Patches
Embroidered vs woven vs PVC vs chenille vs leather patches
Choose embroidered patches for a classic, textured look on uniforms and club gear; woven when your logo has fine detail or small text; PVC for waterproof, tough patches on tactical and outdoor gear; chenille for bold, fuzzy varsity lettering; and leather for a premium look on hats and denim.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Embroidered | Woven | PVC | Chenille | Leather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Raised thread | Flat, smooth | Rubbery, 2D/3D | Fuzzy, towel-like | Natural, engraved |
| Fine detail | Medium | Very high | High | Low | Medium |
| Small text | ~0.25"+ | Very small | Small | Large only | Medium |
| Waterproof | No | No | Yes | No | Water-resistant |
| Best for | Uniforms, clubs, brands | Labels, detailed logos, hats | Tactical, outdoor, bags | Letterman jackets, teams | Hats, denim, premium merch |
Embroidered patches
Thread stitched onto a twill base. Durable, familiar and the default for fire departments, police, clubs and branded workwear. Choose 50–100% embroidery coverage depending on design and budget. More on embroidered patches
Woven patches
Thinner threads woven tightly together — like a clothing label. They capture far more detail than embroidery and stay thin and flexible, which is why they look sharp on hat fronts. More on woven patches
PVC patches
Molded soft PVC. Waterproof, colorfast and extremely durable — the go-to for morale patches, tactical gear, outdoor brands and anything that lives outside. Molds make small runs pricier, but they’re competitive at volume. More on pvc patches
Chenille patches
Looped yarn on felt, creating a soft, raised texture. Perfect for varsity letters and bold mascots; not for fine detail. More on chenille patches
Leather patches
Genuine leather or leatherette, laser-engraved or debossed. Premium, understated and hugely popular on trucker hats and outdoor merch. More on leather patches
Quick decision guide
- Logo has tiny text or fine lines?→ Woven
- Will it get wet or take abuse?→ PVC
- Uniform or club patch?→ Embroidered
- Letterman jacket or team letter?→ Chenille
- Hat or premium merch?→ Leather or woven
Choosing a backing
Iron-on for quick application, sew-on for permanence, hook-and-loop (Velcro®) for swappable patches, adhesive for events, and magnetic for no-hole application on hats and name tags.
Still unsure? Send your design and we’ll recommend the best patch type in your free mockup.
FAQ
Which patch type is the most durable?
PVC, followed by leather and embroidered patches.
Which patch is best for hats?
Woven and leather patches sit flattest on curved hat fronts; embroidered and PVC patches work well too.
Which patch type is cheapest?
At low quantities, embroidered and woven patches are usually the most affordable. PVC becomes cost-effective at higher volumes because the mold cost is spread across more pieces.