Duopei Emblem / Patches
Embroidered Patches
Thread on twill. The classic uniform patch, made in our own workshop.
An embroidered patch is stitched directly onto a twill backing cloth. Where the design covers the cloth completely we call it 100% coverage; where the twill is left showing as part of the design, 50% or 75%.
This is what we have made since the factory opened and it is still three quarters of what leaves it. Police and sheriff insignia, fire and rescue badges, club crests, martial arts belts, national flags, shoulder titles.
Nine standard thread colours are included in the price. We hold 252 in stock and can match a Pantone reference where the shade matters.
Specification
| Size range | 2.5 cm – 30 cm (1" – 12") |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 50% · 75% · 100% |
| Borders | Merrowed · hot cut · stitched |
| Backing | Plain · plastic · iron-on · adhesive · hook-and-loop |
| Thread colours | 252 in stock, 9 free per design |
| Minimum order | 50 pieces per design |
Examples
The four decisions
Coverage
- 30% — text only
- Letters and an outline on a plain twill ground. The least expensive.
- 50% — mostly twill
- Half the surface stays as twill cloth. Suits simple two-colour designs.
- 75% — balanced
- The design covers most of the patch, twill showing through as one background colour. The usual choice.
- 90% — nearly full
- Only a thin margin of twill left showing. Used where a full-stitch look is wanted at lower cost.
- 100% — fully embroidered
- No twill visible anywhere. Required for flags, most police and fire insignia, and any multi-colour background.
Border
- Merrowed
- A raised overlock rope around the edge, about 3 mm wide. The traditional patch edge. Only possible on simple outlines — circles, shields, ovals, rectangles.
- Hot cut
- A heated blade seals the edge flush with the stitching. Follows any outline at all, and can go down to a 1 mm border. Use it for cut-out shapes and letters.
- Stitched
- A flat satin-stitch border inside the cut line. Lies flatter than merrow under a jacket seam, and works on moderately complex shapes.
Backing
- Plain (no backing) Included
- Heat-pressed flat with nothing added. Sewn on by hand or machine.
- Plastic backing Small surcharge
- A firm film pressed onto the back. Keeps the patch flat and stops the edge curling; still sewn on.
- Heat-seal (iron-on) Small surcharge
- A heat-seal film on the back. Press at 135–150 °C for 30–50 seconds. Not for stretch fabric or waterproof shells.
- Self-adhesive Small surcharge
- Peel and stick. For temporary use: events, trade shows, sample boards.
- Hook only (single side) Surcharge
- Just the hard hook half, for garments that already carry a loop panel.
- Hook and loop (both sides) Highest surcharge
- Both halves supplied, so one patch can move between garments.
Size
size = (width + height) ÷ 2
Add the width and the height and divide by two. A patch 8 cm wide and 12 cm tall is quoted as a 10 cm patch. This is the standard method used throughout the trade.
How an order runs
- 01
Send your artwork
Any format — vector, photo, or a sketch on paper. Tell us the size, the quantity and what it goes on.
- 02
We send a proof
Within 72 hours: a digital proof with the thread codes and the price. Revise it as many times as you need.
- 03
You approve, we make
30% deposit starts production. 7–10 working days on the machines, then quality check and packing.
- 04
We ship
Balance before despatch, then DHL or FedEx, 3–5 days to Europe. Tracking by email the day it leaves.
Get a quote
Thank you — your enquiry is in.
We have emailed you a copy. You will hear from a person within one working day.
Your reference
Questions buyers ask
How is the size of a patch worked out?
Add the width and the height and divide by two. A patch 8 cm wide and 12 cm tall is quoted as a 10 cm patch. This is the standard method used throughout the trade.
What is the minimum order?
50 pieces per design. Small runs are genuinely welcome — they are most of what we do, and they are not put behind the large orders in the queue.
How many colours are included?
Nine thread colours per design are included in the quoted price. Beyond nine there is a small charge per additional colour. We stock 252 shades; metallic and glow threads are quoted separately.
Can you match a specific colour?
Yes. Give us a Pantone reference, our own thread code from the colour library on this site, or post us a physical sample. Screen colours are not reliable for matching, so we confirm the thread codes in writing with the proof.
What artwork do you need?
Vector files are best — AI, EPS or PDF. We also work from JPG, PNG, a scan, or a photograph of an existing patch. If all you have is a sketch, send it; redrawing is part of the free proof, not an extra charge.
How long does it take?
A digital proof within 72 hours of receiving your artwork. Once you approve it, 7–10 working days in production, then 3–5 days by DHL or FedEx. Around three weeks door to door in Europe.
Do I have to pay for the proof?
No. The digital proof and any number of revisions are free, and nothing goes on a machine until you have approved it in writing. A physical pre-production sample is available at cost and is credited against the bulk order.
Send us the artwork. We will send back a proof.
No account, no obligation, no charge for the proof. Reply within one working day.