How Die-Cut Edges Have Improved Embroidered Patches
When it comes to the principles used in creating embroidered patches, they have not changed that much over the last few hundred years. An embroidered patch is still functionally similar to what it was in years gone by despite the fact that now we have designs which are more intricate as well as different materials and a computerized industry.
However, there has been one important innovation that has taken the embroidered patch to the next level. What is the innovation?
The answer is die-cut borders.
You may have noticed that embroidered patches are no longer limited to coming in shapes such as circles, triangles and squares and this is thanks to die-cut borders. Nowadays, any shape at all is possible when it comes to embroidered patches. In turn, that has given way to patches resembling various animals, large and small caricatures of people, a variety of household items, transportation vehicles, and so forth. Without the use of die-cut edges the vast selection of patches available today would probably not be on the market.
How It Works
In the days before die cutting, patches were cut out using knives or commercial-grade scissors. It didn’t matter that this method left the edges looking quite rough because this was soon neatened up by the embroidering. However, this cutting method was not conducive to unusual shapes because it was too time-consuming, inefficient, and difficult to get a sharp looking border. Die cutting changed all of that when it eliminated the need for hand cutting.
When die cutting is done, large pieces of patch material are placed on a table and then individual shapes are cut out with a prefabricated die. The edges of the die are actually incredibly sharp blades which push through the material and spread the pieces apart. The die is shaped in the same way that the manufacturer wants the patch to be. It would be like a huge computerized cookie cutter that cuts the patch pieces out of the big piece of material.
The Advantages of Die-Cut Edges
As previously mentioned, die-cut edges offer the possibility of more intricate shapes with more detailed embroidery. But beyond just the aesthetics, die cut edges also withstand washing, temperature changes, and age much better than hand cut edges. They usually don’t curl up and they tend to stay on clothing longer especially when applied using the heat activated glue. In fact, die-cut edges allow glue to cover the entire patch so that when it’s applied, even the edges stick to the material.
When the edges are cut the standard way, it is not uncommon for the embroidered to unravel over time. However, with die cut patches, you don’t have this problem because there will not be any embroidery around the edges; this means your patch will look good for much longer.
Die cut edges really have made the patch industry much better. We wonder what the next great innovation will afford the embroidered and military patches industry.