CUSTOM MORALE PATCHES,
BUILT TO LAST
Embroidered, woven, PVC, sublimated. For unit identifiers, custom velcro patches, plate carriers, cammies, jackets, and bags. Hook-and-loop backing standard, every other backing available. Sketch yours in our free online designer or send a quote for a free design proof in 24 hours.
DESIGN YOUR PATCH IN THE COIN DESIGNER
The same online tool we built for challenge coins works for patches — sketch the shape, drop in text and icons, position your insignia. Submit the concept and we'll send a production-ready PVC, woven, embroidered, or sublimated proof inside 24 hours.
- 8 shapes
- 16 platings
- 8 edge styles
- Text & icons
- Image upload
- Production-ready proof
Free · No signup · No payment until you approve the proof
CUSTOM PATCHES, EXPLAINED
Patches do two jobs. The first is identification — official unit insignia, agency markings, rank tape, branch tabs. The second is personality — morale patches, deployment commemoratives, the inside-joke art that lives on the plate carrier and gets swapped out every few months. We make both. The construction you pick determines how the patch holds up, how the colors read from distance, and how it pairs with the rest of your gear.
TYPES OF CUSTOM PATCHES
Embroidered Patches
The classic. A backing fabric (twill, usually) gets stitched with up to 9 thread colors in dense fill, then finished with a merrowed (rolled) or laser-cut edge. Embroidery has a soft texture you can feel — slight relief where the stitches build up. The thread sheen catches light differently than print, which is why uniform patches still go embroidered after 100+ years of other options being available. Best for unit insignia, traditional service patches, name tapes, and anything where the look of stitched thread is part of the appeal.
Woven Patches
Woven patches use thinner threads in a tighter weave than embroidery — think shirt label vs. denim patch. The result is sharper detail (fine text and small line work survive that embroidery would muddle) and a flatter, smoother surface. Woven patches read closer to a printed image at a distance but keep the textile feel embroidery has. Best when your design has small text, fine line work, or detailed iconography that needs to stay legible at 3 inches and below.
PVC Patches (Rubber)
PVC is the patch of choice for plate carriers, range bags, packs, and any gear that sees mud, rain, and machine washing. Molded rubber with raised 3D relief — the design doesn't fade because the color is in the material itself, not painted on. PVC patches survive longer in field conditions than embroidered ones, which is why most morale patches sold today are PVC. They're slightly heavier than fabric patches and slightly more expensive due to mold tooling, but the durability is worth it for outdoor use.
Sublimated Patches
Sublimation prints the design directly into the fibers of a polyester fabric using heat-transfer dye. Best for full-color art, gradients, photographic imagery, and anything where 9-color embroidery thread limits would hurt the design. Sublimated patches have a smooth, flat finish — no texture, no relief — and the print is permanent because it's dyed into the cloth rather than sitting on top. Common pick for unit deployment patches with detailed artwork or photo elements.
BACKING OPTIONS
Hook-and-loop (Velcro) is the default and the most flexible — you can swap patches between gear at will. The hook side is sewn into the back of the patch, the loop side lives on your plate carrier or pack. Iron-on uses a heat-activated adhesive on the back; good for shirts and jackets but won't survive heavy washing. Plain sew-on is the traditional uniform option — you (or your tailor) stitch it down permanently. Adhesive (peel-and-stick) is good for one-time event placement (hard hats, helmets, signage). Button-loop backings let the patch hang from a button or hook on the gear — used for shoulder patches in some military configurations.
SIZING AND PRICING
Most morale patches sit in the 2"–3.5" range — small enough to fit a plate carrier panel, large enough to read at distance. Unit shoulder patches are often 3"–4" to match official insignia sizing. Name tapes and rank tape are tall and narrow (typically 0.75" × 4"). Pricing scales with size, color count, and quantity — submit your design through the quote form and we'll send an exact number along with your free 24-hour proof.
DESIGNING YOUR PATCH
Our online designer is built for challenge coins, but the same artwork translates directly to patches — round, shield, or custom shape. Sketch your concept in the free designer tool, then submit; we'll convert the design to a production-ready patch proof and send it back inside 24 hours. Don't have anything sketched? Send a description or a photo of a patch you want to riff on — we'll work from anything you've got. See our full process for the step-by-step.
PATCH TYPES AT A GLANCE
The classic. Up to 9 thread colors, dense fill, merrowed or laser-cut edge. The workhorse patch — what most uniform and service patches are.
Higher detail than embroidery — finer text and gradients survive the weave. Best when your design has small lettering or fine line work.
Field-tough, waterproof, 3D-relief. The patch of choice for plate carriers and operator gear — survives mud, rain, and washing.
Photographic detail — best for full-color art, gradients, and photo reproductions. Printed dye-sublimation on smooth poly fabric.
BACKINGS
Custom packaging available upon request at an additional fee. Options include: PVC pouch, coin capsule, plastic display box, velvet bag, and velvet box. Let us know in your quote request if you need packaging and we'll include it in your estimate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are morale patches?
Morale patches are unofficial unit patches — usually humorous, irreverent, or aggressive — worn on plate carriers, uniforms, jackets, or hats. Where official insignia patches identify rank or unit, morale patches express character: the squadron's mascot doing something stupid, a deployment in-joke, a cultural reference. They're sized small (commonly 2"–3.5") and usually backed with hook-and-loop so you can swap them out.
What's the difference between PVC, woven, and embroidered patches?
PVC patches are molded rubber — 3D, waterproof, and extremely durable; the go-to for plate carriers and field gear. Embroidered patches are stitched with thread on a backing — the classic look, slightly textured. Woven patches use thinner threads in a tighter weave for finer detail than embroidery, with a flatter finish. Sublimated patches are printed for full-color photographic art. Pick PVC for field use, embroidered for traditional uniform looks, woven for fine detail, sublimated for full-color art.
How much do custom patches cost?
Pricing depends on size, patch type (embroidered, woven, PVC, sublimated), color count, backing, and quantity. PVC patches cost slightly more than embroidered due to mold tooling. Every project is custom, so we quote each one individually — submit your design or specs through the quote form and we'll send an exact price along with your free 24-hour proof.
Is there a minimum order quantity for custom patches?
Yes — 50 patches is our standard minimum. Patches share the same tooling-cost reality as challenge coins: the first patch is the most expensive one to make, and additional patches drive the per-unit cost down. For very small runs, ask — we can sometimes work with 25-patch minimums on simpler designs.
What backing options are available?
Hook-and-loop (Velcro) backing is standard and the most common request — it lets you swap patches between gear. We also offer iron-on, adhesive (peel-and-stick), plain sew-on, and button-loop backings. Hook-and-loop is the default for tactical and morale patches; sew-on is more common for traditional uniform patches.
Can I design my own patch online?
Our online designer is currently optimized for challenge coins, but the same artwork translates directly to patches. Sketch your concept in the designer, then submit it — we'll convert the design to a production-ready patch proof and send it back inside 24 hours. Free, no payment until you approve.
How long do custom patches take to make?
Standard production is 3–4 weeks from approved proof. Rush production can land in 10–14 days if you have a hard deadline. Free design proofs come back in 24 hours, with unlimited revisions until you sign off.
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Got a rough idea? Send it. We'll clean it up, send a proof, revise until it's right. You don't pay until you approve.