pins

The Symbolism of Lapel Pins and Badges

Law enforcement badges and lapel pins are used by police officers, medical officers, and fire department officers. They show their affiliation with a particular organization and a person’s honors within the stated organization. Lapel pins not only reveal the organizational affiliation of an individual, but they are also a measure of accountability and respect. The public believes that any police officers or EMS providers with a badge or lapel pin should be willing to serve and protect the community.

The process of making lapel pins is thought to have originated in Egypt in 1800 B.C. However, it was only the process as there has been no evidence showing they ever made any lapel pins. Today the lapel pin manufacturing process has evolved immensely, and many techniques are now used to make them.

Other than indicating position, there are several other reasons officers use lapel pins. We are going to look at some of these reasons below.

1. They Indicate Pride in the Service

Police officers display their badge patches or lapel pins to indicate pride in their work and commitment to the service. For officers of the law with rank, their lapel pins show how hardworking they are and their sacrifices for the community.

Lapel pins and badges are made of heavy-duty metal so that they do not fall apart easily. Firefighters, EMS, and police officers even go the extra mile to have them customized just to preserve the honor and dignity of the badge. Taking care of their custom badge patch and lapel pins is part of showing pride in their work.

2. Signify Trust

Whether it’s an emergency service provider, a police officer, or a firefighter having the badge allows people to trust you. People will have hope and expect a positive outcome once they see the lapel pin. People feel safe in the hands of such people, and can relax and easily share their problems.

Officers wearing lapel pins also help relieve worry and doubt, especially in stressful situations. A person may be worried about your identity but after seeing the badge, become less anxious. As a civilian, you have a right to ask officers to show their badge to clear any doubts.

3. They Indicate a Willingness to Sacrifice

Most police officers and firefighters understand the professional risks that come with their jobs. They are responsible for all their actions and any problems that occur under their watch. A lapel pin, therefore, plays the role of portraying this. It symbolizes their willingness and sacrifices they are willing to take for their community and partners.

4. It Is a Form of Motivation

Lapel pins and badge patches motivate the wearer and others that work within the ranks to work harder. It encourages other junior officers to work towards achieving the same status. It motivates the wearer by reminding them why they joined the force and their commitment to serve others whenever they are in doubt. A lapel pin also reminds them of the good they are doing for their families and the community they serve and protect.

Get Your Team Custom Pins

A lapel pin or badge symbolizes all of the above and a lot more. Police officers, firefighters, and EMS providers should ensure they always have a lapel pin on them, especially during these uncertain times brought about by COVID-19. It allows civilians to trust them. Visit the Emblem Authority to get custom made pins and badges.

fire department patches

What Are the Benefits of Fire Department Patches for Volunteers?

Fire department patches are more than an emblem that firefighters wear. They are a mark of heritage and honor that celebrate the selfless firefighters who risk their lives to benefit others. They command respect and admiration from the public.

For career firefighters, wearing a station’s fire department patch reminds them of their higher calling to save lives in emergencies. But what do fire department patches mean to volunteers, and how do they benefit them?

Patches Introduce Volunteer Firefighters to the Rest of the Crew

The camaraderie and deep bonding among firefighters are some of the admirable qualities that inspire people to volunteer. It’s important that volunteers integrate well into the team. Wearing a firefighter patch helps volunteers blend in easily within a fire station’s team.

The team’s older members will instantly recognize the new team members and help them settle down smoothly. A peaceful transition enables volunteers to learn and assimilate into the culture and team values of a station. This helps them become productive sooner and start making significant contributions to the team.

Social Respect From the Community

Like the Military’s morale patches, firefighters attract sincere respect from community members. More often, most volunteer firefighters are members of the local community looking for a meaningful way to serve their neighbors. By volunteering to serve as firefighters, they earn the right to wear fire department patches on their uniforms, backpacks, bunker gear, and cars, trucks, and house doors. Displaying a station’s fire department patch on their property gives people in need the confidence to ask for help from volunteers. Good thing volunteer firefighters undergo intense training so they’re efficient first-responders in an emergency.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were about 1,115,000 career and volunteer firefighters in North America in 2018. This number is insufficient, given the increasing rate of emergency calls to fire stations. As such, there’s a need for fire stations to find ways of attracting more volunteer firefighters.

