703 659 0874
Phone number
orders@patchvilla.com
Email address
Phone number
Email address
Memorial patches are a personal touch to remember loved ones, commemorate an important date or moment, even to celebrate the lives of those who have died. These patches remain memorable symbols and can be designed with several different materials, designs, and messages that relate to the being in memory.
Memorial patches are not just the pieces of fabric, but the reflection of people and moments we hold in very high regard. They help a person keep their memories closer to their heart, as words usually fall too little to say how one feels.
There is a certain level of comfort in wearing or displaying a memorial patch because it keeps them connected with the person that they are honoring. In other ways, it is a small but significant way to keep their memory close for some comfort during moments of grief.
Each memorial patch is unique, since it is prepared in accordance with the life, personality, and legacy of the person to whom it is dedicated. These patches may have names, dates, pictures, or personal symbols attached that define the identity of the individual.
Memorial patches are the ways to keep special events, achievements, memories alive of that special day, person or anyone. They can be worn on clothes, attached to bags, or kept in a special keepsake to remind oneself constantly of the ones who are no longer with them.
There are a few different types of memorial patches, each serving a different way to remember loved ones. Which one depends on the person, their story, and how you would like to remember them. Here are some common types:
Military patches are some of the most popular ways in which one can pay respects to soldiers who have died in the war, veterans, and generally those serving their countries. The patriotic symbols used on such patches can take the form of flags, eagles, or unit insignias and even branch, rank, and years of service.
Best For: To show respect to fallen soldiers, veterans, or military personnel.
Design Ideas: Include military badges, service emblems, and a ranking or division that person served in.
Memorial patches also fall under the categories of first responders like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics in memory of a person’s life who died in service. Anything from badge number, department, or custom icons corresponding with their profession might show up on these patches.
Best For: Honoring police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
Ideas: include the department’s badge, service dates, or symbols indicative of the job one is performing, such as a firefighter’s ax or a paramedic’s star of life.
These patches are meant to commemorate a family member, friend, or loved one from any walk of life. Personal memorial patches may contain the name, birth or death dates, and other personalized symbols that mean a lot.
Best For: Loved ones, such as family members, friends, or mentors.
Design Ideas: One would want to use symbols that denote the person’s hobbies, passions, or beliefs, such as flowers, animals, or religious icons.
The customized sports theme memorial patches are a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts. In most instances, the sports themed memorial patches are designed using team colors, mascots, and jersey numbers as a way of commemorating their love for sports.
Best For: Honoring athletes, coaches, or avid sports fans.
Design Ideas: Make use of team logos, jersey numbers, and sports equipment to emphasize the love for the game.
Event memorial patches are usually made to mark events, anniversaries, or heroic memories, milestones that have been achieved. These patches might be worn during annual memorials, charity events, or reunions in the respect of the heroes.
Best For: Marking such events as anniversaries of celebrations of life.
Design Ideas: Event-themed designs or ideas pointing to the event’s cause or significance involve event titles, dates, and symbols with meaning.
In creating a memorial patch, the elements come together in a manner that it should be ideal for remembering the person’s memory. The design will have to be thoughtfully done so that the memory of the person can appear in an appropriate manner and heartily on the patch.
A memorial patch can only be made if it has personalization. You can include the individual’s name, dates of birth and death or a very short phrase like “Gone But Not Forgotten” or “Forever in Our Hearts.”
Tip: If you’re making a patch for a group or event, consider leaving some space on the design for each person to add their own special personalization, such as their name or a unique date.
Symbols incorporated into memorial badges can also enhance meanings. They may be religious symbols or personal icons, such as animals and flowers, that best represent the person being honored. Symbols used for service badges for military or first responder service may be flags, insignias, or badges.
Tip: Choose symbols that would best reflect the personality and interests of the person or what he or she has achieved in life to make it more individualized and revelatory.
A memorial patch color scheme can be almost emotionally symbolic and add a deeper level of meaning. Colors represent everything from national pride (red, white, and blue for military patches) to serenity and peace (soft pastels or white for personal memorial patches).
Tip: Choose colors that are either symbolic of the individual’s life or are tied to the cause or organization they supported.
The size and shape will vary according to how you intend to wear the memorial patch. You can wear small patches on hats, jackets, or uniforms; larger ones tend to be displayed on banners or in the form of shields or frames.
Tip: Round patches are often used in personal memorials. Shield-shaped patches represent military and first responder tributes.
When making memorial patches, the materials and techniques adopted will necessarily alter the final product. The various techniques change the level of detail that can be printed and its durability; therefore, based on what is to be placed on it and its expected wear, the best method for the job is used.
The most widely used technique for memorial patches is embroidery. Here, they stitch the designs into the fabric, which makes the patches extremely durable and textured. Anything simple like names, dates, or symbols will look really nice if they are embroidered patches.
Benefits: Durable with a classic look; matches even the most detailed text and symbols.
Drawback: Very shallow in the level of fine detail compared to printing or engraving
Unlike embroidery patches, woven patches resemble one another but are made of finer threads. This means much more intricate detail and finer details. Woven patches work very well to record minute details such as photographs or detailed logos.
Benefits: Can handle very intricate details; softer feel than embroidery patches.
Drawback: It does not have the embossed stitching effect of embroidered patches.
These patches are suitable for designs containing photographs, intricate artwork or numerous colors. High-quality printing gives the possible addition of detailed images and fine lines in a patch, which cannot be done in embroidery or weaving.
Benefits: The best for photo-realistic designs, provides for a true full-color design.
Drawback: Easier than compared with the embroidered or woven patches which may be washed away after sometime.
Leather patches give a more rugged and elegant look, making for an interesting memorial patch. Engravings can be debossed or laser etched into leather, making for understated yet striking memorials.
Benefits: Very durable, so they last for a really long time and can indeed be used for outdoor wear or displayed.
Drawback: Only available for simpler designs as finer details may be difficult to achieve.
Once you have ordered your custom memorial patch, you will have to decide how you want to wear it or display it. There are many possible ways in which you can attach it to a piece of clothing, hats, or bags, or you could show it as a tribute in your own house.
People usually sew or iron memorial patches onto jackets, vests, or uniforms. Of course, this can be often seen in military and first responder communities where the patches can be worn as a badge of pride and remembrance.
One of the simplest ways to remember a loved one is to attach a memorial patch to a hat. It’s possible to attach a small patch to the front or side of a cap, making this a quiet but personal tribute.
Carry a loved one’s memory close to the heart if you want to: just sew the memorial patch into the backpack or purse and allow the memorials to be celebrated in the most mundane, practical daily practices.
Memorial patches do not have to be worn, they can also be framed or hung as a keepsake. In fact, it is much more fulfilling for many to place the patches in shadow boxes together with pictures, mementos, and other memorial patches in the home setting as their own way to honor loved ones.
At Patch Villa, we understand that a good-quality and meaningful memorial patch is one that should be enhanced with the most impressive personalization and not created.