Have you ever seen young adventurers carrying backpacks full of patches? If yes, then you might wonder why they have done so. Let me tell you!

Grounded in fact, patches are an excellent way to spice up your backpack in a way never before, and you don’t have to worry about their falling off like the enamel pins.

Most people put patches to customize backpacks in their favorite designs. As most patches are indicatively designed with some good prints or embroideries, so they are perfect to add some flare to your backpack’s style.

Another reason for putting patches is somehow interesting. Have you ever got a hole in your backpack? Having a hole in a backpack is no fun. But it mostly happens when you use your backpack very often for long trips.

Well, the good news is that you can cover the holes in your backpack with patches. No matter how many holes your backpack got, buy some stylish patches to make your backpack look stunning like never before.

But what’s not so fashion-forward is carrying the backpack with the faded patch that’s only partially stuck as it’s started peeling just after few washes.

The handy fix for this type of issue is to learn “how to put patches on a backpack“. As we know not all patches are created equally, so you must be aware that how to excellently put each type of patch on your backpack.

Looking confused? Don’t worry, we’re going to elaborate on each thing. We’ve designed this guide to teach you about the different types of patches and step-by-step appropriate methods to securely put them on your backpacks.

Let’s read before you grab or put any patch on your backpack!

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Different Methods of How to put Patches on a Backpack?

As we already discussed that all patches aren’t created equally. They might vary based on built-in material, and incorporated design.

How to put Patches on a Backpack

So, you must know that how to attach different types of patches with ease. Here, we’re going to describe the methods which you can use to get good mileage out of your grabbed patches.

Method#1: Sew the Patch on a Backpack

Grounded in fact, sewing is the most secure and efficient way to put patches on a backpack. But keep in mind that moisture sometimes slips through the fabric across the thread line.

We recommend you add silicone sealant to the holes left after stitching on the inside of the backpack. This thing will help you to overcome any wear or tear.

Although, sewing demands more work it’s a more durable way to keep the patches firmly in place.

Steps to Sew the Patches on your Backpack

For effective sewing of your patches, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps to do the trick.

Step#1: Clean your Backpack

The very first step which you can’t skip is the cleaning of your backpack. You should perfectly clean the area where you need to put the patch. Make sure that area is completely dry before embarking on sewing.

Step#2: Pick the Right Thread

Next, it’s time to choose the thread which you will use to sew patches. You can go for any of the two below-mentioned choices to get the right thread for your backpack, as style also matters the most.

  • Pick the thread of the same color as your backpack.
  • Find a contrasting color to make your patch cooler.
Step#3: Decide the Place on your Backpack

This is the most significant factor which will decide the look of your backpack. If you don’t have any idea about where to put your patches on your backpack, we recommend you to not sew it on a seam or padded area as you’ll find it more challenging.

Step#4: Pin your Patch

This step is somehow optional, but it helps you to perform effortless and neat sewing. If you haven’t used the iron-on or adhesive method, we recommend you place safety pins to keep the patch in place as you continue to stitch it.

Step#5: Prepare your Needle

You need to take a 20-25” thread and fold it in half. Now, pass the two loose ends through the needle hole and knot them. Make the knotted end of the thread longer than the folded end.

Step#6: Start Threading

From the inside of the backpack, push the needle through the patch edge towards the outside of the bag. Then pass the needle from the outside of the patch towards the inside at a proper distance. You will see a visible “I” loop at the top.

If you are sewing a thicker patch, then you might need to use scissors or something like that to push the needle through the patch.

Step#7: Running Stitch

After giving the first proper stitch, you need to make the stitch running throughput the patch. You can do it in two ways.

  • Create an overcast stitch by utilizing the area around the patch and then pass the needle down through the patch edges.
  • Make a running stitch by passing the thread along the inner edge of the patch.
Step#8: Tightly secure the Thread

After sewing the whole patch, you need to make your stitching secure which can be done by securing the thread ends.

To tightly secure the thread, you need to push the needle through the last stitch on the inside of the backpack in such a way that the thread in the needle makes a loop.

Now pass the needle through that loop and tight the thread, it will make a secure ending knot. Repeat this step 3-5 times to completely secure your thread.

Step#9: Remove the Pins

Finally, after completing the sewing process, you need to remove the pins which you used in step-4 to firmly place the patch while sewing. Remove them, check the sewing strength, if you find it okay then you’re done!

Metod#2: Iron-on a Patches to a Backpack

Putting your favorite iron-on patch on the backpack is a worthy experience. No matter, what kind of iron-on patch you’re holding like the flat or embroidered, we’ll guide you for all. You can take the charge of below steps to effectively put your iron-on patch on your backpack.

Step#1: Check the Fabric of your Backpack

Firstly, you need to check the fabric of your backpack. For this check the information tag on your backpack to make sure you can iron it or not. If you don’t have a tag, simply check the compatibility of your backpack as under.

