Reverse American Flag Patch - Gold Border, 12-Pack
Full-size 3-3/8 in x 2 in, merrowed gold edge, sew-on backing. Twelve to a pack, so a whole shift gets kitted out at once.
SKU 201PRG12 · UPC 860015129536 · Designed in Los Angeles, California
- True full size. 3-3/8 in x 2 in, the size uniform sleeve panels are cut for.
- Reverse field. The union sits to the wearer's front, so the flag reads as advancing.
- Merrowed gold border. A wrapped edge, not a cut one, so it will not fray or curl.
- Dense embroidery. Distinct stars and full stripe coverage, with no backing showing through.
- Sew-on. Stitch it down once and it stays down, through laundry cycles and duty gear.
Why the flag faces the other way
A reverse-field flag patch is not a mistake and it is not a novelty. Worn on the right shoulder, the union - the blue star field - has to lead. The convention comes from a flag carried into the wind: the staff is at the front, the stars go first, and the stripes stream out behind. Put a standard patch on a right sleeve and the flag reads as retreating.
That is why uniformed services wear reverse patches on the right and standard patches on the left. If you are buying for a right sleeve, a jacket panel, or a bag, this is the one you want. For a left sleeve, you want the standard orientation instead.
Who these are for
Police and law enforcement
Duty shirts, jackets, and patrol bags. Twelve covers a full rotation of uniforms without reordering.
Law enforcement →Fire and EMS
Turnout coats, station wear, and hi-vis shells. The merrowed edge survives repeated laundering.
Firefighters →Military and veterans
Field jackets, packs, and civilian kit. Reverse field for the right side, as worn in service.
Military →Security and contractors
Uniform shirts, softshells, and vests where a clean, correct flag matters to the client.
Security guards →Specifications
| Size | 3-3/8 in x 2 in (86 mm x 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Field | Reverse, union to the wearer's front, for right-side wear |
| Border | Merrowed gold edge |
| Construction | Embroidered, twill backing |
| Attachment | Sew-on |
| Quantity | 12 patches per pack |
| SKU | 201PRG12 |
| UPC | 860015129536 |
| Brand | Cadenza, a Kinor LLC brand |
Sewing one on
- Place it. On a duty shirt the patch sits centred on the right sleeve, roughly half an inch below the shoulder seam. Check your department's dress standard first - the placement is usually written down.
- Pin or tape it. A couple of pins, or a strip of double-sided fabric tape, stops it walking while you stitch.
- Stitch the edge. Run a straight or short zigzag stitch just inside the merrowed border, all the way round. Match the thread to the gold and the stitching disappears.
- Press it. A warm iron over a pressing cloth flattens the seam and sets the patch flush against the sleeve.
No iron-on adhesive on this one. Sew-on is what holds up to a laundry cycle and a duty belt rubbing across it.
Questions
Why is the flag backwards?
It is a reverse-field patch, made for right-side wear. The union leads so the flag reads as advancing rather than retreating. On a left sleeve you would use a standard-orientation patch instead.
What size are they?
3-3/8 inches wide by 2 inches tall, the full-size patch that standard uniform sleeve panels are cut to fit.
Are these iron-on or hook-and-loop?
Neither. These are sew-on. If you need hook-and-loop backing for a plate carrier or a velcro sleeve panel, this is not the right patch.
How many are in a pack?
Twelve. One pack kits out a full rotation of uniforms, or a small squad, without reordering.
Will the gold border fray?
The border is merrowed, meaning the edge thread is wrapped around the patch rather than cut. That is the edge treatment that holds up to laundering and abrasion.
Do you sell these in bulk?
Yes. Departments, academies, and uniform suppliers should get in touch about bulk pricing.
While you are kitting out
Cadenza also makes the Shirt Tucker, a rubber shirt-stay belt that keeps a duty shirt tucked through a full shift, with no leg straps and nothing to re-fasten in a restroom.
See the Shirt Tucker