Badge Comparison

Badge types

The most common badges are either woven or embroidered. We can also offer you a combination of a jacquard woven badge that has elements of embroidery.

Choosing the right badge type depends on the look, feel, and detail you want to achieve. At EmbroideryBadge.UK, we offer woven, embroidered, and speciality techniques that balance quality, texture, and turnaround time.

Let’s do a badge comparison of some of our best selling badges,

Woven Badges

Woven badges use thinner threads woven directly into the fabric, allowing very fine detail and small text. They are flat, flexible, and about 30–50% thinner than embroidered badges. Because of their smooth finish and precision, woven badges are the preferred choice for sportswear, fashion brands, and smaller logos.

Key features:

• Made with thinner threads for fine details, thin lines, and small text.

• Around 30–50% thinner and more flexible than embroidered badges.

• Ideal for sportswear or lightweight garments needing flexibility.

• Allows smaller lettering (as small as 7 points) without loss of clarity.

• Takes slightly longer to produce due to the detailed weaving process.

Best for: Detailed artwork, multi-colour designs, and logos that need precision.

Embroidered Badges

Embroidered badges provide a raised, dimensional texture. The thicker threads stitched onto twill or felt backgrounds give a classic, high-end appearance. These badges suit uniforms, clubs, and promotional garments where a traditional embroidered look is desired. However, intricate artwork and small lettering may not reproduce as cleanly as on woven designs.

Key features:

• Adds depth and dimension for a more traditional, premium look.

• Best for uniforms, clubs, and classic patch styles.

• Fine text under 10–12 points may not reproduce clearly.

• Pricing depends on stitch count and embroidery coverage.

• Can include multiple backing options: heat-seal, hook-and-loop, or adhesive.

• Variants include:

  • 3D puff badges for raised effects.

  • Metallic thread options (gold or silver).

  • Faux Chenille badges for a textured, retro feel.

Best for: Traditional badges, uniforms, and designs requiring a bold, tactile finish.

Combination Badges

Combination badges merge woven and embroidered techniques to achieve both precision and texture. The woven section is created first, followed by selective embroidery to enhance specific details or add dimension. Although the process takes longer, the result is visually striking and ideal for premium branding or limited-edition badges.

Key Features:

• Offers the fine detail of woven badges while retaining the rich, textured embroidered badge look.

• Ensures no compromise on logo accuracy or intricate design elements.

• Allows the combination of embroidery and sublimation, producing photorealistic detail with the classic, stitched finish of embroidery.

• Creates a layered, high-end appearance suitable for brands seeking distinctive, tactile designs.

Best for:
High-end merchandise, luxury branding, and collector or commemorative patches that demand both depth and clarity.

Antique Faux-Leather Badges

Antique faux-leather badges are crafted from high-quality synthetic leather and feature logos or text that are laser-etched onto the surface. The result is a clean, precise design with a modern yet vintage aesthetic. These badges work exceptionally well for denim, jackets, accessories, and outerwear, offering a refined and durable finish.

Key Features:

• Provides a premium leather-like texture with consistent colour and grain.

• Uses laser etching for sharp, long-lasting logos or lettering.

• Delivers a vintage appearance without the use of genuine leather materials.

• Works well on outerwear, fashion apparel, and lifestyle accessories.

• Must be stitched directly onto garments for strength and a polished look.

Best for:
Fashion brands, lifestyle collections, and eco-conscious labels seeking a leather-style badge that aligns with sustainability standards.

---

Chenille Badges

Chenille badges are known for their distinctive, soft, looped texture that gives a retro and high-end look. They’re created using thick chenille yarn stitched over a felt base, resulting in a raised, plush finish that stands out on any garment. This traditional technique is especially popular for varsity jackets, school emblems, and sports teams.

Key Features:

• Creates a 3D towel-like texture using thick chenille yarn.

• Built on a felt base for durability and a structured shape.

• Delivers a bold, vintage look that enhances premium apparel.

• Works perfectly for letters, numbers, and logo outlines on jackets or hoodies.

• Offers excellent colour depth and surface dimension for standout designs.

Best for:
Varsity jackets, sportswear, heritage collections, and high-end branding that requires a textured, nostalgic aesthetic.

Sublimation Badges

Sublimation or Printed badges use permanent ink that’s heat-transferred into polyester fabric. This printing method delivers full colour and detailed results quickly.

Key features:

• Offers unlimited colours and gradient options.

• Produces photographic detail with smooth, flat texture.

• Available with laser-cut or embroidered edges.

• Suitable for small runs and quick production — minimum orders from one piece.

• Low setup cost and fast turnaround (as little as four days).

• Optional SubliStitch effect replicates the look of embroidery without raised threads.

Best for: Complex artwork, photographic designs, or full-colour badges with tight deadlines.

Watch Embroidery Badge UK’s Types of Badges Videos

Badge Type	Texture	Detail Level	Best Used For	Notes
Woven	Flat, smooth	Very fine	Sportswear, fashion	Allows small text
Embroidered	Raised, textured	Medium	Uniforms, clubs	Classic look
Combination	Mixed depth	High	Premium logos	Complex process
Faux-Leather	Smooth, etched	Medium	Jackets, denim	Must be sewn on
Chenille	Soft loops	Bold	Varsity jackets	Retro feel
3D Puff	Raised foam	Medium	Caps, branding	Limited washability
Sublimation	Flat print	Unlimited	Sportswear, samples	Fast turnaround