Most people have the resources to design and craft iron on patches. Craft stores have the necessary supplies for how to make your own iron on patches. You also have the option of having American Patch & Emblem Company, Inc. handle all the production tasks. This is an efficient choice when you want to make patches. Just send us your original design that does not include trademarked or copyrighted images and ask for a free quote today.

Tools Needed

This list includes tools needed for three different methods of making iron on patches at home.

1. Scissors
2. Stiff fabric
3. Peel-and-stick fabric fuse
4. Transfer sheets
5. Inkjet printer
6. Phone camera or another digital camera
7. Photo editing software
8. An Iron
9. Fabric pencil
10. Embroidery floss
11. Embroidery needle
12. Embroidery hoop
13. Sewing machine

How to Make Your Own Iron on Patches Step by Step

To select artwork suitable for the patch medium:

• Avoid complicated/intricate designs
• Choose contrasting colors
• Use strong lines
• Limit finished product to 5 inches or less

For Inkjet Patch Printing

1. Use your best phone camera to take a picture of your patch artwork.
2. Upload the picture to a computer.
3. Use a photo editing program to resize the picture to the exact size you want for the patch.
4. Put inkjet transfer paper into the printer.
5. Print your image on the transfer paper.
6. Let it dry completely.
7. Set the thick fabric on an ironing board.
8. Place the printed image FACE DOWN on the fabric.
9. Refer to the directions on the transfer paper packaging for how long to heat the paper against the fabric.
10. Press on the transfer paper with a hot iron for the recommended time.
11. Peel off the transfer paper and let the fabric dry.
12. Trim the fabric around the image to form the patch.

For Hand Embroidering a Patch

1. Create your patch design on paper and cut it out.
2. Tape the artwork against the back of your patch fabric.
3. Place the fabric in an embroidery hoop.
4. Hold the hoop in front of a bright window or light.
5. Trace the design onto the fabric.
6. Select the colors of embroidery floss that you want for your design.
7. Fill in the traced design with the colored threads.
8. Tie thread knots on the back of the patch.
9. Trim hanging threads.
10. Cut out the patch from the fabric.

For Using a Sewing Machine

1. Trace your art onto the fabric as described in steps 2 through 5 under the embroidery method.
2. Adjust your sewing machine to produce very thick stitch lines.
3. Set the machine to the zigzag stitch.
4. Thread the needle and load the bobbin with your desired thread color.
5. Working slowly and carefully, fill in the design with colored stitches.
6. Be patient as you lift the presser foot and pivot the design beneath the needle.
7. Whenever you finish a color, reverse stitch over the last line to secure the thread.
8. Clip the patch free of the thread when you finish.

For Application of Fabric Fuse

1. Buy peel-and-stick fabric fuse from a craft store.
2. Study the directions on the product package.
3. Put your patch right side up on the sticky side of the fuse paper.
4. Starting in the center of the patch, press every part of the patch firmly against the fusing material.
5. Cut the patch from the fusing material sheet.
6. Follow the directions on the fabric fuse packaging for ironing it onto your apparel.

High-Quality Custom Patches

Knowing how to make your own iron on patches is a fun skill. However, if you need to make many patches, outsourcing production to American Patch is a great idea. On top of a free quote and free shipping, we can quickly complete your order for almost any shape, size, or quantity. You also get to see a real sample before production instead of just a graphic rendering. Contact us today for premium patches made from durable materials.