The 2015 MIA patch design competition is starting soon

[M.S.-ARC]

You guys asked for patches, since you've been good, you get patches.

The patch design for the 2015 MIA patches is on.

More details to follow regarding the timeline and some basic patch design rules. I just wanted to let you guys know so you can start to get your creative juices flowing.

If you want to have a look at what we did a couple of years ago, you can check it out here: miairsoft.proboards.com/board/106/michigan-airsoft-patch-voting

[Abbot]

I personally thought last year's patches ended up looking a little bit wonky. I'd say let's keep this year's patches to OD and black. I think the simple patches are the best, look at the MARSOC patch.

[M.S.-ARC]

Yeah I agree. The colors that the patch company used were a little off. I will make sure to be on top of that this time. But yeah simpler and less colors is often more effective and typically will cost less to produce as well.

[Raptor]

Mine have almost entirly fell apart sadly.

[Knief]

I think it was largely the way the patches were edged. It's like they left loose fabric and embroidered a hem around it rather than actually wrapping the edge. We'll buy from a different source this time. ARC has done a few other patch runs since then, for the Hellfish and Reddit at least, and they've come out much better.

[M.S.-ARC]

Mine has held up pretty well but yeah there were definitely some lessons learned from that project. I plan on using the same company that produced the official patches for reddit. For the MIA patches it was actually the first time I had used that particular company from a recommendation from another member. This one will be done right.

[Canto]

I have to say, as the airsoft department manager of Hole in the Wall Paintball, airsoft is definitely valued and appreciated here. On behalf of all the memories that Hole in the Wall Paintball has hosted over the years, I would like to offer the winner of this patch competition a year long pass to all airsoft events hosted at this field.

[Praetor]

Mar 12, 2015 8:15:10 GMT -5 Canto said:

I have to say, as the airsoft department manager of Hole in the Wall Paintball, airsoft is definitely valued and appreciated here. On behalf of all the memories that Hole in the Wall Paintball has hosted over the years, I would like to offer the winner of this patch competition a year long pass to all airsoft events hosted at this field.

Starting my design now!

[X]

I'm not saying we should use this site, but scroll down and look at the hot cut edge vs. merrowed edge. The reason the patches suck is because we got the hot cut edge. By chance Tank brought in his patches today to show me and we both agree that the the cut edge is the problem.

www.custom-patches4less.com/pricing.html

They also have a "blog' post about it:

Merrowed Borders and Custom Patches
Let's take a look at different patch borders today.

Essentially, there are 2 different borders for your custom patches. The first would be a merrowed edge or border. The second is a HOT CUT.

A merrowed border is most often associated with a traditional patch. It's the "wrap-around-stitching" on the edge of the patch. It has a bit of a lip all the way around the patch. For use on a square, circle, oval, or rectangular design, it's probably the best way to go.

The second border is the HOT CUT, where we eliminate the merrowed edge, and cut the twill with a laser. It allows for unusual shapes, and VERY unique designs.

If you go to the Custom Patch Gallery, you'll see what we mean! The NASA patch on the top row, the WOLVES in the second row, and the center of the third row, the Nashville Women's soccer patches are all examples of a HOT CUT design.

[luke213]

Just something mentioned the other day to me on the topic of patches that I think might be interesting. Old patches were often leather, being a leather worker myself I never really thought much about it until then. But leather would probably hold up pretty dang good over the longer term. That said my experience is holsters not patches so I could be wrong about that. And I'm not sure who does them, or would. I'd offer to do it but honestly I don't have the time and I don't own a clicker press which would be the only way to do it economically on a larger scale. Would need the logo/picture for the patch built onto a stamp more less than press them onto the shaped stamps and likely stick velcro to the rear and stitch the perimeter.

Either way I'm down for a patch and I'm sure a few more once we get things ironed out, and leather may not be an option here and now but just something interesting that popped up the other day.

Take care!

Luke

[M.S.-ARC]

Mar 12, 2015 10:18:50 GMT -5 X said:

I'm not saying we should use this site, but scroll down and look at the hot cut edge vs. merrowed edge. The reason the patches suck is because we got the hot cut edge. By chance Tank brought in his patches today to show me and we both agree that the the cut edge is the problem.

www.custom-patches4less.com/pricing.html

They also have a "blog' post about it:

Merrowed Borders and Custom Patches
Let's take a look at different patch borders today.

Essentially, there are 2 different borders for your custom patches. The first would be a merrowed edge or border. The second is a HOT CUT.

A merrowed border is most often associated with a traditional patch. It's the "wrap-around-stitching" on the edge of the patch. It has a bit of a lip all the way around the patch. For use on a square, circle, oval, or rectangular design, it's probably the best way to go.

The second border is the HOT CUT, where we eliminate the merrowed edge, and cut the twill with a laser. It allows for unusual shapes, and VERY unique designs.

If you go to the Custom Patch Gallery, you'll see what we mean! The NASA patch on the top row, the WOLVES in the second row, and the center of the third row, the Nashville Women's soccer patches are all examples of a HOT CUT design.

I'll look into the merrowed edge option. I'm pretty sure the reddit patches were done that way.

[Knief]

Our last round of Hellfish patches were done with a merrowed edge.

[Canto]

Like I said previously, the winner will get a year long pass to all airsoft events hosted out here. =)

[Gunslinger]

Just let me know where to send my money and Ill want 6 again, I have nothing else to say.... Too lazy to find the "fry" avatar that says "shut up and take my money".