Finally, the wait is over. You just got your hands on the custom iron-on patch of your dreams. But there is one last step before you can finally celebrate, and that is attaching that patch!
This might not be the most enjoyable and creatively challenging task for you. On top of that, you have chosen to heat-seal backing, but you don’t know how to iron on patches. But we guarantee you that by following our step-by-step plan, you will get through this quickly and easily.
At the end of it, when you see your stuff customized, it will make all this effort worth it! So, let’s get started!
Is Your Fabric Compatible With Iron-On Patches?
Before we begin, we suggest that you assess your base fabric, because certain fabrics don’t react well to heat.
Materials like polyester can burn or even lose their color when exposed to heat for too long. If you use these fabrics, you should sew the patch to the fabric rather than risk damaging it by using heat.
Where iron-on patches are concerned, it is best if you stick to sturdier materials like cotton and denim.
With this out of the way, we can finally start the process!
Applying Iron On Patches In 7 Easy Steps
– Lay The Base On An Iron Board
Having an iron board is ideal, but any other flat, heat-resistant surface would work. Before you lay the fabric on this surface, iron it so that it is wrinkle-free and smooth.
Even if you are planning to stick the patch to your bag or any other hard-to-iron material, you must make sure that the part where you want the patch to be, lies flat against the surface.
– Set Up Your Patch
Now that you have your base material on the iron board, take out your patch and place it in your desired location to get a feel for how it will appear. While the side with the design should be facing up, the side with the adhesive side should be flat against the fabric.
If you have many patches, make sure you have enough space by planning ahead. You don’t want to finish the last few patches and find that you’re running out of room!
– Heat Your Iron
Finally, it’s time to take out your iron. The tricky part here is getting the temperature right. You need the iron to be hot enough to melt the adhesive, but with too much heat, you might end up damaging the design or burning a hole through your fabric.
For this reason, we advise reading the fabric’s care tag before setting your iron to the highest heat the fabric can tolerate. A safer option would be to set your iron to medium heat and keep the iron on the patch long enough for the glue to melt and bond with the fabric.
If you have an iron that comes with a steam setting, make sure it is switched off and there isn’t any water left in storage.
– Cover Your Patch
Your patch should not come into direct contact with the iron, or else it might burn or lose its color. That is why you must cover the patch with a thin piece of clothing or a pressing cloth before you iron.
But make sure that you do it gently so that you don’t disturb the arrangement.
– Iron On That Patch
Place the iron over the patch and hold it there for 15–30 seconds, depending on the heat setting. Start by using the tip of the iron in the middle of the patch to act as a foundation, and then move to the edges.
Remember to keep your hand firm yet steady; otherwise, you might disturb the placement of the patch. Keep in mind that the adhesive backing on an iron-on patch needs to fully melt before it can bond to the fabric.
– Iron On The Other Side
Once you have made sure that you are done with that side, you turn the clothing inside out and lay it flat on the surface. Repeat step 4 on this side to make it even more secure.
– Let It Cool
When you are sure that the glue has bonded, take the iron off and leave it to dry. After a few minutes of drying, lift the fabric to check that the patch hasn’t come off and that it has fully merged with the base. If this is the case, then congratulations! You have been successful; otherwise, just repeat the last step until you are!
Now, we wait for the adhesive to air dry because the friction of a hair dryer can cause the edges to lift.
Pro tip: For extra security and durability, go ahead and sew the patch to your base around the edges.
Master’s Custom Patches At Your Service!
For all these steps to be executed successfully, you must first start with a quality custom patch with heat-seal backing. If the patch is made of flimsy material, then the heat might damage it. Even after you are done applying the patch, only patches with quality adhesive will be able to withstand the pressure from your washing machine.
This is where we come in.
Through Master’s Custom Patches, you can get quality custom patches delivered to your doorstep.
Just send up your graphics and other specifications, and our team of experts will take care of the rest. We have the technology and the expertise to take your creative vision and give you the perfect custom patch.
So what are you waiting for? Order now!