1. Product & Craft General Questions
Q1: What patch types do you supply in full range?
A: We provide a complete lineup of embroidered accessories, including flat embroidery patches, chenille patches, raised heavy embroidery patches, applique patches, gradient mixed embroidery patches, reflective & luminous embroidery patches, composite multi-tech patches, as well as matching soft PVC patches. Supporting iron-on adhesive backing, Velcro backing and safety pin attachments for different apparel scenarios.
Q2: What are the differences between each embroidery patch craft?
A:
- Flat embroidery: Smooth surface, high cost performance, ideal for uniforms and school badges
- Chenille patches: Fluffy plush texture, popular for streetwear and kidswear
- Raised heavy embroidery: Thick embossed 3D effect for high-end fashion limited editions
- Reflective/luminous patches: Functional design for outdoor, cycling and safety workwear
- Gradient mixed embroidery: Natural color transition for IP illustrations and complex graphics
- Composite patches: Mixed multiple stitching techniques for luxury customized designs
Q3: How to select the right patch craft for my products?
A:
- Workwear & school uniforms: Flat embroidery with full overlock, industrial wash resistant
- Hoodies, winter coats & trendy apparel: Chenille or raised heavy embroidery
- Outdoor safety, cycling gear: Reflective / luminous embroidery patches
- Luxury fashion & couture: Composite metallic thread embroidery
- Mass wholesale merchandise: Flat embroidery or eco-friendly soft PVC patches
2. Artwork, Design & Digitizing Questions
Q4: What is the minimum line thickness for clear embroidery?
A: Lines less than 0.3 mm wide and extremely small text cannot be clearly rendered and are prone to breakage during production. Our design team will optimize your original artwork free of charge prior to digitization to ensure it meets technical embroidery requirements.
Q5: Can complex patterns such as portraits, illustrations and gradient prints be made into patches?
A: Yes. Our gradient mixed embroidery technology achieves smooth color transition for portraits, landscapes and IP cartoon graphics. For high-precision luxury styles, handmade metallic thread embroidery is available with three rounds of strict quality inspection.
Q6: Do you offer free graphic design support?
A: We provide free simple pattern modification and embroidery adaptation. Custom original brand illustration design will be charged based on graphic complexity; the design fee can be deducted from bulk orders after sample confirmation.
3. Sample, MOQ & Lead Time Questions
Q7: How long does sampling take?
A: Standard flat embroidery samples take 72 hours. Chenille, 3D thick embroidery and composite luxury patches take 3–5 working days. Handcrafted high-end couture patches require 5–7 working days for sampling.
Q8: Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
A: Small trial orders are acceptable for startup fashion brands with flexible MOQ for flat embroidery items. Chenille, 3D and handmade luxury patches have higher MOQ due to complicated production procedures. For mass orders over 100,000 pieces, we support automated large-scale production with more competitive unit prices.
Q9: What is the mass production lead time after sample approval?
A: Conventional flat embroidery bulk orders: 7–10 working days; chenille and raised embroidery: 10–12 working days. Rush orders for seasonal collections can be scheduled with negotiated shorter delivery cycles.
Q10: Are sample fees refundable or deductible?
A: A small sampling fee will be charged according to patch craft complexity. The full sample fee can be deducted from your first mass order once you confirm the pre-production sample. Craft swatches and color cards are provided free of charge.
4. Backing, Application & Fabric Compatibility
Q11: What backing options are available for patches?
A: Three mainstream backing choices:
- Iron-on hot melt adhesive backing: Fast self-adhesive for most daily garments
- Plain fabric backing: For hand or machine sewing, maximum durability for frequent washing
- Velcro backing: Detachable design for tactical uniforms, bags and hats
Q12: Which fabrics are suitable for iron-on patches, and which are not?
A: Compatible fabrics: Cotton, denim, polyester, canvas and other heat-resistant textiles.
Unsuitable fabrics: Nylon, genuine leather, waterproof coated fabric, thick loose-knit sweaters. High temperature will damage these materials and weaken adhesion.
Q13: What is the standard iron-on operation procedure?
- Clean and flatten the garment, fix the patch in target position
- Preheat iron to 150–170°C and turn off steam, cover a thin cloth over the patch surface
- Press evenly on the front side for 20–30 seconds without sliding the iron
- Flip the garment and iron the reverse side for another 10–15 seconds
- Cool completely naturally, then check no curling or bubbling on patch edges
Q14: When should sewing be chosen instead of iron-on adhesive?
A: Sew-on patches are highly recommended for industrial workwear, medical uniforms, security apparel and products requiring dozens of industrial laundry cycles. Sewing along the patch perimeter completely prevents peeling and delivers long-term stability.
5. Quality, Wash Resistance & Safety Standards
Q15: How many industrial washes can your embroidered patches withstand?
A: Our standard patches pass 50 cycles of industrial washing verified by third-party lab tests, with no fading, loose threads, bubbling or backing peeling. Workwear dedicated patches adopt reinforced stitching and high-density polyester thread for heavy-duty use.
Q16: Do your products meet international safety and eco standards?
A: All raw materials are lead-free and eco-friendly, complying with ASTM D4236 safety standards, safe for children’s clothing lines. Soft PVC patches withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 80°C, suitable for outdoor harsh environments. Our factory holds ISO 9001 quality management system certification.
Q17: Why do low-cost patches bubble and peel after washing?
A: Cheap suppliers use inferior single-use hot melt adhesive which fails under hot water and repeated washing. Our bulk orders adopt heavy-duty laundry-resistant adhesive backing to avoid curling, bubbling and detachment.
6. Daily Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Q18: How to maintain embroidered patches on garments?
- Iron-on patches: Gentle hand wash or delicate machine cycle; avoid hard scrubbing along patch edges
- Do not tumble dry at high temperature or expose garments under direct sunlight to prevent adhesive melting and thread fading
- Minor edge curling can be fixed by re-ironing with a thin protective cloth
- Keep chenille fluffy patches away from sharp objects to avoid snagging and deformation
Q19: Can I reattach curled iron-on patches myself?
A: Yes. Cover the warped area with thin cloth, iron at 150–170°C for 15–20 seconds and cool naturally; the patch will stick firmly again.
7. Order, Cost & One-Stop Service
Q20: Can you provide one-stop matching accessories together with patches?
A: Yes. We offer integrated supporting services including custom pattern design, matching Velcro strips, safety pins, woven labels and multi-tech composite patch production. Brands do not need to cooperate with multiple separate suppliers to cut procurement time and costs.
Q21: Will there be obvious color difference between mass goods and confirmed samples?
A: We sign and lock pre-production samples to unify color standards before mass production to strictly control color tolerance. Color deviation only occurs if mass production starts without sample confirmation, which is fully avoided by our standardized production workflow.
Q22: Can you provide official test reports and brand cooperation cases?
A: Upon business communication, we can supply third-party industrial washing test certificates, ISO certification documents, material safety inspection reports and authorized brand cooperation case materials for reference.
Q23: Are you a direct embroidery patch manufacturer?
A: Yes, SG Patches is a direct factory with in-house embroidery production equipment.
Q24: What is your production capacity?
A: We support both small and bulk embroidery patch orders