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Custom Iron-On Patches
Order in Bulk Online

Custom iron-on patches - embroidered patches finished with a heat-seal adhesive backing that bonds straight to the garment, no sewing and no equipment beyond a household iron. Your department name, unit, team, or logo is stitched in Pantone-matched thread, and the adhesive is applied at the factory as part of the build. Iron-on is one of four backings we put on the same embroidered patches, alongside sew-on, velcro, and adhesive, so choosing it changes nothing about the numbers: tiered pricing from $1.40 per patch at volume, a 10-piece minimum, free digitizing on every design, and 4-6 week production with rush available by phone. It is the backing people reach for when a batch has to go out to a lot of hands at once - a new intake class, a volunteer crew, a team that just got its jackets - because whoever receives the patch can apply it themselves in about two minutes with no sewing skill at all.

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Berklee Police patch design front view Police patch from Berklee, Massachusetts Berklee Police patch after being ironed

HOW IT WORKS

Ordering a custom iron-on patch is straightforward

Pick a patch shape, set your text and colors in the live designer, choose heat-seal backing, and order online or by quote - artwork is free and comes back for approval before anything is stitched.

Start from a patch shape

Browse circle, star, and wedge profiles. Backing is chosen per order, so any shape can be built with heat-seal adhesive.

Browse Patch Shapes
Berklee Police patch design front view Berkley Police Department patch back view Berklee Police patch after being ironed Police patch from Berklee, Massachusetts

Set your text and thread colors live

Type your department, team, or program name and watch the preview update as you go - no design fees, no digitizing charges, no proofs to wait on.

Try the TruePatch Designer
Berkley Police Department patch back view
Program: Your Program Name
Backing: Iron-On Heat Seal
Qty: 100

Choose iron-on backing and order

Pick heat-seal backing, then either check out online against the 10-piece minimum or ask for department pricing. We retain the stitch file for whatever you order next.

Get Started
10
Piece Minimum
Rush
Options Available
Free
Digitizing
Volume
Discounts

What You Get With Every Iron-On Patch

Heat-seal backing applied at the factory, on the same patches we have built since 1999

Swipe to explore

Adhesive Applied at the Factory

The heat-seal film is bonded to the back of the patch during manufacture, so it arrives ready to press. Nothing is added later and nothing is glued by hand.

No Sewing, No Tailor

A household iron at the cotton setting is enough. Recipients apply their own patches, which is what makes large batches practical to hand out.

Cotton, Blends, Denim and Canvas

Bonds cleanly to 100% cotton, 65/35 cotton-poly uniform fabric, denim, and canvas. Polyester works at the lower end of the temperature range.

Same Price as Every Other Backing

Backing is chosen per order and carries no upcharge, so iron-on prices identically to sew-on, velcro, and adhesive on the same design.

Pantone-Matched Thread

Thread colors matched to insignia you already wear, so a newly issued patch shows no drift in shade against the batch it joins.

Free Digitizing, Kept On File

Digitizing costs nothing, and we keep the approved stitch file so a later intake class is produced from the identical file and colorway.

Our online design tool

Design your custom iron-on patch with the Owl Badges TruePatch Designer™

The Owl Badges TruePatch Designer is the in-browser custom iron-on patch designer from Owl Badges. Officers, departments, and law enforcement agencies design their iron-on patch — shape, finish, seal, rank, and badge number — in real time, see live volume pricing, and order directly from the manufacturer. No software install, no account required to start, no dealer markup.

In-browser Real-time pricing No account required Upload your seal Department orders
Open the TruePatch Designer →
Path 2 · Custom design path

Need a custom iron-on patch? Request a quote.

Some agencies need an iron-on patch the TruePatch Designer doesn't cover — a custom shape outside the standard catalog, a complex multi-layer department seal, hybrid metal-and-enamel finishes, inlaid stones, photographic memorial elements, or a one-of-a-kind department die. For these, the Owl Badges in-house design team builds your iron-on patch from scratch. There is no design fee, no mold setup fee, and no commitment to order.

