Picture this – you wanted to revamp your old and boring outfits. You sure were tired of looking like Ragman, weren’t you? This is why you ordered a bunch of custom embroidered patches! Awesome idea!
And earlier this morning, you received your package, too! Oh, this day cannot get any better now, can it? But hold up! You just remembered now that you are not an expert seamstress; quite the contrary, you are afraid of those prickly, bloodthirsty needles! Yikes!
What will you do now? Oh no! You will never get to revamp your unintentional ragman-inspired closet! Alas!
Well, dummy, count your lucky stars because you can iron these patches on. Wait, how? Because of the plastic coating at the back! It heats up and bonds to the surface of your item of clothing!
To make your day even greater, we have created this step-by-step guide to help you put those patches on to turn your rags into riches. So, plug in your iron, set it to heat at a low temperature, and give this blog a read!
A Step-By-Step Guide To Put Your Patches To Place
Step No. 1 – Make Sure Your Item Of Clothing Is Dry, Washed, And Wrinkle-Free
Prior to starting the attaching process, it is necessary that you make sure that your clothes are all prepped up for application. Keep them dry and washed, and get rid of any wrinkles to make sure that your embroidered patches stay on and stick properly. After that, lay your clothing on an ironing board and proceed to the next step.
Step No. 2 – Set The Iron To The Proper Settings
Adjust the iron to the correct settings on the basis of the material of your clothing. Heavy fabrics like denim or canvas are able to handle high heat. However, if you want to attach your iron-on emblem on delicate fabrics such as fleece or silk, then cut down the heat to medium or medium-high. For those people who have irons that come with specific fabric settings, they can opt for one that matches their fabrics. See, how simple ’twas, wasn’t it?
Step No. 3 – Iron The Area Before Placing The Custom Patch
Now that you have your iron adjusted to the right settings, you need to iron the area where you wish to place the patch. This step will help to activate the adhesive backing of your tiny add-on. Thus, as a result, it will make sure it melts and fuses well with the fabric.
Step No. 4 – Place A Towel Over The Garment And Press The Iron
By completing all of the steps mentioned above, you are all set to attach your emblem to your preferred spot. Once it is positioned perfectly, place a thin cloth or a light tea towel over your custom embroidered patch.
Press the towel firmly with the heated iron, and keep moving the iron slowly in a circular motion. Keep doing so for at least 60 to 90 seconds. Make sure to iron across the borders and edges of your emblem to secure the attachment.
Step No. 5 – Inspect To See That The Patch Is Applied Correctly
After ironing it down to perfection, you have to inspect whether your add-on has adhered properly. You can check by tugging or lifting the patch. If it is firm and does not budge from its place, you are all ready to move to the next step! (Yes, there is a next step! You are not quite done here, dum-dum!)
However, if your patch is not sticking properly, then repeat the steps given above. You can also start with a new patch if your patch does not stick even after several tries. But once the attachment is secure, you better get going.
Step No. 6 – Turn The Material Inside Out
As your emblem has stuck to your item of clothing, why not secure it a tad more? That is right. A lot of experts do this to ensure the durability of the patch and make sure that it remains attached to the fabric for a long time. All you need to do is turn your item of clothing inside out. Place the towel or washcloth over your emblem. After that, press and move your iron slowly in a circular motion for at least 30 to 60 seconds.
Step No. 7 – Let The Clothing Cool
Next up, you have to take off your washcloth or tea towel from over your patch. Make sure that the emblem is properly attached to your item of clothing. Perform the movement test. If your add-on does not withstand your body movement, you need to repeat the ironing process until your iron on patches are secure in their place. Once it is attached properly, let it cool down a bit.
Step No. 8 – Show Off Your Emblem!
Et voila! Your emblem is all set to attract attention! So, feel free to enjoy your newly customized article of clothing and get ready for some nice compliments. Perfect!
- Can I put an iron directly on a patch?
You can. However, it is not recommended at all. Always use a washcloth or tea towel over your emblem, as it will serve as a barrier between the heat and the add-on. Thus, it will help to prevent any potential damage to your fabric. The adhesive backing of your emblem can also leave a nasty residue stuck onto the iron if you put it directly on your patch. Now, you don’t want that, do you?
- How can I iron on a patch and make it stay?
You need to preheat the iron to the right setting and place a thin cloth, such as a washcloth or tea towel, over your item of clothing. Press the iron on the patch long enough for the adhesive backing to fuse with the fabric. Turn your garment inside out and repeat the process. And, of course, you need to let it cool down a bit before using it.
- What fabric is best for iron-on patches?
Among many fabrics that are best for iron-on patches, the top on our list is cotton. It is designed to handle extreme temperatures. However, always check the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum heat allowance. Or you can also test it on a small sample fabric beforehand.
- What temperature should I iron on a patch?
The answer to this query mainly depends on the type of fabric you are using. For instance, if you are working with a heavy fabric, then feel free to crank up the heat. However, the heat resistance of lighter fabrics is much less than that of heavier fabrics.
Summing It All Up!
And that is all you need to know about how to iron on your custom embroidery patches. By reading the step-by-step guide given above, we are sure you can attach these fancy add-ons to your boring old items of clothing to make them look new and vibrant. Awesome!
Why are you still here? You plugged in your iron, remember? So, go ahead and check the temperature. Make sure it is not hot enough to damage your patch or your clothes. Once the temperature is set, here is an outline of the steps you need to follow:
- Ensure clothing is washed, dry, and wrinkle-free
- Set the iron to the right settings
- Iron the garment before attaching your custom add-on
- Place a thin cloth over your article of clothing and press the iron
- Inspect to see whether the patch is applied correctly
- Reverse the material inside out
- Let the clothing cool
- Enjoy!