Designing a Patch is very easy days thanks to the online free software. In this guide, we will share the top 5 best Patch Design Software that you can use to design the patches.

These tools allow you to design patches online, and some will actually create them for you too. If you want to embroider your own patches, jump to the digitization software section.

Patch Design for Beginners

Designing a patch involves several key elements contributing to its overall look and impact. First and foremost is the patch’s size and shape, which must be appropriate for its intended placement and purpose.

The color scheme also plays a significant role, requiring a thoughtful balance between aesthetic appeal and legibility. The design or logo featured on the patch should be simple yet impactful and easily recognizable even from a distance.

If text is included, it should be concise and clear, with a font style and size that are readable and complement the overall design. Lastly, the choice of materials and embroidery technique is crucial to ensuring the patch’s durability and quality, as well as its overall look and feel. Careful consideration of these elements can help create a patch that is both visually appealing and effective in conveying its intended message.

Canva

Canva is one of the best online graphic design tools, with tons of pre-designed templates you can use to create your own patch design. Following are some of the best features of Canva.

Creating custom designs has been made easier by a range of online tools that make the process accessible to anyone, regardless of their experience with design. One such tool is Canva, a graphic design platform that uses a drag-and-drop interface to make design creation as simple as possible. This article will walk you through the steps to design a custom patch using Canva.

Step 1: Set Up Your Account

If you don’t already have a Canva account, you’ll need to create one. Head over to Canva and sign up with your email address, Google, or Facebook account. It’s free to use, with additional features available for a premium subscription.

Step 2: Start a New Project

Once you’re logged in, click the “Create a design” button on the right-hand side of your dashboard. Canva will offer you a plethora of pre-defined design types to choose from. For designing a patch, you might want to start with the “Custom dimensions” option at the top right corner. Enter the dimensions you want for your patch. Remember, patches are usually quite small, so you don’t need a massive canvas.

Step 3: Choose a Template or Start from Scratch

Canva provides a variety of templates that you can use as a starting point for your design. To browse these, click on “Templates” in the left-hand menu, and type keywords that match your patch theme in the search bar.  If you search ‘patches’ in the, Canva returns logo templates – these are an ideal starting point for a good patch.

If you’d rather start from scratch, that’s fine too. You have a blank canvas to start designing your patch.

Step 4: Use Design Elements

To start designing your patch, you’ll use the tools in the left-hand menu. These tools include:

• Elements: Here, you’ll find shapes, lines, and graphics to use in your design. You can also find frames here, which can be useful for creating a circular or square patch.
• Text: Canva has a wide range of fonts to choose from, so you can add any text you need to your patch.
• Background: If you want to add a color or patterned background to your patch, you can select it here.

Step 5: Layer Your Design

By dragging and dropping elements onto your canvas, you can start to build your patch design. You can layer elements by selecting them and clicking the “position” option in the toolbar at the top of the page. Here, you can choose to move elements forwards or backward to create a layered effect.

Step 6: Customize Your Design

Canva gives you complete control over the colors, sizing, and positioning of every element in your design. Click on an element to see the customization options in the toolbar at the top of the page.

Step 7: Save and Download Your Design

Once you’re happy with your design, click the “Download” button in the top right corner of the screen. You’ll be able to choose the format you want to download your design in. For a patch, a high-resolution PNG or PDF is probably the best option.

Your patch design is now complete! From here, you can send the design to a patch manufacturer or print it yourself if you have the necessary equipment.

Build your Patch

Build Your Patch is an online store allowing you to edit pre-designed patches. The website features many pre-designed patches, which you can customize and edit according to your requirements. Following are some features of Build Your Patch.

Building a patch on Build Your Patch is a streamlined process designed to allow users to create custom patches easily. To begin, select the “Build Your Patch” option on the homepage. You will then be guided through a step-by-step design process.

First, select the size, shape, and type of your patch. Next, choose the colors for your background and border. If you want to include text, select the appropriate font and color, and enter the text in the provided field. You can then upload any images or logos you want to include in the design.

Build Your Patch offers a variety of embroidery options, allowing you to add texture and depth to your design. Once you’ve finished creating your design, you can review your patch and make any necessary adjustments. When you’re satisfied, place your order, and your custom patch will be produced and delivered to your doorstep.

