The difference between woven and embroidered badges can be explained as follows. Woven badges are hard-wearing and are commonly the badge of choice for customers who require small scale lettering or a detailed design. Embroidered badges are stitched on the surface of the fabric and are richer and more textured in appearance. However, embroidered badges cannot show the great detail that can be shown on a woven badge, and can be more susceptible to wear and surface abrasion.
Unlike an embroidered badge, woven badges allow much more detail in the design and hence much greater clarity of the image, and allow the badge to be smaller where required. When larger quantities are required, 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. Franklins 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 image removed by wear or abrasion, or to gain unsightly surface pilling, or snags, due to abrasion.
Overlocking is the stitch that goes over the edge of the badge. It helps hold the cloth badge to the rigid backing material. It also gives another option for a coloured edge, and it makes it easier to sew the badge onto the garment. This is because it is easier to sew through the loose overlocking than through the stiffened badge with the backing material and adhesive layer.
Sharp internal angles cannot be overlocked. Where these are present an embroidered edge is the alternative (see FAQ 3). Or a LASER cut badge with welded edge.
A badge is woven on a loom as an integral part of a web of fabric. The badges are designed to be woven across the fabric as effeciently as possible to minimise waste. This badge fabric is flimsy; not stiff. So a backing material, often a fusible interfacing fabric, is used to stiffen the badge material.
The overlocking can aid hold the badge fabric and backing together. Heat stamping the badges out, or LASER cutting them to a certain extent negates the need for overlocking because these methods can weld the edges of the backing material and badge material together. However, many customers still like an overlocked edge for decorative, traditional, and as an aid to sewing the badge to the garment.
The sewing problem can be overcome by using iron on backing so that the badge can be easily ironed onto the garment.
If your badge is laser cut, or has sharp internal angles, a satin stitch embroidered edge is a great way to complete your badge. This is a more expensive alternative to overlocking. It is most commonly used on the edge of heat applied badges used on football and other sporting shirts.
Yes you can, please don’t forget to include dimensions and quantities and we will email back your quote. Email: info@franklins.co.uk.
Ideally we prefer a high quality colour image preferably 300 dpi but not less than 100 dpi. However, if you have a simple sketch, we can create you artowork for you free of charge. This can be sent to us via e-mail in either JPEG or TIFF (PC COMPATIBLE). This will assist us in meeting your design expectations. If you have colour references these should also be included in your email (pantones or a simple aproach for example would be Cadbury's purple or Sainsbury's orange). Our in house design department will be able to offer you every assistance with your design.
Yes, either scan and email into info@franklins.co.uk or post with your contact details to: Franklins International Ltd, 54 Scarva Road, Banbridge, BT32 3AU. Please remember to include dimensions and quantities.
You will be emailed a scan of your badge for approval before manufacturing begins. This is usually 10 days after you have approved your artwork.
Once payment is confirmed and you have approved your sample delivery will be 3-4 weeks. Orders may be able to be fast tracked on request.
Yes, and we would love to hear from you. Please phone: UK 028 4062 2230 or ROI: (048) 406 22230.
Yes, and we would love to hear from you to explain more about our products. Please phone: UK 028 4062 2230 or ROI: (048) 406 22230.
We have a much wider range than we are able to show on our website and also make bespoke items to order. You can also email info@franklins.co.uk.
We follow the schedule below:
If manufacturing has begun (after approval by you) the order will be completed and despatched. If your sample has been made a refund will be given minus the admin fee of £20.00. If this happens before work has started on your artwork, you will be given a full refund.
Hopefully, please telephone or email and we will do our best to help you out. Orders may be able to be fast tracked on request.
Please telephone, or email straight away and we will do our best to help.
Call Franklins sales department as soon as possible and we will be happy to help. Please phone: UK 028 4062 2230 or ROI: (048) 406 22230.
If we are closed for annual holidays there will be a message on the answering machine.
Our normal factory opening hours are:
8.30 – 5.30 Monday to Thursday
8.30 – 12.30 Friday
If you need to get in touch out of hours urgently email info@franklins.co.uk. We will do our best to respond.
Yes, of course. We would prefer to know at the time of ordering/payment but as long as you allow us sufficient notice it shouldn't be a problem. Please phone: UK 028 4062 2230 or ROI: (048) 406 22230.
