Collecting tactical patches is a cool hobby for any tactical gear enthusiast. While you’re likely to display patches on your attire and equipment, you can end up collecting more patches than you can wear.
That’s when it’s time to look for other ways to store and display your collection. Whether you want to carry them around as a conversation piece or arrange them as a decorative ensemble in your home, you’ll want to get the right setup for your purposes.
Let’s look at a variety of ways you can creatively display your tactical patches.
Where Should You Display Your Patches?
Do you even need to display your collection? Why should you display your morale patches? You don’t have to, of course. But every collector knows that urge to share their precious finds with their friends and acquaintances.
It doesn’t hurt that friends will start getting you patches as gifts, once they’ve seen your collection! So whether you’re starting a patch collection, or have an old one that’s gathering dust in a closet, take some time to plan how to showcase your stuff.
As for where to display them, you have a number of good solutions. These include patch panels, shadow boxes/frames, patch books and tactical gear, among others.
Where Should You Display Your Patches?
Do you even need to display your collection? Why should you display your morale patches? You don’t have to, of course. But every collector knows that urge to share their precious finds with their friends and acquaintances.
It doesn’t hurt that friends will start getting you patches as gifts, once they’ve seen your collection! So whether you’re starting a patch collection, or have an old one that’s gathering dust in a closet, take some time to plan how to showcase your stuff.
As for where to display them, you have a number of good solutions. These include patch panels, shadow boxes/frames, patch books and tactical gear, among others.
Patch Panels
A patch panel or patch organizer offers a simple way to store and showcase your collection. It comes in the form of a large pad that you can stick Velcro-backed patches on. The panel surface will securely hold the morale patches. The patches can also be pulled off easily if you need to reorganize a set.
Patch organizers come in many shapes and sizes. You can find all kinds of variations in online stores. You’ll want one of excellent quality, of course. The 14erTactical Patch Panel is a good choice. Its construction features a micro-fleece hook & loop surface that secures items handily. The panel is large enough to contain most collections, and rolls up for portable carry. If you’re collecting any 14erTactical morale patches, you’ll definitely want to grab this patch panel!
A patch panel is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a display solution that provides convenience and portability.
Shadow Box or Frame
Want to display your collection on the wall in your home? Hang them up in an attractive case with a frame. One such simple design is called a shadow frame or shadow box. It has a rectangular surface surrounded by a blocky frame.
Depending on the type of surface, you may need to use adhesive to attach the morale patches. You can use a strong adhesive for permanent installation. Or you can try such options as double-sided tape, Velcro tape or Velcro dots. With an impermanent installation, you can stick the patches on the surface, remove them, change them out or rearrange them.
Shadow boxes can be found at hobby and craft stores. They vary in size, and the larger the box, the more expensive. You’ll want to decide on the right size for your display before you get the shadow box. A small box, mounted on the wall at eye level, can work well for most collections.
This display option is a good choice if you want to focus on a select number of favorites, such as the most funny and awesome morale patches in your collection.
Patch Books
Want to keep your collection in an album? Then you might want to get a patch display book. This is similar in style to the flip-page album that people use for photo and stamp collections. But it’s specially designed for the purpose of securing tactical patches.
The pages of a patch display book have a padding that Velcro patches can grip on sturdily. Which is perfect for your Velcro backed patches. For those patches that don’t have Velcro backing, you can secure them using Velcro dots.
You can acquire several patch books to better organize your collection. Each book can be dedicated to a certain category of patches. So you can have an album for your 14erTactical morale patches, one for military morale patches, and so on.
If you have a collection of historical morale patches, you can keep them safe in a patch display book, one that you will bring out to show only to trusted friends.
How to Properly Display Your Patches
Now that you’ve got your display solution, the next step is to arrange the patches in a visual showcase. The task of designing the arrangement of the patch collection can feel very satisfying! The patches will not only be cool and fun to admire individually, but also as a set.
There are several approaches to creating a pleasing arrangement. You can establish one or two patches as the centerpiece, and design around them. You can assemble an attractive pattern based on color. Or you can try something more offbeat.
Creating a Focal Point
A large display with many different patches may prove unsatisfying to view. The arrangement of patches can blur together, with no single patch standing out. It’s like wallpaper, not leaving a distinct impression.
You can make it look more interesting by creating a focal point or two. Select one or two patches to focus on. You might choose a patch that has a shape different from the others. Or one that stands out because of striking use of color. Or one that displays a short, simple slogan that you wish to highlight.
You can set apart the focal point by leaving some space around it. Or by surrounding it with patches of a more muted coloration. Whatever you do, you want the focal patches to catch the viewer’s eye first.
Choosing a Color Palette
Color sets create visual effects that you’ll want to keep in mind. Cool colors such as blues and greens will appear to recede. Warm colors like oranges and reds will pop. If you want to highlight blue colored patches, they should be spaced well away from red and yellow patches. Or place them in a set that only contains other cool colors.
Mixing Things Up
You don’t have to confine your display to one style or system. You might want to keep some items in a patch panel, while others are mounted on a shadow box. Then everything else can be stored in patch books.
Adding to Your Collection
While you’re here, you’re invited to check out our packs of 14erTactical morale patches. You may find something great to add to your collection! And while you’re browsing the store, check out our tactical gear. If you’re looking for a tactical backpack, IFAK pouch or range bag, we’ve got you covered.