One way to attract and retain volunteer firefighters is by having well-designed fire department patches that summarize the values and identity of your team. Catchy firefighter patches can motivate volunteers to join your fire station and give back to society in a practical and meaningful way. That’s why you should have your station’s firefighter patches designed by a top and experienced custom-design company.

Custom police velcro patches

Common Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make When Washing Velcro Patches

In the United States, there are approximately 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving, which is the highest figure ever. Every day we rely on law enforcement officials to both serve and protect our communities.

As a law enforcement official, it is important that you are easily recognizable to the people you are sworn to protect. Custom police velcro patches are a great way for officials to identify themselves with both authority and distinction. Quality patches are designed with care to reflect the nature and character of all organizations. However, to ensure the longevity of your patches, be sure to care for them properly.

Hand Wash Only

Washing your velcro patches in the washing machine can compromise their ability to properly adhere to your uniform. It’s natural for your velcro patch to collect detritus such as dust or dirt from daily use and normal wear and tear. However, gentle handwashing should be enough to remove any debris while also ensuring your velcro remains in top condition.

Remove Lint Buildup

While velcro patches are great for staying put on your uniform, they may also inadvertently pick up lint or other bits of debris. In addition to maintaining your patches with regular handwashing, be sure to clean the hard-to-remove lint from the velcro’s fasteners. You can do this by gently plucking it out with tweezers, using a small cleaning brush, or sliding a T-pin through the patch. Removing lint and other small bits of debris from your patches will guarantee that they maintain the best grip possible.

Safe Storage

The way you store your custom patches is also important. Storing them together may be damaging as they will stick together and become ruined. The best way to store patches is to secure them to a piece of felt or a custom patch panel. This guarantees you can store them safely and access them easily when needed.

Do Not Iron

Using a hot iron on your patches may also cause damage to both the velcro and the patch itself. The patches are meant to securely adhere to your uniform, and there should be no need to iron them.

Custom police velcro patches are effective ways to identify law enforcement both clearly and authoritatively. Though easy to use, they do require some regular care and maintenance; so be sure to follow the above tips to guarantee your patches stay in top condition.

patches we have in stock

3 Things to Know When Designing Custom Patches for Your Police Department

Hundreds of federal agencies and first responder departments in the United States are considering custom patches for their units. If you’ve recently considered getting your police department or division on this bandwagon, there are a few tips that’ll ensure you get the most appropriate badge patch. Read on to learn more about the best ways to get customized patches.

Choosing the Right Size is Key

The patches we have in stock come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on your needs. Remember that the size and shape will have a major impact on the overall appearance of the patch on the uniform. For starters, you want to go for shapes that complement the design of the attire.

The Border Will Give the Patch a Unique Look

If you want a distinct and polished look on your patches, consider bordering. Most of the custom patches we have in stock have elegant borders. When choosing a border, the most important thing is the feeling that they create. You want your officers to feel confident in their attire.

Backing Will Make the Patch Stand Out

When it comes to attaching custom patches to police uniforms, not everyone wants cloth backing. Some people appreciate a patch that they can remove on the go for various reasons. Velcro patches give you this option because they can be removed from clothes at any time, making them quite convenient to use. If you want patches that never lose their shape for esthetic reasons, it’s advisable to go for plastic backing.

Using custom patches has become quite popular over the past few years as police departments choose to differentiate their officers in the field. The patches we have in stock can help inspire you to design some for your police division. Contact us today if you’re considering a custom patch.

velcro police patches

4 Advantages of Using Velcro Backing On Your Custom Police Patches

If you have decided to purchase custom embroidered patches for your department, the next step should involve choosing the right backing for your garments. Velcro backing remains a popular option for embroidery patches for law-enforcement and military departments. It contains tiny hooks and loops that allow you to attach the patch to a soft garment for a secure connection. Velcro police patches are easy to adjust, making them suitable for law enforcement uniforms.

Here are four key benefits of using Velcro backing for your custom police patches.

