Are you making a custom patch but aren’t sure what kind to use?
This chart was created to help you understand the differences between PVC and embroidered patches.
Check out this side-by-side analysis of these patches, which have the same logo style but are made from different materials. On the left, there is an embroidered patch. It’s brightly colored, and the threads give it a sheen and the feel of a fabric patch.
Embroidery patches are patches used to repair clothing. Denim embroidery, embroidered cloth stickers, gold thread embroidered patches, and other fabrics are among them. PVC patches are made of PVC soft rubber and evolved from fabric patches. PVC patches and embroidered patches may be used as fabric accessories to decorate clothing, bags, and shoes, among other things.
If you wanted a custom patch before the invention of PVC, this was the only choice. The embroidered patch, which is still very common, is well suited to uniforms, light wear, and a more formal type of patch presentation.
Embroidered Patches vs. PVC Patches
A brief introduction Patches made of PVC. Unlike the embroidered patch, this one is designed to last and be solid. The artwork has crisp and precise detail, and the colors are vibrant. They won’t fade in the sun or crack if you use them a lot. Military, police, SWAT, and tactical teams are the most popular users of PVC patches.
What Is A PVC Patch, Exactly?
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a versatile material that can be shaped into any form and colored to any color or tone. It allows for incredible precision and detail. Do not confuse these with Vinyl Patches, which are simply written on vinyl. Soft Rubber is ideal for intricate or colorful designs with tiny lines or text.
These photo comparisons show how different the design will look when embroidered threads are used instead of PVC Silicone. Although embroidery has a traditional and classic look with a soft feel, it lacks the small details and color that the PVC patch has. For those who want strength and durability, PVC is a viable alternative.
Clubs, teams, the military, and various organizations all favor all of the choices. Which choice would work best for you will be determined by the precise patch requirements.
PVC is created using a mold, allowing for a degree of detail and color variation that cloth and other sewn materials will never match. PVC lettering can be distinctive and brightly colored, making it easy to recognize. PVC can also be used to make 2 and 3-dimensional designs, which will help you see fine details better.
So, if you want a traditional look with high-quality custom embroidery, this is a great choice for you. PVC, on the other hand, is the best choice for a more durable, weather-resistant patch.
It is our responsibility to accurately translate your concept, logo, or idea into the appropriate type of material that will best showcase your project. Please contact us to talk about your idea and how it will be worn and used. From there, we’ll be able to figure out which of the two choices (PVC vs. Embroidered Patches) is the right fit for you.
PVC Patches and Embroidery Patches: A Comparison
The color of the PVC patch is lighter, and the color density of the PVC patch is superior, as seen in the above comparison chart of the embroidery patch and PVC patch. The PVC patch is smoother and more rounded than the embroidery patch in terms of form. Two identical PVC patches in the same batch will achieve over 98 per cent, but there are no identical Embroidery patches. This is due to the fact that the embroidery patches are made of colored silk threads, with the majority of the work being done by hand. Manmade products contain some errors, but the colors, patterns, and styles will still be consistent.
The epoxy process is used to process the PVC patch, which is heated by the machine’s high temperature. The PVC soft rubber can be melted and fully fused with the liquid pigment using high-temperature heating, and then the PVC patch can be made using a mold. PVC patches become more colorful and flexible as a result of this process. The embroidery is higher than the color saturation and size accuracy, and the majority of the PVC patch process is completed by high-precision equipment manufacturing.
Embroidery Patches and PVC Patches: How to Use Them?
Patches of Embroidery
PVC patches and embroidery patches are both used as clothing and pocket accessories, although the methods of use vary due to variations in materials and manufacturing processes.
The embroidery patch in the image above can be used in two ways. On the back of the embroidered patch, there will usually be a dab of dry glue. At room temperature, this film is dry and has no viscosity. When heated to high temperatures, it can melt with a high viscosity.
The first approach is to apply a paste to the fabric. Heat the fabric with an iron and stick it tightly to the clothing. Clothes are made of cotton and cannot be heated with fire. Sewing on clothing is the second type. The patch is sewn on the clothes using the second picture. To keep the fabric embroidery pattern intact, it must be sewn with the same color thread or transparent thread. The second method of stitching the patch is more reliable than the first.
Patches Made of PVC
Due to the fact that PVC patches are thicker than embroidery patches. At high temperatures, the PVC patch can melt; the same heating process cannot be used for the PVC patch. The sew-on groove part of a PVC patch is normally thinner than the whole PVC patch, making it easier for us to use the PVC patch.
The first approach is to sew Velcro clothing together. The most popular form of the patch is custom PVC Velcro patches with Velcro, and the Velcro allows us to replace the PVC patch at any time. Sew the loop portion of the Velcro part to the clothes, the hook part to the PVC patch, and then the hook and loop sections to the PVC patch. It’s easy to tell them apart. This approach makes it possible to adjust the PVC Velcro patch on the garment at any time, which is extremely convenient.
The second approach is to sew the PVC patch onto the garment. This method does not require the use of Velcro; all that is needed is to sew the PVC patch to the garment through the sew-on glove. Often, the Velcro on the clothes cannot be changed at will.
The third choice is to apply the PVC patch to your clothes. This type of PVC patch can be applied anywhere using double-sided tape instead of a sew-on groove. The double-sided adhesive, on the other hand, has a small viscosity and can only be applied to a flat and smooth surface, and the method is reversible and ideal for use as an advertising mark on a bag or package.
Use A Variety of Embroidery and PVC Patches
Most clothing bags can accommodate embroidered patches. Embroidery patches, on the other hand, primarily use two methods of high-temperature bonding and stitching, and thus cannot be used on an imperfect and high-temperature resistant item, such as PU bags or leather bags. Since the embroidery patch is sewn with colored silk thread, it is not appropriate for washing in a washing machine; it is easily deformed and faded when washed for a long time. Hand-embroidered embroidery patches, on the other hand, are delicate and exquisite and have collector appeal and importance.
High-temperature heating, double-sided adhesive bonding, and other methods are not needed since the PVC patch can be patched with Velcro. As a result, the PVC patch can be applied to any flat garment or bag, and its application possibilities are virtually limitless. PVC patches are soft, robust, and waterproof, and are resistant to fading and deformation. They have a long service life, are machine washable, and are inexpensive. Velcro can easily be used to replace Velcro on DIY clothes. PVC patches, on the other hand, are not resistant to high temperatures and are susceptible to discoloration.