The Difference Between Woven and Embroidered Patches

If you’re looking for custom patches for your brand but struggling between embroidered patches and woven patches, this blog is for you.
Both of these patches are the most common type of patches, but each has its own set of unique features. So let’s dive into the core differences between embroidered and woven patches to help you decide the best patch type for you.

Embroidered Patches

An embroidered patch, also called a cloth badge, is a piece of embroidery created using a fabric backing and many threads. Making embroidered patches is an old tradition that was initially done by hand. However, because of the discoveries of new technology, high-speed and computerized machines led to the mass production of patches. 
Embroidered patches are the most popular of all types of patches on the market today. They can be seen everywhere and come in different styles, shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Embroidery patches are often used on business merch or company uniforms, military uniforms, cause promotions, group affiliations, fashion statements, and even as a tool for expressing a personal style. 

Woven Patches

Woven patches have a similar look to embroidery patches, but if you take a closer look, woven patches don’t have the raised look of the embroidery patches. This is because woven patches are made with thinner threads. Thinner threads make it possible to achieve greater details in the design. Woven patches are classy and stylish and come in various shapes, colors, and sizes. 
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Woven vs. Embroidered Patches: What's the Difference?

1. Thread Thickness

Embroidered and woven patches use durable, colorful threads, but the difference lies in the thickness of the thread used. 
Embroidered patches use thicker threads stitched into a base fabric, giving an embroidered patch a thick and classic look with a unique dimension.
Woven patches, on the other hand, are created with thinner thread, giving them a smooth, flattened look. 

2. Text Clarity and Design

The thicker threads used in embroidered patches captured fewer design details than the thinner thread used in woven patches. Fine design details can be easily created in woven patches and smaller spaces because the thread is thinner.

3. Patch Texture

Embroidered patches have a more textured feel. The design pops out of the patch giving it a three-dimensional feel. The patch also feels thicker. Woven patches have a smooth, non-raised texture. Because the threads are thinner, it provides cleaner lines that look closer to a printed look. 

4. Color Gradient

The blending effect in embroidered patches can be achieved by overlaying threads on multiple levels. While in woven patches, an illusion of color gradient can be created by concentrating different shades of similarly colored threads in small areas.

5. Durability and Fade Proof

Embroidered patches are more durable than woven patches because they use thick threads on a twill background fabric base. Woven patches use thinner threads without an anchoring base fabric. Although it can hold many wash cycles, it is not as durable as embroidered patches.

6. Look

Embroidered patches have a more classic, vintage look, giving them a high-end and professional look. While woven patches have a smooth and modern look.

7. Flexibility

Because of the thinner threads used in woven patches, woven patches can go on the inside or outside of the cloth without a bulky feeling. Thinner threads make woven patches lighter and more flexible than embroidered patches.
                    

When to Choose What?

Choosing between woven and embroidered isn’t a fashion test, it’s all about what you’re making and how you want it to look and feel.

Go woven if you're:

• Detail-obsessed: Your design includes tiny text, thin lines, or small elements you want sharp, not squishy.
• Logo-ready: You’re creating patches for businesses, uniforms, or events where clarity and polish matter.
• Into sleek, minimal looks: Clean edges, modern finishes, and no puffiness? Woven’s your boo.
• Working on a budget: Woven patches typically use fewer materials and cost a bit less to produce.
  

Go embroidered if you're:

• Craving texture: You want that old-school, raised-stitch look, like the ones your cool uncle had on his leather jacket.
• Designing for boldness: Thick lettering, bold logos, chunky graphics? Embroidery brings the drama.
• Going for that “handmade” or vintage feel: Perfect for scout badges, band merch, biker vests, or retro-themed apparel.

Conclusion

Whether you’re on team textured and classic or team smooth and sharp, one thing’s for sure: your patch deserves to shine. Woven or embroidered, both bring serious style to the table (or your tote bag, denim vest, hat, jacket, or wherever you like to slap your flair).

So, which one’s your perfect match?

• The precision of woven?
• The bold feel of embroidered?
• Or maybe a custom combo for the best of both patchy worlds?

Whatever you decide, remember: you don’t have to sew it alone.