Switched patches on your tactical vests, backpacks, or uniform? One who has would definitely know the importance of Velcro for patches. The flexible hook-and-loop allows swapping of designs within seconds with no use of any needles or threads at all.
Irrespective of whether you are creating a Boy Scout uniform, a morale board, or just customizing your existing one.
Knowing about Velcro for patches will help you get started on your path with faster, easier, and more adaptable patch design options. In this guide, you will learn all about attaching, making, and converting your own adaptable hooks and loops.
From tools and materials to the things to do and the things you must avoid doing. Are you ready to make your own custom removable patches? Order your custom Velcro patches from the best patch makers in the USA, The American Patch Company.
What is Velcro for Patches and Why it Matters
What is Velcro for patches? This is an arrangement where hook and loop fasteners are sewn or glued on the back of the patch.
It allows for flexible attachment and detachment of the patch with another material without constantly stitching.
This is due to the fact that, unlike sewing the patch onto the jacket or bag, you need to sew the Velcro patch backing on the patch as well as a strip on the jacket, making a swappable connection.
Widely used in military, tactical, and outdoor clothing. Allows a rapid swap between unit patches, morale patches, and ID badges.
Velcro for patch applications extends to backpacks, hats, costumes for cosplay, and even dog harnesses for daily users.
The advantage of this system is obvious: no need for a sewing machine, no need for needles and thread, and no permanent commitment to a single design.
Velcro for Patches vs. Sewing: Which Method Wins
Hand-sewing and machine-sewing a patch creates a permanent connection that stands up to the test of wear and tear as well as cleaning. Although there is no way to change the pattern once it is placed.
In contrast, using Velcro for patches means giving up a certain degree of permanence in exchange for flexible swapping of patches for different occasions without damage to the fabric surface. For most temporary and semi-permanent uses, hook and loop backing is more convenient and effective.
However, for patches that are subjected to wear and tear, frequent washing, and rough handling, sewing or combining sewing and adhesive Velcro can be a safer option.
Materials You Need Before You Start
But before learning how to add Velcro to a patch, it is necessary to have all the required materials ready. It saves time from being wasted and helps get a better bond at the first attempt.
- Your patch (embroidered, woven, PVC, or iron-on)
- Velcro strips (hook side and loop side, sold together or separately)
- Fabric glue or a strong adhesive rated for textiles
- Scissors for trimming Velcro to size
- A household iron and pressing cloth (for iron-on combination methods)
- A flat, clean work surface
- Rubbing alcohol or a lint-free cloth for cleaning surfaces before bonding
How to Add Velcro to a Patch: Step-by-Step Methods
There are multiple reliable methods to accomplish this task. Depending on the method you are looking for, there can be no-sewing involved, a permanently bonding technique, or a combination of both.
Listed below are three of the most popular methods people search for when learning how to attach Velcro to a patch.
Method 1: Velcro Patches With Adhesive (No-Sew Option)
The fastest way is to use Velcro patches with adhesive since many Velcro strips already come with an adhesive (peel-and-stick) back.
Best option for those who wish to add Velcro to a patch without sewing.
- Cleaning the back of the patch using a lint-free cloth, removing any dirt or oils.
- Trim the adhesive Velcro strip to fit the same size as the patch.
- Remove the backing from the hook side and press it down on the patch for no less than thirty seconds.
- Affix the loop side of the patch to the garment or surface, ensuring it is pressed down to activate the bonding.
- Give the adhesive enough time to set as per instructions on the packaging, normally twenty-four hours.
For Velcro adhesive patches that are not washed frequently, this method works great. This is because adhesive bonds weaken with repeated washing.
Method 2: Using Fabric Glue for a Stronger Hold
If one wants to attach Velcro to a patch without sewing and needs something more durable than the peel-and-stick adhesive, fabric glue is a great alternative. It is the preferred choice when one intends to add Velcro backing to a patch that will be used regularly.
- Cut your Velcro pieces to size, keeping the hook side separate from the loop side.
- Apply an even layer of fabric glue to the back of the patch and the hooks of the Velcro.
- Press the two pieces together and let them stay in contact for the amount of time stated by the manufacturer of the glue, which is usually between thirty and sixty seconds.
- Keep the patch under some weight like a book until the glue dries completely.
- Wait for at least twenty-four hours before you attach the patch to the loop of the Velcro on your clothes.
Fabric glue is capable of producing an adhesion that can withstand light washes far more effectively than simply using adhesive tape. This makes fabric glue highly effective for someone who is learning how to put Velcro on a patch that has to last long.
Method 3: Sewing Velcro Strips for Maximum Durability
Attach Velcro to an embroidered patch or any high-use patch by sewing the Velcro strip directly to the fabric backing for the most durable result. This is the gold standard.
- Attach the loop side of the Velcro to the back of the patch with pins.
- Stitch the edges of the strip with a needle and thread or a sewing machine along the whole edge.
- Strengthen the corners with additional stitches because they are subject to the maximum stress when the patch is removed and reapplied.
- Remove the excess threads and press the patch down.
This technique is more time-consuming but results in a Velcro patch backing that does not peel or loosen, even after years of usage.
Looking for custom patches that are already built with a backing? Browse iron-on patches and Velcro patches at The American Patch to skip the DIY prep entirely.
How to Make Velcro Patches From Scratch
If you start with a blank patch or a custom embroidered design and wish to learn how to make Velcro patches from scratch. The procedure is a combination of the patch-making steps with patch attachment methods mentioned above.
- Design or order your embroidered, woven, or PVC patch base.
- Trim the edges cleanly and, if needed, apply a heat-seal or merrowed border to prevent fraying.
- Decide whether you want a hybrid of iron on patch Velcro, where the patch itself is iron-on and the Velcro is added separately, or a fully sewn Velcro backing.