  • Fully custom shapes outside the standard catalog
  • Complex multi-layer seals with raised 3D elements
  • Hybrid finishes — antique, two-tone, enamel
  • Inlaid stones & memorial badges with photographic elements
  • One-of-a-kind department dies for unique shapes
Request a Quote →

Custom quotes typically returned within 4 business hours, Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM PST.

Custom Iron-On Patches, Order for Your Team

Owl Badges builds iron-on patches from $1.40 per patch at volume on a 10-piece minimum, with free digitizing and a 4–6 week production window. Heat-seal backing is a convenience choice rather than a design, so the right starting point depends on the garment and who is applying it. Compare options for the full patch catalog with every backing option when you are comparing backings side by side, velcro hook-and-loop patches for gear that changes when the marking has to come off again, and police department patch orders and unit emblems when the batch is going to sworn personnel. Each profile listed here loads straight into the designer, and you pick the backing when you order without affecting the price.

Iron-On Patch Styles We Build

Six families cover almost every heat-seal order that comes through.

Shoulder and Sleeve Patches

The standard uniform flash, heat-sealed so a whole intake class can apply their own.

Name and Title Strips

Rectangular strips for names, titles, and program years, pressed on above a pocket or below a shoulder mark.

Team and Club Emblems

Crests and logos for squads, troops, clubs, and volunteer crews handing out kit in one go.

Cap and Beanie Patches

Small-format patches sized to a cap front panel, where sewing through a structured crown is awkward.

Jacket Back Panels

Oversized back and shoulder panels for denim and canvas jackets, which take the bond particularly well.

Event and Program Runs

Short dated runs for graduations, camps, drives, and anniversaries that are applied once and kept.

Police patch from Berklee, Massachusetts Berklee Police patch, Massachusetts side view

Build Your Iron-On Patch in Real Time

Every patch shape opens in the Owl Badges TruePatch Designer, our live patch builder: change the outline, thread colors, text, and seal and see the finished patch before you commit to a run.

  • Department, team, or program name
  • Names, titles, and program years
  • Custom logos and unit emblems
  • Subdued or full-color thread
  • Iron-on, sew-on, velcro, or adhesive backing
Browse All Patches
$1.40
Per Patch at Volume
5,000+
Organizations Served
Since 1999
US-based manufacturer

Garments Iron-On Patches Suit

Heat-seal backing is a question of fabric before it is a question of who is wearing it. Natural and blended fibres take the bond; coated and synthetic shells do not. Pricing runs from $1.40 per patch at volume, production 4-6 weeks, rush by phone.

Cotton Uniform Shirts
Cotton-Poly Blend Uniforms
Denim Jackets
Canvas Work Jackets
Ball Caps
Hoodies and Sweatshirts
Tote and Gear Bags
Team Jerseys
Aprons and Smocks
Scout Sashes
Letterman Jackets
Event T-Shirts

Pick up any of the styles listed here, or take one into the TruePatch Designer and rework it. The tradeoff is worth stating plainly, because iron-on is not the strongest backing we make - it is the most convenient one. Sew-on is what you want when a garment goes out to contract laundering week after week, or when the patch sits somewhere that takes constant abrasion; stitching simply outlasts adhesive under that kind of load. Hook-and-loop is what you want when the same marking must come off and go back on regularly, across several shirts or a reconfigured carrier. Iron-on wins the third case, which is far more common than either: a batch that needs to reach a lot of people quickly, get applied without a tailor, and then stay put. Where an item sees hard use and you want both convenience and longevity, press the patch down and run a line of edge stitching afterwards - the adhesive pins it in exact position while you sew, which beats fighting with straight pins. Discounts are figured on the whole order rather than design by design, so a cap emblem, a name strip run, and a jacket back panel bought in one go are counted together toward the tier. The 10-piece minimum applies per order, not per design, and production stays at 4-6 weeks after artwork approval.

Start Your Order

HOW TO

How do I order custom iron-on patches from Owl Badges?

Four steps from shape to shipped patch - browse, select, personalize, order.

