THE PATCH REFERENCE Placement Chart
MEASURED PATCH REFERENCE

KNOW YOUR PATCH.
BEFORE YOU BUY.

A plain-language reference on how patches are built, bordered, backed, placed and cared for — construction types compared, measured placement charts, and the insignia rules written down as they actually read.
Browse the Guides
Placement Chart
7
Construction types
60+
Measured positions
100%
Free, no signup
Cross-section diagram of a patch showing the merrowed border, satin stitch detail, fill stitching, twill base and backing
Measurements included
Inches and millimetres, from a fixed seam
WHY THE PATCH REFERENCE

Six reasons people keep this page open.

Measured, Not Guessed

Every placement and size figure is taken from an actual garment and given in both inches and millimetres.

Every Construction Type

Embroidered, woven, chenille, leather, PVC, sublimated and bullion — compared side by side on the things that matter.

Backings Explained Plainly

Iron-on, sew-on, Velcro, peel-n-stick. What each one actually holds, on which fabric, and for how long.

Insignia Done Right

Service, scouting and cadet placement rules laid out as they are written — with the source named for each figure.

Vendor-Neutral

No store and no upsell. The reference tells you what to ask for before you ever contact a supplier.

Kept Current

Charts and specs carry a review date, so you always know whether you are reading something stale.

FREE DOWNLOAD

The complete patch placement chart — every garment, every position.

Open the Chart
01  —  TOPIC

Patch Construction

How a patch is actually made

Construction decides how a patch looks, how it wears and what it costs. Embroidered, woven and printed patches are built in completely different ways, and each one has a hard limit on the detail it can carry. This guide compares stitch coverage, minimum readable text and wash durability across all seven.
TYPES
  • Embroidered
  • Woven
  • Chenille
  • Leather
  • PVC / Rubber
  • Sublimated
  • Bullion
COMPARED ON
  • Detail limit
  • Thickness & weight
  • Wash durability
  • Cost per unit
Compare Patch Types
Comparison of seven patch construction types: embroidered, woven, chenille, leather, PVC, sublimated and bullion
Diagram comparing merrowed, hot cut, laser cut, satin stitch and rolled patch edges with the minimum size each needs
02  —  TOPIC

Borders & Edges

Merrowed, hot-cut and laser-cut

The border is the first thing to fail on a cheap patch. A merrowed edge suits simple shapes and nothing else; hot-cut and laser-cut edges follow complex artwork but need a minimum thickness to survive. Each edge type has a shape it cannot do — this guide says which.
EDGE TYPES
  • Merrowed
  • Hot Cut
  • Laser Cut
  • Satin Stitch
  • Rolled Edge
WHERE IT MATTERS
  • Irregular shapes
  • Small patches
  • Sharp corners
  • Heavy wash cycles
Compare Edge Types
03  —  TOPIC

Backings & Application

What actually holds it on

A backing is a commitment. Iron-on is quick but temporary on synthetics, Velcro is removable by design, sew-on outlives the garment it is attached to. This guide covers press temperature, hold time, stitch line placement and the fabrics that reject adhesive outright.
BACKINGS
  • Iron On
  • Sew On
  • Velcro (hook & loop)
  • Peel n Stick
  • Magnetic
  • Stiffened / Plastic
APPLICATION
  • Heat press temp & time
  • Home iron method
  • Stitch line placement
  • Fabrics to avoid
How to Apply a Patch
Chart comparing iron-on, sew-on, Velcro, peel-n-stick, magnetic and stiffened patch backings by permanence
Patch placement chart with measured positions and size ranges for left chest, full back, sleeve, cap front and beanie cuff
04  —  TOPIC

Placement & Sizing

Where it goes, and how big

Left chest, full back, sleeve, cap front, beanie cuff — each position carries a conventional size range and a measured starting point from a fixed seam. The charts here give both, for adult and youth garments, so a patch is ordered at the right size the first time.
POSITIONS
  • Left Chest
  • Full Back
  • Sleeve
  • Cap Front
  • Cap Side
  • Beanie Cuff
  • Bag Panel
SIZE GUIDES
  • Adult vs youth
  • Jacket vs polo
  • Cap crown limits
  • Minimum readable text
Open the Placement Guide
05  —  TOPIC

Thread, Twill & Materials

What the patch is made from

Twill weight, thread type and stitch count change the finished feel far more than most buyers expect. Polyester, rayon, metallic and glow threads behave differently under a needle and again in a wash — and the base fabric decides how flat the patch will sit.
BASE MATERIALS
  • Poly Twill
  • Cotton Twill
  • Felt
  • Leather
  • Canvas
THREAD
  • Polyester
  • Rayon
  • Metallic
  • Glow in the dark
  • Neon
Thread and Materials
Reference chart of patch base materials and embroidery thread types with their finish characteristics
Diagram of regulated insignia placement on a uniform sleeve with measurements, drawn with generic shapes
06  —  TOPIC

Insignia & Regulation

Service, scouting and uniform rules

Uniform patch placement is governed by written regulation, not preference. This section sets out the measurement rules for common service, scouting and cadet uniforms, names the source for each figure, and lists the errors that get a uniform sent back.
COVERED
  • Military branches
  • Scouting programs
  • Cadet & JROTC
  • Fire & EMS
  • Security
DETAILS
  • Exact distance from seam
  • Order of precedence
  • Approved sizes
  • Common errors
Read the Insignia Guide
07  —  TOPIC

Care & Longevity

Making patches last

Most patch failure is a laundry problem, not a manufacturing one. Wash temperature, drying method and storage do more damage across a year than daily wear ever does — and removal has one right method and several that take the garment with it.
CARE
  • Wash temperature
  • Inside-out rule
  • Air dry vs tumble
  • Ironing over a patch
REMOVAL
  • Adhesive release
  • Stitch picking
  • Residue cleanup
  • Fabric damage limits
Care and Removal
Patch care guide showing wash, drying and ironing symbols alongside a four-step removal process
THAT'S THE PROCESS

From idea to finished patch — in four steps.

01

Pick the Construction

Decide embroidered, woven or printed from the comparison chart.
02

Set Size & Border

Match the position to a size range, then pick an edge the shape allows.
03

Choose the Backing

Match the backing to the fabric and to how permanent it needs to be.
04

Check the Placement

Measure from the seam using the chart before anything is applied.
MEASURED SPECS◆PLACEMENT CHARTS◆BACKING GUIDES◆CONSTRUCTION COMPARED◆INSIGNIA RULES◆FREE REFERENCE◆MEASURED SPECS◆PLACEMENT CHARTS◆BACKING GUIDES◆CONSTRUCTION COMPARED◆INSIGNIA RULES◆FREE REFERENCE◆
ASK THE REFERENCE

Can't find a measurement?

Send the garment, the position and the patch size you are considering. Replies usually go out within a day, and useful questions end up in the guides. No sales pitch attached — this is a reference, not a store.
hello@sewwhatembroiderydesigns.com
INCLUDE IN YOUR MESSAGE
  • Garment type and size
  • Position on the garment
  • Patch size you have in mind
  • Construction and backing, if decided
Ask The Patch Reference
Your details are only used to answer the question — nothing is stored or shared.