1. Versatility

Velcro backing can either be single hook-sided for males or two-sided for males and females. Additionally, Velcro police patches can attach to a wide range of back materials for a secure connection. You can use it on materials such as real leather, artificial leather, polyester, or nylon. No matter the fabric used on your uniform, the hooks and loops can grip quickly to any surface point.

2. Durability

The Velcro police patches can easily be removed and reattached to the garment. You can take them off to clean, getting rid of any debris that accumulates on the hooks. Routine cleaning helps keep the little hooks intact, providing an excellent grip for the patch. You can attach and remove it as many times as you wish, and it will remain good as new.

3. Convenience

Using Velcro police patches makes it easier to clean your uniform without the worry of destroying your department’s custom badge patch. You only need to rip it off from the garment and reattach it later on. Velcro backings are convenient to use, as they do not require any heating or stitching.

4. Cost-Effective

Custom Velcro badges are relatively cheaper than other types of patches. Your patch creator can provide access to impressive cost-effective designs that work within your budget limits. Ordering in bulk may open up discount options that can help you save more.

Velcro police patches can help create an identity in your department. If you wish to order custom patches for your team, feel free to reach out to the designers at The Emblem Authority.

velcro patches

How Do I Take Care of Velcro Patches?

Protecting your velcro patches helps maintain their gripping power and durability. However, exposed apparel closures can sometimes collect debris like fuzz. You don’t need to sit for hours hand-picking pieces attached to your custom velcro patches. Instead, there are many cleaning solutions available. Here are a few ways to ensure your velcro patches last longer.

Cleaning Your Velcro Patches

Velcro can collect a lot of debris when it isn’t properly maintained. It’s not recommended to wash your velcro patches in the washing machine as this can be especially rough on the velcro. The last thing you want for your uniform is for the velcro patches to lose their gripping ability. Consider handwashing the fabric with your velcro patches instead of putting them through the washing machine.

You can also remove lint and other debris from your velcro patches using a T-pin. Slide the T-pin carefully between the rows of velcro to collect the debris. You can also use tiny tweezers, a dry toothbrush, or a fine-toothed comb to wipe off debris. Make sure you use minimal force to avoid breaking the delicate edges.

Why Are Velcro Patches Prone to Collecting Debris?

Customized velcro patches can be a great way to set your department apart from others. However, velcro patches have little hooks that are designed specifically to help them stay onto the fabric of your team’s uniforms. This is great for ensuring the velcro patch stays intact, but it also means that the patch can sometimes pick up more than fabric.

When packed with lint, the tiny fasteners fail to get an excellent grip. Make sure you unclog the grime using the mentioned methods above for a tighter grip.

Properly Store Your Patch Collection

Improper storage could end up ruining your entire collection of custom velcro patches. Consider getting a patch panel that is crafted from the smooth side of the velcro so you can hook all your patches in one place when not in use. If you don’t have a patch panel, you can press two patches on each other firmly.

With proper maintenance, care, and storage, you can make sure that your custom velcro patches stay in great shape for as long as possible. If you’re looking for customized velcro patches for your department or organization, look no further than Emblem Authority. To learn more about our velcro patches, lapel pins, and masks, contact us today.

patch creator

How Do Custom Firefighter, Police, and EMS Patches Benefit Your Team?

Custom patches are very underrated when it comes to their importance in business marketing, emergency services, and police/fire departments. Patches can be sewn on, heat-sealed, or attached with a pin to any garment. They are the unique identity of the department and the wearer. Whether you want temporary or permanent patches, you should hire a professional patch maker for quality assurance.

Below are some benefits of using a skilled patch creator company for your team’s custom embroidered badges.

1. Originality and Distinction

Every agency is looking for a way to express their individuality and uniqueness in what they do. Every patch tells a distinct story. Your design will represent your entire organization and gives your team identity. With customized patches, you can promote the services you offer and implement the department’s mission.

A custom patch can also help differentiate one department from another, especially those in a similar line of duty. For example, they can be used to distinguish different police and sheriff departments.

