Author: Owl Badges Team

Compare 5 types of fire departments in the U.S. at a glance. This infographic breaks down career, volunteer, combination, paid-on-call, and special fire departments by staffing model, location served, and percentage of total departments. Essential guide for understanding how America’s 29,000+ fire departments are organized.

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 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.

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.

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.