Creating custom patches and embroidery art with AI

From Pixel to Patch: How to Create Custom Embroidery Art with AI (Even If You’re Not a Tech Wizard)

So, you’ve got a brilliant idea for a patch—maybe a custom patch of a sleepy possum in jandals, or your dog riding a unicycle—but you don’t know how to draw, and Clip Art just isn’t cutting it anymore. Don’t worry, the robots are here to help (and no, they won’t judge your possum obsession).

Here’s how you—yes, you—can use AI art generators to create original patch designs and send them to us to be transformed into locally-made embroidered goodness. Most of these tools are free or free with limited daily use.

🧠 Step 1: Get Chatty with ChatGPT (or its mates)

First, you’ll want to sign up for one of the popular AI image generators. A few solid options:

• ChatGPT (Free, Pro plan required for more than a few images a day)

  • Head to https://chatgpt.com/

  • Create an account (or sign in)

  • It's free to generate a few images a day. If you want to generate more than that, you’ll need the ChatGPT Plus plan (about $32 NZD/month). Once you’re in, ask something like:

    "Make me a cartoon-style kiwi bird in sunglasses for a patch design"

    

• Gemini (Google's AI tool)

  • Go to https://gemini.google.com/

  • Sign in with your Google account

  • Use prompts like:

    "Generate an embroidered patch in military style with a grumpy coffee cup with the lettering "DONT TALK TO ME UNTIL I'VE HAD MY COFFEE"

    

• Bing Image Creator

  • Go to https://www.bing.com/images/create

  • Sign in with your Microsoft account
    

  • Use prompts like:

    "Generate an image of an embroidered patch for a Stardew Valley gaming club called Snail Mail Society"

    

• Other options:

  • Microsoft Copilot with DALL·E (free with a Microsoft account)

  • Midjourney – Slightly more complex but super cool results. Runs through Discord.

🖼 Step 2: Save Your Glorious Creation

Once you’ve generated your masterpiece, save the image:

• On most platforms: Right-click (or long-tap on mobile) > “Save image as…”

• Give it a name you’ll remember, like Unicorn_In_Gumboots.png.

Bonus tip: Keep your image clear and not too cluttered—embroidered patches love bold lines and simple shapes. Adding "embroidered patch" or "suitable for embroidery" often helps here.

🌐 Step 3: Upload to Our Website for Stitchy Magic

Now that you’ve got your art, head to our website and upload it. Look for “Patches” -> “Custom Patches” in the menu. There you can:

• Select a patch size and backing style
  

• Upload your image

• Add to cart, sit back, and prepare for embroidered greatness

👕 Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be an artist or a tech genius to dream up cool designs—just a spark of imagination and a curious click. Whether it’s your cat, your club logo, or your imaginary coffee cult, AI can help bring it to life. And I’ll help bring it to thread.

Got questions? Flick us a message—I speak both fluent Kiwi and semi-fluent robot.

Some more great examples:

Generate an image of a NASA-inspired embroidery patch featuring a corgi in a space helmet, with the phrase "bark to the moon"

Generate an image of a rebel-style embroidered patch with the words Soft Hearts, Sharp Claws

Generate an image of an embroidered patch for a paintball team with some skull art and the name "Iron Reapers"