Interest in Military-style Browncoat patches?
POSTED BY: ASHEEPDOG
UPDATED: Friday, October 7, 2011 17:35
VIEWED: 21932
PAGE 1 of 1
Something I've wanted for a while is Browncoat patches, but in current military style: velcro-backed and in "subdued" colors (that is, toned down for camouflage rather than bright primary colors). I've been looking into getting this done, and I think I have a good handle on it now. The only question is if there are enough (any) other people interested to make it worthwhile. With a couple of my favorite firefly merchandise stores closed, I'm not feeling too optimistic about doing an order on spec, especially for something that may be a little more specialized...
So, I'm thinking of doing a Kickstarter for it. (Kickstarter.com is a service where you can pledge funds to a project with a credit card, and they only collect the funds and distribute them to the organizer if enough people pledge for the project to go forward -- reduces risk for both parties). Before I even go that far though, I thought I'd check if there was any interest at all.
My current thinking:
- standard sized (*) 3x2" flag patch
- of the Independent's Flag (similar to image linked below)
- done in "subdued", camo-style palette
- Specifically, green/yellow/blue --> a Multicam-optimized subdued-green/tan/brown scheme
- velcro-backed, a'la current uniforms
(* If you want to get really technical, US flag patches are generally 3.25x1.8" or so, but the American flag is skinnier than most; I think a more standard 3x2" will look better with this design)
http://www.bluemoonstuff.com/Firefly_Serenity/Resources/independentsfl
aga.jpeg
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Given the fact that this interest thread has 35 views and no replies makes me think a run isn't going to work.
But, there is a member of the Replica Prop Forum
www.therpf.com
who can do a single patch for you.
Quote:
I now have access to an awesome new sewing machine that can be used for making patches.
As long as you have a good enough res pic, or if you/I can make it in Photoshop, it can be made into a patch.
Price is $5 for up to 5x5 inch patches. Iron-On backing can be added for a little more.
US Shipping is $2
IMPORTANT!
Please send me this info via PM when you are oprdering.
Patch size: max is 5 in x 5 in
ref image(s): the more you have the better. and Please send images as high res as you can. I have to recreate the images in Photoshop and need to be able to see what I am working with.
You would have to register as a member of the RPF, then PM member Zander for more info.
The patch thread is in the Junkyard and new members don't have buy/sell privileges for 25 posts and a little time.
While you're there, the RPF has lots of good Firefly/ Serenity prop info.
You'll just have to dig a little using the search function.
Just like here, all things Firefly seem a little slow right now.
Mike
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Perhaps, but I'll give it more than 12 hours :-)
If I can find, say, just one Firefly-loving airsoft or paintball team or something, that might do it.
Re: Zander, I really want something more professionally made, and it looks like he's no longer doing it anyway due to a busted-beyond-repair machine.
Anyway, even the professional house I plan to use will do small runs, that's not a problem. It's just that price drops very rapidly with quantity, so it makes sense to try to find a number of people who are interested, and drop the price substantially.
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Best of luck, certainly.
If you get a run going and the price is under $10, count me in for one.
I'll be going, star-point-up, of course :-)
Mike
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Quote:
Originally posted by pennausamike:
...If you get a run going and the price is under $10, count me in for one.
I'll be going, star-point-up, of course :-)
Ditto.
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A nice thing about the velcro patches, it's easy to change your mind about the point orientation on the fly ;-)
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I really like your idea about being optimized for Multi-Cam.
I've had some thoughts along this line , also.
P-M me and we will collaborate a bit.
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I can't for the life of me figure out how to send a PM here. On the beta site, the contact link on a profile page (which is the only thing I can see that looks like it might be how to send a PM) doesn't work, and I can't log into the non-beta site.
What am I missing?
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Click the yellow-highlighted 'Profile' in the bottom left corner of my post...A new window will open with a small white block...Type your message in that block...Hit 'send'.
That oughta work. 
Oh , shoot. Realized that you're on 'beta'. Might have to try something else. Sent you an email.
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I'm thinking about doing a run of full color (Green/Yellow/Blue) patches first, if there's interest.
They'd be the same as the idea discussed above (3x2" flag style, velcro backed)
They'd be available in your choice of point-up or point-down, simply rotate on arrival ;-)
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Quote:
Originally posted by ASHEEPDOG:
I'm thinking about doing a run of full color (Green/Yellow/Blue) patches first, if there's interest.
