Getting Started — from sign-up to your first patch

1Create your account

Go to https://patchforge.makerfoundryco.com and click Start free trial. Sign in with Google, or create an account with your first name, last name, email, and a password (at least 8 characters). Email sign-ups get a confirmation link — click it before your first login.

Your first paid plan starts with a 7-day free trial. You can design, save, and export the whole time; you're only charged when the trial ends, and you can cancel anytime before then.

2Find your way around

After you sign in you land on the Dashboard. The top navigation bar is the same on every page and gives you the four places you'll live in:

• Design — the Patch Builder, where you create a patch.
• Hat Mockup — drop a finished patch onto real hat photos and send a proof.
• Gang Sheet — pack many designs onto one print sheet.
• My Designs — your saved library.

The account menu (top-right) holds everything else: Billing, Proofs, the Price Calculator, Materials, Fonts, Print Specs, Templates, these Quick Start Guides, the FAQ, and Help.

3Know the five-step flow

Every patch is built in the Patch Builder using the numbered panel down the left side, top to bottom:

• ① Process — choose UV Printed (full color) or Laser Engraved.
• ② Artwork — upload a PNG, JPG, or SVG and clean it up.
• ③ Material & shape — pick your leather, vinyl, or acrylic, the patch size, and the cut shape.
• ④ Text & shapes — add lettering (including curved text) and extra elements.
• ⑤ Layers — reorder, lock, and hide objects.

Then use the toolbar to price it (the $ chip), preview it on a hat, and export production files. The Design a Patch guide walks through all five steps in detail.

4Save your work

Press Ctrl+S (⌘S on Mac) or click Save in the toolbar at any time. Auto-save also kicks in after about 30 seconds. Everything you save appears under My Designs, where you can reopen, rename, duplicate, pin, and add production notes.

Where to go next

Pick the guide that matches what you're doing:

• Design a Patch — the full builder, step by step.
• Artwork & Uploads — file types, background removal, and vectorizing for engraving.
• Materials & Effects — UV vs. laser, leather colors, and tri-layer acrylic.
• Hat Mockups & Client Proofs — show a customer the patch on a real hat and get approval.
• Gang Sheets — batch many designs onto one sheet.
• Exporting Production Files — PNG, SVG, LightBurn/xTool, and the full package.
• Account & Billing — plans, trials, and updating your card.