velcro patches

How Do I Take Care of Velcro Patches?

Protecting your velcro patches helps maintain their gripping power and durability. However, exposed apparel closures can sometimes collect debris like fuzz. You don’t need to sit for hours hand-picking pieces attached to your custom velcro patches. Instead, there are many cleaning solutions available. Here are a few ways to ensure your velcro patches last longer.

Cleaning Your Velcro Patches

Velcro can collect a lot of debris when it isn’t properly maintained. It’s not recommended to wash your velcro patches in the washing machine as this can be especially rough on the velcro. The last thing you want for your uniform is for the velcro patches to lose their gripping ability. Consider handwashing the fabric with your velcro patches instead of putting them through the washing machine.

You can also remove lint and other debris from your velcro patches using a T-pin. Slide the T-pin carefully between the rows of velcro to collect the debris. You can also use tiny tweezers, a dry toothbrush, or a fine-toothed comb to wipe off debris. Make sure you use minimal force to avoid breaking the delicate edges.

Why Are Velcro Patches Prone to Collecting Debris?

Customized velcro patches can be a great way to set your department apart from others. However, velcro patches have little hooks that are designed specifically to help them stay onto the fabric of your team’s uniforms. This is great for ensuring the velcro patch stays intact, but it also means that the patch can sometimes pick up more than fabric.

When packed with lint, the tiny fasteners fail to get an excellent grip. Make sure you unclog the grime using the mentioned methods above for a tighter grip.

Properly Store Your Patch Collection

Improper storage could end up ruining your entire collection of custom velcro patches. Consider getting a patch panel that is crafted from the smooth side of the velcro so you can hook all your patches in one place when not in use. If you don’t have a patch panel, you can press two patches on each other firmly.

With proper maintenance, care, and storage, you can make sure that your custom velcro patches stay in great shape for as long as possible. If you’re looking for customized velcro patches for your department or organization, look no further than Emblem Authority. To learn more about our velcro patches, lapel pins, and masks, contact us today.

patch creator

How Do Custom Firefighter, Police, and EMS Patches Benefit Your Team?

Custom patches are very underrated when it comes to their importance in business marketing, emergency services, and police/fire departments. Patches can be sewn on, heat-sealed, or attached with a pin to any garment. They are the unique identity of the department and the wearer. Whether you want temporary or permanent patches, you should hire a professional patch maker for quality assurance.

Below are some benefits of using a skilled patch creator company for your team’s custom embroidered badges.

1. Originality and Distinction

Every agency is looking for a way to express their individuality and uniqueness in what they do. Every patch tells a distinct story. Your design will represent your entire organization and gives your team identity. With customized patches, you can promote the services you offer and implement the department’s mission.

A custom patch can also help differentiate one department from another, especially those in a similar line of duty. For example, they can be used to distinguish different police and sheriff departments.

2. Give Your Team a Voice

Enhance team spirit by making everyone in the department feel like part of one happy family. There are so many types of patches, designs, sizes, and shapes to select. The wide range of choices gives you a chance to choose a patch that showcases your team’s collective spirit. Once everyone in the crew feels like they belong, they work in solidarity and with morale.

3. Patches Are Identity Holders

Hiring experienced patch creators for custom police badges, fire department patches, and EMS patches will give your station an inimitable identity. You allow members of your station to design something meaningful to the team’s course.

According to NFPA, in 2018, volunteer firefighters in the U.S. had risen to approximately 1,115,000. And to cultivate amity among all the crewmates, badges, lapel pins, and patches come in handy. It is a simple way for a team to identify with its department and crewmates.

4. Professionalism

Custom embroidered patches enhance the overall appearance of a uniform. They also make the wearer look professional, experienced, brave, and refined. These badges give your team a nice impression. You also establish a connection with other stations and the public. With a well-designed logo embroidered on a piece of garment, you create awareness and community outreach.

5. It Is Cost-Effective

Designing and attaching patches is affordable compared to direct embroidery. Using a patch creator will also get you a good deal and quality results. The sewing techniques and customization process are cheaper, making it ideal if you are on a budget. Ordering in bulk may get you a discount and minimizes delivery costs – if any.

6. Custom Embroidery Products Are Durable

A well-designed patch will withstand many conditions. You can dry-clean them severally without them fading or coming off your blazer, hat, or shirt. This sturdiness makes them suitable for police departments, firefighters, the hospitality industry, and EMS.

Choosing a reliable patch creator for your team is essential. Patches celebrate the crew’s history and give them identity. Additionally, the personalized artwork shows the teammates’ efforts and collaboration. Custom embroidery patches also create awareness during fundraisers, charity galas, recruiting events, and campaigns.

