What Is the Ideal Size for a Custom Patch?

When creating and designing patches, it can be tricky to decide which size to go for to achieve a balanced design. It’s not just what looks good, either, but the standards required for some organizations.

With so many options available, the best advice is to consider what you plan on using it for and—more importantly—where you plan on placing your patch. Lucky for you, we’ve put all that information together right here!

Frequently Used Patch Sizes by Organization

Custom patches are great for personalizing clothing, uniform, or accessories like bags. They’re a common staple for sports teams, private schools, businesses, and clubs. So, if you’ve decided to add patches to your brand, you’re in great company!

But, if this is your first time designing a patch, it can be challenging to know where to start. You might be asking the question of how big it should be. While there is no limit or rules on the sizing of patches, with so many organizations already using them, it is helpful to look at what sizes others have gone for to help you get started!

That’s why we’ve provided a helpful list of them all below:

Girl Scout Patches

The most frequent size used is 3″ inches for the Girl Scouts insignia patch. Besides the dimensions, the placement of the Girl Scouts insignia is essential.

Boy Scout Patches

The most frequent size used is 3″ inches for Boy Scouts.

Fire Patches

The most frequent size used is 4″ to 5″ inches in height for firefighters.

Police Patches

The most frequent size used is 4″ to 5″ inches in height for law enforcement patches.

Security Patches

The most frequent size used is 4″ to 5″ inches in height for security guards.

Military Patches

The most frequent size used is 4″ x 1″ for the military branches. The Institute of Heraldry designs these iconic unit patches.

Biker Patches

The most frequent size used is 12″ for bikers. These are usually a back patch with a top and bottom rocker.

Logo Patches

The most frequent size used is 3.5″ for logos in general.

Soccer Patches

The most frequent size used is 3″.

What Are the Best Sizes for Patches?

With the above information, you can compare your requirements and placement ideas to determine how big you’d like yours to be!

While there is no standard for patches, there is a clear pattern that patches tend to be between 3″ and 5″. With these dimensions, you have the most versatility for the placement.

This size is versatile and works even if you don’t have an exact placement in mind. If you’re leaving the patch placement up to your staff, team, or customers, choosing a size that will easily fit anywhere is a good idea.

The main thing to remember is that no matter which size you go for, it should be large enough to capture people’s attention. That means the patch needs to be big enough for the design, brand, or message to be visible.

So, if your design is intricate, you’ll want to ensure you get a larger template when ordering your custom patches. The same goes for if there are words on your patch—you want it to be big enough to read without requiring a person to squint to see it!

How Do I Know What Size Patch to Get?

The first step is to decide on the shape you’d like your patch to be. Circular, square, triangular, and custom-cut shapes are all common options. This step will go hand-in-hand with your overall design of what will be on the patch.

Once you’ve decided on the shape and design, there is a formula you can use to determine the size you should order. The formula is as follows:

Size = (Height+Width)/2

You can add the height and width of the patch together and divide it by two to get the size you should order. This is an industry-standard formula, so you can be sure it’s been tried and tested to ensure the size you order is the size you want.

Need a Custom Patch? Look No Further Than THE/STUDIO!

As you can see, there is no standard size for patches, custom or set. It’s all about the design, the desired placement, and the shape you’d like it to be. If you’re just starting with your design, check out organizations that use patches to get an idea of the best choice for you.

Here at THE/STUDIO, we’re happy to help with any questions. When the time comes for you to make your order of custom patches, we’ll guide you through the whole process. We look forward to working with you!