Application
A press cloth is the thin layer you put between the iron and an iron-on patch. It sounds optional, but it is what stops the patch face scorching, the thread glossing, and melted adhesive ending up on the soleplate of your iron.
Short answer. Use a thin, plain 100% cotton cloth — a pillowcase, a cotton tea towel or a handkerchief — or a Teflon sheet or baking parchment. Keep it dry: no steam, no damp cloth. Lay it over the patch and press straight down through it. Avoid anything synthetic, textured or thick.
What you can use as a press cloth
| Press cloth | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thin cotton (pillowcase, tea towel, handkerchief) | Yes | The classic choice. Plain weave, no print, washed so it has no finish on it |
| Teflon sheet | Yes — best | Heat-resistant, non-stick and reusable; what heat press users use |
| Baking parchment | Yes | Non-stick and cheap; use a fresh piece each time |
| Muslin or calico | Yes | Thin and cotton; fine if it is not too loose a weave |
| Thick towel | No | Absorbs heat and pressure, so the adhesive never fully melts |
| Polyester or nylon fabric | No | Can melt or glaze onto the patch |
| Wax paper | No | The wax melts onto the patch and garment |
| Damp cloth | No | Steam cools the adhesive and stops it bonding |
Why you need one
- Protects the patch face. Direct iron contact scorches thread and flattens texture, especially on embroidered and chenille patches.
- Stops shine. Polyester threads and poly-blend fabrics go glossy where an iron touches them.
- Keeps adhesive off the iron. A little adhesive always squeezes out at the edge; the cloth catches it.
- Spreads heat evenly over the steam holes in the soleplate, which otherwise leave cold spots.
How to use a press cloth on an iron-on patch
- Set the iron to cotton, steam off, and let it heat fully.
- Place the patch on the garment on a hard, flat surface.
- Lay the dry press cloth over the patch and a little beyond its edges.
- Press straight down hard for about 30 seconds without sliding the iron.
- Turn the garment inside out and press the back for about 20 seconds, with the cloth over the fabric if it is delicate.
- Let everything cool before lifting the cloth or touching the patch.
The full method, including why pressure matters more than heat, is in how to iron on a patch.
Common questions
What can I use instead of a pressing cloth?
A thin cotton pillowcase or tea towel, a Teflon sheet or baking parchment. All three work; parchment is the easiest to find in a kitchen.
Should the press cloth be damp for iron-on patches?
No. A damp cloth makes steam, and steam cools the adhesive so it does not bond. Iron-on patches need dry heat.
Can I use parchment paper for iron-on patches?
Yes. Baking parchment is heat-resistant and non-stick, so it makes a good press cloth. Do not use wax paper, which melts.
Do I need a press cloth with a heat press?
Yes — use a Teflon sheet or parchment. It protects the patch face and keeps adhesive off the platen. Settings are in heat press patches.
Do you sew the hook side or the loop side?
The loop side, onto the garment. The hook side belongs on the back of the patch, and on a made-to-order Velcro patch it is already fitted.
Can I glue or iron the loop panel on instead?
Not if the patch will be taken off and put back. Every pull puts the whole force into the panel, and adhesive gives way at a corner after a few washes. Stitch it through all four sides.
What thread is best for sewing on Velcro?
Strong polyester thread in the colour of the garment. It will not rot or shrink like cotton, and matching the garment rather than the panel hides the stitch line when no patch is fitted.
Can I sew Velcro onto a backpack or plate carrier?
Yes, and those are the places where it matters most. Use a heavy needle, go slowly through the webbing and add a second line of stitching or an X. If the bag has a lining you cannot get behind, see putting a patch on a backpack.
Is hand sewing strong enough?
Yes. A backstitch 2 mm from the edge all round is as strong as a machine line for normal use. Machine stitching is faster, not stronger.
Have these made
Need patches made?
We make embroidered, chenille, woven, leather and PVC patches to order — from $0.75 a patch, with a free digital proof before production and any backing you need.