Everything You Need To Know About Velcro

In the world of custom patches you would always hear names like ‘iron on’ or ‘sew on’ and sometimes perhaps even ‘velcro.’ Now chances are you would be less surprised to hear about the former two than the later, and if that is also the case with you, then you have come to the right place. Because, today we are going to talk about only Velcro backing. If it is your first time reading about this then get ready because in the next 5 minutes this is Velcro world and we are just living in it.

What is Velcro Backing?

Just like iron on and sew on are options to attach a custom patch to an attire, velcro also happens to be one on the list of patch backing. For sure, there is no doubt that sew on and iron on backing remains the popular choice and most people will opt for them. However, just because majority is not leaning towards velcro it does not mean there is something wrong with it. In fact if you are not skilled at sewing and ironing is not your strongest suit, velcro backing gives you unique opportunity to attach any type of patch to your costume in matter of minutes.

Unlike the iron on backing which needs 10-15 minutes (preparation time + ironing time) or sew on backing which could take hours if you are not sure what you are doing, velcro is the easiest way to patch a custom patch (also cheapest). The primary reason for this window of relief is down to the very nature of how velcro patching works. It does not need a heat transfer to melt adhesive. It does not need thread and needle to make neat joints. Instead velcro depends on hook and loop fastening system.

To understand it’s working properly here is how you can define the hook and loop:

• Hook Side: This is the rough, scratchy part of the Velcro. It contains many tiny hooks.
• Loop Side: This is the soft, fuzzy part of the Velcro. It has many small loops.

If you are still troubled then look at this picture and you would get the clarity. Because a) velcro patching is glorified version of tape and b) unlike other patching options for custom patches velcro is not just confined to the world of small patches. If you own a laptop there is a good chance that battery which came with it has velcro backing for properly rounding the wire.

Advantages of Using Velcro Backing

There are many advantages that you can avail by using the velcro backing, the first and most obvious is ease of usage. Attaching a custom patch with velcro is not a difficult task. It does not demand from you to use a machine or torture yourself with little needle. Velcro is all about making life easy for you and it does that perfectly.

Second reason is durability unlike the other options velcro patch can be taken off at will. Imagine this, you are going for laundry and you want to wash your clothes with hot water (it is common knowledge for those in patches business to know that hot water weakens the grip between clothes and a patch). However, if you would have stuck with velcro you can easily just take of the patch for the duration of laundry and once done just put it back on. It is that easy and it is this simple.

Another reason for which we just adore velcro here at ZmCustomPatches is how it fits with almost all kind of patches. If you would remember when we talked about sew on and iron on patches we saw there are some materials with does not work with iron on backing. You just cannot use them and iron on method to stick the patch. Yet you would be pleased to know that velcro does not have any kind of restrictions. It is suitable for almost all kind of surfaces and materials

How Velcro Backing Works

Invented by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in the 1940s, velcro is inspired by the natural hooks found on the burrs of plants. To understand the working mechanism properly you should be aware about hook side and loop side.

We have covered the both above. Because it is interaction between the hooks and loops that generates friction and slight entanglement, resulting in a secure fastening. The strength of the bond depends on the density and quality of the hooks and loops.

As for steps to attach and remove velcro patch this is how it happens:

• Aligning the Hook Side with the Loop Side: Begin by identifying the hook and loop sides of the Velcro. The hook side is rough and covered with tiny hooks, while the loop side is soft and fuzzy. Align the patch so that the hooks are directly over the loops.
• Pressing to Secure: Once aligned, press the hook side firmly against the loop side. Apply even pressure across the surface of the patch to ensure all hooks engage with the loops. This creates a strong and reliable bond between the two surfaces.
• Peeling Off to Remove: To remove the Velcro-backed patch, grasp an edge of the patch and slowly peel it away from the surface. This action disengages the hooks from the loops, allowing the patch to come off without causing damage to either side. Peeling at a slight angle can make the removal smoother and reduce the risk of pulling on the material excessively.

Caring for Your Velcro-Backed Patches

You can do two things to take care of your velcro patch and both of them are not particularly hard to do so. First is to just keep the hook and loop clean. You can do this in stages, first clean the hook:

• Use a Toothbrush or Fine Comb: Gently brush the hooks with a toothbrush or a fine comb to dislodge lint and debris. Use short, quick strokes to avoid damaging the hooks.
• Tweezers or Needle: For stubborn debris stuck in the hooks, use tweezers or a needle to carefully pick out the particles. Be gentle to avoid bending or breaking the hooks.
• Tape: Press a piece of adhesive tape (such as duct tape) onto the hook side and then peel it off. The adhesive will lift away lint and dirt. Repeat as necessary.
• Compressed Air: Blow compressed air over the hook side to dislodge and remove particles. This method is especially useful for fine debris that is difficult to reach with brushes or tweezers.

While the second is to clean the loop, even though loop side is less likely to get very dirty since it is not exposed a lot.

• Lint Roller: Roll a lint roller over the loop side to pick up loose dirt and lint. This is quick and effective for surface debris.
• Vacuum Cleaner: Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove debris from the loop side. This method works well for larger areas and embedded dirt.
• Washing: If the Velcro is attached to washable fabric, you can hand wash or machine wash the fabric with mild detergent. Ensure the Velcro is closed (hooks and loops engaged) to prevent it from catching onto other items or collecting more debris during the wash.

Another thing you can do to keep a patch safe is to store it properly. Your velcro patch won’t get dirty or accumulate dust and dirt if it would be stored at a place far away.

In Conclusion

At the end what kind of patch backing you choose to opt for depends on your preference and the need. So, even if you would go for something else than velcro, it is alright. As long as you are picking the right option there is no issue. Which is also why ZmCustomPatches deals with all kinds of backing and packing options. All you have to do is to contact us or reach out through phone call.