Appliqué & Embroidery

National Capital Flag specializes in finely handcrafted custom appliqué and embroidered flags. Both are sewn by hand in our Alexandria, Virginia shop. The difference is how the image is built.

Appliqué refers to a process in which our artisans sew fabric directly onto a flag in order to create bold and vibrant images. Each color is a separate piece of cloth, cut to shape and stitched down, so large fields of color stay crisp and read from a distance.

Embroidery relies on thread and needlework to create exquisitely detailed designs using stitching. It is the right choice for seals, lettering, and fine detail that appliqué cannot hold.

Find the right flag material for your display and design needs. Four fabrics are available for appliqué & embroidery. Where the flag will be displayed decides which one to use.

An industry standard. Lightweight and water-resistant, nylon provides affordable durability and longevity. Most flags are made of nylon, and it is the usual choice for appliqué & embroidery.

Ultra durable. Heavier than our other fabrics, polyester is our most durable offering and lasts longest in weather. Available in limited colors.

A timeless classic. Calling back to countless flags throughout the history of the craft, cotton is a low sheen material chosen for indoor and ceremonial use. Available in limited colors.

Silky and ceremonial. Our most premium fabric, rayon behaves and shines like silk. It is delicate and needs careful handling, so it is best for indoor ceremonial flags.

Appliqué and embroidery have different size limits, set by how each one is made. Tell us the pole height you are working with and we will size the flag to it.

When it comes to appliqué, the only size limit is the flag itself. We can accommodate appliqué designs of any size, from a desk flag to a flag that covers a building.

With the largest continuous embroidery field available on the market, we can embroider flag designs up to 5 feet. Larger designs are built with appliqué, with embroidery used for the fine detail.

Both are sewn the same way. The difference is what the back of the flag shows, and how much the flag weighs.

A standard single-sided flag displays your image as intended on the front, with the reverse image on the back. Lighter, flies in less wind, and right for most outdoor flags.

A double-sided flag is two single-sided flags sewn back to back, so it displays exactly the same on both sides. Choose it for ceremonial and presentation flags, or when text must read correctly from both directions.

The finish is how the flag attaches to its pole. Pick the one that matches how the flag will be displayed. Not sure? Tell us where it will fly and we will match it. Every sewn flag pairs with the poles, brackets, and bases in our hardware and accessories catalog.

A stiff canvas header with brass grommets, used for securely attaching a flag to an exterior pole or halyard. The standard outdoor finish.

A sleeve sewn along the hoist that slides over the pole. We can add one to any flag, so it drapes beautifully indoors or takes part in a parade.

Add fringe for a classic formal flair. Recommended for parade flags and indoor ceremonial display, most often in gold.

Every appliqué & embroidery flag starts with your artwork and a conversation about where the flag will fly. Indoor ceremonial colors, outdoor organizational flags, and parade flags are built differently, so the finish matters as much as the design.

Send vector art if you have it (EPS, SVG, or AI). We also work from clean raster files, scans, or a photograph of a flag you already own. Appliqué and embroidery are sewn, not printed, so hairline rules, gradients, and very small lettering have to be redrawn as solid shapes and stitched detail. We tell you what needs to change before any fabric is cut, and you approve a digital proof before production starts.

Nylon is the usual choice for appliqué & embroidery. Polyester lasts longest in weather. Cotton and rayon are chosen for indoor and ceremonial use and come in a limited color range. Outdoor flags are finished with a canvas header and brass grommets. Indoor and parade flags use a pole hem, most often with gold fringe. Roped heading with a thimble is available for larger outdoor flags. Tell us the pole height you are working with and we will size the flag to it.

For organizational colors, unit flags, and rank flags, we can work from the designs held by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, and we follow the display and handling rules set out in 4 U.S. Code Chapter 1, the U.S. Flag Code. Send the heraldic reference or drawing number if you have one and we will match it.

Cost and schedule depend on size, quantity, material, and how much stitching the design needs. Call (703) 751-2411 or email [email protected] with your size, quantity, and artwork, and we will confirm both in writing. Appliqué & embroidery is handwork, so allow time for one proof round before production begins.