In summary, the advantages of using patches and badges affect every department differently. How you choose to use the patches is up to you. If used properly, you can build a strong team admired by the public.

3 Common Myths About Face Masks, Officially Busted

A face mask is an essential part of your uniform during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can help to keep yourself, your coworkers, and the public safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s recommended that everyone over the age of two wear a face mask to help slow the spread of COVID-19. In certain states, wearing a face mask is a legal requirement in public areas.

However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of debate about face coverings and the effectiveness of wearing a face mask. That said, to help bust these myths once and for all, we’ve compiled three of the most common misconceptions about face masks and the real truth about them.

  1. Myth #1: Face masks aren’t effective. Face masks can help to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 when used alongside social distancing. When you wear a face mask, it helps to absorb the moisture particles expelled from your nose and mouth when you breathe, speak, and laugh. When worn by a person who is infected with COVID-19, it can help to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus.
  2. Myth #2: Masks cause carbon dioxide buildup. While some masks are a little more difficult to breathe through than others, they cannot cause carbon dioxide buildup or poisoning. Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel wear face masks daily while on the job and are able to breathe perfectly fine. Face coverings made from cotton are recommended for regular use by the public.
  3. Myth #3: Face masks make it difficult to identify yourself. The Emblem Authority offers face coverings that come embroidered with custom police, fire department, and EMS patches to make it easy for public safety departments to identify themselves to members of the public while staying safe and reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Are you looking for high-quality face masks with custom police patches or patches for fire departments? The Emblem Authority is your one-stop-shop for masks with custom patches, velcro patches, pins, and more. To learn more about our face coverings and custom patches for police, fire departments, EMS, and more, contact The Emblem Authority today.

Simple Tips for Creating Different Types of Patches

You can create custom patches for a wide range of applications. You can use them to develop a unique brand design for your organization. They are also widely used for charity causes and clubs that need a visual representation of their movement. In this article, we’ll look at some ideas for coming up with different types of patches.

Initial Planning

There are different types of patches you could design. Custom patches usually consist of a logo, a pattern, and a tag line. At the initial stages, an essential step of the process is to define the purpose of the patch. It could be an emblem for a club, your department, or as a symbol for your business. Once you are clear on your objectives, you can jot down a rough draft of the design. You can then send the sketch to a designer or a patch creator.

Choosing a Color and Text

Colors can make your badge patch stand out from a distance. While the colors should be complementary, the most critical feature is contrast. Contrasting hues ensures visibility and encourages visual interest.

Text size is critical for different types of patches, but mostly embroidered ones. Ideally, the size of the letters shouldn’t be less than a quarter of an inch in height. Otherwise, the stitches will be harder to discern. Using larger text also has the advantage of enhancing readability.

Patch Border Options

Typically, different types of patches will have varying border designs depending on the purpose. A merrowed border is suitable for simple shapes like triangles, circles, and squares. They prevent the edges from fraying and give your patch an elegant, finished look.

Heat cut borders are made by cutting the patch with a laser, and you can use it on materials of varying thickness. It is the most reliable option for custom patches with complicated designs. You could also opt for leather, which is more volatile and makes for a suitable choice for a unique emblem.

Patch Size

The patch should be big enough to accommodate the text and symbols you place on it. But the application of the badge will also determine its dimensions. If you want to pin an emblem on a sports bag, you will have to opt for a smaller size. On the other hand, law enforcement patches will be significantly larger than average. However, always ensure that the patch is not so big that it looks out of place or too small that it’s difficult to read.

Keep It Simple

Regardless of the different types of patches, symbols, or colors you choose, always aim to keep it simple. Too many elements in your design can be distracting and unappealing. There should be enough spacing between the images, text, and emblem. Whenever you are in doubt, remember that less is more when it comes to designing patches. This also applies to colors and shades.

There are many different types of patches you can explore to inspire your designs. Always strive to keep your design simple and to the point. Remember, the objective is to pass a message. You can send your drafts to a patch creator to refine and perfect your emblem or logo. Don’t shy away from trying out unique and captivating designs.

Looking for police, EMS, fire department, or custom patches? Contact The Emblem Authority and get to experience our custom patch design process.

The Dos and Don’ts of COVID-19 Face Masks for Your Department

One of the top ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to maintain social distancing. However, for emergency services and departments serving the general public, it can be difficult to stay up to six feet apart from your coworkers and members of the public. Fortunately, public health experts agree that wearing a face covering is one of the best possible ways to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. To help protect your department and the people you’re serving, here’s what you need to know about the dos and don’ts of wearing face coverings.

