The start of December makes the air festive. The spirit of celebration decorates houses, streets, offices, and everything around us with Christmas trees, decor, and string lights.
Another essential part of the Christmas decor for both clothing and gear is the custom Christmas patches. They help add a personalised and festive touch to your staff uniforms, gifts, and merchandise. Making the basic into something special.
Christmas is the busiest time for custom patches. Because orders are at an all-time high, space in production becomes scarce quickly. Order patches early to make sure you get on-time delivery. This guide will help you order your patches the correct way!
What are Custom Christmas Patches, and Who Orders Them?
Custom Christmas patches are personalised fabric, leather or rubber pieces that are attached to outfits, tote bags, headwear or any other gear to provide a festive touch to your used belongings without the need to buy new ones for the season.
Christmas patch designs are often based on themes such as a reindeer, a snowflake, a wreath or brand logos wearing a Santa hat. They are available in different patch material types, backing options, and border styles based on your requirements.
The Christmas patches UK buyers are a combination of employers who order them for their staff uniforms and schools and clubs who order them for their students and members, respectively.
Additionally, individuals place orders for Christmas patches according to their exact required quantity thanks to our no minimum order quantity service. Brands hand them out as gifts and merchandise as souvenirs of Christmas and a great way of marketing.
These custom patches are very practical and efficient. A patch costs far less than a new garment, and you can remove it once the season is over. This makes branding easy to repeat each year.
Moreover, custom patches are usable even after Christmas, which is fantastic for sustainability. On the other hand, Christmas costumes are bought and worn during the season and after that forgotten forever, hanging in your closet.
How Do Custom Christmas Patches Work for Staff Uniforms?
With the festive season in full bloom, boring staff uniforms demand an upgrade. Corporations turn to our personalised Christmas patches to make their old and basic staff uniform into something special without spending a lot on new uniforms.
These patches introduce Christmas elements while staying on brand. They add Christmas designs celebrating the joy of the season while also branding your logo and organisation colours.
One approach involves the application of a seasonal patch on the chest, just below the name tag, or on the arm. In the retail and hospitality industries, for instance, a Santa hat patch is placed over the logo.
Delivery and construction employees find the arm patch more desirable to ensure that the hi-vis or safety labels stay visible.
Before making your order, please check the dress code. Make sure the patch will not cover any label your workplace requires to be displayed.
How Can You Use Christmas Patches for Gifts and Festive Merchandise?
Patches provide your Christmas gifts a personalised touch without the cost of a product that is custom-made. A scarf, a tote bag or a woolly hat becomes a custom-branded Christmas gift once a patch is attached.
Corporations take use of personalised custom patches in client gift boxes, where each patch is personalised with the client’s initials or a warm short festive message or wish.
Sellers at Christmas markets use patches as low-price add-ons, which adds value to off-the-shelf products.
Our ideas of Christmas patches for gifts and festive merchandise are here to help you plan. Woven patches attached to caps that have the company logo with Christmas ornaments or string lights in the design make great merchandise.
Tote bags with Santa Claus Christmas patches are great gifts for environmental clubs, as these bags help reduce disposable bag usage and help the environment.
They also make great Christmas gifts because they are quite cheaper as compared to Christmas showpieces.
How Do You Design Festive Artwork That Stitches Well?
When creating festive artworks that are suitable for stitching, a few points should be noted. The simpler the design and the fewer colours used, the more effective it will be. Letters that are small in size can result in words that are not easy to read.
Be sure to leave space between different shapes so that the colours do not merge. It is also important not to use excessive colours since the more colours you add, the more complicated the design becomes.
When there is an unavoidable need for a complex design that involves a colour gradient and small letters, using embroidery will not yield good results in this case. It will be better to use a printed patch instead.
The traditional colours work well for patches, e.g., red, green, white and gold. They are in great contrast and can be seen easily even if the design is small in size.
When creating a patch design, one must check the size, as what looks great on screen may not look good in a smaller patch size. Also make sure to select the right border type for your patches. Common options are merrowed, laser/hot-cut, or satin stitch.
We provide you a digital mockup proof before the production, as it helps you check spelling, colours and layout, as it is possible to correct a proof rather than a finished batch.
Which Patch Type Suits Festive Designs Best?
