Morale Patch Singapore – What is Morale Patch?

If you’ve ever spotted a soldier’s uniform with a cheeky patch or bold team logo then you’ve seen a morale patch in action.

A morale patch (sometimes called a military patch) is a small piece of fabric or PVC, usually with a symbol, logo, or text that represents identity, humour, or pride. Miltary Patch or Morale patch all falls under the common term of embroidery patch and can be customise into different shapes and in different embroidery/print method.

Traditionally used in military tactical settings, these patches help build camaraderie, boost morale in high-stress environments, and show unit affiliation. Today, they are no longer just for the battlefield as you’ll find them in airsoft games, cosplay events, and even on casual backpacks.

Who Uses Morale Patches?

Originally Military & Tactical Units

Army, Navy, and Air force team often display slogans, inside jokes, or unit insignia to build team spirit.
They also serve as quick visual identification in the field.

Beyond the Military

• Firefighters, police officers, and medical teams often wear patches on uniforms, tactical vests, and gear bag to identify their department or role.
• Recreational groups such as airsoft teams to camping clubs design their own patches for fun and identity.
• The events and retail industry sometimes use custom patches for branding, giveaways, or event staff uniforms.

⚠ Design Responsibly: when making custom patches, avoid using official military or law enforcement insignias unless authorised. Misrepresentation can be illegal.

Fun Fact: A Century of Patches

Morale patches trace back to World War I, when soldiers used “battle patches” to tell friend from foe. Over time, these evolved from plain unit identifiers to vibrant, humorous, and collectible designs – and even became a sought-after trade item among soldiers.

Modern Uses

While they started in the military, morale patches now appear everywhere:

Hobbyists & Gamers: Popular in paintball, airsoft, and cosplay to display team names or themed humour.

Collectors: Limited edition patches are sold and displayed like trading cards.

Fashion & Lifestyles: Added to jackets, caps, and backpacks for a customized streetwear look or personalise gift.

Event Merchandising: Festive, conventions, and brand launches often create custom patches as souvenirs.

How do Morale Patches work?

Most morale patches and military patches have a Velcro backing – the hook side sticks to a loop panel sewn on a uniform, bag, or gear.

This makes them easy to remove, swap, or change depending on mission, or setting. Other backing types exist for more permanent placement.

Common Types of Morale Patches (Quick Comparison)

Patch Types

Velcro Embroidered Patches

Velcro Embroidery Patches are the most popular option among all other patches method. The pop-up textured makes it look 3D which makes the patches comes “alive” and more professional looking. 

• Threads are stitched onto fabric, creating a raised, textured look.
• Works best for bold designs and official formation patches.
• Comes with two Velcro sides – one for the patch, one as the base.

Iron-On Embroidered Patches

Iron-On embroidery patches are more for clients looking to do a DIY iron on to their apparels / garments with ease and convenience. This quick method of application makes it stand out as souvenir or as gift items. 

• Glue backing melts with heat to stick directly to fabric.
• Budget-friendly DIY option for items you don’t need to swap often.

Woven Patches

Woven patches are another form of patch that is able to achieve better clarity for smaller wordings and intricate designs. This makes the designs look neater, clearer and professional looking. Depending on designs, logos and company guideline, we usually recommend clients these patches when they are more inclined to have the smaller details showing up.

It also comes in velcro woven patches and iron-on woven patches

• Made by weaving threads together for a smooth, flat surface with fine detail.
• Great for intricate designs, event giveaways, or apparel branding.
• Can also be made with Velcro backing.

  Key difference from embroidery: Woven = flat weave, Embroidery = raised stitching.

PVC Rubber Patches

PVC Rubber patches have a rubbery texture feeling and the designs are pop-up. The 3D effect designs make it very enticing and more stand out. Velcro PVC Rubber patches is also another popular form of patches for military usage. They also come in stick on backing PVC Patch

• Made from durable, waterproof PVC with a soft, rubbery feel.
• Can have 3D layers, recessed lines, and vibrant colours.
• Perfect for outdoor gear, sportswear, and tactical apparel.
  Often used with Velcro for flexibility.

Sublimation Patches

Sublimation patches are created by infusing the design directly into the fabric, resulting in a vibrant, smooth surface. This method allows for gradient effects, fine details, and photo-like clarity that embroidery can’t achieve.

Nowadays, more corporate companies are more particular about their branding colours and clarity. As such, sublimation patches are one of the best for corporate gifting, event keepsakes, or personalized gifts where vivid visuals matter most.

It comes in both velcro sublimation patch and iron-on sublimation patch. 

• Smooth textured feeling
• Can produce vibrant colours and gradient effects
• Have the best clarity among all other patches

Care & Maintenance

Make your patches last longer with these tips:

• Hand-wash items with patches where possible, especially Velcro-backed ones.
• Avoid high heat when drying as it can damage adhesives or warp PVC.
• Store unused patches flat in a dry place to prevent curling.

Designing Your Own Morale Patch

Creating a custom patch is a fun and creative way to bring your team together. Here’s a simple step-by-step to get you started:

Know Your Purpose – Is it for a team or event? Understanding the “why” will guide the design.

Pick Your Material – Choose embroidery for a textured, classic look; woven for fine details; or PVC for a durable, waterproof finish.

Choose the Backing – Velcro for easy swapping, iron-on for a permanent bond, or sew-on for a traditional approach.

Decide on Shape & Size – Rectangle work well for name tags, circular are great for logos, custom shapes for creativity.

Add Personality – Infuse humour, team mottos, or unique icons to make your patch memorable.

Work With A Trusted Service Provider  – The reliable supplier ensures smooth production process.

Where to customise Morale / Military Patch?

After reading the above details, we are sure you have the biggest question of where to get your custom morale patches? 

We are TJG Print, the creator of this article and the knowledge in this article is all shared based on our years of experience. We are a T-shirt printing company that specializes in custom embroidery patches too. We are very confident you will be getting the best custom military patches or morale patches from us. Our variety of different custom patches are all available as shared in this article 

Alternatively, you can consider the famous army market (Beach Road, Golden Mile Food Centre) where we shared an article on the best printing services in Beach Road. Be sure to always do your due diligence before engaging any service. 

Conclusion

Whether sewn on or velcroed to a backpack, morale patches still stand for the same things – identity, unity, and self-expression. Whether you want to rally your team, give your gear a twist, or create a collectible, there’s a patch for that.

Ready to create yours? Send us your design and questions. Feel free to Whatsapp us or drop us a request for quote.