Hi everyone,



I’m part of a veterans’ association, and we’re putting together a batch of Defence Force Patches Ireland. We want association crests, commemorative patches for anniversaries and parades, and a few name patches for jackets and caps. I know official issue insignia is controlled, so these would be strictly for association and memorabilia use, but I still want them to look sharp and hold up well.

The trouble is that most of what I find online is either generic stock designs or overseas sellers with long shipping times and customs fees. I’d much prefer a supplier based in Ireland or the UK who can work from our own artwork.

If anyone has been through this, I’d really appreciate your advice on a few things:

Is embroidered or woven better for detailed crests and small lettering?

Which backing suits jackets and caps best: sew-on, iron-on or velcro?

Are merrowed borders worth the extra cost for a more traditional look?

What are typical minimum order quantities for a group of 30 to 50 members?

How long should I allow for production and delivery within Ireland?

Any tips for getting the greens, golds and reds to match the original artwork?

I’d also like to hear any supplier recommendations, along with warnings about what to avoid. If you’ve had patches made for a unit, club or association, photos would be great, as they’d help me gauge what’s realistic for the price.