Selecting the correct patch type is based on your requirements. Christmas patches are available in the following materials:
Custom Embroidered Patches
Embroidered patches are made of thread stitched on a fabric base. With a raised and textured finish, they are as popular as ever. Custom festive patches made for workwear and uniforms are usually made as embroidered patches. These patches are also available in a 3D puff patch embroidery style.
Custom Woven Patches
Embroidery may be classic and commonly used, but it fails with complex designs. Here woven patches with their fine threads enter. Complex designs with tiny text are achievable with woven patches easily.
Custom PVC Patches
Moulded from soft rubber, PVC patches are durable, waterproof, and bright colour patches. They are best for Christmas jackets and outdoor gear as salt, rain and gritting do not damage them.
Custom Chenille Patches
Chenille patches are varsity-style fuzzy patches. They are great for large festive motifs, such as a letter or a snowman. Chenille patches make great Christmas patches for tote bags, jackets, and as gifts.
Custom Printed Patches
For photorealistic designs, printed patches are the best choice. Have a complicated company logo or a detailed Christmas patch design? Printed patches can achieve high-quality results even with vast colour gradients, tiny text and complex designs.
Custom Leather Patches
For premium Christmas clothing and corporate gifts, leather patches are the ultimate choice available in both genuine and vegan leather.
Still unsure? Send us your artwork, and our expert team will suggest the best material for your specific patch design.
How Do You Choose the Right Backing?
Selecting the right patch backing is equally important for the Christmas patches to last longer.
Iron-On
For staff uniforms, an iron-on patch backing is easier to apply and less time-consuming. A household iron is needed to attach these heat-activated adhesive patches to your uniform.
Sew-On
For Christmas gifts, sew-on patch backings are great. The patches stay attached longer and are more durable than the iron-on.
Velcro
Hook-and-loop patches are the most flexible backing and best for tactical uniforms and gear. They can be easily attached and detached. Once the season is over, they can be easily removed and can be reapplied next Christmas.
Adhesive
Sticker-based patch backing best for personalising your laptops and other gadgets for Christmas. With easy peel and stick, these patches are very convenient.
How Do You Order Custom Patches in Time for December?
Let our team know your requirements, such as the patch quantity, size, type, backing, border and the date you want the patches delivered. This helps us communicate the exact date to you accurately.
The next step is to send your artwork (our team can make it free for you if you do not have a design). We send you a quote together with a free digital mockup design. Make any changes you want or approve the design so that we move towards production.
Each step takes time, so plan accordingly. With each change in design, the production gets delayed. Plan well in advance to avoid trouble during the peak Christmas season when orders are at an all-time high and December is busy for every courier. For rush orders, contact our team.
When you order custom patches, we offer both bulk quantities with wholesale discounts and no minimum order quantities for individuals who need to buy custom patches in a certain quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order custom Christmas patches for my whole team?
Yes, you can. We offer both bulk quantities and no minimum orders for your convenience.
What is the best patch type for staff uniforms?
Embroidered patches with a sew-on backing and merrowed borders are the usual choice. Choose PVC patches instead for outdoor uniforms.
Can I reuse Christmas patches next year?
Yes, you can reuse Christmas custom patches. Select Velcro backing, as it helps the patch easily attach and detach.
How early should I order Christmas patches UK?
Order as early as you can, ideally well before December. Production, proof approval and delivery take 7 to 10 working days. Enquire with our team for an exact timeline.
Can I put a photo or a detailed illustration on a patch?
Yes, you can with a printed patch. Our printed Christmas patches provide a photorealistic finish and are best for photos and complex designs.
Is there a minimum order for personalised Christmas patches?
There are no minimum order restrictions. Order as many patches as you want. Small orders are generally expensive per patch as compared to bulk orders.
Get Your Christmas Patch Orders Sorted
Custom Christmas patches give UK businesses, schools and brands a low-cost way to add seasonal branding to uniforms, gifts and merchandise. Choose the patch type that suits your artwork, pick a backing that matches how the item is used, and keep the design bold and simple.
Approve a proof, plan your timeline backwards from your deadline, and order early to avoid the December rush. With these steps in place, your festive custom patches arrive on time and look as intended. Contact us today at The Custom Patches UK for a free quote.