DO: Wear Your Mask Properly

When you’re wearing your face covering, it’s essential that you’re wearing your face mask correctly or it won’t be effective. The face covering ought to cover both your nose and mouth. Your nose should never be poking out from the top, and the mask should never be down to your chin.

Wash your hands before you put your mask on and avoid touching your mask once it’s on. If you need to adjust your mask, make sure to touch the straps and not the cloth. When the time comes to take your mask off, remove it by the straps and not the cloth.

DON’T: Remove Your Mask to Identify Yourself

When you work in a public service position, you may need to identify yourself or your department to other people. However, removing your face covering could put you, the person you’re speaking to, and the rest of your department at risk. Keep your face covered with your face mask and instead use your identification card and badge to identify yourself.

The Emblem Authority offers face masks with custom patches sewn in so you don’t have to worry about not being able to identify yourself to others. What’s more, your custom police patches and fire department patches sewn onto your department’s face masks can also serve as a preventative measure for security. Because your custom patch is on the face mask, you don’t need to worry about someone impersonating a police officer or firefighter in your department while using a face covering as a disguise.

DO: Wash Your Mask Daily

Just like you wash the rest of your department’s uniforms every day, it’s important to wash your face masks every day. Wash your hands immediately after you remove your face mask even when you’re touching the straps. Consider keeping your department’s used face masks in a separate, sealed container until the time comes to wash them later in the day.

Once the face masks have been sufficiently washed and dried, store them in a clean, dry container. When you’re wearing a face mask from The Emblem Authority, you don’t need to worry about the water damaging your custom badge. Just wash the face mask with gentle detergent on gentle cycle only with cool water.

Face coverings are an essential part of your department’s new uniform. They’re important for keeping yourself, your coworkers, and the public safe. However, that doesn’t mean you need to worry about face masks clashing with the rest of your department’s uniform. The Emblem Authority’s face masks with custom department badges are exactly what you need. For more information on face masks with custom badges, contact The Emblem Authority today.

3 Critical Things to Keep in Mind When Designing Custom Lapel Pins

Lapel pins are considered one of the most important accessories for a police officer or government agent. To some people, a pin is more important than the official badge patch or emblem.

Suppose you are considering designing a lapel pin for your agency or department. In that case, you may want to keep a few factors in mind to ensure that the end product not only looks authoritative but professional as well. Read on to learn more.

Simplicity Matters

Some of the most outstanding pins only use two or three colors. When you look at an assortment of lapel pins, you will realize that the main reason why using many colors is not advisable is the size. Pins are typically tiny accessories that you will have on your clothing before you head out.

You should remember that one key function of professional emblems and pins is to do the introduction for you. If you make the mistake of designing your pin with a rainbow of colors, the people you interact with will not be able to make out your agency or department fast enough. Another key reason to avoid using too many colors is the cost. You want to work with fewer colors because they do not increase the production cost too much.

Think about what goes on in your mind when you see a limo pick a suited man with a US flag lapel pin. You will automatically associate him with a government agency. An official pin is similar to the uniform worn by police, EMS, and fire departments.

A simple design is more than the color you choose for the pin. You should think about your agency’s identity and the overall message you want to send using the pin. A good place to start is with the department’s logo. Given that most logos are extremely detailed, you can easily draw a simpler version of the logo and add a few touches to simplify the pin design.

The Edges Should Be Smooth

The edges of the pin design are just as important as the overall size of the accessory. You should avoid designing a lapel pin that has a tight squeeze around the edges. Such a design is undesirable since it allows some metal fill to remain on the end product. Most cutting tools are not rigged to cut the edges of the pins smoothly.

Sudden changes in contours should be well-defined on the pin design. A great way to do this is highlighting such details with a color change. For instance, when designing a US flag pin, raising the white stripes and sinking the red ones will make for a more sturdy design. The same thing applies to agencies such as the sheriff or highway patrol offices.

Choose Colors Wisely

How you choose colors is perhaps the most important design decision you can make. Filling various sections of the pin with a perfect color will make it stand out. If you want a lapel pin that mimics your department’s logo, you may follow the original emblem colors. However, you should not constrain yourself to the exact color shade as the logo if it does not make sense.

Sometimes, closely following the exact color shade will make your pins less appealing. In others, you may realize that keeping certain colors will have people confuse your agency for a different one. Given that pins are usually tiny compared to logos and emblems, some of the designs and colors you have in mind may not work. Do not shy away from making a few compromises by trying slight variations of your colors for a unique design.

