Embroidered patches have also been used for many years by individuals as well as governments for uniforms and by companies for many purposes. Whether you are an individual seeking to create your own custom patch or part of a company, you need to make an informed purchase so let's look at some of the things you will need to know before you start shopping.

First, there is the design of the patch. Are you looking at a big design or a small one? Assess your needs and determine if you can do with something small. If not, then you will at least have a good start before working with a graphic artist or making your order.

Second, understanding the types of thread is fascinating and it can be helpful before making your order. The two thread classes are polyester and rayon. Polyester thread is a very strong economical thread. This thread won't fade or shrink in the wash and it's often used for industrial laundry and is less likely to bleed. The luster, or sheen, of polyester thread falls between that of cotton and rayon. Polyester thread is suitable for almost any sewing project and has a medium luster. Polyester threads also have some give or stretch to it.

Rayon thread is currently the most popular thread used in embroidery machines. This thread does well and is consistent in high-speed embroidery machines. It has very little breaking or fraying. Rayon is a high sheen thread and stitches are very smooth and consistent, leading to a higher quality embroidery project. Rayon thread is also good for items that need to be fireproofed. It is not generally colorfast and it is best to avoid using any bleaching agents, including those made for colors.

Edge options are next. There will be many different types of edge options that you will be able to choose from. These options of course will depend on your initial design that you decide to go with. Edging is classified into three categories, merrow, hot knife cut and fabric cut. The merrow border is what you'll see on most patches. Merrow is sometimes called overlock and this border is good for larger simple shapes: circles, shields, ovals, etc. The hot knife cut is a smooth stitched border. It's good for patches with complex shapes or detailed borders. And last the fabric cut border means there is no stitching on the edge of the patch.

And then there are backing options. The backing option is important if you know how you would like to adhere your patch and to what type of clothing. Plastic backing makes the patch sturdy and adds durability, which will give the patch years of life. Patches with plastic backing need to be sewn on but can still be removed and sewn on to other garments without fear of losing patch structure. Heat Seal backing allows a patch to be ironed on to a garment. This is a nice alternative for those who don't enjoy sewing and want to adhere their patch quickly. With this type of backing, once ironed on, the patch will remain in place permanently. Peal and Stick or Pressure Adhesive backing can be compared to a sticker. Just peel off the backing and stick the patch to any clean surface for a secure (non-permanent) hold. Peel and Stick patches can be used multiple times. You can also sew on a Peel and Stick patch to get a permanent hold.

Patches also come with Velcro backing. Velcro is used when no other way to attach your patch is available. This option has become more popular in recent years as people find more and more places to attach embroidered patches.

Last, when choosing your patch, you want to look at color. With over 200 thread colors and 96 mesh colors to choose from, your embroidered patches can be quite custom and designed to meet most of your needs.

From start to finish, a custom embroidered patch is something that can make a very large impact. Having your own custom designed patch will be much more meaningful to you, in contrast to purchasing a standard patch from the store as your creativity and input will be demonstrated in each piece. If you are looking for something a little different to get your message out to the public, then maybe it is time to try a custom embroidered patch.