I'd buy that for a purple-bellied Alliance credit. Ten , so long as you're payin' the post to this rim of the 'Verse...
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I'd take two or three, depending on price.
Mike
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Once you decide to get serious , I'll put up some coin , and take a quantity of them when they're produced. Send me mail.
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I finished up the sample art and sent it out for quote today, and I'm still working out shipping costs so I don't have final pricing yet. But, I don't think it will be any problem to beat $10 *including US shipping* for quantity one. There would be quantity discounts too.
I expect I'll hear back on the quote by Tuesday or so.
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I will likely be interested in a few of these! Love 'verse patches!
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Getting the quotes nailed down took a little longer than I thought, sorry.
I decided to just go for it... I'm getting a run of both full color and subdued patches done.
***PRE-ORDER PRICING... subtract $1 per patch from prices below for orders paid by Thursday 12/16.***
All prices include US shipping.
1 for $10 (includes first class mail)
2 for $15 (includes first class mail)
3 for $20 (includes priority mail)
4 for $25 (includes priority mail + insurance)
5 for $29 (includes priority mail + insurance)
You can mix & match the two designs, eg, 1 of each for $15 shipped total
(or $13 preorder)
Email for prices for larger quantities, shipping outside the US, different
shipping options, etc.
Payments: Paypal to patches@beasheepdog.org (preferred), or email for
address for money orders. There is no extra charge for PayPal. Be sure
to say how many of each patch you want.
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Quote:
Originally posted by ASHEEPDOG:
I decided to just go for it... I'm getting a run of both full color and subdued patches done.
I just Paypaled the money for two of the regular and two of the subdued Browncoat flag patches.
I'll be happy to add these to my collection.
http://fireflydvd.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3541
I hope lots of folks choose to get in on the run.
Neat project!
Thanks Again for making these available,
Mike
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Mike,
F-N-S and I are getting two of each for ourselves! I love patches, particularly fan-made ones, so no way I would miss out on these!
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Some more details about what I'm having made. This rehashes a bit of the above but I figured it'd be nice to have a description all in one place:
These are non-canon, modern(*) US military style flag patches, 3x2" in size, made with hook velcro on the back. Basically, they similar to the flag patches for current US Army uniforms, but in a Browncoat design.
I'm having them done in two color schemes, the normal Green / Yellow Stripes / Blue Star design, and a "subdued" color scheme designed to go with Multicam (medium camo-ish green / tan stripes / brown star). Multicam is a the camo scheme that the US Army seems to be moving towards (new uniform for Afghanistan), and has been popular for quite a while with other groups (everyone from some special forces units to airsoft people)
The idea of velcro backed patches is that "loop" velcro (the fuzzy side) is sewn on the uniform or what have you, and then patches are easy to swap out / remove while the garment is cleaned / etc. For the Army for example, they change from full color US flags while in garrison to subdued ones for combat operations. As a special bonus for Browncoat patches, this also allows you to change your mind about the "star point up / star point down" question ;) Note that the loop velcro will not be included... lots of garments / hats / backpacks etc already are made with loop velcro areas these days, and for other stuff, you can easily find it at craft shops etc and have it sewn on just as easily as sewing a patch on, but with added flexibility.
I'm having these done at the same place that does the embroidery for Milspec Monkey, who is an awesome designer and cool guy. You should definitely check out his work at http://milspecmonkey.com/store/ . He was kind enough to help me get started on this project, and I wouldn't have attempted this without his generous help!
[* which I guess compared to the series makes them retro? ;) ]
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Quote:
Originally posted by ASHEEPDOG:
...These are non-canon, modern(*) US military style flag patches, 3x2" in size, made with hook velcro on the back. Basically, they similar to the flag patches for current US Army uniforms, but in a Browncoat design.
I'm having them done in two color schemes, the normal Green / Yellow Stripes / Blue Star design, and a "subdued" color scheme designed to go with Multicam (medium camo-ish green / tan stripes / brown star). Multicam is a the camo scheme that the US Army seems to be moving towards (new uniform for Afghanistan), and has been popular for quite a while with other groups (everyone from some special forces units to airsoft people)
The idea of velcro backed patches is that "loop" velcro (the fuzzy side) is sewn on the uniform or what have you, and then patches are easy to swap out / remove while the garment is cleaned / etc. For the Army for example, they change from full color US flags while in garrison to subdued ones for combat operations. As a special bonus for Browncoat patches, this also allows you to change your mind about the "star point up / star point down" question ;) Note that the loop velcro will not be included... lots of garments / hats / backpacks etc already are made with loop velcro areas these days, and for other stuff, you can easily find it at craft shops etc and have it sewn on just as easily as sewing a patch on, but with added flexibility.
