Currently, the trend is toward the use of patches. There are a couple of reasons why patches are currently on trend.

One is the fact that patches are versatile. They can go on a tote bag, a hat, or any item of clothing. Patches can also be sublimated, embroidered, screen printed, or be made of rubber or silicon, so the weight and material can be versatile as well and can be used to create a specific look.

The advent of custom-cut patches also allows for unique shapes. Instead of a square, rectangle, or circle, you can have a flame or a windmill or a rainbow. Custom-cut patches may be a bit pricier, but they provide the opportunity to express individuality through shape and, depending on how they’re made, through color and design.

Patches are also in fashion — high fashion. Designers like Burberry, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs have used patches in their runway designs. If your customers like high fashion but don’t have the budget, patches are a less expensive way to potentially duplicate looks, or perhaps create their own look that mimics what’s happening on the runways of New York or Paris. While not everyone can own a designer creation, a designer patch might be more within the range of most people’s budgets.