Concept
Applique
A decoration technique where a separate fabric or material piece is bonded onto a garment as a layered design element.
Definition
Applique is a decoration technique where a separate piece of fabric, leatherette, or printed material is bonded onto a base garment as a layered design element. Traditional applique uses cut fabric stitched into place. Modern applique uses heat-applied patches with adhesive backing for faster production and cleaner edges. Raised UV patches, leatherette patches, and luxury branding transfers are all applique formats in the modern decorator workflow. Applique gives a design tactile dimension and material contrast that a flat print cannot match. The patch base material itself becomes part of the visual.
Related Terms
Raised UV Patch
A heat-applied apparel patch decorated with layered UV cure passes to deliver embroidery-grade tactile height.
Leatherette Patch
A heat-applied patch with a synthetic leather face surface printed with raised UV branding.
Patch Backing
The bonding layer on the back of a patch that attaches it to the garment, available in heat-activated or sew-on formats.
Adhesive Backing
A heat-activated bonding layer on the back of a patch that attaches the patch to a garment under a heat press.