A great badge is more than just a logo—it’s a small, durable advertisement for your brand’s commitment to quality. For organizations like Scout groups, corporate teams, and fashion labels, a badge needs to withstand years of use, washing, and wear without fraying, fading, or falling apart.
Unfortunately, many buyers focus only on the cheapest price, overlooking the critical technical details that define durability and professional appeal. The result is a badge that looks worn out after just a few washes.
At Franklin’s, our heritage dates back to 1835. With over 170 years of experience, we’re sharing the secrets to spotting and demanding truly high-quality, professional badges. Our expertise in this field has led to us being recognized among the top industry leaders. (In fact, we were recently featured in Delhi Magazine’s list of “The Top 20 Custom Badge Makers in the UK: Crafting Heritage and Modern Identity”).
Here are the 5 critical factors that determine the quality and longevity of any custom badge.
1. Weave Density and Thread Type: Clarity is King
When you order a woven badge, you are essentially ordering a piece of miniature artwork created with threads. The most important factor influencing its visual appeal is the weave density, a measure of how tightly the threads are packed together.
Why Weave Density Matters for Crisp Detailing and Text
The denser the weave, the smaller and finer the threads used, allowing for much greater detail and clarity
- High Density (Damask): If your logo features complex elements, gradients, or tiny, crucial text, you need a high-density weave, typically known as Damask. Damask uses the thinnest threads, allowing for more “pixels” per square inch. This makes your custom badge look sharp, professional, and easily legible, even at a small size.
- Low Density: Lower density weaves may save a small amount on cost, but they make text look blurred or chunky and fail to reproduce fine lines accurately. The result is a patch that looks amateurish and dated.
The Thread Quality Factor
Beyond density, the thread material itself is non-negotiable for longevity. At Franklins, we insist on high-quality polyester threads. This ensures two things:
- Colourfastness: The colours will not bleed or fade, even after repeated exposure to sun, rain, and machine washing.
- Strength: The badge remains intact and retains its shape without snapping or stretching.
Expert Takeaway: Always request a sample or a high-resolution digital proof to assess the text clarity. A true professional woven badge should look almost printed due to its fine detail, not pixelated.
