector file of your original artwork. A vector image is not only editable, but also maintains the most clarity. If a vector file of your artwork is not available, the next best file to send is a high-resolution raster file.(AKA: bitmap)
#1 Vector File
#2 High-Resolution Raster file
Vector vs. Raster
Vector graphics are graphics created with lines and curves. These graphics are resolution independent and scalable without distortion. This is the recommended format, since it has optimum clarity and is editable if needed.
Raster graphics are bitmap images made up of individual pixels/dots, laid out in a grid. Raster images have a fixed resolution (dots per inch) and lose quality when enlarged. Raster files are not recommended for text, since the text edges will likely appear jagged.
| Vector Graphic Enlarged | Raster Graphic Enlarged |
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Using Vector Images
Where to get vector images:
Vector images are created in graphic programs that specialize in this format. Most customers who submit their artwork in vector format have either created their own artwork using these programs or have purchased their artwork from a graphic designer who works in these programs.
Some of the most common vector graphic programs are:
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• CorelDraw
What if I need a vector or high quality version of my artwork but do not want to place an order with Custom Patches?
This is where our artwork service comes in. We can take your low resolution or low quality artwork, or your sketch and turn it into a high quality vector and professional finished product.
If you do not want to place a patch order with us, just pay a one time fee – starting at 24.95- for your artwork, and it is yours to keep!
Get Started Now!
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22 Apr 11
From hand knit to mass produced, I have a lot of beanies. Yesterday I was asked what goes on my head in the summer when it’s too warm to wear beanies and other winter hats. Snapbacks are the answer of course, and we’re finally starting to get into snapback season. Most snapbacks or fitted hats utilize direct embroidery but using other processes can leave a unique style or swagger, as it’s known.
Custom Woven Label
Woven Labels are a popular choice for beanies and fitted hats. Fully customizable and offering a high level of detail, you can spec your woven label to be the same shape as your pit bull Rocco if that’s the detail you’re going for. Even if you choose to direct embroider (a process Custom Patches is able to do) you can place a small woven label on the back or inside of the hat with care or brand information. If people don’t remember where they purchased their hat, how are they going to buy more?
Chenille Patch
The letterman varsity look is coming back. Its still early, but it’s coming. Chenille patches are a type of embroidered patch most commonly found on letterman jackets and cheerleaders uniforms. Chenille patches are best used where intricate detail isn’t a concern like on a letter, number or simple shape. The manufacturing process lifts the patch off of the garment giving some depth to the design. Adding a chenille patch to a fitted hat will elevate you as the leader that you are.
PVC American Flag Patch
PVC patches give a rugged, industrial look that doesn’t dominate the overall style for a different feel and finish over a embroidered patch (think rubberized). Most styles of custom embroidered patches can be spec’d with a Velcro backing, (Custom Patches offers Velcro backings with two sides or one, both in the shape of your custom patch) PVC patches are a perfect match for a velcro backing. Not only will it give more versatility in what the PVC patch can be used with but it also enables for personalization of the garment. How cool would it be to buy a fitted hat that came with five different color PVC patches (or regular custom embroidered patches with a Velcro backing) and be able to use a different color or style combination based on the day? I’ll answer my own question: It’d be very cool. Red shoes? Slap a red custom patch on that snapback!
While direct embroidery has its place, other methods can achieve the same goal while giving greater versatility with a different finish.
Related Readings:
Taking the pain out of patch design process
What size should my Custom Patches be?
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Posted in Designing Custom Patches, Tips and Hints, Uncategorized
Tagged chenille, fitted hats, hats, pvc patches, snapbacks, trucker hats, woven patches
Tagged chenille, fitted hats, hats, pvc patches, snapbacks, trucker hats, woven patches
4 Apr 11
When I was a wee lad, I was passionate about soccer. Like any good love, it made me do silly things like wear my cleats to bed the night before a game. Or be a part of as many teams as I could to soothe the passion (my record was 4 – town, school, travel and select for those keeping track). Unfortunately, my younger self didn’t have the pleasure of racking up achievement patches – either I was far too young and they hadn’t caught on or my coaches didn’t know the awesomeness embroidered patches hold; I’ll blame the later. There are many different names: achievement patches, motivational patches and in some remote places, incentive patches. Boy Scouts call them patrol patches and some motorcycle groups have challenge patches. No matter your chosen name, they are all the same type of patch and they all hold the same meaning – recognizing an achievement, milestone or good play with an embroidered patch . Usually the patches are displayed on a jersey, bag, vest or anywhere the user wants to note their achievement.
Soccer teams and organizations have many different uses for incentive patches. With patches for anything from good hustle, outstanding defense, great attitude, goal scoring/assists etc, the sky seems to be the limit. Some of my favorite are for juggling, a skill my junior self wasn’t very good at but some of the deigns are awesome! I’m fond of the modular design – a base patch that can have additions in the form of mini-rocker patches as skills increase and new levels of mastery are met.
The Boy Scouts are synonymous with merit badges. Some of the most fun embroidered patch designs I’ve seen have come from patrol patches. Patrols in Scouting are a subgroup of the Troop, District or Council that enable scouts to demonstrate their expanding skill base in different areas that may not be recognized by the governing body. It also allows for some fun individuality on the uniform. The Trading Post at ClassB has some really cool patrol patches. The jolly roger, the orc patrol and coffee patrol are my top picks.
