The Best of Squadron Patches

Started by Pylon, January 09, 2006, 08:41:09 PM

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Major Carrales

Quote from: LtCol White on May 23, 2007, 01:10:57 PM
Nice job. Would be a bit better if it had the wording in the rockers above and below the disc. Otherwise, really sharp looking patch and lots of detail.

I was looking into prices of patches and, let me say this, the rockers greatly increase the price.  A circular patch like this one is the best route.

I have often maintained that money used for CAP should best be routed to Operations.  If one wanted to make a unit patch, it should be one as inexpensively as possible.  Dropping some 500 dollars on patches is meshuggah.  That could by radios or even many sets of uniforms for cadets.
"We have been given the power to change CAP, let's keep the momentum going!"

Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales, CAP
Commander
Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron
SWR-TX-454

Pylon

Quote from: Major Carrales on May 24, 2007, 04:38:37 PM
Quote from: LtCol White on May 23, 2007, 01:10:57 PM
Nice job. Would be a bit better if it had the wording in the rockers above and below the disc. Otherwise, really sharp looking patch and lots of detail.

I was looking into prices of patches and, let me say this, the rockers greatly increase the price.  A circular patch like this one is the best route.

While it's true that, because of the die cut, is can be more expensive to add the rockers -- it's not that much more expensive to have your patch fit in with the expected mould.  In addition, if unit's practiced proper purchasing procedures, they could bid out their patch jobs and probably save them more in the end than adding die cut rockers would add.

Is it cheaper?   Maybe.  But should we always cut corners because we can save a few bucks and it won't hurt anything?   

Not to mention, you're charging for the squadron patch, right?  Not just handing it out like candy?   So what's the excuse to not throw an additional $0.50 onto the cost to members and make a proper patch?
Michael F. Kieloch, Maj, CAP

Lancer

I just did a custom presentation at my unit on Heraldry for the cadets as we are in need of a new squadron patch. Kudos to alamrcn and his wonderful website for providing fodder for this.  ;)

I printed off the AF Guide to Heraldry for all the cadets and gave them more than enough shield blanks to come up with designs. I'm planning on having each of them talk about their design in a month from now and depending on the results of what comes back, we'll either pick the best one to use or tweak one of the better ones to use. I'll really anxious to see what my cadets come back with.

To prepare for this, I was hoping to solicit from everyone here that has gone through his process to get a compilation of companies that they have used to create their patches so I can submit for bid and get the best price.

Oh, and alamrcn, I'll do my best to make sure you get one of our old patches for your records.



Capt M. Sherrod

One of the best patch manufacturer's that I have found around is Squadron Flight Shop at www.sfspatches.com  ---  Great service, great prices.
Michael Sherrod, Capt, CAP
Professional Development Officer
Hanscom Composite Squadron, NER-MA-043

alamrcn

Quote from: Major Carrales on May 24, 2007, 04:38:37 PM
I was looking into prices of patches and, let me say this, the rockers greatly increase the price.  A circular patch like this one is the best route.

While I can't speak for all manufacturers' policies, I can say that none of the three companies I have worked with in the past charge extra based on the shape of the patch. They factor in the size of the patch and the amount of backing material that is being used... patch size determined as HxW/2, so this is where some extra cost might come in if the tabs make the patch shape taller. Modern machines do the cutting (sometimes called hot needling) after all the embroidery is done, and a disk with/without tabs is all the same to the cutting computer as far as workload goes. The loom computers now can count every stitch, so you can pay for exactly what you get.

I'm not one to price shop unless it is something really big. That is, for my own purchases. But where CAP is concerned, funds can be sparse and a patch order can be a VERY big purchase for many units. However, the cheapest is NEVER the best here, unless you don't want to ever wear or wash your uniform!

Some manufacturers may try to nickle and dime you for things, and they are the ones NOT to go with. If you're ordering over 150 pieces and are asked to pay over $2 each... it's time to move on.

- Ace

Oh, Mark... was your presentation with PowerPoint? If so, I'd love to see it! Maybe even add it to the Document Library on the CAP Patches website. I'm really looking forward to see what the squadron comes up with for a design -- as well as receiving a copy of the final product!



Ace Browning, Maj, CAP
History Hoarder
71st Wing, Minnesota

Fifinella

http://patches4less.com/  100 patches, with arc and rocker, less than $2.50 a patch.  Great product, great service, patches in about a week and a half.
Judy LaValley, Maj, CAP
Asst. DCP, LAWG
SWR-LA-001
GRW #2753

mdickinson

Here are three patches I used to wear in the '90s...

mikeylikey

^^  Second patch down.  THATS THE REASON WE ARE NOW THE U.S. CAP!!
What's up monkeys?

Eclipse

I haven't run into anyone who charges extra for rockers, but extra or not, that's the proper shape.

What has determined the cost more so with the vendors we've used is the number of colors, complexity of the image, and whether you choose a 100% stitched patch versus using a cloth for the background color (go with 100% stitched, it looks way better).

As to the cost, its going to be an uphill climb to find anything decent looking less than $3-3.50 each, and most I've seen go into the $5 range easily when you spread out the shipping.  One unit here uses retro-reflective thread (for safety), which brings the cost to over $9 (and ruins every photo with a flash).

The Chinese vendors seem to have the best quality, and most vendors state-side will send you work to them.  It also makes a difference as to whether they have a patch machine and over-stitch the edge, or make them on an embroidery machine (#1 is much better).