2. Give Your Team a Voice

Enhance team spirit by making everyone in the department feel like part of one happy family. There are so many types of patches, designs, sizes, and shapes to select. The wide range of choices gives you a chance to choose a patch that showcases your team’s collective spirit. Once everyone in the crew feels like they belong, they work in solidarity and with morale.

3. Patches Are Identity Holders

Hiring experienced patch creators for custom police badges, fire department patches, and EMS patches will give your station an inimitable identity. You allow members of your station to design something meaningful to the team’s course.

According to NFPA, in 2018, volunteer firefighters in the U.S. had risen to approximately 1,115,000. And to cultivate amity among all the crewmates, badges, lapel pins, and patches come in handy. It is a simple way for a team to identify with its department and crewmates.

4. Professionalism

Custom embroidered patches enhance the overall appearance of a uniform. They also make the wearer look professional, experienced, brave, and refined. These badges give your team a nice impression. You also establish a connection with other stations and the public. With a well-designed logo embroidered on a piece of garment, you create awareness and community outreach.

5. It Is Cost-Effective

Designing and attaching patches is affordable compared to direct embroidery. Using a patch creator will also get you a good deal and quality results. The sewing techniques and customization process are cheaper, making it ideal if you are on a budget. Ordering in bulk may get you a discount and minimizes delivery costs – if any.

6. Custom Embroidery Products Are Durable

A well-designed patch will withstand many conditions. You can dry-clean them severally without them fading or coming off your blazer, hat, or shirt. This sturdiness makes them suitable for police departments, firefighters, the hospitality industry, and EMS.

Choosing a reliable patch creator for your team is essential. Patches celebrate the crew’s history and give them identity. Additionally, the personalized artwork shows the teammates’ efforts and collaboration. Custom embroidery patches also create awareness during fundraisers, charity galas, recruiting events, and campaigns.

In summary, the advantages of using patches and badges affect every department differently. How you choose to use the patches is up to you. If used properly, you can build a strong team admired by the public.

3 Common Myths About Face Masks, Officially Busted

A face mask is an essential part of your uniform during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can help to keep yourself, your coworkers, and the public safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s recommended that everyone over the age of two wear a face mask to help slow the spread of COVID-19. In certain states, wearing a face mask is a legal requirement in public areas.

However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of debate about face coverings and the effectiveness of wearing a face mask. That said, to help bust these myths once and for all, we’ve compiled three of the most common misconceptions about face masks and the real truth about them.

  1. Myth #1: Face masks aren’t effective. Face masks can help to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 when used alongside social distancing. When you wear a face mask, it helps to absorb the moisture particles expelled from your nose and mouth when you breathe, speak, and laugh. When worn by a person who is infected with COVID-19, it can help to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus.
  2. Myth #2: Masks cause carbon dioxide buildup. While some masks are a little more difficult to breathe through than others, they cannot cause carbon dioxide buildup or poisoning. Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel wear face masks daily while on the job and are able to breathe perfectly fine. Face coverings made from cotton are recommended for regular use by the public.
  3. Myth #3: Face masks make it difficult to identify yourself. The Emblem Authority offers face coverings that come embroidered with custom police, fire department, and EMS patches to make it easy for public safety departments to identify themselves to members of the public while staying safe and reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Are you looking for high-quality face masks with custom police patches or patches for fire departments? The Emblem Authority is your one-stop-shop for masks with custom patches, velcro patches, pins, and more. To learn more about our face coverings and custom patches for police, fire departments, EMS, and more, contact The Emblem Authority today.

Simple Tips for Creating Different Types of Patches

You can create custom patches for a wide range of applications. You can use them to develop a unique brand design for your organization. They are also widely used for charity causes and clubs that need a visual representation of their movement. In this article, we’ll look at some ideas for coming up with different types of patches.

Initial Planning

There are different types of patches you could design. Custom patches usually consist of a logo, a pattern, and a tag line. At the initial stages, an essential step of the process is to define the purpose of the patch. It could be an emblem for a club, your department, or as a symbol for your business. Once you are clear on your objectives, you can jot down a rough draft of the design. You can then send the sketch to a designer or a patch creator.

Choosing a Color and Text

Colors can make your badge patch stand out from a distance. While the colors should be complementary, the most critical feature is contrast. Contrasting hues ensures visibility and encourages visual interest.

