Scaling Things Down
Over the years, we’ve made patches in every size and shape you can imagine. Some are large enough to cover the entire back of a leather jacket, while others are as small as a quarter. We talk a lot about the different types of patches and the best ways to attach your patches to a surface, but today, we wanted to scale things down and take a look at some of the mini patches we help design.
Patch sizes vary depending on the type of patch you need and the type of design you are looking for, but on average, custom patches tend to be around the 4”-5” mark. When we’re talking about mini patches, we’re not referring to any patch that’s below average in size. We’re talking about the patches that fall below the 2” mark.
A lot of these patches are working with about one square inch of surface area, so it’s important to get creative and use up all the available space to create a fun design. If you’re looking for a small uniform patch, a custom label, or maybe you just want to change things up, take a look below, and see what our mini patches are all about.
What’s the Deal With Small Patches, Anyway?
Choosing between an average-sized patch and a mini patch comes down to how you plan on using the patches once they’re made. Police badge patches, for example, need to be large enough to include legible text, state seals and other important information, so a mini patch is out of the question.
But not all uniform patches need to be large. Some can need to be extra small, like a school mascot patch or a club member's patch. The mini iron on patches that we help design are usually created as fun giveaways for clubs, nonprofits and churches, or as rewards for school students or loyal customers at a specific store.
Mini patches are useful labels as well. If you’re selling hats, bags, or clothing, a mini patch designed to look like your company’s logo can go a long way in establishing your brand. The design can be anything you want, so, whether you’re in the market for a custom label, a mini school mascot patch, or any other type of design, we’ve got you covered.
However, before you get started, there are a few design considerations you should keep in mind.
Using Shape to Your Advantage
When you’re making an oversized patch or even an average-sized patch, you don’t have to worry about how to make everything fit. A 5”x3” shield-shaped patch or a 4”x4” square-shaped patch has plenty of surface area to include text and artful design.
When you scale things down to a mini patch with only one square inch of surface area, you need to get creative if you want your design to make an impact. This is where shape comes into play.
Instead of making a small shield-shaped patch or a round patch, why not make a custom shaped patch that takes the shape of your design? It’s the difference between designing a round patch with a fish embroidered at the center and designing a patch in the shape of a fish. Take a look for yourself.
Something else to keep in mind when making a mini patch design is the edging. We offer two different types of edging for patches: Merrowed edges and hot cut edges. A merrowed edge needs to be embroidered around the entire border of the design and is best suited for geometric shapes like squares, circles or shields. A hot cut edge, on the other hand, is created by using a hot knife to cut around the border of the patch design. This seals the border of a patch and stops any stray threads from fraying.
When it comes to custom shape patches and micro patches, using a hot cut edge will always be your best bet. While the hot cut edge provides a crisp, clean shape, the process of embroidering a merrowed edge will use up a lot of the limited space available on a small patch.
A Word About Attaching Your Small Patches
There are several attachment options available, but when it comes to small patches, we always recommend an iron on backing. Iron on patches, no matter their size, can be secured in place in as little as a few minutes using nothing but a few household items that most people have lying around.
You can opt for a standard backing or a hook and loop backing, but tiny sew on patches are very difficult to secure in place. Larger patches have room for your fingers to find a good grip and they provide a wider sewing channel that will obscure the thread from view once the patch is in place.
Small patches have very thin edging, so if you end up sewing them in place, odds are that you will be able to see the thread going around the edge of the design. One solution is to use clear fishing line instead of colored thread, however, the best solution is simply choosing an iron on backing.
Mini iron on patches only take a few moments to secure in place, and you don’t have to worry about any unwanted thread showing in the design once you’re finished. So, if you’re in the market for a small patch of your own, or you just want to change things up, give us a call today! We’ll help you dream up the perfect mini patch design that is sure to make a big impression.
