What it is
Printed on fabric, not stitched.
A printed patch carries artwork applied to the fabric surface rather than built from thread. That keeps colour count open: gradients, photographic detail and multi-colour graphics that neither embroidery nor a weave reproduces faithfully stay inside the design. Printing is a documented capability across our range — patches, PVC, PVC ID cards, wristbands, lanyards and labels.
Where printing wins
Colour count and detail.
Printing is chosen when the design is graphic rather than textural, or when the colour count would make any other process expensive. It does not settle the small-text question on its own: the smallest element is still tested at the finished size, and print resolution rather than stitch or weave density decides what stays legible.
Edge, backing and colour
Finishing a printed patch.
The edge is a merrowed thread border or a heat-cut, clean cut edge. Backing can be iron-on or heat-seal, adhesive or sew-on, applied with our own laminating and heat-press equipment. For colour-critical work we would rather send a physical sample than argue about a screen: colour follows the reference you supply, and screen, thread, PVC and material do not match each other exactly.
What we need to quote
Artwork and the numbers.
Send the artwork (vector is ideal, a high-resolution raster file also works), the finished size, the quantity, the material, the backing, packing requirements and the date you need it in hand. We review line weight, smallest text, colour count and finished size, then confirm the process, the price and the timing in writing before anything goes to production.
Before you order
What we need before this can be quoted.
- Artwork
- Vector artwork is ideal — AI, PDF, EPS or SVG with fonts outlined — and a high-resolution raster file also works. Send it with the product type, size, quantity, material, backing, packing requirement, application and the date you need the goods in hand.
- Sample
- A physical sample is produced and approved before bulk, and the approved sample becomes the production standard for that run and every reorder. Custom samples are usually chargeable, and by agreement the sample fee can be credited against the bulk order.
- Quantity
- Each product has its own standard MOQ, and for many custom items it starts at around 100 pcs. There is limited flexibility depending on the process, the artwork and how the order is put together, and below the standard MOQ the unit price may increase. The figure for your specification is confirmed during review.
- Colour
- Pantone is used as a production reference: thread colour card, PVC colour sample, material sample or a physical sample. Screens and materials never match exactly, so where colour is critical we work from the reference you supply and sign it off on the sample.
- Lead time
- Bulk production usually takes 7–12 days after artwork approval. Rush orders are accepted but confirmed case by case against capacity, material, process, artwork status, sample requirement, shipping method and the date you need it — so we do not promise a rush date before those are checked.
- Packing
- Individual packing, OPP or a custom bag, backer cards, barcode and SKU labels and carton marks as required — plus neutral and white-label packing where the goods ship straight into your own fulfilment line.
Keep reading
The pages buyers read next.
This page covers one product type. The process pages explain how it is made, the Knowledge guides cover how a product is specified, and the FAQ answers the commercial questions.
- Printing / Heat Transfer Print, transfer and finish
- Buying Guides Choosing between processes
- FAQ — Customization & Design Questions buyers ask
- FAQ — Samples, MOQ & Pricing Questions buyers ask
- Knowledge & Insights Guides, buying guides & case studies
- All Products Every category we manufacture
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Direct factory collaboration
Send artwork, get a real answer.
Include the size, the quantity, the material or structure and the backing or attachment you have in mind for your Printed Patches, plus the date you need it in hand. We review the detail, recommend the structure that holds it, and come back with a factory-direct quote — or tell you plainly if we are not the right factory for the job.