Iron-on patches, also known as heat-transfer patches, are decorative appliques designed to be attached to fabric using heat and pressure. They are usually made of fabric or synthetic materials, and the backside is coated with a heat-activated adhesive. When applied with heat, the adhesive becomes tacky, making the patch adhere firmly to the fabric.
Iron-on patches have become a popular and versatile embellishment in the world of fashion and DIY projects. Iron-on patches for clothes offer an easy and creative way to personalise and revamp clothing and accessories, which can add a touch of uniqueness and individuality to any item.
How to iron on patches:
Ready to get started? Here’s a quick step-by-step:
- Prep. First make sure that the backing of the patch is clear of any debris such as hairs, fuzz, lint, or dirt. Next, you need to know what kind of fabric you are ironing the patch onto.
- Choose the right temperature. If you’re putting a patch on apparel — jeans or a shirt, for example — follow the iron setting mentioned on the care tag. If there is no care tag, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so use a lower heat, but keep the iron on the patch long enough for the adhesive back to melt and fuse with the fabric. We also recommend covering the patch with a piece of fabric or parchment paper before ironing so you don’t burn it.
- Iron on. Depending on the size of the patch, try to use just the tip of the iron while adding on the patch. Start from the middle of the patch to act as an anchor and move out from there. Keep in mind that the adhesive backing on an iron-on patch needs to fully melt to bond to the fabric.
- Let it rest. Once you are sure that the adhesive has bonded, take the iron off of the patch, and let your fabric and patch rest and cool down a bit. After about 5 to 10 minutes, you can lift the fabric vertically and see if there are any spots where the patch hasn’t fully fused. If necessary, repeat the process until the patch is fully bonded.