Custom Patch: Merrowed Cut or Heat Cut

Which border should you pick?

 

Having a border for your patch is not compulsory, however, having one ensures a better-looking patch and enhances the durability of the patch.

Your custom patches need borders to ensure that they don’t fray or unravel. Check out the patch border options which will keep your patches looking good.

We offer 2 types of borders for embroidered patches:

Merrowed Border custom patch(left) vs Heat Cut Border custom patch (right) by Gumtoo

Merrowed Border custom patch(left) vs Heat Cut Border custom patch (right) by Gumtoo

  1. Merrowed Border

Custom Patch with Merrowed Border

Custom Patch with Merrowed Border

Merrowed cuts are a thick uniform border using special overlockers (overstitching machines).  These are applied after your custom design has been stitched on the patches and give a ‘’piped’’ look. Merrow borders are ideal for symmetrical shapes such as circle, oval, square, and rectangle patches. Patches with merrow cut are more durable and have an aesthetic look.

If your patches will be sewn onto apparel, then picking merrowed bordered patches is a good idea. Merrowed patch gives a traditional vibe to your patch.

Merrowed borders are mostly 1/8” in thickness, so plan your patch design accordingly.

Pros of using merrowed patch:

  1. Gives your patch a traditional, vintage look

  2. Makes the patch durable and resistant to fraying

Some cons of using merrowed patch:

  1. Merrowed patches are more expensive than heat cut border patches

  2. Thicker border for the patch, you have to consider this as a buffer while designing the patch

  3. Merrowed borders can be made for symmetrical shapes such as circle, oval, square, and rectangle patches.

#2 Heat-Cut Border (also called Laser-Cut Border)

Custom Patch with uneven edges gets a heat cut border Image via aliexpress

Custom Patch with uneven edges gets a heat cut border

Image via aliexpress

Heat-cut gives a thin flat border to the outer edges of your custom patch using a hot knife or laser that seals the edges. These are ideal for die-cut patches which may have jagged uneven edges. Heat-cut borders are cheaper than merrow-cut borders.

If you want your patch to look like it has been embroidered directly on the apparel, as opposed to being a patch, pick a heat cut border for your patch. It leaves the edges trim and clean, making the patch merge into the apparel.

Pros of using heat-cut border

  1. You can use this border for any shape of the patch.

  2. The thin border gives a sleek, trim look to your patch

  3. More economical than merrowed border

Cons:

  1. The thin border may be more susceptible to fraying.

  2. If you are planning to hand out the patches as swag, the heat-cut patch border may look slightly unfinished from the sides.

If you have more queries on which type of border to pick for your custom patch, get in touch with us at sales@gumtoo.ca. Our Product Specialists will help you pick the right one.