Since most members won't buy more than a handful in their whole career, spend the extra bucks and make a nice looking patch - I hate it when I see members who cheaped on the manufacturing or cut corners on the design and they are walking around with something that looks like their mom made it on their home Singer.

"That Others May Zoom"

LtCol White

Quote from: Eclipse on May 27, 2007, 12:53:19 AM
I haven't run into anyone who charges extra for rockers, but extra or not, that's the proper shape.

What has determined the cost more so with the vendors we've used is the number of colors, complexity of the image, and whether you choose a 100% stitched patch versus using a cloth for the background color (go with 100% stitched, it looks way better).

As to the cost, its going to be an uphill climb to find anything decent looking less than $3-3.50 each, and most I've seen go into the $5 range easily when you spread out the shipping.  One unit here uses retro-reflective thread (for safety), which brings the cost to over $9 (and ruins every photo with a flash).

The Chinese vendors seem to have the best quality, and most vendors state-side will send you work to them.  It also makes a difference as to whether they have a patch machine and over-stitch the edge, or make them on an embroidery machine (#1 is much better).

Since most members won't buy more than a handful in their whole career, spend the extra bucks and make a nice looking patch - I hate it when I see members who cheaped on the manufacturing or cut corners on the design and they are walking around with something that looks like their mom made it on their home Singer.

The proper term you are referring to is "fully embroidered" for the best quality and appearance
LtCol David P. White CAP   
HQ LAWG

Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska

Diplomacy - The ability to tell someone to "Go to hell" and have them look forward to making the trip.

Major Carrales

This is what has been proposed...

"We have been given the power to change CAP, let's keep the momentum going!"

Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales, CAP
Commander
Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron
SWR-TX-454

ColonelJack

Quote from: Major Carrales on May 28, 2007, 04:12:34 AM
This is what has been proposed...



Bull.   ;D

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Jack
Jack Bagley, Ed. D.
Lt. Col., CAP (now inactive)
Gill Robb Wilson Award No. 1366, 29 Nov 1991
Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska
Honorary Admiral, Navy of the Republic of Molossia

Psicorp

Quote from: ColonelJack on May 28, 2007, 11:56:15 AM
Quote from: Major Carrales on May 28, 2007, 04:12:34 AM
This is what has been proposed...



Bull.   ;D

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Jack

You might consider moooving on to the next proposal  :D
Jamie Kahler, Capt., CAP
(C/Lt Col, ret.)
CC
GLR-MI-257

ColonelJack

Quote from: Psicorp on May 28, 2007, 03:52:18 PM
Quote from: ColonelJack on May 28, 2007, 11:56:15 AM
Quote from: Major Carrales on May 28, 2007, 04:12:34 AM
This is what has been proposed...



Bull.   ;D

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Jack

You might consider moooving on to the next proposal  :D

Oh, you're going to try and milk this for all you can get, eh?  I have a real beef with that.

Jack
Jack Bagley, Ed. D.
Lt. Col., CAP (now inactive)
Gill Robb Wilson Award No. 1366, 29 Nov 1991
Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska
Honorary Admiral, Navy of the Republic of Molossia

LtCol White

Hmmm...a flying bull....There is some fun to be had with this one!!!

We all know there is a lot of bull flying around in CAP. Is that what the patch is indicating?? HAHAHA

Who's gonna take the bull by the horns and fix things at NHQ??

;D
LtCol David P. White CAP   
HQ LAWG

Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska

Diplomacy - The ability to tell someone to "Go to hell" and have them look forward to making the trip.

MIKE

My suggestion would be to put BRAHMA FLIGHT together in one scroll on the bottom.
Mike Johnston

LtCol White

Quote from: MIKE on May 28, 2007, 08:09:28 PM
My suggestion would be to put BRAHMA FLIGHT together in one scroll on the bottom.

Here's an idea for the motto on the patch...."We're full of it"
:o
LtCol David P. White CAP   
HQ LAWG

Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska

Diplomacy - The ability to tell someone to "Go to hell" and have them look forward to making the trip.

ddelaney103

Quote from: LtCol White on May 28, 2007, 08:11:25 PM
Quote from: MIKE on May 28, 2007, 08:09:28 PM
My suggestion would be to put BRAHMA FLIGHT together in one scroll on the bottom.

Here's an idea for the motto on the patch...."We're full of it"
:o

How about "Don't mess with us...we're sacred cows!"

LtCol White

Quote from: ddelaney103 on May 29, 2007, 03:25:41 AM
Quote from: LtCol White on May 28, 2007, 08:11:25 PM
Quote from: MIKE on May 28, 2007, 08:09:28 PM
My suggestion would be to put BRAHMA FLIGHT together in one scroll on the bottom.

Here's an idea for the motto on the patch...."We're full of it"
:o

How about "Don't mess with us...we're sacred cows!"

"Moove out of our way"
LtCol David P. White CAP   
HQ LAWG

Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska

Diplomacy - The ability to tell someone to "Go to hell" and have them look forward to making the trip.

Major Carrales

Quote from: MIKE on May 28, 2007, 08:09:28 PM
My suggestion would be to put BRAHMA FLIGHT together in one scroll on the bottom.

I theory, we would eventually become a squadron.  I am holding off on that.
"We have been given the power to change CAP, let's keep the momentum going!"

Major Joe Ely "Sparky" Carrales, CAP
Commander
Coastal Bend Cadet Squadron
SWR-TX-454