Stitch types (satin, fill, running)
Machine embroidery builds a patch from three stitch types. Satin stitches are close zig-zags used for borders, columns and lettering, giving a shiny raised line. Fill (tatami) stitches cover large areas with rows of straight stitches. Running stitches are single lines for outlines and fine detail. The digitizer chooses which goes where.
Illustration — not a photograph of a specific order.
From our production data
A fully filled (100% coverage) embroidered patch runs roughly 2,200–2,700 stitches per square inch. A 3-inch square patch at full coverage is typically 20,000–24,000 stitches. Stitch count, not size, is what drives our production cost.
When to choose it — and when not to
You don't choose stitch types — but you do choose coverage. 100% coverage (fill everywhere) hides the twill and costs more; 50–75% leaves twill showing as a background colour and is lighter and cheaper.
Say which coverage you want on the quote.
Written by Imran Raza, Founder of Panda Patches
13+ years in custom patch manufacturing. Figures on this page come from Panda Patches’ own production records.
Published September 17, 2026 · Last reviewed September 17, 2026
Cite this entry
Source: Panda Patches Glossary — “Stitch types (satin, fill, running).”
https://www.pandapatches.com/glossary/stitch-types