Reflective Patches

• Can I get a sample of my custom patch to help me decide?
  We do not make samples of your custom patch, since it costs almost as much to make one patch as it does to make an entire order.
  
  
• How soon can I get my Custom Order, and when do I pay?
  After we finalize your order through a series of emails with graphic mockups, we'll need your payment to process the order and begin work on it. We do not make samples of your patch for your approval, since it costs almost as much to make one patch as it does to make an entire order, due to set up, etc. As mentioned earlier, we are only taking custom orders through dealers or shops at this time. You must be at least 18 years of age to order patches, and be able to provide a credit card or use PayPal for payment, and agree to the terms on this website. All custom orders are final, but are warranted for initial defects. From the time an order is processed, it generally takes about three weeks to complete.
  
  
• Sending In Your Design
  We prefer designs sent in a jpeg format, but we can work with just about anything. The clearer your information, picture, etc., the better we can work with your concept. Please give us as much information as possible about your design, the shape, the size, and what colors you want.
  
  
• Can you make any design into a custom patch for me?
  We can make most original designs or logos into a reflective patch. Don't send artwork that you don't have the copyright owner's permission to use. You are responsible for making sure that you have the right to produce your patch design, and that you are not violating any copyrights or trademarks by doing so.
  
  Our patch designs are copyrighted, and we require written permission from us for use of the design in any form, as do most copyright holders .
  
  If you have further questions about custom ordering, please contact us at: inquiries@NightfirePatches.com Please include your phone number, name, and your question.

 

Q. I'm thinking of making a large custom or dealer order; can I get a sample of your patches?

A. Due to the cost of the patches and postage, we do not offer free samples. If we confirm that you are a viable possibility as a Dealer for our products we can offer you a special, one-time discount on one to three patches. Please contact us for more information, and include your full name, the name of your business, its address, what type of products you sell, the business phone number, and email address.

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Fast Facts on Retro-Reflective Patches:

1. Don't stick vinyl retro-reflective patches on soft surfaces. They're meant for hard surfaces like helmets (see "Attach Your Patch").
   
   
2. Don't stick embroidered retro-reflective patches to helmets, bikes, etc. They're meant to be used on clothing or outerwear (See "Attach Your Patch").
   
   
3. Don't launder vinyl retro-reflective patches! They aren't meant for clothing, and they don't respond well to washing machines or dryers.
   
   
4. We don't recommend putting embroidered retro-reflective patches in heated dryers. It's possible that the plastic iron-on/peel & stick backing could melt onto other clothing. Air-drying is best.
   
   
5. Peel & Stick works great on most stuff, but have your patches sewn down for best, long term results (see "Attach Your Patch").
   
   
6. We can't make one custom retro-reflective patch for you; we can make fifty or more of each design-see "All About Custom Patch Orders".

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why are custom Nightfire Patches more expensive than non-retro-reflective patches?

A. Retro-reflective material is a high-end product. Fifty thousand glass beads per square inch make up this tightly woven material, so the cost and effort to produce and work with it is high. It requires special techniques, set-up, and equipment. These are not your average, cheap, easy-to-produce-by-the-millions patches!

Q. Do you have any more patches than what I see on the website?

A. We try to post new patches as soon as we get them in stock. We give our current customers a heads up when we get new designs in. If you haven't ordered from us, yet, but want to be included in email updates or discount promotions, send us an email at: headsup@NightfirePatches.com

We don't sell your email address to anyone, or use it irresponsibly--we hate that kind of stuff.

Q. Can I get a discount? How about if I want to order a lot of patches?

A. We send out discount coupons with orders, and we have periodic sales or closeouts posted on our website. We will also occasionally send offers on email. If you want to be included in our discount promotions, send us an email at: discounts@NightfirePatches.com
Any orders over $100 get free shipping automatically.

Q. We're having a club event.  Can Nightfire Patches be there?

A. We've been invited to some great club events! We love to come and bring patches, but currently we're pretty tied up in the office. We'd love to offer your club a special discount for the event. Send us an email, or give us a call and we'll talk about what we can do for you.

