Iron-on Instructions
Examine the fabric of your clothing or accessory. Fabrics like denim and cotton provide the best base for iron-on patches. As a general rule the fabric you choose should be at least as heavy as the patch.
Look at the fabric care label to see whether it can be ironed (if not, there will be a crossed-out icon of an iron). If there's no label, try to figure out what material it's made of.
Be very careful with polyester fabrics, since applying the high heat necessary for ironing on patches can burn the fabric or cause it to get discoloured.
Silk and other delicate fabrics are not good candidates for patches. (keep in mind, you can always just stitch the patch on if you are worried that the fabric can't take the heat!)
Think about design and placement. Before you heat up the iron, lay out your jacket, dress, shirt or backpack and decide where exactly you want the patch to be placed.
If you're planning on ironing on multiple patches, make sure you decide how the final design will look, as once you have ironed the patch on, you will have a hard time, getting it off again.
Lay the base item on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Lay your item across a doubled-up pillow case or bed sheet on a sturdy table (make sure there are no creases).
To ensure the item will provide a good surface for the patch, iron it first. If it's a backpack or another item that's difficult to iron, do your best to arrange it so that the part of the fabric that will be receiving the patch is flat against a hard surface.
Place the patch in the position you chose. The adhesive side should be flat against the base fabric. Make sure that the patch isn't crooked. On embroidered patches, the adhesive side is the underside.
Heat up an iron. Turn it to the hottest setting your fabric can tolerate. Make sure the "steam" option is turned off, and that your iron isn't full of water.
Place a thin towel or handkerchief over the patch (you can also use a Teflon sheet). Take care not to disturb the position of the patch. The towel will protect the patch itself and the surrounding fabric.
Position the heated iron over the patch and press down. Hold the iron there for about 30 seconds. Apply as much pressure as you can by pressing down firmly. NO BACK AND FORTH. Turn the garment inside-out and repeat the previous steps.
Remove the iron and allow the patch to to cool.
Consider sewing around the edges. For a completely secure patch, use a sewing machine or a needle and thread to secure the patch to the fabric. This greatly reduces the chances that the patch will fall off. Choose a thread that matches the edge of the patch.
Don't wash the article more than necessary. Iron-on patches are meant to be permanent, but they do become loosened over time. Take care not to let the article get too dirty, since washing it may cause the patch to start coming off.
If you do need to wash the item, hand wash it using cold water. Allow it to air dry.