Or email info@franklins.co.uk.
If you have a BF PO address please advise us and we will organise this delivery for you. Please remember this will be in 2kg max weight boxes. For companies and civilians based overseas, we can ship to most countries in the world, though this may incur additional delivery charges.
Yes. We can advise you which garment ranges are available in the sizes you require. Our largest size is 10XL.
Yes, its to best to phone so that we can ensure you get exactly what you want. Here's the reason why; Lady fit tops are by nature slim fit. 'Fruit of the Loom' being the smallest, though we would recommend B&C or AWD as the best sized female fitted garments through the size ranges. It is also possible to add their childrens range to the lower size range and the comfort (or mens) fit to the upper size scale to ensure that children and the bigger girls also have matching garments. Be careful when sellecting the colours to ensure that the same colour is available through all the styles and size ranges.
Yes, call Andy Wilson for a special quote please phone: UK 028 4062 2230 or ROI: (048) 406 22230.
Yes call 028 4062 2230 for help.
Franklin's offers a wide range of garments with varying qualities and prices, but it make sense to bear in mind what you will be using the garments for. Low priced items are low priced because they are generally made from lighter weight material, or even cheap materials. If you need garments to last it is not always the best policy to go for the lowest price. You may need to purchase two or three cheap items to last as long as a good quality item.
“There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man’s lawful prey.”
John Ruskin
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 in order to reduce the possibility of the clothing burning and therefore avoiding hazard.
This badge was designed specifically for police body armour and helmets, but can have many other applications.
To enable Franklins to sell at wholesale prices we need reasonable sized orders to cover our overheads. Franklins keep their order quantities to a minimum, and for various products the minimum order quantities are:
100 units for badges, 1000units for labels, 6 units for garments. 1 unit for hand embroidered or hand wire embroidered badges.
For customers who require less than 100 units, we suggest it best to buy the whole hundred and simply use the quantity you require. We believe in most cases you will find the price to be little different from that most companies would have to quote for 25 or 50 badges.
Total order values should ideally be in excess of £200 in value.
We supply woven labels in taffeta and satin quality, these can be supplied in a variety of formats such as:
Yes, in most cases we can manufacture to match your requirements. Please phone: UK 028 4062 2230 or ROI: (048) 406 22230 or email info@franklins.co.uk.
To give our customers the best possible all round value we at Franklins outsource elements of our business. However, we have a very responsible approach to this function. Business is something done by people, for people, and everyone in our supply chain must remember this. Our customers are very important to us, but so also are our own people. At Franklins we look after our employees, to the best of our ability, and we expect our suppliers to do the same for their employees. Bad suppliers will reflect adversely on our business and that of our customers. Franklins International Ltd. conducts its business in an ethical manner. We are concerned about human rights, and health and safety in the workplace. We expect our business partners to share our ethical concerns. We use the following standards in the selection of our business partners and expect compliance with these standards by our business partners, including all manufacturers, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers utilised in the manufacture and finishing of products that are ordered by Franklins. Franklins do understand that it is a fundamental of any business that they must sell products at a greater cost than it costs to make them. So that they can reinvest in technology, machinery and people to safe guard jobs and their future. However, this must not been done reckliessly or carelessly in a way which has unreasonably adverse affect on stakeholders or the environment. Our major suppliers must fully understand and agree to these conditions, before doing business with us. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining are Respected.
Workers, without distinction, have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively. Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, the employer facilitates, and does not hinder, the development of parallel means for independent and free association and bargaining. |
For additional confidence Franklins badges and labels are tested for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The Oeko-Tex label indicates to interested end users the additional benefits of tested safety for skin-friendly clothing and other textiles. In this way, the test label provides an important decision-making tool when purchasing textiles. We feel this is especially important as many of our products are used by children.
Franklin's respond to all genuine inquiries so if you do not get a response it may simply be that your email has been accidently caught by our spam protection software. Or our response has been caught by your spam protection software.
We apologise if this happens, but would please ask you not to give up. Please fax or telephone, and ask for Judith, Karen or Claire:
United Kingdom
Tel: (028) 406 22230
Republic of Ireland
Tel: (048) 406 22230
Email: info@franklins.co.uk
Sorry, but Franklin's do not respond to any emails that are sent to undisclosed recipients.
