, by Syed Naveed Hussain Bukhari,
3 min reading time
Compare embroidered, sublimated, leather, PVC and chenille patches, learn how embroidery digitizing works, and choose the right custom patch for your jacket.
A custom patch turns a plain jacket into something personal. Whether you are outfitting a team, a club, a brand, or just your own leather jacket, the patch type you choose changes how it looks, feels, and lasts. This guide walks through the six most popular options so you can pick with confidence.
Embroidered Patches
Embroidered patches are the classic choice. Your design is stitched in thread onto a twill base, usually finished with a stitched border around the edge. The result has a raised, textured look that holds up well to wear and washing.
Best for: logos, team names, badges, and bold text
Strengths: durable, timeless, and available in many sizes
Keep in mind: very small text and fine details may not stitch cleanly
Sublimated Patches
Sublimated patches use dye that is printed into the fabric rather than stitched on top. This lets you reproduce full-color artwork, gradients, and even photographic detail that thread cannot match.
Best for: complex, colorful designs and artwork with shading
Strengths: smooth finish, unlimited color range, sharp detail
Keep in mind: the surface is flat, so it will not have the raised feel of stitching
Leather Patches
Leather patches bring a premium, rugged look that suits jackets, denim, bags, and caps. Designs are typically debossed, engraved, or laser-marked into the surface, giving a clean, understated finish.
Best for: brand tags, minimal logos, and a vintage or heritage style
Strengths: ages beautifully and pairs naturally with leather jackets
Keep in mind: simple, bold designs work best on leather
PVC Patches
PVC patches are made from soft, flexible rubber that is molded into shape. They are waterproof and highly durable, with a bold, dimensional look.
Best for: outdoor gear, workwear, bags, and jackets exposed to weather
Keep in mind: the style is modern and graphic rather than traditional
Chenille Patches
Chenille patches are the soft, fuzzy patches you see on varsity jackets. Looped yarn is built up on a felt base, which creates that thick, tactile texture.
Best for: varsity letters, school and team crests, and retro designs
Strengths: plush texture and instant classic jacket style
Keep in mind: they work best as larger pieces with simple, bold shapes
Digitizing Embroidery Patches
Before an embroidered patch can be stitched, your artwork must be converted into a file the embroidery machine understands. This process is called digitizing. A digitizer maps out stitch types, direction, density, and the order in which each color is sewn.
Good digitizing is the difference between a crisp, clean patch and one with puckering, gaps, or blurry edges. If your artwork has tiny text or thin lines, a skilled digitizer will adjust it so it stitches clearly at the final size. For best results, start with a high-resolution logo or vector file and tell us the size you want.
How to Choose the Right Patch
Want a classic, textured look? Choose embroidered.
Need full color or photo-style detail? Choose sublimated.
Going for a premium, rugged style? Choose leather.
Need weather resistance? Choose PVC.
Want a retro varsity feel? Choose chenille.
Backing Options
Most patches can be finished with a backing that suits how you plan to attach them: iron-on, sew-on, hook-and-loop (Velcro), or adhesive. Sew-on is the most secure for jackets that see heavy use.
Get Your Custom Patches
Ready to add a custom patch to your jacket or order in bulk for your team or brand? Contact us through our Contact page with your artwork, preferred size, and quantity, and we will help you choose the right patch type.
Digitizing Embroidery Patches
