Embroidered vs printed patches
Same design, two very different patches. Embroidered is raised thread you can feel. Printed is a flat, smooth surface that keeps every gradient, photo and fine line. Here is how each one looks, and how to pick.
Design a patch freeThe same design, made both ways
Same eagle, same layout. Look at the sky, the sun and the feathers: that is where the two materials part ways.
Up close: the same corner of the patch
Both patches are rendered for illustration, so one design can be shown in both materials. Every real order is drawn by our team and approved by you before production.
What an embroidered patch looks like
- Raised thread texture. Densely stitched thread you can see and feel, with a dimensional, premium look.
- Bold shapes. Thick outlines, block lettering and solid color areas read clearly from across a room.
- Up to 20 thread colors. Included at no extra charge. Gradients are approximated with stepped bands of thread.
- The uniform standard. The classic look for scouting, sports, fire, police and military patches. Some uniform programs require it.
What a printed patch looks like
- Flat and smooth. The ink is dye-sublimated into a polyester base at heat and pressure, so the face is smooth to the touch with no raised thread.
- Photo-quality color. Unlimited colors with smooth gradients, shading and photographic images, reproduced as designed instead of being stepped into bands.
- Fine detail and small text. Text down to about 0.08" and lines around 0.3mm stay crisp, roughly three times finer than thread.
- Still a patch. A stitched merrowed border comes standard, so it reads as a patch rather than a sticker. Die-cut edges are an option.
- Light and thin. The lightest profile of any patch type we make, so it sits flat on caps, bags and lightweight shirts.
Side-by-side comparison
| Embroidered | Printed | |
|---|---|---|
| Look & texture | Raised, textured thread | Flat, smooth surface |
| Colors | Up to 20 thread colors, included | Unlimited |
| Gradients & photos | Approximated in stepped bands | Full, smooth, photo-quality |
| Smallest legible text | About 0.25" | About 0.08" |
| Thinnest line | About 1mm | About 0.3mm |
| Border | Merrowed or hot-cut | Merrowed included, die-cut optional |
| Sizes | 1" to 12.5" | 1.25" to 7" |
| Washing | Machine wash cold, gentle; low heat or air dry | Machine wash cold, gentle, inside-out; no bleach |
| Best for | Uniforms, scouts, teams, departments, classic logos | Gradient logos, photos, illustrations, brand swag, events |
| Production & shipping | About 10 business days after artwork approval | About 10 business days after artwork approval |
| Price from | $0.60/patch at 2,000 | $0.79/patch at 500 |
| Bulk pricing from | 10 patches | 25 patches |
Both: no minimum order (a single patch as a sample, $60 shipped, up to 5"), free artwork, free pre-production sample on orders and free worldwide shipping.
Which should I choose?
Choose embroidered if…
- You want the classic, raised patch look and feel
- The patch goes on a uniform, sash or vest, especially if the program requires embroidery
- Your design is bold: a logo, a few solid colors, big lettering
- You want larger sizes, up to 12.5"
Choose printed if…
- Your design has gradients, shading, a photo or more than 20 colors
- It has small text or fine line work that thread would blur
- You need an exact brand color match
- You want a light, flat patch for caps, bags or giveaways
Not sure? Design it first. Our team reviews every design and will tell you if the other material suits it better.
Frequently asked questions
What does a printed patch look like?
A printed (sublimated) patch has a flat, smooth face with photo-quality color: smooth gradients, shading and fine detail, framed by a stitched merrowed border. It has no raised thread texture.
Is a printed patch the same as an embroidered patch?
No. Embroidered patches are made of stitched thread, so they are raised and textured with a limited color palette. Printed patches are dye-sublimated onto polyester, so they are flat and can show unlimited colors and photographic detail.
Which is more detailed, embroidered or printed?
Printed. It holds text down to about 0.08" and lines around 0.3mm, while embroidery needs about 0.25" text and 1mm lines.
Are printed patches durable and washable?
Yes. The ink is bonded into the polyester base, so printed patches can be machine washed cold on a gentle cycle. Wash inside-out, skip bleach and fabric softener, and air dry or tumble dry low.
Which is cheaper, embroidered or printed?
It depends on size and quantity. Printed starts from $0.79 per patch at 500 and embroidered from $0.60 per patch at 2,000. Use the price tables on each type page for your exact size.
Can I order just one patch to see it?
Yes. There is no minimum: you can order a single patch as a sample (up to 5", $60 shipped) in either material. Artwork, setup and shipping are included on every order.
Do printed patches have a border?
Yes. A stitched merrowed border is included as standard, the same finished edge as an embroidered patch. A die-cut edge is available as an option.
Design yours, then pick the material
Describe your patch in plain words and see it in seconds, free. You can choose embroidered or printed when you order.
Design a patch free