Silicone patches
A custom silicone patch is moulded from soft liquid silicone rather than stitched or cast in PVC. It is thinner, lighter and more flexible than a rubber patch, it bends and stretches with the fabric, and most are applied with a heat press — which makes silicone the usual choice for sportswear, activewear and garments where a stiff badge would feel wrong.
| Price | Quoted per order — send your artwork for a price |
| Minimum order | Confirmed with your quote |
| Proof | Free digital proof before production |
| Application | Heat-press transfer, or sew-on with a stitch channel |
| Shipping | Free tracked shipping worldwide |
What a silicone patch is
Liquid silicone is poured or screened into the shape of your design, one colour at a time, and cured. The result is a soft, slightly rubbery badge with clean raised edges and solid colour areas. Because silicone stays flexible after curing, the patch moves with knit and stretch fabrics instead of fighting them.
Most silicone patches are made as heat transfers: an adhesive layer on the back bonds the patch to the garment under a heat press. They can also be made thicker with a sewing channel around the edge, for caps and bags where heat is not practical.
Silicone vs PVC patches
Both are rubber-type patches with moulded colour areas, so they are easy to confuse. The difference is in how they feel and how they go on.
| Silicone | PVC | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft, thin, flexible | Thicker, firmer |
| Usual attachment | Heat press | Sewn on or Velcro hook back |
| Best on | Sportswear, activewear, stretch fabric | Tactical kit, bags, caps, outdoor gear |
| 3D detail | Low raised relief | Deeper 2D or 3D moulding |
| Weight | Very light | Heavier |
If you need a Velcro-backed patch for a plate carrier or backpack, a PVC patch is the better choice. If you want a logo that sits flat on a running shirt or a fleece and does not add weight, choose silicone.
Who orders silicone patches
- Sportswear and activewear brands adding a logo to jerseys, leggings and training tops
- Teams and clubs that need a durable logo on kit that is washed often
- Clothing brands that want a soft-touch branded label instead of a printed one
- Event and merchandise runs where a light, modern-looking badge matters
Designing for silicone
- Keep colours as solid areas — silicone does not reproduce photographic gradients. For photo artwork, a sublimated patch is the right construction
- Very fine lines and tiny text are harder to mould cleanly; we will flag anything that will not hold on the proof
- Matte and gloss finishes are available, and raised areas can be combined with flat ones in the same patch
Applying a silicone patch
Heat-transfer silicone patches are applied with a commercial heat press, not a household iron, which cannot hold even heat and pressure across the patch. Garments decorated with silicone transfers should be washed inside out and kept off high dryer heat. If you will be applying the patches yourself, tell us the fabric and we will advise on the right adhesive. See also heat-pressing patches.
Specification
| Construction | Moulded liquid silicone, colour by colour |
| Finish | Matte or gloss, flat or low raised relief |
| Backing | Heat-transfer adhesive; sew-on edge on request |
| Colour | Solid colour areas matched to your artwork |
| Proof | Free digital proof before production |
| Shipping | Free tracked shipping worldwide, 3–7 business days in transit |
Common questions
Can I iron on a silicone patch?
Not reliably. A household iron does not deliver the even heat and pressure a transfer adhesive needs, so the edges tend to lift. Use a heat press, or order the patch with a sewing edge.
Are silicone patches waterproof?
Silicone itself does not absorb water and does not fade like thread, so the face of the patch holds up well to washing and rain. How long it stays on depends on the adhesive and the fabric it is applied to.
Is silicone the same as PVC?
No. Both are moulded rubber-type patches, but silicone is softer, thinner and usually heat-applied, while PVC is firmer and usually sewn on or Velcro-backed.
How much do silicone patches cost?
Silicone pricing depends on size, number of colours and quantity, so we quote it per order. Send your artwork through the form below for a price and a free proof.
Get a free quote
Send us your artwork, size and quantity for silicone patches and we will come back with a price and a free digital proof. Nothing goes into production until you approve the proof, and shipping is free worldwide.
Related reading
- Custom PVC patches — firmer rubber patches for tactical and outdoor kit
- Patch types compared — every construction and where each one fails
- Custom sublimated patches — for photographic artwork
- Heat press patches — how heat application works