Embroidered vs. Woven Patches
Embroidered Patches
Embroidered badges are created by stitching the design on top of a base fabric to create a greater level of depth and texture within the badge, and to give a more 3D finish.
Embroidered badges are created with a sewing machine; using a range of embroidery coverage, edging types, stitched textures and colours.
Up to 75% embroidery: the majority of the badge is covered but approximately 25% of the badge is the twill backing fabric.
Up to 100% embroidery: the majority or all of the badge has been embroidered. The quality of the badge is much higher when created at 100% as it offers more detail, texture and opportunity for creativity.
Woven Patches
Woven badges are flat to touch and have no raised thread, giving a more 2D finish - like a typical Scouting/Guiding activity badge.
The design is created as the fabric of the badge is woven with threads crossing over and under each other.
Woven badges are created on a loom and do not offer any texture.
The table below shows the difference in detail, text size and finish between embroidered badges and woven badges.
| Embroidered | Woven | |
| Text |
Size limit Capital letters only |
Smaller text Lowercase possible |
| Level of detail |
Texture stitching possible Detail can be limited |
Allows for finer, more intricate details in design |
| Finish |
3D finish through directional stitching |
Flatter, 2D finish with no raised threads |
| Colours |
9 colours as standard |
8 colours as standard |
| Edging |
Merrow edging for simple shapes, heat cut embroidered edging or laser cut twill edging for non-standard shapes |
Merrow edging for simple shapes, laser cut to shape for non-standard shapes |
| Uses |
Typically used for a higher quality and bigger designs |
Typically used for smaller badges with finer details |
