Patches are classic yet the trendiest item in the fashion industry. They are very useful and have the ability to change the overall look of your item and give it a new life. If you want to accessorize your favorite item like a shirt, old jacket, worn-out jeans, or a boring bag, then patches are the finest option. The two most common types of emblems are embroidered and woven. People mostly think that they are similar, but they are wrong. Both of the patches have their own distinctive traits and styles. They are available in different shapes, custom designs and sizes. Before choosing the patch that adds an appealing look and charm, you must learn about the difference between emblems. In this blog, we will explore key differences like thread type, making process and more that can give you a better understanding of woven and embroidered emblems.
Understanding the Comparison: Custom Embroidered Vs Woven Patches
What are Woven Patches?
These patches consist of tiny threads that give the designs a smooth texture and clean look. You can get these types of patches by simply weaving threads of your choice together to make your custom designs. Both threads overlap and interlace, resulting in an attractive woven patch with small details. You can apply these patches and wear your item without any bulky feeling as they are lightweight and high-quality.
What are Embroidered Patches?
We all agree that embroidered patches give any item an eye-catching and classic look. Whether it’s a brand logo, personal design, or business team, custom embroidery patches are a unique and popular way of showcasing your personality and distinctive style. The designs of these emblems are much more colourful and attractive, making them an ideal option for brands. They have a denser and heavier look due to the threads. These emblems are crafted from a heavier, top-quality thread to give a perfect look.
The Making Process
The main difference between custom-woven and embroidered emblems is the making process. Both of them have a distinctive way. In embroidered patches, you take a fabric of your choice. It can be felt, twill or nylon to create the design. After selecting the base material, place the fabric in the embroidery machine or craft the design by hand. There are thick threads that adjust according to the designs. On the other hand, in woven patches, there is no need to select a base fabric. You only need weft and warp threads that form a patch design by the weaving process. The whole process is dependent on the threads. You will get the desired results if you select a stronger type of thread material.
The Design of the Emblem
The design is undoubtedly the most important component of your patch. When you have to choose between woven and embroidered emblems, the first thing you should think of is the design you want. Although both patches are ideal for making attractive and unique designs, however, there are a few things that can make a big difference. The first and most important element is the details. Embroidered patches can be your choice if you want bold, vibrant designs with thick outlines. You should select artwork with big elements so that they are visible even after the stitches on the sides. There is a chance that you may get a messy look if you desire to make minor designs on embroidered patches.
In contrast to this, woven emblems are popular in the fashion industry due to their ability to capture even the smallest detail of your design. Using thinner threads to craft the design gives you leverage to cover every element of the artwork. These emblems can be made on a higher thread-per-inch machine, making them tough and highly detailed.
Raw Materials in the Manufacturing Process
While both embroidered and woven patches have the same purpose of adding customization, the making process and raw materials are different. Custom embroidered patches use polyester or rayon threads as they are thicker than the normal ones. These threads give a three-dimensional and raised texture to the design. The only problem is that making complex designs with these types of yarns can be challenging. The best way out is to choose simple artwork and vibrant colours to make your patch more attention-grabbing. Whereas in woven, the material of thread is satin, polyester or Damask. If you are unaware, Damask and satin are among the finest and thinnest threads. They are great for richer detailing and a clean look to the design.
The Use and Application of the Emblems
The application of both patches depends on your item. For both patches, sew-on is the most durable and easy option. You can also try other methods such as iron-on, Velcro or glueing to find which one works best. However, the use of both patches can be different from each other. Embroidered emblems are the top choice of people for t-shirts and hats. As they give a casual look, it is widely famous for adding a fun element to clothing. On the other side, woven patches have the ability to retain details, which is why people use them in formal wear. As it doesn’t have a base material or backing, brands also use it as a tag or label to add instructions on the clothes and accessories.
The Cost of the Patches
The most important difference that people are concerned about is the cost of both emblems. Embroidered materials are a bit more expensive than normal. The cost is also dependent on the type of machine you are using. If you are using a single-headed machine, it can add up in the cost and time of production. However, as a business owner, getting a multi-head embroidery machine is the best approach. This can allow you to make more than 100 patches in a short time.
Now if we talk about custom woven patches, it won’t be wrong to say they are affordable. The material of these emblems can be expensive or economical, depending on your choice. Taking pure silk to weave your design will be costly, but if you choose polyester, it can be within your range. You can save money on these patches as a single weaving machine has the ability to make a number of patches according to the thread length that is put in the machine.
The Color Choice
One difference that most people are not aware of is the use of colors. When it comes to putting more than one color into your design, embroidered patches can be a better option. Woven emblems can only have eight colors of thread for logos or custom designs. Whereas if you opt for embroidery, you get a wide range of color that can go to almost 24 colors in just one design.
Text Font and Size
Like colors, the text font and size are key differences between the two patches. The ability to weave any font and small size is the main advantage of using woven patches for customizations. For items like hats and bags or to make labels, brands use small sizes of font and need a small patch. Embroidered patches are good for designs but can get messy if you try to embroider small texts and different fonts on them.
Patch Styles
Not every type of patch has further styles. For instance, depending on the materials, embroidered emblems are not present in various styles. But with woven patches, there are three types of emblem styles that are as follows:
- Damask: It is often present on apparel. To get better text visibility and finer designs, brand owners use Damask. These types of woven labels can give better clarity and are durable. The experts make them by using good quality yarns that give higher weaver density to the patches.
- Satin: Satin Patches are popular due to their shiny and silky fabric. These labels have a nice appearance and soft look and are still available at low cost. Due to their softness and comfort, they are the perfect option for children’s apparel.
- Taffeta: The best type of woven patch is Taffeta. It is the most affordable in contrast to the Damask and Satin. They are durable as they are made from tight weave. Although they have a similar appearance to Damask, they can show more details of the custom design.
Conclusion
Custom patches are the perfect way to accessorize any outfit. They offer durability, versatility and, most importantly, uniqueness. Whether it is jackets, shirts, bags or any other item, both types of emblems have a similar function. Despite having the same function, both patches are different from each other in several ways. Some of the differences include the cost, the manufacturing process and the material. The best approach is to clearly understand your needs and choose the patch that suits you best.