Text size is critical for different types of patches, but mostly embroidered ones. Ideally, the size of the letters shouldn’t be less than a quarter of an inch in height. Otherwise, the stitches will be harder to discern. Using larger text also has the advantage of enhancing readability.

Patch Border Options

Typically, different types of patches will have varying border designs depending on the purpose. A merrowed border is suitable for simple shapes like triangles, circles, and squares. They prevent the edges from fraying and give your patch an elegant, finished look.

Heat cut borders are made by cutting the patch with a laser, and you can use it on materials of varying thickness. It is the most reliable option for custom patches with complicated designs. You could also opt for leather, which is more volatile and makes for a suitable choice for a unique emblem.

Patch Size

The patch should be big enough to accommodate the text and symbols you place on it. But the application of the badge will also determine its dimensions. If you want to pin an emblem on a sports bag, you will have to opt for a smaller size. On the other hand, law enforcement patches will be significantly larger than average. However, always ensure that the patch is not so big that it looks out of place or too small that it’s difficult to read.

Keep It Simple

Regardless of the different types of patches, symbols, or colors you choose, always aim to keep it simple. Too many elements in your design can be distracting and unappealing. There should be enough spacing between the images, text, and emblem. Whenever you are in doubt, remember that less is more when it comes to designing patches. This also applies to colors and shades.

There are many different types of patches you can explore to inspire your designs. Always strive to keep your design simple and to the point. Remember, the objective is to pass a message. You can send your drafts to a patch creator to refine and perfect your emblem or logo. Don’t shy away from trying out unique and captivating designs.

Looking for police, EMS, fire department, or custom patches? Contact The Emblem Authority and get to experience our custom patch design process.

The Dos and Don’ts of COVID-19 Face Masks for Your Department

One of the top ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to maintain social distancing. However, for emergency services and departments serving the general public, it can be difficult to stay up to six feet apart from your coworkers and members of the public. Fortunately, public health experts agree that wearing a face covering is one of the best possible ways to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. To help protect your department and the people you’re serving, here’s what you need to know about the dos and don’ts of wearing face coverings.

DO: Wear Your Mask Properly

When you’re wearing your face covering, it’s essential that you’re wearing your face mask correctly or it won’t be effective. The face covering ought to cover both your nose and mouth. Your nose should never be poking out from the top, and the mask should never be down to your chin.

Wash your hands before you put your mask on and avoid touching your mask once it’s on. If you need to adjust your mask, make sure to touch the straps and not the cloth. When the time comes to take your mask off, remove it by the straps and not the cloth.

DON’T: Remove Your Mask to Identify Yourself

When you work in a public service position, you may need to identify yourself or your department to other people. However, removing your face covering could put you, the person you’re speaking to, and the rest of your department at risk. Keep your face covered with your face mask and instead use your identification card and badge to identify yourself.

The Emblem Authority offers face masks with custom patches sewn in so you don’t have to worry about not being able to identify yourself to others. What’s more, your custom police patches and fire department patches sewn onto your department’s face masks can also serve as a preventative measure for security. Because your custom patch is on the face mask, you don’t need to worry about someone impersonating a police officer or firefighter in your department while using a face covering as a disguise.

DO: Wash Your Mask Daily

Just like you wash the rest of your department’s uniforms every day, it’s important to wash your face masks every day. Wash your hands immediately after you remove your face mask even when you’re touching the straps. Consider keeping your department’s used face masks in a separate, sealed container until the time comes to wash them later in the day.

Once the face masks have been sufficiently washed and dried, store them in a clean, dry container. When you’re wearing a face mask from The Emblem Authority, you don’t need to worry about the water damaging your custom badge. Just wash the face mask with gentle detergent on gentle cycle only with cool water.

Face coverings are an essential part of your department’s new uniform. They’re important for keeping yourself, your coworkers, and the public safe. However, that doesn’t mean you need to worry about face masks clashing with the rest of your department’s uniform. The Emblem Authority’s face masks with custom department badges are exactly what you need. For more information on face masks with custom badges, contact The Emblem Authority today.