Sew-on patches
A sew-on patch has no adhesive and no hook face — just a clean back, ready to be stitched to the garment. It is the oldest backing and still the most reliable one. A sewn patch does not lift in a hot wash, does not care what the fabric is made of, and usually outlasts the garment it is on.
| Price | From $0.75 per piece — full grid on patch pricing |
| Minimum order | 50 pieces |
| Production | 10–12 business days standard, 5–7 rush at no extra charge |
| Shipping | Free and tracked worldwide, usually 3–7 business days in transit |
| Proof | Free digital proof — nothing is made until you approve it |
| Payment | 50% deposit once the proof is approved, 50% before dispatch |
What you get
- Embroidered, woven, chenille, leather or PVC faces — every construction we make can be supplied sew-on.
- A clean, flat back with no heat-seal film, so the needle goes through easily by hand or machine.
- A border made to be stitched over. A merrowed edge gives the needle a raised rope to follow; cut edges are stitched just inside the satin.
- The same price as iron-on and Velcro. Backing is a standard choice, not an upgrade.
- A free digital proof before anything is made.
Why choose sew-on
| Situation | Sew-on | Iron-on |
|---|---|---|
| Washed hot or industrially laundered | Stays put | Edges can lift over time |
| Nylon, polyester or performance fabric | Works | Will not grip — the fabric melts first |
| Leather and waxed cotton | Works with a leather needle | Not suitable |
| Stretch fabric | Works with a zigzag stitch | Cracks as the fabric stretches |
| Fitting it yourself without a needle | Needs sewing | Needs only an iron or press |
There is one case where iron-on is the better choice: a cotton or denim garment where the person fitting the patch has no way to sew. Everywhere else, a sew-on patch is the safe answer, and an iron-on patch is often stitched round the edge anyway. Our page on which fabrics take iron-on goes through it fabric by fabric.
Sizes and pricing
| Size | 50 pcs | 100 pcs | 300 pcs | 500 pcs | 1,000 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inch | $2.95 | $1.85 | $1.10 | $0.95 | $0.75 |
| 2.5 inch | $3.45 | $2.15 | $1.35 | $1.15 | $0.90 |
| 3 inch | $3.95 | $2.55 | $1.60 | $1.35 | $1.05 |
| 3.5 inch | $4.65 | $2.95 | $1.90 | $1.60 | $1.25 |
| 4 inch | $5.35 | $3.45 | $2.25 | $1.90 | $1.55 |
| 4.5 inch | $6.15 | $3.95 | $2.65 | $2.25 | $1.85 |
Sizes are measured on the average of height and width. Other constructions start at their own price: woven from $0.95, PVC from $1.85, leather from $1.95, chenille from $2.50.
Who orders custom sew-on patches
- Workwear and uniforms — mechanic shirts, chef coats, medical scrubs and security jackets that go through industrial laundering.
- Fire, police and EMS departments — shoulder patches that must never lift on duty. See fire department patches and police patches.
- Motorcycle clubs — colours sewn to leather and denim vests. See biker patches.
- Scout troops and schools — badges sewn to uniform shirts, sashes and blazers.
Sewing the patch on
By hand, a whipstitch over a merrowed edge takes about ten minutes for a 3-inch patch. By machine, a straight stitch just inside the border or a narrow zigzag over it takes a minute. Our step-by-step guide on how to sew on a patch covers both, with the thread and needle to use.
Specification
| Backing | Plain sew-on, no adhesive |
| Faces | Embroidered, woven, chenille, leather, PVC, sublimated |
| Borders | Merrowed, hot-cut or laser-cut |
| Thread colours | Up to 9 standard; Pantone on request |
| Minimum | 50 pieces per design |
Common questions
How much do custom sew-on patches cost?
From $0.75 each for a 2-inch embroidered patch at 1,000 pieces, and $2.95 each at the 50-piece minimum. The sew-on backing costs the same as iron-on and Velcro.
Are sew-on patches better than iron-on?
For durability, yes. A sewn patch survives hot washes and works on synthetic fabric, leather and stretch fabric, where heat seal fails.
Can a sew-on patch also be ironed on?
Not without adding an iron-on backing. If you want both options, order iron-on: it can still be sewn round the edge afterwards.
Do you sew the patches onto garments?
For caps, polos and hoodies, yes — see custom patch hats, polo shirts and hoodies. For loose patches, you or your tailor fit them.
What is the minimum order?
50 pieces per design.