Year: 2026
Compare 9 patch material types at a glance. This infographic breaks down embroidered, PVC, woven, chenille, leather, printed, bullion, reflective, and glow-in-dark patches by durability, detail level, cost, and best applications. Essential reference for choosing the right custom patch material for uniforms, tactical gear, or promotional use.
Complete 6-step workflow for designing professional police patches. Covers research and inspiration gathering, sketching concepts, digital design creation, stakeholder review and approval, proofing and sampling, and final production ordering. Includes actionable checklist items for each phase to guide departments from initial concept to finished patches in 2-4 weeks.
Complete visual reference guide to law enforcement specialty unit patch symbols. Eight unit-specific cards covering K9, SWAT, Bomb Squad/EOD, Marine Patrol, Aviation, Mounted, Detectives, and Narcotics units with their signature imagery and symbolism. Includes universal design elements like thin blue line, stars, eagle, arrows, laurel wreath, shield, and scales of justice that can be combined across all patch designs.
Complete patch placement measurement guide for law enforcement uniforms. Six color-coded reference cards showing exact measurements for shoulder patches (1 inch below seam), name plates (0.25 inch above pocket), rocker tabs (0.5 inch spacing), service stripes (4 inches above cuff at 45-degree angle), and back panels (4-6 inches below collar). Includes universal placement rules for professional results.
Side-by-side comparison of velcro, iron-on, and sew-on patch backings. Velcro offers 100% removability for tactical gear. Iron-on provides the easiest DIY application for casual wear. Sew-on delivers maximum durability for professional uniforms. Each backing type rated on removability, durability, wash resistance, DIY difficulty, cost, and best use cases.
Tactical patches fall into eight main categories: morale patches for team building, unit ID for squad identification, flag patches for nationality, medical patches for blood type and alerts, operator patches with tactical symbols, name tapes for individual ID, skill badges for qualifications, and IR patches for night operations.
Choosing the right police patch material matters. Embroidered patches remain the standard for duty uniforms, offering the best balance of appearance, durability, and cost. PVC excels for tactical and outdoor applications with superior weather resistance. Woven patches capture fine details at lower cost. Compare all three materials side-by-side.
Police patches vary significantly by agency type. Municipal departments typically use navy blue shields, sheriff’s offices feature green stars, state police display state outlines in gold, federal agencies use circular seals with eagles, tactical units prefer subdued black velcro patches, and campus police incorporate school colors and mascots.
Save up to 80% on custom police patches with bulk ordering. Our volume discounts start at just 25 pieces, with the most popular tier at 100-249 patches offering 50% savings. See exact pricing for your department’s order size.
Compare sew-on, iron-on, velcro, and adhesive patch backing types. Our visual decision guide helps you choose the right backing for police uniforms, tactical vests, fire department gear, and security applications.
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Canada operates a unique three-tier policing system found nowhere else in the world. The RCMP serves at federal, provincial, and municipal levels simultaneously, while Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland maintain independent provincial forces. With 68,500 officers and a $15.1 billion annual budget, Canadian policing combines standardized training with regional flexibility.