  • If you’re holding a cotton or denim backpack, then you can consider it as an ideal base for iron-on patches.
  •  If you got a leather backpack it will be difficult and tricky to use it as a base for these patches.
  • If you have a backpack made of sensitive material like polyester and silk, then don’t use this method without any trick, as they can be easily burned or discolor in such operations.

Step#2: Check your Patches

Well, the iron-on patches mostly are of a different type. Check twice that your grabbed patch has an only plain cloth back, or it comes with an adhesive to stick it with the backpack during ironing. You must grab one with which you’re comfortable. We find the sticky patches quite easy to iron as they stay at their place.

Step#3: Choose the place to attach the patch

This is the most important step as it will help you to get your desired style. You must place your patch in a tasteful position. Moreover, never forget to keep the labels in such a way that the asymmetric symbols and letters must be in the right order.

Step#4: Set the Iron Temperature

This step is quite tricky, you need to be extra careful here. You need to set the right temperature on your iron to save yourself from any hassle. Which temperature range is good to go? Well, it solely depends on your backpack’s fabric. Overall, you can consider keeping the temperature range 250 – 350oF.

Step#5: Place Cloth over the Patch

Looking silly? Some people think that this step isn’t necessary as they can iron their patches even skipping it. But keep in mind that if you want to put wrinkle-free patches, this step is a must to follow for you.

Moreover, this step is useful if your bag is made of heat-sensitive materials such as polyester or linen.

You can consider covering the patch with some durable cloth or simply use the towel to do the trick. But take extra care to not disturb the proper placement of the patch.

Step#6: Start Ironing

To commence the process, gently place your iron on the towel in a way that it completely covers the patch area. Keep it there for 10-15 seconds.

Now move the iron in a circular motion to evenly spread the heat throughout the patch area. You might need to iron longer for embroidered patches, whilst thin cloth patches require less time.

Step#7: Check your Work

Now remove the towel and check the patch. The patch must stick to the backpack without any wrinkles. If you aren’t satisfied, place the towel again and repeat the process.

This time don’t go for any circular motion, just iron it for no more than 20-30 seconds with a steady head. Remember, the patch will be hot, so touch it carefully.

Step#8: Iron it from the back side

Practically, this time might be tiring as you’re dealing with a backpack. But need to go through this step to perfectly attach your patch and to remove any wrinkles. Again, place the towel on the other side of the patch and iron it for 10-15 seconds.

This step is useful as it perfectly melts the adhesive to make the bonder stronger between the patch and backpack fabric.

Step#9: Permanently secure the patch

After ironing, wait for 1-2 minutes to get the cooled backpack fabric and patch. Now, you can permanently secure the patches on a backpack. Why do you need to do so?

Actually, the adhesive that your patch got might not be able to withstand continuous hand or machine washing. So, you can consider securing your patch by sewing it.

But this step is completely optional, if you’re not going to wash your backpack very often then skip sewing.

Method#3: Bonding Patches on a Backpack

On the moral high ground, this method applies to only specific types of patches, you can’t use it for every patch you hold.

What kind of patches is good for this method? Well, if you got patches made of Nylon, then this method is going to perfectly suit you.

Do you know how to put such patches and which material you will need to do the trick? If not, you can follow the given steps for easy patching.

Step#1: Get a reliable Solution

For bonding the nylon patches, you just need a compatible solution. For this, you can specifically use a silicone seam sealer such as McNETT SilNet, or simply grab any silicon sealant to do the trick.

Step#2: check your backpack

Before attaching the patch to your backpack, you must check it twice that it’s completely dry. As for the wet fabric, this method might go wrong. Also, select the place on the backpack where you need to attach the patch.

Step#3: Spread the Solution

This isn’t too hard. All you need to do is to evenly spread the sealant on the back of your patch and remember to keep the layer as thin as possible.

Step#4: Stick the Patch to Backpack

As you already have an idea where to attach the patch to your backpack. So, now simply put the patch on that area.

Step#5: Make the Attachment Firm

To make the perfect bond between the patch and backpack, apply even pressure on the patch with something heavy. Simply, you can use a switched-off cold iron for this purpose.

Step#6: Check your Work

You must leave the backpack overnight in an open place without folding it to get the study bond. Finally, check your work and if you are satisfied, you’re done with this method!

Tip: Don’t try to this method for patches made of polyester or any other natural fabric like cotton or leather. You can sew or iron them to get better results!

Final Verdict

On the moral high ground, patches are an innovative way to design your backpack in a way you love it. As almost all patches are carved stylish, so you can put them to add some flare to your backpack’s style.

Also, they are handy to cover any holes or visible damages on your backpacks. But the problem is that there exist different types of patches on the market, each patch must be attached using a different method.

Do you know “How to put patches on a backpack”? Well, if you’ve read out guide, you might be an expert in putting patches on backpacks.

Put Patches to Style your Backpack!