Just because you aren’t a Boy Scout or member of a soccer team doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the motivational patches, there are companies like Disorderly Goods that produce awesome merit badges. With badges for happiness, optimism (above) and even a voodoo doll badge, there is something to remind everyone what is important in day to day life.
What is an achievement you’d like to recognize? Post your idea for an achievement patch on the Custom Patches Facebook Page!
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7 Feb 11
We receive many questions about the proper custom patch size to order. While there is no size requirement, below are some good guidelines to follow, depending on what type of organization you represent, as well as your budget.
All the way across the board, our most popular sizes are 3 inch, 3.5 inch, and 4 inch.
Fire Patches that include, or are in the shape of Maltese crosses:
RANGE: 3.5″ – 5″
MOST COMMON: 4.5″
Police Uniform Patches:
RANGE: 3″ – 4.5″
MOST COMMON: 3.5″
Military Patches
RANGE: 3.5″ – 4.5″
MOST COMMON: 4″
Motorcycle / Biker Back Patches:
RANGE: 10″-16″
MOST COMMON: 12?”
Sports Patches:
RANGE: 2″ – 6″
MOST COMMON: 3″
Scout:
RANGE: 1.5″ – 6″
MOST COMMON: 3″
Business/Company logos with slogan:
RANGE: 3″ – 8″
MOST COMMON: 3.5″
Remember that these are just guides. You may order any type of embroidered patch in any size you wish!
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Posted in Designing Custom Patches, Reference Information, Tips and Hints
Tagged custom embroidered patches, custom patches, design a patch, Designing Custom Patches, embroidered patches, fire patches, military patches, patch design, patch size, patches, police patches, scout patches, sports patches
Tagged custom embroidered patches, custom patches, design a patch, Designing Custom Patches, embroidered patches, fire patches, military patches, patch design, patch size, patches, police patches, scout patches, sports patches
4 Jan 11
To determine the size for pricing, average both dimensions of the patch.
For example, a 4 x 2 patch is considered a 3 inch size for pricing.
Here comes the important part:
Unless you are providing artwork you have designed yourself, and therefore know the exact dimensions, or you or your organization have exact dimension requirements, it is advisable to provide us only with the overall size of your design.
For example, if you know you would like a 3.5” oval, do not automatically assume that your design will work best as 4 x 3. Most of the time this is not the case at all, and our art department rearranges the design, trying to force it to fit into the dimensions the customer has provided, thinking these dimensions are the customer’s requirements.
In the example below, the customer decided a 3” patch would best suit their budget. Therefore, they assumed that dimensions of 4 x 2 would make the most sense. Our art department worked up the design in a 4 x 2, and as you can see, those dimensions are not appropriate for the design. It looks much better as a 3.25 x 2.75, which also comes out to be a 3” size for pricing.
When it comes to determining dimensions, we have an expert graphic design team who will determine these details for you, so you don’t have to!
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17 Dec 10
At CustomPatches.net the quality of the embroidery and our customer’s satisfaction are our foremost concern. Below is a testimonial from a recent happy customer.
“I just wanted you to know that I am extremely pleased with the patches I received . As a matter of fact, they’re fantastic!
I had also ordered from another patch company to compare which company was better, and hands down the patches from Custom Patches are better– both in quality and attention to detail. I was amazed at the difference. Although the patches I ordered from you were smaller, they are more detailed and accurate, by far, than your competition’s, even though the art work provided was exactly the same.
Custom Patches are superior in every aspect and I’m very impressed. I’ll be ordering again soon. Thanks and keep up the great work.”
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Posted in Testimonials
Tagged applique patches, appliques, custom patches, embroidered patches, patches, testimonials
Tagged applique patches, appliques, custom patches, embroidered patches, patches, testimonials
2 Dec 10
The order process refers to the stage after you have received a quote and have approved it. While the majority of our customers request a quote prior to ordering, some choose to skip this step and go right to the ordering stage, seeing as our prices are listed on our website already.
1) You send us any art / sketch / idea along with instructions / specifications / requests.
2) Our art department will create a cleaned up, modified version, appropriate for embroidery, which you will receive within 24-48 hours.
3) From here you have two choices. You may choose to make changes to your artwork until it meets your specifications. If this is the case, step two will be repeated until artwork is how you would like it. Once, it is, you may approve the artwork.
4) We then proceed to a sewn out proof of your art which will be emailed to you within 2- 3 days of receiving your approval. Assuming the sewout is approved and we proceed you are billed at that time.
5) Within 7-10 days of sewout approval, we will ship your patches to you.
NOTE: Due to the high capacity of emails we receive on a daily basis we do not supply artwork without an order.
If you choose to make changes to the physical characteristics of the patch <em>after</em> artwork is approved and sewn sample is received, or if the order is canceled through no fault of our own, ONLY THEN will you be charged what we call a digital tape fee. There are no hidden charges.
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Posted in Reference Information
Tagged custom embroidered patches, custom patches, embroidered patches
Tagged custom embroidered patches, custom patches, embroidered patches
3 Nov 10
If you send us a quote request, with the exception of the weekend, we will get back to you within 24 hours or less. The majority of the time, we will contact you by telephone, however if you have not provided a phone number, or if we are overly inundated with quote requests, we may opt to email you your quote. It is advisable to check your spam folders, as sometimes our emails do end up there.