The popularity of lapel pins can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty in 1271 AD. In the United States, pins and emblems are used by the 17,985 agencies that include police departments, Sheriff’s offices, federal agencies, and highway patrols. Today, pins have become even more popular as various organizations attempt to differentiate their workers in public.

A well-designed lapel pin not only appeals to an officer but adds an aura of authenticity and professionalism. Feel free to contact us today to learn more about the design tips discussed above.

two police officers gaze at a phone screen

3 Types of Identification Policemen, Firefighters, and EMS Providers Should Know

Being a policeman, firefighter, EMS, or a similar position of authority can be challenging on its own. With the seemingly countless rules, regulations, policies, and standards, it can be hard to know what the individuals in related job fields might be doing. Here are some of the most common forms of identification and symbolism you might see from those in authority or medical positions.

1. Badges

Badges are notoriously one of the oldest and well-known forms of identification, especially among police officers and those in law enforcement. Many badges are metallic in appearance and contain an engraved identification number unique to the individual wearing it. Badges can be very specific as well, as they might mean different things. Standardly, any badge coming from a county sheriff’s office will have a five, six, or seven-pointed star, while any badge coming from municipal police will have the shape of a shield.

2. Patches

Unlike many law enforcement officials whose primary form of identification is often their badge, many firefighters and EMS officials use patches as their go-to means of identification. In fire departments, patches are often extremely customized to the specific purposes, geography, and type of work or emergencies they may see. To keep it less confusing, firefighters will often have a database of all international and domestic patches, so they can easily identify the meanings and departments behind each patch.

EMS officials, on the other hand, are often known for the Star of Life symbol that has become recognizable on their patches. This means that many EMS providers can be seen wearing a patch with the star, as well as other organization-specific patches. Some EMS officials even wear a combination of badges and patches.

3. Pins

One of the most common types of pins you might encounter is a lapel pin, which is smaller in size and typically worn on the outside of clothing to show one’s affiliation with a certain group, cause, or organization. Pins can be worn by firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS providers alike, although they are arguably most associated with police officers. Usually, they will mean different things to each individual wearing them and can be very customizable.

The world of pins, patches, and badges can be very confusing when taking into account the different habits, customs, and traditions of different officials. Remember, every department and branch is different, and some exclusions may apply to these points. Hopefully, you will be better prepared for the next time you encounter a professional wearing something on their uniform. Maybe this article has even inspired you to buy some new patches or pins for your own uniform! Whatever the case, stay safe and keep protecting!

pins

Police Patches: Why Invest in Bulk Now

It’s best to keep police patches in stock in bulk fashion. Keep in mind that the police force is growing with over 800,000 sworn-in officers working in the U.S. now, which is the highest number to date. When you keep police pins and law enforcement patches in stock, you do your part to ensure you have the ability to provide complete uniforms at any time, as the police force continues to grow across the nation.

Consider this: when it the last time you wondered, ‘What are the police patches we have in stock?’ If you haven’t been keeping a close tab on the types of patches you have in the stockroom or you have no clue if you have enough police face mask coverings for everyone you employ, you should consider buying police patches and other items in bulk. Here’s why.

You Remain Prepared

Even as you keep your police staff outfitted with proper protective gear and masks, you should have the right identifiers on your police uniforms as well. Remember that there’s not just your police station to keep in mind when it comes to using patches. There are thousands of police officers needing the same supplies you do for your team.

Before you run out of patches and pins, have them ordered in bulk supply. This way, should there be a backup in patches, you have the ones you need to supply your ever-growing police force.

You Save Money

Investing in more pins and patches for your police station comes back to you in many ways, and one of them is saving money. Buying in bulk is cheaper for the supplier or manufacturer, so therefore it’s cheaper for you. If you want to save money and keep your police force budget from being over-spent, buy police patches in bulk. You save money on the actual patches and save money on the shipping costs since you are making fewer purchases at one time.

You Protect Your Officers

Take a look at your inventory saved for police uniforms and ask yourself this: ‘What do we lack regarding police patches we have in stock?’ Your officers are only as protected as the uniforms they have, and they need to have the right pins, patches, and other stocked police necessities to ensure a healthy operating police force.

Buy the pins, police patches, and other identifying patches for your police officers in bulk so you have beautiful and professional police uniforms for your entire staff. You’ll get price quotes for the accessories you choose, so you can shop accordingly from your trusted supplier. If you’re wondering among your staff, ‘What patches we have in stock compared to what we need?’, it’s time to start buying in bulk.

fire department patches

Fire Department Patches: Why Invest in Quality Products?