- Follow Method 1, 2, or 3 above to complete the attachment.
- Test the fit against your intended surface before finalizing the design.
Understanding the process of how to make a patch Velcro compatible is all about combining a well-made patch with a reliable Velcro patch backing.
The method you choose depends on how much wear and tear the patch will endure, along with the frequency of wash cycles.
How to Turn an Iron-On Patch Into a Velcro Patch
Lots of people have iron-on patches but do not know how to convert an iron-on patch to Velcro instead of ironing on the patch permanently.
The question of how to turn iron on patch into Velcro patch ranks among the most frequent questions people ask.
- If the patch has already been ironed onto the fabric, reheat it using the pressing cloth and peel it off from the fabric.
- Remove any glue residue left on the backing of the patch by cleaning it with rubbing alcohol.
- Now that the back is cleaned and dry, attach the iron on Velcro tape or strip to the backing using the techniques explained above.
- Now, attach the other side of the Velcro to your equipment.
This enables one to turn a regular patch into a Velcro patch, thus providing an opportunity to redesign a permanent design into a swappable one.
The technique is especially effective for collectors who need patches to be placed on boards or vests as opposed to a single jacket.
How to Add Velcro to an Embroidered Patch
Custom embroidered patches have a thicker and textured backing that requires more care during the attaching process. In order to add Velcro to an embroidered patch, you should never iron directly on top of the stitched thread, since it can distort the embroidery design.
Rather, use a fabric glue or a sewn Velcro strip along the flatter felt or go for a twill backing material for getting the strongest bond. How to make embroidered Velcro patches usually requires sealing the edges of the patch first with heat.
This is followed by stitching the Velcro backing using a machine during the manufacturing process. This is how most commercially manufactured morale patches and tactical patches are made.
Hook Side vs. Loop Side: Getting the Orientation Right
A little tricky bit for the beginner is how to place the strips. The hook side is the one that is coarse and rough, and it is normally placed at the back of the patch.
The loop side is the one that is soft and fuzzy, and it is normally attached to the garment, bag, or backing strip.
It is not dangerous to reverse the positions of these strips, but consistency is good for easier switching of patches and prevents mismatched strips from snagging on clothing or upholstery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failure to clean the area prior to applying adhesive Velcro, which greatly decreases the bonding strength.
- The use of Velcro strips that are too small, leading to sagging and/or peeling on the edges of the patch.
- The application of fabric glue in excess amounts, which could run through and ruin the front of the patch.
- Using iron directly over the embroidered areas to add Velcro to patch backings, which can flatten or scorch delicate stitching.
- Neglecting to wait for the curing of the patch adhesive prior to putting the patch onto the clothing/gear.
Where The American Patch Fits in
Here at The American Patch, every custom order can be built with the option of having the hook-and-loop backing added in from the start.
This means that you will not need to modify the product later on. Be it a single custom patch or bulk Velcro adhesive patches for team wear or giveaways.
We offer custom embroidery, weaving, or PVC with matching Velcro backing options for all of our productions.
No more fussing over DIY work. Get your custom Velcro patches by placing an order with The American Patch!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you attach Velcro to a patch without sewing?
The fastest method is to utilize adhesive Velcro strips that can be easily removed from a backing. The patch should be cleaned, the hook side placed on the back of the patch for thirty seconds, and then the loop side fixed to the clothing.
What is the best glue for Velcro to fabric?
Durable and flexible fabric glue should be used because it does not crack but remains flexible even after drying. The glue should be applied uniformly from both sides, and pressure should be applied for at least one hour.
Can you glue Velcro to a patch?
Yes, sticking is effective in most instances when it comes to adhering to the patch. All that you need to do is apply some fabric glue on the back of the patch and the Velcro strips and wait for it to dry off.
Can you put Velcro on an embroidered patch?
Yes, you can add Velcro to an embroidered patch using glue or sewing on the flatter portion of the backing of the patch. Direct heat should not be applied to stitched areas due to the distortion of the embroidery.
Can you turn an iron-on patch into a Velcro patch?
Indeed, all one needs is to warm up the patch and remove it from the cloth, clean up any sticky stuff on the patch, and attach the Velcro with glue or stitching. In this way, one can easily convert an iron-on patch to Velcro and use it more than once.
How do you attach Velcro to fabric without sewing?
Do not use needles and threads. Rather, adhesive Velcro or cloth glue should be used. The cloth should be cleaned prior to attaching the Velcro on it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. It is useful for easy tasks but not for heavy work.
How long does fabric glue take to dry on Velcro?
The fabric glue takes thirty to sixty seconds to set, but it takes one day for it to cure completely. It is imperative that there is some form of pressure on the glued components during the curing process.
Is adhesive Velcro strong enough for patches?
Adhesive Velcro is effective for use in light- or medium-weight applications like display boards or clothing. Sewing or gluing the Velcro patch backing gives even greater strength for use in daily or washable garments and for heavy objects.
Get Flexible With Velcro for Patches
Learning to make use of Velcro for patches will give you access to a wide variety of options for customization.
Whether it is about switching morale patches on your plate carrier, upgrading your Scout’s uniform, or managing your expanding collection of patches, it gives you many options for doing that easily.
Adhesive tape, fabric glue, or sewing are just some of the various methods used for attaching Velcro for patches.
Each has a unique combination of cost and convenience. And since they all offer different levels of durability, your choice will depend on how durable your custom patches USA need to be.
With the knowledge of the hook and loop system, changing the appearance of your gear becomes as simple as a five-second job rather than a time-taking sewing project.
Need to design your next patch the easy way? Buy custom Velcro patches from The American Patch with high quality and durability guaranteed. Contact us today for a free quote.
