Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Hook and loop (Velcro) patches are attached to clothing via a loop panel (the soft side) sewn onto the garment and a hook side (the rigid side) sewn onto the back of the patch. This way the patch can be changed, removed for washing or rearranged. Panels are usually 50–100 mm wide and are placed on the sleeve, chest, backpack or cap, depending on the size of the patches they will carry.
Why patches use hook and loop
- Interchangeability – the same uniform can carry different names, ranks, insignia or logos.
- Washing – patches are removed before washing and preserved.
- A common base – the manufacturer sews one standard panel, and the customer decides what to attach.
- Personalisation – in sports, hunting, hiking and collectors’ gear, patches are part of the style.
Which side goes where: the rule for hook and loop patches
The established rule is loop on the garment, hook on the patch. The reason is practical: when the panel is empty, the soft layer does not catch other clothes, hair or backpack straps. If you reverse the sides, an empty hook panel will collect fluff and snag knitwear. In addition, patches from different makers almost always have hooks on the back, so a loop panel accepts all of them.
Panel sizes
| Position | Typical panel size | For which patches |
|---|---|---|
| Chest – name | 25 mm tape, 100–125 mm long | Name, surname, blood type |
| Sleeve | about 75 × 100 mm or 100 × 125 mm | Flag, organisation logo |
| Chest – large | 100 × 150 mm and more | Lettering, logo |
| Back | wide panel across the width | Large lettering, for example a service name |
| Cap | about 50 × 75 mm | Small patch, flag |
| Backpack | from 75 × 100 mm to a large panel | Several patches |
The sizes are approximate. What matters is that the panel is slightly larger than the largest patch it will carry, so that the patch edges lie fully on the loop side.
Custom hook and loop patches
Hook and loop patches are mainly made in three ways:
- embroidered – the classic look, with machine embroidery on a base; they require strong embroidery threads;
- woven – with finer details and small lettering, similar to woven labels;
- PVC or rubber – for outdoor and tactical gear, resistant to moisture.
The hook side is sewn or heat-bonded to the back of each patch. For embroidered and woven patches, sewing around the edge is the most reliable. If you need woven markings in a smaller format, see also the textile labels.
Hook and loop panels and MOLLE
In tactical gear, panels are often combined with the MOLLE (PALS) system – rows of horizontal webbing through which pouches and accessories are woven. There are adapters that weave into the webbing and carry a hook and loop panel for patches. When designing a backpack or vest, decide in advance where the MOLLE webbing and where the standalone hook and loop panels will go, so that they do not overlap.
How to sew on a hook and loop panel
- Cut the loop tape or piece to the required size and round the corners.
- Position the panel before assembling the part – it is much easier to sew a sleeve or front panel while it is flat.
- Sew around the entire edge with a straight stitch 1.5–2 mm from the edge.
- On a large panel, add a seam through the middle or a cross so that it does not bulge.
- Use thread in the colour of the panel or the fabric and a needle suitable for the technical fabric.
Planning positions in series production
For uniforms and jackets for organisations, panel positions are usually defined in the technical specification – for example a panel on the left sleeve at a set distance from the shoulder and a name tape above the pocket. Make a template with marked positions for each size, because on smaller sizes the sleeve is shorter and the panel must be moved. Also check that the panel does not fall on a seam, pocket or zip that would make the stitching uneven.
On backpacks and vests, panels are often sewn onto parts that are later assembled with heavy seams. That is why the sequence of operations must be clear: panels and labels first, then assembly.
Colours
Panels are made in the colour of the garment so that they are not visible when the patch is removed. Most often these are black, olive, coyote, sand, navy and grey. With camouflage fabrics, the base tone of the pattern is chosen. Hook and loop tape in a non-standard colour can be produced to Pantone or to a sample.
Common mistakes
- The hook side on the garment – the empty panel snags everything.
- A panel smaller than the patch – its edges stick out and catch.
- A panel sewn on after the part is assembled – the crooked seam shows.
- A panel in a contrasting colour on a garment that is also worn without patches.
- A loop side too fine for heavy PVC patches – it does not hold during movement.
You will find tapes in widths up to 100 mm and in various colours in the hook and loop category.
Hook and loop for patches from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia, with over 30 years of experience. We supply hook and loop tape in widths from 5 to 100 mm, loop and hook sides separately, in standard colours and to a sample, as well as embroidery threads. Send the panel sizes, colour and quantity via the inquiry form and we will prepare a quote and samples.
