Printed Patches
Full-colour photographic patches. Any image, gradient or photo printed on a woven base and cut to any shape.
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Printed patch specs
Any shape from 25×25mm to 150×150mm, full colour, photos and gradients included.
| Minimum order | per design |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 25×25mm – 150×150mm · most popular ~60mm |
| Colours | Unlimited · full-colour CMYK print, photos and gradients included |
| Backing | |
| Borders | Merrowed (3mm) · heat cut satin · laser cut |
| Thickness | ~1.7mm merrowed · ~1mm laser cut |
| Detail | Photographic · fine lines and tiny text print exactly as supplied |
| Quote turnaround | Typically 2–3 hours on working days |
| Lead time | 2 to 3 weeks door-to-door, from artwork approval + payment |
Why choose printed patches?
Printed patches reproduce your artwork exactly: photographs, gradients, shading and unlimited colours, on a woven base with a stitched or laser-cut edge. When thread cannot do the design justice, print can.
What are printed patches used for?
Mountain and challenge badges, swim and activity awards, charity and event merchandise, illustrated and photographic designs, and any logo with gradients or more colours than embroidery can carry.
Artwork & delivery
Every order gets a free digital proof with unlimited revisions before we print anything.
Send ai, eps, jpg, png, pdf, psd or zip (20MB), or just a sketch or description. Print reproduces what you send, so the sharper the file the sharper the patch: 300dpi at final size is ideal. Your free proof is created as soon as your order is placed, with unlimited revisions before production. Custom orders travel by tracked courier, usually DHL.
About custom printed patches
- Minimum order: printed badges per design.
- Size: The average size of a printed badge is 60mm, however you can have any size you like.
- Thickness: 1.7mm (Merrowed Border), 1.5mm (Heat Cut Satin Border), 1mm (Laser Cut Border)
- Backing options: Sew-On, Iron-On, Hook & Loop, Stick-On - Which Type of Backing is Right For Your Custom Patch? Sewing patches on is recommended by Aspinline.
- Border options: Merrowed (3mm), Heat Cut Satin (2mm minimum recommended), Laser Cut.
- Colours: CMYK.
Washing instructions:
Wash the printed badge inside out at 30 degrees Celsius.
Avoid tumble drying
Do not dry clean
Do not bleach
Supplying artwork
Please supply artwork in vector format wherever possible.
See our main artwork guidelines here.
Printed patch FAQs
What are printed patches?
Printed patches have your design printed in full colour onto a smooth woven polyester base. Where embroidered and woven patches build the design from thread, a printed patch works like a canvas, so it is the best choice for photographic detail, tiny text and colour gradients.
How are printed patches made?
We use heat transfer (dye sublimation): your artwork is printed with special dyes that are bonded into the fabric with heat and pressure, so the print will not crack or peel. The patch is then cut to shape and finished with one of three borders: merrowed, a traditional thick overlocked edge (1.7mm); heat cut satin, a thinner, flatter stitched edge (1.5mm); or laser cut, a flat sealed edge with no stitching (1mm).
How do you apply printed patches?
Printed patches come with these backings: . Sew-on is the most durable. Iron-on is quick to apply with an iron or heat press, pairs best with a heat cut satin border, and is not permanent through repeated hot washes. Hook and loop lets you move the patch between loop-lined jackets and bags. Stick-on is for temporary use, like an event badge.
Read: which backing is right for your patch »Can you wash printed patches?
Yes, with a little more care than embroidery so the print stays bright. Wash the garment inside out at 30°C, avoid tumble drying, and do not dry clean or bleach.
What artwork do you need?
Anything we can print: vector files are ideal, but a high-resolution photo or image works too. If a file is too small to print sharply at your patch size we will tell you on the proof.