How To Iron On A Patch: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How to Iron on Patches to Jackets, Jeans, T-Shirts & More Download Article Personalize your worn-out clothes and accessories with your favorite patch designs Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Check if your clothing or accessory can be ironed. 2 Choose where to place the patch. 3 Heat up the iron. 4 Lay the garment flat on an ironing board. 5 Position the patch. 6 Place parchment paper or a thin cloth over the patch. 7 Iron over the patch for 30-60 seconds. 8 Iron the back of the patch for 30 seconds. 9 Let the patch cool and check if it’s secure. 10 Sew the patch’s edges if needed. + Show 7 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Joy Cho and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Joy Cho and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Joy Cho is the Founder and Creative Director of the lifestyle brand and design studio, Oh Joy!, founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, California. She has authored six books and consulted for creative businesses around the world. Joy has lectured on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship at conferences and companies such as AltSummit, Pinterest, Target, and Hallmark, while her home and studio have been featured in magazines such as House Beautiful, Parents, and Domino. She has also been named one of Time's 30 Most Influential People on the Internet multiple times and has the most followed account on Pinterest with more than 14 million followers. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,445,326 times.

You love that worn-out denim jacket you’ve had for a decade, but you’re wondering if it needs a little pizzazz to give it new life. An iron-on patch is an easy, affordable solution to add your personal aesthetic to any piece of clothing or to cover up small holes and tears, too. In this article, we’ll show you step-by-step how to prep your garment and iron on a patch that lasts so you can rock your design for years to come. Let’s get started while the iron’s hot!

Things You Should Know

• Lay your garment flat on an ironing board, then position your patch in the exact spot you want it to stick to.
• Cover the patch with a thin cloth, then iron it with the highest heat the fabric can take for 30-60 seconds (check the iron icon on the tag for max heat info).
• Flip over the garment and iron the backside of the patch for another 30 seconds. Once the patch cools, it’s ready to wear!

Steps

1

Check if your clothing or accessory can be ironed.

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1. Look for the iron symbol on the garment’s tag or label. The symbol looks like a small icon of an iron. If there’s an “X” through it, it means the item can’t be ironed safely. One dot, 2 dots, or 3 dots inside the icon means the item can be ironed at low, medium, or high heat, respectively.[1]
   • If the garment can’t be ironed or there’s no label, sew on the patch instead so you don’t risk melting or damaging the material.
   • The best fabrics for iron-on patches are sturdy ones like denim, canvas, cotton, polyester, or cotton blends.[2]
   • Vinyl, rayon, nylon, leather, silk, or other animal-product or sensitive fabrics are not good for ironing since the heat can damage them.
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2

Choose where to place the patch.

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1. Lay your garment out flat and mark the patch’s exact location. For precise placement, like placing a patch in the middle of a pocket, use a tape measure to make sure the patch is exactly centered. Then, use a fabric marker and add a small dot to the fabric where the center of the patch will go.[3]
   • If you’re ironing on a patch to cover a hole, trim and place the patch so the edges cover at least 0.25 in (0.64 cm) of fabric around the hole.[4]
   • If you’re ironing on multiple patches or plan to add more later, keep the end result in mind and leave room for future patches.
   • Some popular spots for patches include sweater or jacket elbows, baseball or bucket hats, pockets on jeans or t-shirts, or the back of denim jackets.

3

Heat up the iron.

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1. Turn the iron to the hottest temperature the fabric can take. Crank the heat all the way up for heavy fabrics like denim or canvas, and choose a medium or medium-high heat for cotton or polyester. Make sure the steam function is off and there’s no water sitting in the iron (any moisture will make the adhesive less effective).[5]
   • If you’re ironing polyester, start with medium heat and raise the temperature if needed. High heat can accidentally burn or discolor polyester.
   • Choose medium heat if your patch is chenille, since the yarn is sensitive to high heat and may burn.
   • Clothes irons are the easiest to use, but any iron (even a hair straightener) can work as long as it's hot enough to melt the patch’s adhesive.
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4

Lay the garment flat on an ironing board.

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1. Arrange the garment so the fabric is smooth and flat against the surface. Use any flat, clean, heat-resistant surface if you don’t have an ironing board. Try a doubled-up bath towel over a sturdy table as a substitute.[6]
   • Take a lint roller to the garment to make sure it’s fuzz-free. If needed, iron out the spot where the patch will go so it lays flat (without steam).
   • If you’re patching over a hole, trim any loose threads or worn edges with scissors as well.