Custom Patches

Custom Patches is another online store that allows you to pick the design of your software. Following are the details about the Custom Patches.
Custom Patches have a very comprehensive design guide where you design your custom patches with seven simple steps:

1. Select the color of your choice from the pool of several colors.
2. Now select the dimensions of your patch
3. The next step is to select the shape of your patch
4. Now, pick the font of your choice. You can also supply your own font.
5. Now select the Backing, here, you get the options like plastic, magnet, safety pin, paper, etc.
6. Now, pick your border type
7. The final step is to upload your artwork or details about the concept.
• Now provide your full name, email, and phone number to get the quote.
• You will see the artwork only if you place your order. This means if you want to check your patch, then Custom Patches is not for you. It is perfect for those who want to order the patches.

Stadri Emblems

Stadri Emblems is another very popular online path store that allows you to design your custom patch. Following are the details of Stadri Emblems.

• The website features the Gallary section, where you can check the different types of patches for inspiration.
• You can also proceed with your own custom patch, and you can do it in 8 steps.

1. Upload the art or concept of your patch
2. Select the shape of your patch
3. Select the custom size
4. Select the border
5. Select the Lettering, here, you can pick the font of your own choice.
6. Now, pick the backing of your patch
7. Select the embroidery percentage
8. Pick the color of your choice
• Next step is to submit your contact details to get the quote.
• Once you submit the request, customer support will get back to you with the custom quote.

Custom Patches Online

Custom Patches Online is another popular online patch store offering worldwide delivery. Following are the details of Custom Patches Online

• Custom Patches Online is a popular store with clients like The Avielle Foundation, Cisco Systems, and Inflight Dubai.
• The website features the Gallary section where you can check the different types of Patches.
• In the pricing section, you can read the prices of different types of patches.
• The company offers a very simple way to order your custom patches. Simply provide your name, contact, and details about the patches.
• Customer support will get back to you with the quote; place your order, and they will send you a different design. Approve your design, and they will deliver your patches anywhere in the world.
• The company will only charge for patches, and you will get your design for free.

Digitizing patches for DIY embroidery

Digitizing software for embroidery is a specialized type of software used to convert images into a format that embroidery machines can understand.

This process involves translating a digital image into a series of instructions or stitches that the embroidery machine can follow to recreate the image on fabric. Essentially, the software ‘maps’ out the image in stitches, defining the type, direction, and density of each stitch to be used. The outcome is a file, typically in formats such as .dst, .pes, .jef, or others, depending on the specific make and model of the embroidery machine.

These software programs often have advanced features that allow for design elements customization, including stitch types, stitch order, colors, and more. This enables users to fine-tune their designs for optimal embroidery results.

Top 5 Digitizing Software for Embroidery

The world of embroidery has been revolutionized with the advent of digital technology. One of the most significant advancements is digitizing software for embroidery. These software solutions help convert digital graphics into embroidery machine-readable formats, creating instructions for the intricate stitch work required in embroidery designs. Below, we explore the top 5 digitizing software available in 2023.

1. Wilcom EmbroideryStudio e4

Wilcom’s EmbroideryStudio e4 is highly regarded in the embroidery industry. Known for its powerful, robust, and comprehensive features, it offers a complete solution for both professional and hobby embroiderers. Its tools allow for precision control over all aspects of your embroidery design and stitches, including sequencing, density, and input methods. It supports a wide range of file formats and provides a superb level of stitch quality. While it may be more complex for beginners, its wealth of resources and tutorials can help users navigate its advanced features.

2. Hatch Embroidery Software

Hatch, by Wilcom, is another outstanding embroidery digitizing software. It is particularly popular with hobbyists and small business owners because it strikes a balance between powerful features and ease of use. It offers a variety of flexible design tools and boasts a user-friendly interface. Hatch supports both manual and automatic digitizing and provides options to customize stitches, including types, directions, and angles.

3. Embrilliance Essentials

Embrilliance Essentials is known for its user-friendly interface that suits both beginners and more experienced users. It offers a range of useful features, such as resizing, merging, lettering, and adding borders. Moreover, it has a ‘StitchArtist’ add-on, which you can purchase to access advanced digitizing capabilities. The software is compatible with both Mac and Windows and supports many embroidery machine file formats.

