Patch, Jersey, Swatch....what's the difference?

EagleEyeKid

Okay, this is a stupid question....but I really want to know what's the difference between the three. I don't particular care for a piece of memorabilia on a card (ie insert) unless it's a rookie card from a regular set and the player I want. I guess the only gripe I have is the fat thick cards (I guess that's a patch?) that don't fit in screw holders, or card savers, but only in the larger top loaders made specifically for them; and they are never mint and never worth grading and these are sometimes in the parallel version with a ridiculous low #. Any input?

nojo

A patch:



A jersey or swatch (same thing)



And yes, finding a toploader for them can sometimes be a pain...it is our lot in life to suffer.

Btw, sometimes sellers will describe a plain jersey swatch as a patch. These people are fools, do not be swayed by their false claims.

Aknot

A swatch is USUALLY almost 35% of the card size and or much bigger then a "patch".

phreakydancin

As I understand it, a jersey swatch is just a piece of the regular jersey fabric (EXAMPLE), and a patch is what gets sewn onto the jersey (logos, numbers, name plates, etc.) (EXAMPLE).

I don't think size really has anything to do with the definition, although swatches do tend to be bigger than patches, as they need to be due to their otherwise less impressive nature.

What gets confusing is when sellers describe swatches as patches, either through ignorance or an attempt to mislead.

One other thing: there are also patch cards which are not "game-worn" patches. They are not even pieces cut from jerseys, but just nice-looking pieces of embroidery. EXAMPLE

EagleEyeKid

Thanks for the response folks. I got it now.