5

Position the patch.

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1. Peel the backing off of the patch and place it where you want it.[7] If you marked your fabric earlier, center the patch on your fabric marker dot. Make sure the adhesive side of the patch is laying flat and that the edges aren’t crooked or angled (unless you want them that way).[8]
   • On embroidered patches, the adhesive side is the underside. If your patch doesn’t have adhesive, place fusible webbing between the patch and fabric.
   • If you’re ironing on transfer paper, peel the image side and place the image face down (the paper backing on the other side comes off later).
   • If your patch is meant to blend in with the fabric, slide it under or inside the garment so the print side shows through the hole. Check the patch’s instructions for details.
   Patches.Co, Professional Patch Manufacturer

   Patches are a fun way to personalize your outfits and accessories. Now, you can get custom embroidered patches without the hassle. wikiHow has partnered with Patches.Co to help you create and order personalized patches in no time at all.

   If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission.

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6

Place parchment paper or a thin cloth over the patch.

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1. Lay the cloth carefully so you don’t move the patch on accident. The extra layer protects your fabric and the patch from the heat of the iron. It also protects your iron from any rogue adhesive that might leak out from underneath the patch.[9]

7

Iron over the patch for 30-60 seconds.

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1. Use firm pressure and keep the iron moving the entire time.[10] Iron continuously until the adhesive backing is fully melted and stuck to the fabric (this takes at least 30 seconds for small or medium patches, and up to 1 minute for large ones). Make sure to iron over every corner and edge of the patch for the best result.[11]
   • Wait for the iron to fully heat up before ironing on the patch. The adhesive needs a high temperature to melt, and a cool iron won’t be as effective.[12]
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8

Iron the back of the patch for 30 seconds.

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1. Flip the garment so you can iron the backside of the patch easily. Go over the back of the patch with firm pressure for about 30 seconds to make sure the adhesive is fully melted and stuck to the fabric. There’s no need for a cloth or parchment paper—just iron the fabric directly.[13]
   • Flip over the garment carefully in case the patch hasn’t fully stuck to the front yet.

9

Let the patch cool and check if it’s secure.

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1. Flip the garment right side up and test the edges of the patch. Try to lift up the edges or corners of the patch with one finger. If they move a bit, put your cloth or parchment paper over the patch again and iron for another 10 seconds. Repeat until the patch is secure.[14]
   • If you're working with a paper transfer patch, wait 10 minutes for it to fully cool and then peel off the paper backing on top.
   • Once the patch is cool and secure, your garment is ready to wear!
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10

Sew the patch’s edges if needed.

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1. Reinforce the patch’s corners and edges if they won’t stay glued down. Choose thread that matches the patch, then use a sewing machine or a needle and thread to stitch around the perimeter. Sewing a straight stitch or a simple running stitch will do! The extra support keeps the patch securely attached to your clothes and ensures it won’t fall off later.[15]
   • Transfer paper patches can’t be reinforced with sewing.

Community Q&A

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• Question Can you put iron on patches in the wash? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer While you can wash items that have iron-on patches properly attached, care must be taken. Only wash in cold to lukewarm water and where possible, hand wash the item. If washing in the machine, only use the gentle cycle. Always turn the garment with the iron-on patch inside out when washing it. Try to keep washing to a minimum, to preserve the patch and if its edges fray a lot, you may need to trim them or even stitch them back down. It is also a good idea to read the iron-on patch manufacturer’s instructions regarding washing, as this may vary from brand to brand. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 23
• Question Can I iron a patch onto a luggage case? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Patches can be added to luggage cases but whether or not it can be ironed in place depends on the material from which the luggage case is made. Fabric luggage cases should be fine for ironing on patches. However, leather baggage cases will require the patches to be sewn or glued on, as heat should not be applied to leather. For synthetic cases (rayon, nylon, etc.), heat will usually cause the material to melt, so it is not advised to iron on patches to such luggage. Always check the material on the case with its ironing suitability before deciding what to do. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 12
• Question Can you use a hair straightener to iron on a patch? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer You can use a hair straightener to seal an iron-on patch; it’s usually easier and faster than using a standard iron. You’ll need to warm it up first, position the iron patch where you want it, then clamp the warmed hair straightener over the patch on the fabric. Hold in place for about 30 to 60 seconds. Since the hair straightener is unlikely to be wide enough for all of the patch, you’ll need to move it around until all is sealed onto the fabric, each time holding the hair straightener in position for 30 to 60 seconds. If you’re concerned about the patch glue getting onto the hair straightener, fold foil around the straightener sides before heating, and remove when cooled down after use. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 30

