How to Use Custom Patches to Build a Consistent Brand Identity Across Products?

What Makes Custom Patches Part of a Brand Identity?

Brands achieve brand equity through custom patches once buyers can find out their brand through its look and feel even before they see its name. 

For instance, a clothing company may regularly use:

• One logo
• 2 or 3 approved colors
• A recognizable border’s shape
• A consistent font
• A secondary logo for collections
• A standard location for a logo

With the help of such elements, they can produce a patch for all the products, including beanies, jackets, backpacks, hoodies, and caps without all items being the same. 

Opinion: Avoid changing the design of every patch too much, as too many changes can make it harder to recognise the overall design. 

Build a Simple Patch Branding System

Before making your first order, it is important to lay down certain rules that each patch set must follow in future and always, such as: 

By following this rule, you can avoid a common situation when your site looks costly while your product is like a random promo. 

Match Patch Designs to Different Products

There is no reason to use the same custom patch design on all items, instead change the way it is applied but maintain the brand’s identity. 

• On Custom Beanies

Use a relatively small logo patch that is recognizable at small size, while woven patches and PVC can be suitable when the design has delicate details that can be difficult to reproduce with embroidery. 

• On Jackets

Larger areas enable you to use a bigger embroidered logo, add secondary images and text. So it gives you more possibilities for applying different designs. 

• On Backpacks

The smaller logo patches will work fine and the hook-and-loop patches will allow your customers the choice on how they want to personalize their items. 

• On Hoodies

Smaller patches on the chest will give a unique brand recognition, while bigger ones on sleeve or back are there to make a strong statement. 

The main idea is simple: do not change the brand logo, but change the way it is placed. 

Create Product Families With Patch Variations

Custom patches can also play a vital role in managing various collections but still keeping them in line with the master brand. 

For example:

Core Collection → Logo patch

Outdoor Collection → Logo + mountain symbol

Limited Edition → Logo + numbered patch

Employee Collection → Logo + team identifier

Event Collection → Logo + event name and year

A practical example is Microsoft. THE/STUDIO announced that it produces embroidered airmen patches and other custom pins for Microsoft staff, hires, product teams, and company events. 

The main takeaway is how unique patch designs work for each individual group while at the same time keeping the brand identity intact. 

Use the Same Brand Colors Across Every Patch

Inconsistency in color makes relevant products appear like they are from different brands. Imagine your branding using the navy color along with white and orange. If the same colors are used with patches often, it would make visual sense than mixing with different colors randomly for each product.

Before you go ahead with the production phase, please ensure to check:

1. Color match with a brand
2. Thread color availability
3. Type of patch material
4. Digital sample
5. The size of the final product

This step plays an important role especially when you are working with different manufacturers or when you place a patch order after a long interval. 

Use Custom Patches to Tell a Brand Story

A patch can convey more than just what your business is. Outdoor companies could have their patches use mountains, coordinates, compass symbols or trail signs. Sports companies could have their patches show mascots, jerseys, team symbols or years won. Fashion brands may want their patches to have collection names or hallmark symbols.

The best designs are designed to answer the following question:

“What will this patch communicate about the person who wears it?”

This inquiry has the chance of changing an ordinary patch into something that a person wants to wear.

Real Example: Bose Uses PVC Patches Across Branded Gear

Bose Professional has joined forces with THE/STUDIO to develop new PVC patches that highlight the company logo.

As reported in their case study, the patches feature a raised black logo over a white background and are made from PVC material that makes them both durable and resistant to water.

However, the important point is not that every business has to use PVC.  Instead, the company needs to think carefully about its patch material, finish, logo method and application that they want to use. 

A Practical Workflow for Consistent Brand Patches

1. Use this process before placing your order.
2. Gather all of your brand’s assets, such as logo, colors, types of font, and any secondary logos.
3. Decide on the patches that you are going to create (e.g., embroidered, woven, PVC, leather, etc.).
4. Create 2 or 3 main designs that can fit in several different types of products.
5. Decide what measures your caps, jackets, bags, and clothes should have concerning the regular size and location.
6. Create the exact drawings that the custom patch manufacturer needs.
7. Get an electronic version of the drawing before production starts.
8. Look through the colors, letters, borders, proportions, and materials.
9. Give approval for a physical sample for bigger or expensive orders.