Guide
Patch Terminology Glossary
Every trade has its dialect. Here's ours, translated — the terms you'll meet in proofs, quotes and this catalogue.
A–M
- Backing — the layer on the reverse of a patch that determines how it attaches: sew-on, iron-on (heat-seal), hook & loop, or adhesive.
- Chenille — fuzzy looped-yarn construction, the classic varsity letter look.
- Digitising — converting artwork into stitch instructions (paths, direction, density, underlay) the embroidery machine follows. The most important invisible step.
- Heat-seal — the thermoplastic film behind iron-on patches that bonds under heat and pressure.
- Hook & loop — the correct name for 'Velcro': rough hook side on the patch, soft loop panel on the garment.
- Laser-cut border — a hot-knife cut edge that seals complex outlines; the alternative to merrowed borders.
- Merrow border — the raised overlocked thread edge stitched around simple patch shapes. The signature of a quality patch.
P–U
- Puff / 3D — foam placed under stitches to raise lettering and shapes off the patch.
- PVC — moulded rubber patches; waterproof and abrasion-proof, with 2D and 3D relief styles.
- Stitch density — how tightly stitches are packed; too sparse shows fabric, too dense stiffens the patch.
- Twill — the diagonal-weave polyester fabric that forms the base of embroidered patches.
- Underlay — foundation stitches laid before the visible layer; they stabilise the fabric and give embroidery its lift.
- Woven — threads woven into the patch fabric rather than stitched on top; flat surface, fine detail.
- First article — the first patch off the line, checked against your signed proof before the batch runs.
Common questions
It's skilled bench time — typically an hour or more per design, done once. At 100+ pieces we waive it because the cost disappears into the run.
Keep reading
10-piece minimum · proofs before production
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