KSY SILICONE PRODUCTS Co.,LTD

Answers to the questions importers, brand owners and sourcing teams ask us most about custom silicone patches — material, artwork, tooling, MOQ, wash testing, certifications and pricing.

Silicone Patches vs PVC Patches

1. What is a silicone patch, and how is it different from a PVC patch?

A silicone patch is a 3D soft label cured from liquid or solid silicone rubber. It feels soft and dry to the touch, has very little odour, resists high and low temperatures, does not yellow easily and keeps its elasticity. It is the usual choice for premium apparel, baby products and outdoor gear. A PVC patch is produced by dripping PVC paste into a mould: lower cost and strong 3D relief, but harder, more prone to yellowing and ageing, and with a stronger smell. It suits general bags, gifts and promotional items.

2. Which backing options are available for silicone patches?

Self-adhesive, hook & loop (Velcro), heat-transfer TPU backing, and sew-on (no adhesive, stitched directly to the fabric). Hook & loop is the common choice for morale and tactical patches.

Customisation & Artwork

3. What files do you need for a custom order?

Vector artwork is preferred: AI, PDF or CDR. If you only have PNG or JPG, it must be at least 300 DPI; complex artwork may need to be redrawn, which carries an artwork tracing charge. Keep the thinnest line at 0.3 mm or more, because thinner lines tend to break in silicone. Colours can be matched to Pantone numbers.

4. Can you do gradients, multiple colours and 3D raised effects?

Moulded silicone patches support multiple colours and 3D raised detail, typically 0.5-3 mm high. Natural gradients are generally not available in moulded silicone; printed liquid silicone can produce gradients and full-colour print. Matte, glossy and frosted finishes are all available.

5. Are there limits on size and thickness?

For a single patch we recommend a maximum of 15 cm. Standard thickness is 1.2-2.5 mm and can be adjusted to your requirement. Very large or irregular shapes need a tooling feasibility check before we quote.

Sampling, MOQ & Lead Time

6. What is your MOQ?

MOQ is from 100 pcs per design. Simple small labels and heat-transfer items can go below that on request, at a higher unit price. Reorders from an existing mould are quoted case by case.

7. How long does sampling take?

3-5 working days from artwork confirmation. A new mould carries a tooling charge, which is quoted together with the sample cost before the order is confirmed.

8. What is the bulk lead time?

10-15 days after sample approval for standard orders. Large quantities, special certifications or special backing can extend the lead time.

Quality, Washing & Certifications

9. Are silicone patches washable? Will they fade, crack or peel off?

Colour in a moulded silicone patch comes from the compound itself, so the surface does not fade. Heat-transfer versions pass 30 or more wash cycles when matched to the right fabric and pressed with the correct temperature, pressure and time. Peeling usually comes from wrong pressing parameters, or from fabric carrying silicone or water-repellent coating. Wash test reports are available.

10. Do you have environmental certifications? Can these ship to Europe and the US?

The material supports REACH, RoHS, EN71-3 and CPSIA (baby grade), and is nickel-free and phthalate-free. Third-party testing can be arranged on request; the test cost is quoted separately.

11. Will the patch turn yellow?

We use anti-yellowing silicone compounds. Under normal indoor use and ordinary daylight, yellowing is slow. Continuous strong sunlight, high heat or heavy oil exposure will accelerate ageing.

Pricing, Colour & After-sales

12. What does the quotation include, and what costs extra?

The quotation covers the patch body and normal single or multi-colour moulding. Extra items are tooling, sampling, third-party lab testing, special backing or hook & loop, individual packing, air freight and artwork tracing.

13. Will the bulk order match the sample colour exactly?

We work to the approved sample plus a Pantone reference. Slight batch-to-batch variation after curing, within a controlled ΔE, is normal and is not treated as a defect. For very tight colour requirements we recommend a pre-production sample.

14. Can I order tooling only, without placing a bulk order yet?

Yes. Ownership of the mould can be agreed in writing. The mould is kept in our factory for your reorders, with a one-year warranty under normal use.

15. What should be avoided when using silicone patches?

Avoid prolonged contact with strong solvents, strong acids or alkalis. Heat-transfer patches must not be pressed directly onto silicone fabric or coated waterproof fabric. Do not iron above the recommended temperature.

Question not covered here? Send it together with your artwork and target quantity to [email protected] and we will come back to you.