Custom Embroidered Heat Transfers (3D)
Embroidered heat transfers, also called 3D embroidered transfers, are embroidered elements cut to their outlines and pre-arranged on placement tape, so they heat-press on with no patch background or border, like direct embroidery. They suit designs over 4 inches with clearly separated shapes. From 5 pieces, with a free mockup in 12-24 hours.
Patches Made For Teams At
- Free digital mockup in 12-24 hours
- 5-piece minimum
- Free worldwide shipping
- No setup or digitizing fees
Embroidered heat transfers: the direct-embroidery look, without a patch background
We stitch each element of your design, flat or with 3D puff where the design calls for it, and cut it to its exact outline. The pieces are arranged on placement tape in the finished layout. You press the sheet onto the garment, peel the tape, and the design sits on the fabric with no twill background and no patch border.
Like heat transfer embroidery patches, they go on with a heat press, but each element is cut to its own outline, so nothing around the design shows.
How embroidered heat transfers are made
- We embroider the elements of your design, with 3D puff where the design calls for it.
- Each element is cut to its outline.
- The pieces are positioned on placement tape in the final layout.
- You press from behind, on the reverse of the garment and not on the embroidery, at 340°F (171°C) for 20 seconds, then peel the tape.
When an embroidered heat transfer is the right choice
Choose it for designs over 4 inches with clear, separate shapes: lettering, logos with distinct parts, back-of-jacket designs and hat fronts above 4 inches.
It is not the right choice for small designs, fine lines, or elements that touch or overlap closely. We check every design for cut-out feasibility before quoting, and if it will not work we say so and offer a standard embroidered patch instead.
Embroidered heat transfer vs embroidered patch
| Feature | Embroidered heat transfer (3D) | Embroidered patch |
|---|---|---|
| Background | None: each element is cut to its outline | Twill background with a border |
| Look on the garment | Direct embroidery | A patch |
| Supplied as | Elements pre-arranged on placement tape | A single finished patch |
| Best size | 4 inches and up | Any size |
| Design limits | Clear, separated shapes: elements at least 4 mm, with 4 mm or more between them | Few limits |
3D embroidered transfer specifications
- Construction
- Embroidered elements (flat or 3D puff), cut to outline, on placement tape
- Recommended size
- 4 inches and up
- Thread
- 719 Candle thread colours; metallic and glow-in-the-dark available
- Minimum element
- 4 mm at the narrowest part, with at least 4 mm of space between elements, so each piece can be cut out
- Application
- Heat press from behind at 340°F (171°C) for 20 seconds: on the reverse of the garment, not on the embroidery
- Not available
- Velcro, magnetic and peel-and-stick backings: there is no backing to attach them to
Good for: Hat fronts and back-of-jacket designs, lettering and logos with distinct parts, and premium apparel where a patch border would show.
Price by quantity
Prices for a 5" × 5" 3d embroidered transfers order, taken from the live calculator and checked November 4, 2026. For your exact size and quantity, use the calculator above.
| Quantity | Per piece | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $27.62 | $138.11 |
| 25 | $10.27 | $256.85 |
| 50 | $8.70 | $435.05 |
| 100 | $7.90 | $789.80 |
| 250 | $5.02 | $1254.00 |
| 500 | $3.96 | $1980.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.55 | $3553.00 |
Backing Options
Choose the perfect backing for your patches
Iron On
Iron-on backing becomes the instant fabric friend. Just press and your design bonds to the garment. Properly heat-pressed the bond is near-permanent, and both machine washing and dry cleaning are safe. An under-pressed patch survives neither.
Thread & Color Options
Special thread and color effects
Metallic Thread
Indulge in the disco vibes with metallic embroidery patches. Perfect for bold emblems, making patches for hats shine with elegance and glamour!
Glow In The Dark
Illuminate your embroidered patches with glow-in-the-dark magic! Perfect for spooky logos and playful designs on embroidered patches! Recharge under light and let your patch shine all night!
Upgrades & Add-ons
Enhance your patches with premium options
3D Puff Embroidery
Foam-raised 3D puff stitching on the elements of your design that call for it, for a bold, dimensional look.
WORK SAMPLE
What customers say about working with us
Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot from 116 reviews — checked 3 November 2026
Reviews of our company and service on Trustpilot, not ratings of Custom 3D Embroidered Transfer specifically.
Read all customer reviewsFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
An embroidered heat transfer, also called a 3D embroidered transfer, is a set of embroidered elements cut to their outlines and arranged on placement tape, so they press onto a garment with no patch background.
An embroidered heat transfer has no background and no border: each embroidered element is cut to its outline and applied in layout. A patch is a single piece with a twill background.
Embroidered heat transfers need size and space to cut each element to its outline cleanly, so they work best on designs over 4 inches with clearly separated shapes.
No. An embroidered heat transfer needs clear, separate shapes. We check every design for cut-out feasibility at the mockup stage and, if it will not work, offer a standard embroidered patch.
Place the embroidered heat transfer on the garment and press it from behind at 340°F (171°C) for 20 seconds, on the reverse of the garment and not on the embroidery. Then peel the placement tape.
Each element of an embroidered heat transfer must be at least 4 mm at its narrowest, with at least 4 mm of space between elements, so every piece can be cut out.
Yes. Embroidered heat transfers can use 3D puff on the elements where the design calls for it.
Related products
- When a cut-out will not work, see custom embroidered patches.
- For large back-of-jacket designs, see custom back patches.
- For hat fronts, see patches for hats.
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