No whores , but " I'm in! " anyway.
BOLO that Alliance scrip that I've sent out , and keep us posted ! 'Cause we LOVE to get post !
I really like that you went with a Brown star on the subdued patch...I saw a really Shiny hat a few days ago , featuring the loopy patch appropriately placed...Well , it wasn't King of all Londinium shiny , but nobody goes into combat looking that gorramned obvious , unless they be the King's men , and we're waaaay too Independent for such as that...
Just a bump...Post some artwork of that multicam patch if you have it. Hopefully the multicam pattern will become somewhat less pricey now that it is more often deployed.
Meanwhile , some of us who are planetside are using an E-T-W Bundeswehr flecktarn scheme...Never lets those purplebellied bungers see us !
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What a crazy random happenstance! I received the images of the sewouts (preproduction samples) this morning!
Since I just got these I'm going to hold off on the order until Monday, and extend the pre-order discount through Sunday night.
I have some of MSM's patches done with the same thread colors as the subdued patch and the colors aren't *quite* as dull as the photo suggests. The green is a little bit more green and I think the brown will look a little bit more contrasty. But, you get the idea.
(hmmm, why aren't .png's recognized as images? I can't seem to embed a .png no matter how I try... had to save as jpegs)
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Here's a MSM patch using the same green and brown, that I think represents the colors a little better to real life, and shows how they should look against multicam.
The "yellow" stripes are the same as the background color in this one:
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Awesome.
Actually , I know sew-outs. I used to program Tajima embroidery machines.
These should be great !
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Oh Yeah!
That looks VERY nice!
I'm sure that awesome update will be appreciated over at fireflyprops.net.
Looking forward to adding these to the collection.
Mike
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The manufacturer hit my credit card today for the order, which I think (hope) means they're shipping soon!
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Woohoo! I just got a tracking number!
They're supposed to arrive on the 5th, it may take me a day or two to get them sent out.
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(Uh oh... they made the color one in both point-up and point-down, but the subdued only in point-up! ;) )
I'm Rich! Rich with patches! Bwahahahahaha! ..... ahem. Ok, I'm better now.
Shown on Crye and HSGI hats. Or, if you prefer....
Ready to go!
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All the orders I received have been shipped. If you got priority mail, you should have received a tracking number in email.
If you haven't ordered, there are still patches available!
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All the orders I received have been shipped. If you got priority mail, you should have received a tracking number in email.
If you haven't ordered, there are still patches available!
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FYI, I posted this on FFF.NET's Facebook and Twitter page. Maybe word will get out.
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Just be careful about raising too much awareness for this since you're charging for them. I don't want to see anyone get slammed/sued for making a profit without a license.
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I'm really in no danger of turning a profit on this any time soon, trust me :)
EDIT: And thanks, Haken!
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Even if you make one penny over zero, but draw a lot of attention it can go bad. Just be careful.
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Even if you make one penny over zero, but draw a lot of attention it can go bad. Just be careful.
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If I pass the break-even point, I'll probably just use that to fund some other project (maybe triangle-style patches?), or maybe donate it to some cause, but I'm not worrying about that yet (I probably ordered too many, but, at worst I have a lifetime supply! ;-) )
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I can appreciate that. I would just use caution because technically Fox owns that design (the green/yellow/blue colored triangle patch). I'd hate to see them come after anyone the way they came after 11th Hour.
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2 words: judgement proof
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Word was, the patches were on their way.
Checked the mailbox and YES they were there.
The two rectangular ones are the new ones.
I don't know how anyone else feels, but only a little over a month from,
"Gee I'd like to make some patches" to "Hey look, here they are";
I'm pretty impressed!
Good job and Thanks, asheepdog.
Glad you posted these.
Mike
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Thanks! They arrived over the weekend, so it was nice to come home to a Browncoat surprise!
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There is a technical issue with FFF so that I can't send PMs. The beta doesn't have PM functionality, and I can't log into the main site. I even tried creating a new login on the main site -- no go. So, if you want to contact me, please email patches@beasheepdog.org, or at least include your email in your PM, otherwise I have no way to get in touch with you :(
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