4. Brother PE-Design 11

Brother PE-Design 11 is an excellent choice for Brother machine users, though it works well with many other brands too. It offers an array of sophisticated features like advanced photo-stitch for converting images into embroidery designs and automatic digitizing. The software also includes over 1,000 built-in designs and 130 fonts, giving users plenty of options to create unique embroidery projects.

5. Bernina ArtLink 8

Bernina ArtLink 8 is a free embroidery software that offers a variety of useful features for both new and experienced embroiderers. It provides basic editing tools, such as scaling, rotating, and mirror-imaging. It also supports multiple hoop types and allows you to add basting stitches to your design. While it may not have as many advanced features as some other software on this list, its ease of use makes it a great starting point for beginners.

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, staying ahead of the curve means consistently crafting trendy, chic, and highly desirable designs. As a fashion designer, your mission is to harness the winds of change, transforming the fleeting sparks of trends into tangible, innovative designs that cater to your audience’s discerning tastes.

But in a field where creativity is currency, your edge lies in leveraging the best fashion design software. These potent tools help you materialize your creative musings into market-ready masterpieces, ensuring you’re always a step ahead in the fast-paced fashion industry.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing—there’s a sea of fashion design software out there, each offering a diverse array of features at varying price points. This can make your quest for the perfect software somewhat daunting. But fret not; we’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

We’re excited to present to you our curated list of the finest fashion design software available. These top-notch tools are guaranteed to keep you ahead of the pack, allowing you to design with precision, efficiency, and flair.

PatternSmith

PatternSmith tops our list of the best fashion design software as it boasts industry-leading capabilities, which makes it incredibly easy for you to create perfect textile patterns of any type. This award-winning software comes packed with unique features, including pattern grading and layout, CAD tools, art storage, textile pattern design, and many more.

Features

One thing that makes PatternSmith stand out from other fashion designs is the automatic nesting feature that allows you to nest patterns together and maximize every inch of space. This way, you get to minimize fabric waste and reduce costs.

The software also provides an extensive range of templates that ensure you get the most suitable option for your project. You also can create a custom fit for your entire project.

With the PatternSmith software, you can come up with 3D patterns and later transform them into 2D for cutting. It also features a HideShot add-on that helps you to efficiently outline and capture flaws in your patterns, saving you plenty of time.

This software also allows you to easily export files and transfer them to your cutting machine or other editing software.

Some of PatternSmith’s users have reported experiencing issues with the ‘Back Button’ not working as expected, especially, when they’re working with complex patterns.

Digital Fashio Pro

Coming second on our list is Digital Fashion Pro, another excellent fashion design software that helps you create manufacture-ready sketches and easily design your clothing collections. The software offers you a free introductory fashion design course and requires a one-time payment for you to get a lifetime license.

Digital Fashion Pro separates itself from other software as it includes an extensive range of customizable garment templates. This way, you get a framework from which you can create your designs to achieve uniformity.  The customizable templates means that you can easily modify, alter, shrink, or stretch them to come up with unique designs. This also helps eliminate repetition in the design process.

The Digital Fashion Pro software also allows you to include your own digital fabrics into your designs. You also can add your logo and artwork into the templates to see how they’ll look like on the garment. This way, you also get to adjust the scale and placement for the perfect look.

Using this software, you can create clean professional-looking sketches that enable your manufacturer to understand your designs better and produce high-quality clothing.

While the software is remarkably easy to use even for beginners, it sometimes can become laggish, especially with internet overload.

 Valentina

Valentina is a free and open-source software solution widely used by independent and small designers and textile creators for drafting perfect garment patterns.

Features

Valentina packs rock-solid automated workflows and numerous user-friendly features, making it one of the software that will transform how you design your garments.

This software can be used on both Windows and Linux devices and allows you to easily create layouts for exporting to PNG and SVG and transferring them to a cutting machine. With this software, you get to understand better the various styles, colors, patterns, and aesthetic features so you can create stylish and fashionable designs that meet your customer’s requirements.

The software allows you to create garment patterns using standard sizing tables or even a set of measurements. By combining traditional methods with the latest technologies, this software enables you to come up with unique patterns that give you a competitive edge in the market.