Swipe to explore

Browse

Compare circle, star, and wedge patch profiles and pick the outline that suits the garment.

Select

Choose iron-on heat-seal backing. It is one of four options and carries no upcharge over sew-on.

Personalize

Set your department, team, or program name and match thread colors to insignia you already wear.

Order

Check out online against the 10-piece minimum, or ask for a quote. Artwork is drawn at no charge and sent over for sign-off before production.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do custom iron-on patches cost?
Tiered pricing from $1.40 per patch at volume, rising with size and embroidery coverage. Iron-on backing carries no upcharge over sew-on or velcro, and quotes include free artwork.
How do I apply an iron-on patch?
Position the patch on clean, dry fabric, cover it with a thin pressing cloth, and press firmly and steadily. Then turn the garment inside out and press the reverse of the same spot for a further 10-15 seconds. Let it cool completely before testing the edges.
What temperature and how long?
Our application guide gives 270-300°F (132-149°C) for 15-20 seconds with firm pressure - the cotton or linen setting on a household iron, with the steam turned off. A heat press set to the same range works equally well.
What fabrics does iron-on backing work on?
100% cotton, 65/35 cotton-poly uniform fabric, denim, and canvas all take the bond well. Polyester works at the lower end of the range, around 270°F, and is worth testing on a spare garment first.
Which fabrics should I avoid?
Nylon, leather, vinyl, and waterproof or coated shells. Nylon and vinyl are damaged at iron-on temperatures, and a waterproof coating stops the adhesive reaching the fibres at all. Choose sew-on or velcro for those garments.
What if the edges lift after a few washes?
Re-press the lifted section with a pressing cloth and let it cool fully before handling. Lifting usually traces back to too little pressure, too short a press, or sizing left in a new unwashed garment. For high-wear items, add edge stitching once the patch is positioned.
Can I sew the patch on as well?
Yes, and on anything that takes hard wear we recommend it. Press it on first and then stitch the edge - the adhesive holds the patch exactly in place while you sew, which is far easier than pinning.
How many washes will an iron-on patch survive?
Our application guide puts it at 50+ wash cycles and a 3-5 year service life with proper care. Commercial and industrial laundering is harsher than domestic washing, and sew-on is the better choice where garments go out under contract.
Is iron-on permanent or removable?
Permanent. The adhesive is designed to bond and stay bonded. If you need insignia that comes off and goes back on, velcro hook backing is the option built for that.
When should I choose sew-on instead?
When the garment is laundered commercially, when the patch sits somewhere that takes constant abrasion, or when it must survive years of heavy duty wear. Stitching outlasts adhesive under sustained load.
How does the Owl Badges TruePatch Designer work?
Open any patch shape and edit it in the browser - set text, logo, outline, and thread colors and watch the preview update as you type. There is no design fee and no digitizing charge.
What is the minimum order for iron-on patches?
The minimum is 10 pieces, applied per order rather than per design. Volume pricing is calculated on the combined quantity, so several designs ordered together price at the larger tier.
Do you charge setup or digitizing fees?
No. Digitizing is free, and your approved stitch file is kept on record so reorders run against the same file at the same thread colors with no repeat charge.
How long does production take?
Production runs 4-6 weeks after artwork approval. Rush is available on all orders - call 626-412-1200 for a current timeline.
Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes. Departments, agencies, schools, and companies order by purchase order, and a quote can be issued with your PO requirements noted before anything moves to production.

Ready to order your iron-on patches?

Open the TruePatch Designer and build your patch in minutes, or request a quote with free artwork for review.

Shop All Iron-On Patches
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"The online designer made ordering badges so easy. We could see exactly what we were getting before placing the order. Quality exceeded expectations."

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Stockdale Marshals Office, TX

"We needed badges for our entire security team. The customization options were perfect and the turnaround time was faster than expected. Highly recommend."

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"Outstanding craftsmanship. Our police department badges look incredible and the two-tone finish really makes them stand out. They've been our trusted badge supplier for years."

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Maybrook Police Department, NY