Q. Are the patches colorfast, or will they "bleed" when washed?

A. The rayon or polyester/rayon thread is colorfast, and won't run onto other fabrics.

Liz's tests: I've had the pink rose patches and the purple and pink hearts on a white mesh jacket for over three years without any color bleeding whatsoever in the laundry. The patches have gone through the washer with all my whites, and there's been no transfer of color to my other clothes.

Q. How long does the peel and stick feature last?

A. We've used the peel and stick on our leathers and have never sewn them on--even after four thousand miles of riding, in everything from 30-degree weather to sweltering heat. On our mesh and other materials we've used the peel & stick, but had to iron down on the edges and points (using the press cloth method we describe in "Attach Your Patch"). They're still on without sewing (can you tell we are lazy and don't like to sew?), but we have to re-iron them a bit after washing. We do recommend sewing for the longest lasting method, but the peel and stick and iron-on features offer alternatives, and instant gratification.

Liz's tests: I've got some leather chaps and a jacket that I decided to change patches on. I peeled off patches I'd peeled & stuck a couple of thousand miles earlier. I didn’t have any damage to my leathers. The peel and stick feature left a little glue that I rubbed off pretty easily. Not all leathers are made the same way, so we can't guarantee you'll have the same experience, but I thought that was great, and worth mentioning.

Russ' tests:  I decided to change some patches on my mesh and material jacket when we got new ones in. I'd ironed mine on, and they'd been there for several thousand miles, so I wondered if they'd damage my jacket when I peeled them off. Turned out it wasn't a problem, and they didn't seem to leave any significant residual glue. I stuck on the new ones and was ready to ride. I changed some others that were peeled & stuck on my cowhide leather, and after I rubbed off a little residual glue, the leather looked great. I stuck the new one on and rode!

Q. How do the patches age?

A. Our tests have been going for several years, now, and the patches are holding up great. The embroidery threads stay tight, and the reflectivity seems as good as ever. The vinyl patches are solid and are still reflective on our helmets, etc. It's going to depend on what you put yours through, of course, but they’re pretty tough.

Liz's tests: After 1500 miles of riding in 80 to 105 degree weather, and after lots of washing my white mesh and ironing down the patches afterward, I held up a new patch next to the old ones. They still looked great, and the colors were true, although the white material took on a creamy tone after being exposed to all the dust, grime, bugs, heat, and detergent. I checked on the staffs' silver-grey patches after the same time and conditions, and they looked as good as ever.

Russ' tests: We changed some vinyl patches on helmets after a couple of years--we didn't see any degradation to the the helmet when they were removed. Had some residual glue to rub off, but the helmet looked like new, and we stuck on more vinyl patches.

Q. Can I get a custom patch?

A. Please see our "Custom Orders" section for all the answers on this-it'll answer most of your questions. (Hey, that's why we write this stuff!) Be aware that custom retro-reflective patches are not cheap—they are the same high-end products we produce for the site, and cost equivalently.

Q. Can I talk you into making my custom design and selling it on your website, so I only have to buy one?

A. We have a long list of patches we're planning to produce as we expand. Before we create a new patch, we have to decide if it's going to appeal to a lot of buyers, since these are high-end, expensive to produce products. We're always willing to listen to ideas, (and we get lots of them), but it’s the actual buyers from our website who give us the best clues on what to produce. Feel free to send suggestions to:  ideas@NightfirePatches.com

Q. I ordered patches—what can you tell me about their delivery?

A. We send your patches through the U.S. Mail, with first-class shipping, unless you opt for Priority Mail. We place tracking on all our orders to limit fraudulent claims, so if your order hasn’t arrived in a reasonable time frame we can trace its delivery status. Please be sure to accurately enter your shipping information, since we can’t be responsible for incorrectly entered shipping addresses. We don’t retype them, which avoids typos on our end. Please also make that your shipping location is a secure environment in which to receive large envelopes or packages, since we are not responsible for deliveries once the postal service has provided delivery to the shipping address you provide to our shopping cart. We are only responsible for providing proof that we have shipped to the address provided.

Q. Can I use one of your Nightfire Patch design for a tattoo, or something else?

A. As all copyright holders should, we restrict use of our original copyrighted designs. If you want to use one of our designs, please contact us first, and give us as much information as possible about the use. We must issue written permission for you to use the design. Those using our designs without first obtaining written permission may be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.