Franklins main products are woven and embroidered badges.
To give our customers the best possible price and service we supply both from our factory in the UK and from our factory in the Far East.
As well as this our main products also include:
As well as our main products we also supply a range of other products and services. Please ask if in doubt.
There is a maximum width restriction of 400mm. The length has no real restriction.
Machine embroidered badges maximum size restrictions are 23cm x 23cm.
If you require a large badge please discuss with our sales team.
Franklins standard terms and conditions can be found at the bottom of the home page on the website.
Or alternatively you can click HERE.
Franklins embroider in our factory in Banbridge. We also have a team of stitchers for overlocking badges and making up items such as arm bands, epaulettes, etc.
To give our customers options, and the best possible all round value we at Franklins also outsource elements of our business. However, we have a very responsible approach to this function. We establish long term relationships with our partner companies. We only work with companies we trust and we regularly visit and assess them. As Franklins combine a lot of business, millions of badges a year, and put it through these partner companies we can get special prices and service, often better than customers who go direct to off-shore manufacturers themselves.
So please check with Franklins before trying to order from overseas suppliers. We can often get you better lead times, and you don't need to worry about customs duty, shipping charges, quality issues etc. Also, if you are not fully happy with your order you have someone local to complain to. If you are a regular customer with a good payment record you may even not need to pay 100% up front; we can grant credit terms to regular customers. We can even arrange stock holding and call-off for a small extra charge if your order is of a reasonable volume.
People are understandably often not aware of the difference between woven and embroidered badges (see our cloth badge page). However, woven badges can be referred to by the following other names:
#sew on patches
#sew on badges
#cloth badges
#sew on badge
#sewn on badges
#cloth badge
#iron-on badges
#fabric badges
#custom patches
#clothing badges
#sewnbadges
...... to name but a few. Some of these names may also be used to refer to embroidered badges.
Due to the nature of the business Franklins do not keep any stock badges. All badges are unique customer designs, and are made specially for each order.
For large customers some stock is kept as part of call-off orders, but no stock is kept without a sales order.
There are numerous ways of attaching cloth badges to your garments:
Franklins have many years experience in this application. Franklins badges have been used for very many years by swimming clubs and award organisations without any complaints about fading, colour change or disintegration.
So you can use Franklins badges for this application with confidence.
Franklins badges have been used for well over 50 years, and are resistant to the laundry and dry cleaning?
They are made from polyester yarns which are thermoplastic so should not however be subjected to a boil wash.
Franklins is very much committed to protecting your personal data and has policies in place to deal with this.
For more information please click here to see Franklins "Privacy Policy".
A badge is woven on a loom as an integral part of a web of fabric. The badges are designed to be woven across the fabric as effeciently as possible to minimise waste. This badge fabric is flimsy; not stiff. So a backing material, often a fusible interfacing fabric, is used to stiffen the badge material.
As well as the badge fabric being flimsy; without a lot of work the rear side of the badge fabric can have long floats of yarn which are unslightly, and it could also catch on things during the manufacturing process, and afterwards.
The stiffened badge is easier to handle and work with; especially if it requires overlocking. The stiffening also keeps the badge flat.
Designing, weaving, backing, cutting out, overlocking and packing can often be considered too many costly steps in the woven badge manufacturing process. Badges have been designed in the past using a Franklin's developed process where stiff monofilament yarns were used in the weft during weaving which stiffened the badge fabric and meant a second fusible stiffening fabric was not required. The badge could simply be woven, LASER cut, packaged and it was ready to use. Overlocking was not needed as an aid to sewing because without the stiff backing fabric, with adhesive layer, it was easier to push a sewing needle through.
Today, we face the paradox that when there is a concern about the environment. Our natural products are more and more being replaced by synthetic substitutes which in spite of their attractive appearance and functionality carry the difficulty of disposal and long- term damage to our environment. Franklin Group are aware of this problem and are continually moving to use more sustainable materials in their production processes.
There is often a significantly greater financial cost in using these sustainable materials. As well as sometimes reduced functionality. However, we are all aware the cost of not using them may be even greater.
Franklins understand that these changes can often make good business sense, not just for oursleves, but also for our customers. As well as good sense for the environment in which we all live.