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Tips

• Follow the instructions on your iron-on patch carefully, as the application process could vary depending on the brand and type of patch.[16] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you can’t find a patch you enjoy, try designing your own applique. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
• Trim around the image on printed transfer paper patches, but leave at least 2 mm (0.079 in) of space around the image so the transfer will stick. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Wash the garment or accessory as little as possible to preserve the patch. Hand wash and air dry if possible. If not, turn the garment inside out and machine wash in cold water, then air dry.[17] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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References

1. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/home/cleaning-and-housekeeping/laundry-symbols-meaning
2. ↑ https://diymelon.com/do-iron-on-patches-come-off-in-wash/
3. ↑ https://www.brit.co/embroidered-patch-ideas/
4. ↑ https://www.e-patchesandcrests.com/ideas/resources/epc_iron_on_instructions.pdf
5. ↑ https://www.e-patchesandcrests.com/ideas/resources/epc_iron_on_instructions.pdf
6. ↑ https://sewingmachinebuffs.com/how-to-iron-on-patches-without-an-iron/
7. ↑ https://www.e-patchesandcrests.com/ideas/resources/epc_iron_on_instructions.pdf
8. ↑ https://www.e-patchesandcrests.com/ideas/resources/epc_iron_on_instructions.pdf
9. ↑ https://youtu.be/IfoOsla5-BY?t=31

More References (8)

10. ↑ https://youtu.be/IfoOsla5-BY?t=40
11. ↑ https://youtu.be/VrMDkaykbzg?t=50
12. ↑ Joy Cho. Crafting Professional. Expert Interview
13. ↑ https://youtu.be/VrMDkaykbzg?t=60
14. ↑ https://ohsospotless.com/how-to-iron-on-patches/
15. ↑ https://sewguide.com/how-to-sew-clothing-patches/
16. ↑ Joy Cho. Crafting Professional. Expert Interview
17. ↑ https://ohsospotless.com/how-to-iron-on-patches/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Joy Cho Crafting Professional This article was co-authored by Joy Cho and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Joy Cho is the Founder and Creative Director of the lifestyle brand and design studio, Oh Joy!, founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, California. She has authored six books and consulted for creative businesses around the world. Joy has lectured on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship at conferences and companies such as AltSummit, Pinterest, Target, and Hallmark, while her home and studio have been featured in magazines such as House Beautiful, Parents, and Domino. She has also been named one of Time's 30 Most Influential People on the Internet multiple times and has the most followed account on Pinterest with more than 14 million followers. This article has been viewed 1,445,326 times. 7 votes - 71% Co-authors: 15 Updated: July 29, 2025 Views: 1,445,326 Categories: Featured Articles | Ironing Article SummaryX

To iron on a patch, spread your garment or another fabric item on an ironing board. Peel the backing off of the patch and position it on the item, then cover it with a piece of parchment paper or thin cloth. Set your iron to the hottest temperature that’s safe for the garment and let it warm up. Move the iron over the patch while applying firm pressure for 30 to 60 seconds. Flip the garment over and iron the patched area from behind for another 30 seconds. For tips on how to wash an item with ironed-on patches, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Spencer Quinn

  Apr 16, 2019

  "I'm a bit of a tomboy. I love cargo pants and utility jackets, but whenever I buy them, they don't really..." more

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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Joy Cho Crafting Professional 7 votes - 71% Click a star to vote 71% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 15 Updated: July 29, 2025 Views: 1,445,326

Spencer Quinn

Apr 16, 2019

"I'm a bit of a tomboy. I love cargo pants and utility jackets, but whenever I buy them, they don't really..." more

Alex Carson

Jul 2, 2016

"Just like you stated in the opening paragraph, I want to decorate a denim jacket with patches of some favorite..." more

Denise Kelly

Jul 7, 2019

"My fairly new work pants needed mending on a tear on the knee area. After reading the article, I opted for a patch..." more

Belle Dandy

Aug 26, 2022

"Thanks, I just used these instructions to iron on my first patch. It looks great!"

Alison McDonagh

May 18, 2017

"I will sew patches as well as ironing them on first. It is very helpful!!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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