At Best Badges, our badge experts have put together a list of tips to help improve the longevity of your iron on badges and how to protect the garment you are applying it to.
Here are some helpful tips we have found over the years, when applying your badge to your favourite: Jacket, Shirt or Bag.
Find the position
Before heating your iron, find where you would like the badge to go. Layout your garment on a flat, heat proof surface (like an ironing board) and then lay out exactly where you want the badge to be affixed, then secure with some clothes pins. Be sure to lint roll to remove any dust or fuzz if needed before attaching your badges to you garment.
Setting the temperature
The iron needs to be set at a temperature that is suitable for the garment. For most cotton or cotton/polyester blends this means a hot temperature, but for other fabrics might mean slighter cooler (medium- high) heat.
Which fabrics should I avoid?
Iron-on badges work best on iron-safe fabrics like cotton, cotton/polyester, or denim. The primary concern is heat damage to the material, not adhesion. For fleece or wool, use a lower iron setting or a protective layer (like a parchment paper or a thin tea towel), requiring more patience and care for adhesive activation. The following fabrics we would suggest sewing, rather than using heat to affix them: nylon, silk, leather.
Applying a protective layer
To protect your badge, we suggest using a protective layer in between the iron and your badge. We usually suggest parchment paper or a thin tea towel.
Applying the heat
If your iron is hot enough, you can usually activate the adhesive by applying heat to the front of the badge. But you can also turn the garment inside out so that you are applying heat through the garment directly to the reverse of the badge, this will be quicker. If applying heat from the top, avoid moving the iron from side to side, apply even pressure from above.
How long do you need to apply the heat for?
When using the iron we recommend applying at least 20 or 30 seconds of pressure before taking a look and seeing if you need to apply the iron for a further 20 or 30 seconds, repeat this step as many times as necessary until the badge has good adhesion.
Let it cool
Ensure your garments are completely cool before attempting to try them on or moving the badge. Once the garment is cool, try it on and consider uploading a photo to social media, ensure you tag us too!
Washing the garment
We suggest waiting 24 hours at the very least before washing any of your garments with iron on badges affixed to them. We suggest washing on a gentle cycle (around 30/40°C) and avoid tumble drying where possible.
