Who is the ideal patch customer?

Several markets can be fertile ones when it comes to patches. One market is smaller businesses or corporations. Every company wants to look as prosperous and businesslike as possible. Having employees moving about town in matching uniforms with identification that mimics the appearance of larger corporations or franchises helps promote trust among customers.

Motorcycle clubs can be very fertile markets for patches. Often, clubs want things like memorial patches or patches for special events. Some want identification patches to designate club officers or to pass out when new members join. One thing to understand about motorcycle clubs, however, is that they often have stringent standards for the appearance of the patches they wear.  They want colors, sizes, and shapes to be uniform throughout the length of the program.  These types of customers are much more likely to reject something that is a bit off on color or size than other types of customers.

Medical clinics, veterinary clinics, dentists, and other organizations where people wear lab coats or scrubs may be another viable market for patches. These patches can identify the position or specialty of the person wearing the lab coat, as well as brand the business itself.

Construction companies are often organizations that use patches. Reflective or high-visibility emblems are a useful product for those who work on road crews or who work long days and may work in the evening. Construction companies may also need branding for hats, jackets, and even tool cases.

Keep in mind that patches are about branding, which means almost any business could potentially be a good market for embellished emblems. The trick is to find a method of making patches that suits your business and the way you work, while also allowing you to turn out pieces with speed and consistency that earns you profit.

—EnMart