Woven and Embroidered Badge Suppliers

Franklin's are a leading woven and embroidered badge supplier and have manufactured custom cloth badges for more than 70 years. Producing embroidered cloth badges and woven cloth badges in all shapes and sizes. Each available with a variety of edges finishes and background materials.

To help you decide which of the two main options of cloth badge you need please read more, or email our sales team for help.

Please note we call our badges woven or embroidered badges, but we have heard many names used to describe them, examples include: cloth badges, uniform badges, woven patches, sewn on patches, badge patches, badges patches, sew-on patches, iron-on-badges, to name but a few.

 

A SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENCES

In essence the main difference is that in a woven badge the design is actually woven into and is part of the fabric of the badge. The woven design uses the yarns from which  the cloth badge is woven. Therefore the design is a part of the fabric of the badge and cannot easily be worn off by abrasion or wear and tear. With the embroidered badge the design is on the surface of the fabric of the badge, by a stitching process using embroidery thread. This produces texture and surface relief, but as it is a surface effect only it can get worn off by abrasion or wear and tear.

 

WOVEN BADGES

Woven badges are all shapes and sizes, with or without overlocked edges (for an example of a woven badge please click here).

Woven, sew-on badges or sew-on patches are woven by a loom. They can be produced with over locked edges, and laser cut edges, and can be attached to clothing, bags, shoes, etc. Over locked edges are essentially a stitching all round the outer edge of the badge. This stitched edging can be in different colours and can enhance the design or general appearance of the badge. The laser cut edge is basically a heat sealed edge, but the laser cutting allows very intricate shapes. Sometimes so intricate that it is too difficult to overlock.

Attachment Methods

The over locked/merrow edges help with the sewing on of the badge to a garment etc. Or are produced as iron-on badges, or with velcro attachment. For a weaker attachment self adhesive backing gets used, which can allow the badges to get used as entry passes to events etc., without being permanently attached.

Another superb means of attachment is to use the appliqué process. This involves attaching a badge using an embroidery machine. This gives a professional looking finish and is ideal for sports wear. It makes the woven badge look almost like part of the garment, as embroidery is, but with much more definition and detail in the image.

For more information on attachment methods please click here.

Detail/Defintion

Unlike an embroidered badge woven badges allow much more detail in the design and hence greater clarity of the image, and allow smaller badges. If quantities are larger, the woven, cloth badge is also generally a lower cost item to produce than an embroidered badge.

Although the woven badge has much more detail and clarity of the image, than an embroidered badge/patch, some people prefer the embroidered badge where this detail is not required. This is because, unlike an embroidered badge, the design on the surface of the woven badge is flat without any relief or texture. Franklin's have overcome this on some occasions by combining a woven badge with the embroidery process. Or by using special weaving techniques.

As the woven badge has a flat surface it is less likely to have its design removed by wear or abrasion, or to gain unsightly surface pilling, due to abrasion.

EMBROIDERED BADGES (for an example of an embroidered badge please click here).

Franklin's produce an embroidered cloth badge (or patch) using a stitching process on to a base cloth to produce individual badges, or directly on to a garment, or other products. It produces a textured and raised design effect, which gives more of a 3D appearance. Probably more suitable for small order quantities, because woven cloth badges are more cost-effective for larger quantities. Woven badges can also give more detail to images and text. However, sometimes customers prefer the look of the embroidered badge and accept the extra cost.  Embroidery is also ideal when designs need stitched directly on to garments.

Embroidered badges can have overlocked edges just as a woven badge, and many of the features are very similar.

The badges embroidered on to base cloth, are cut out to produce unique, individual items which are sewn, or ironed or glued, or velcro attached on to garments, bags, shoes, etc.

Blank Made-Up Badges (for an example of a ready made-up blank badge please click here).

Franklin's can offer ready-made blank fabric badges suitable for printing or embroidery.

Supplied overlocked and backed for rigidity. A wide range of colours and overlocking available on request. All items made to order in our factory.

Badges which give protection against heat and flame to std. BS EN ISO 14116

Franklin's have developed an embroidered badge with velcro backing which meets std. BS EN ISO 14116.

This standard specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials, material assemblies and protective clothing to lower the risk of the clothing burning and therefore avoiding hazard.

Designed specifically for police body armour and helmets, but can have many other applications.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to telephone ( +44 (0) 28 406 22230) or email your enquiry to our sales team.

Here you can:

1. Order sample badges
2. Supply details and ask for a quotation.
3. Design, build and buy a badge on the Franklin's secure e-commerce site