 Tailornova 

Tailornova is inarguably one of the best 3D fashion design software that helps you cut down the lengthy design process and create unlimited designs much easier and faster. The software is entirely web-based and comes loaded with many useful and user-friendly features.

Features

Tailornova’s highlight feature is the vast collection of smart multi-purpose templates that allows you to quickly and easily create unlimited 3D designs even without prior knowledge in design. With this software, you can create your designs on a digital sketch board and place them on 3D structures to check for stitching, fitting, and much more.

The software also provides you with pre-built body figures of varying sizes, which you can customize accordingly to meet your unique requirements. Tailornova also allows you to preview different colors and fabric patterns on the 3D image of the design.

This allows you to get custom-fitted patterns easier, faster, and with precision.

The only drawback of Tailornova is that it doesn’t include a free trial or a free version.

CLO 3D

CLO 3D is a popular fashion design software with an easy workflow that helps you to create high-quality, realistic digital garments.

Features

CLO 3D comes loaded with different toolsets that allow you to design an extensive range of garments. Clo3D provides you with a vast range of sketches and images, allowing you to create 3D garments easily.

The software instantaneously reviews any changes you’ve made to your 2D patterns, colors, and textures and delivers 3D simulation of them. It also allows you to preview all your creations before finalization. This way, you get to see how the designs will look in real life before undergoing the final rendering.

This software is also incredibly easy to use as it has an intuitive interface that even beginners can navigate easily. It also includes tutorial resources and videos to help you to quickly and easily learn how to use it.

The free trial version of the CLO3D the option of fabrics, colors, sewing, and cut styles you can use in your designs.

Bontex

This is another great all-in-one software solution that helps you to create and manage your garment designs efficiently. It includes a robust database to archive your product designs and images.

Features

Bontex offers you a set of different tools that help you quickly and easily create garment designs for knitting, printing, 3D simulation, and much more.

The software solution includes an extensive library of vector bases that consists of a vast collection of accessories and figures for men, women, and kids, which makes it incredibly easy and faster for you to build creative designs.

Featuring CAD tools, this software comes with a clean interface where you can manually draw and design patterns as well as nesting and sizing of your designs. With Bontex’s fashion design software, you can also build your designs with realistic 3D effects.

Browzwear

Browzwear is an avant-garde tool revolutionizing the realms of fashion design. It’s a sophisticated 3D software designed to streamline and amplify the creative process, enabling designers to breathe life into their visions like never before.

With Browzwear, you can create digital, true-to-life garments with unparalleled precision, effectively blurring the lines between virtual and reality. Its suite of intuitive features, from garment draping to fit analysis, promises a seamless workflow from the initial sketch to the final design. Plus, its robust capability for sustainable design through virtual sampling significantly reduces material waste. Browzwear represents a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking fashion design.

Have you recently taken photos but there is something you don’t like but you are not conversant with the professional photo editing software?

With inPixio, you can change every aspect of any digital photograph regardless of its quality and orientation easily. The versatility of features in the inPixio makes it easy to get professional edits even if you are not a editing pro. [Read more…]

Shenzhen born, globally made, Wondershare is a revolutionary software company that offers custom driven software services.  Founded in September 2003, the company has grown to become one of the most renowned digital companies, offering a range of tools for everyday software users. From editing to data recovery and PDF tools, the company got it all as it works to become a one-stop-shop for the future. Wondershare is headquartered in China but has grown to serve over 150 countries across the world. The company publishes its products both on its official website as well as other partner programs. This gives it a wider reach globally.

The following are some of the company’s most notable product offerings

1. Filmora9

Filmora9 is a tool for the modern video editor. This is a futuristic video editor that has grown to gain much popularity in a short span thanks to its flexibility, ease of use, and efficiency. With Filmora, you have the liberty to work with up to 100 audio tracks and 100 video tracks. Its unique effects, transitions, titles, and screen elements work together to transform an ordinary video into a professional work of art. [Read more…]

Games have improved a lot over the years and the main reason behind it is the development software which has improved a lot. There are tons of game development software out there and each has its own complexity level. However, game development is much easier these days due to the fact that there are so many resources out there that one can learn it without going to any institution. In this guide, we will share our pick of 5 best game development software which you can use to make your own games. Let’s get started. [Read more…]