When you invest in the best quality fire department patches you can find, you do your crew a great service. You can choose a company that makes the types of patches you need, such as velcro patches that can be removed and placed on uniforms as needed, or you can buy the fire department patches that are affixed permanently to the uniforms of the service people you employ.

With over a million volunteer and career-style firefighters in the nation as of 2018, it’s easy to find a company to supply you with the custom types of patches you need. However, it’s important that you focus on the quality of the items you order. Here are the reasons why focusing on quality is key.

You Make Uniforms Look More Professional

When you have fire department patches designed professionally, you make your fire dept uniforms look even more professional than they already are. You want to focus on the stitch work and the vibrancy of all the patches you have put on your team, so everyone feels equal and appreciated, from your volunteer firefighters to those who do the work professionally as a career.

You Make Uniforms Last Longer

Investing in quality patches for your fire department personnel means you also invest in their uniforms as a whole. When you ensure the patches are of great quality by choosing a great fire department patch designer for your needs, you do even more to ensure that the uniforms last a long time. The more you invest in the fire department uniforms as a whole, the less money you have to spend on repairs or replacements as a preventative measure.

You Get More for Your Investment

Whether you buy your fire department patches in bulk or on an as-needed basis, you want to make sure you get great value for your investment. Quality matters in ensuring you have patches that won’t easily tear or fade, or bleed into the design of the rest of the uniform. Patches should be vibrant and easy to read, which will make them effective in identifying your firefighters in most situations.

You Get Reliable Patches That Work

The purpose of the fire department patches is to help make your firefighters feel like they are part of your unit and that they can be easily identified in the event of a dangerous scenario. Reliable patches that don’t fade or come off, even if they are made with Velcro backing, are beneficial to your fire department team.

Work with a company that makes patches for police and fire departments so you get the most out of your investment. A company with a great turnaround time and a reliable reputation is the one you want for all your patches, pins, badges, and more. Ask about bulk prices because they may be cheaper than you would pay for individual patches.

 

5 Reasons Why You Should Introduce Custom Made Patches to You Organization

The internet has revolutionized how different organizations communicate with their employees and customers. Organizations are now using video content, social media, and blogs as their advertising tools. However, there are other important forms of advertising that organizations should not overlook. One such example is badge patches. Keep reading to find out how a badge patch can take your organization to the next level.

Creates a Sense of Belonging

An organization whose employees feel they belong is bound to be successful. One way you can make your employees feel like part of a team is by introducing a lapel pin. A lapel pin is worn to show affiliation with a cause or organization. Policemen, military personnel, and firemen are some of the professions that are commonly worn lapel pins.

If you are looking to keep your employees motivated, it is high time you tried custom made patches. For example, police officers can wear a custom police Velcro patch as part of their uniform. This little patch gives them a sense of belonging, enhancing their performance.

Brand Recognition

Brand retention is important for any business. If you would like your brand to remain relevant in the market, custom made patches will do that for you. Velcro patches for your employees are a perfect way to ensure that your brand is noticed and stays relevant. Most police officers, for example, wear a custom police Velcro patch that makes them stand out. In addition to the physical aspect, the productivity level increases.

Advertisement

A simple act such as having your employees wear a custom patch goes a long way in advertising. Employees who wear custom patches are like walking billboards. Everyone who sees them will know that they work with a certain organization.

Firemen who wear fire department patches are easy to recognize. The same case applies to a police officer wearing a custom police Velcro patch. If you are looking for an easy advertising tool for your organization, you should try Velcro patches or lapel pins.

Enhances Professionalism

Employees who wear badge patches look professional and bold. A Custom police Velcro patch, for example, makes a police officer stand out and look very professional. Clients will easily connect with your employees if they look professional.

A custom Velcro patch will help assure clients that your employees know what they are doing. By building your clients’ trust, your business will grow.

Security

One of the major concerns of most organizations is security. Organizations will install cameras and have security personnel at different points for security. Another great way of enhancing security is requiring your employees to wear custom patches.

A custom police Velcro patch makes it possible to identify an individual as a police officer. A person not wearing a police patch or badge cannot conduct the duties of a police officer. If they try to do anything in the capacity of a police officer, they can be identified as a threat to security.

Final Word

Custom patches are a great way to take your business or organization to the next level. The best thing about custom patches is that they are easy to make and can be incorporated into almost any uniform or cloth. If you are looking for a reliable custom patch creator for your business, contact us today.