Leather name tape: ordering it right
Dimensions, content, placement under the pilot wings and velcro backing: everything to check before validating a leather name tape.
The leather name tape remains the reference piece on a flight suit. It carries the aircrew member's identity, sits under the pilot wings, and lasts for years. Unlike a woven version, leather takes hot-stamping well and ages nicely. But you still need to order it correctly. Here are the points to lock down before validating.
Standard dimensions
The classic name tape runs around 10 x 3.8 cm. That format matches most pilot wings and leaves room for two lines of text plus a logo or aircraft silhouette.
This size isn't fixed. Depending on the space available on the garment and the length of the name, the width can be adjusted. A long surname combined with a fully spelled-out qualification sometimes calls for a smaller font or a longer tape. Best to measure the actual spot on the flight suit before setting the size.
What goes on it
The rule: legibility above all. You'll usually find the first name or initial followed by the surname, the qualification (pilot, navigator, mechanic, etc.), and sometimes the rank or a three-letter code.
Some add an aircraft silhouette, a flag, or a small unit logo. Be careful not to overload it: on 10 cm of width, every added element costs legibility. A call sign sometimes appears on a secondary line, in smaller type.
Also think about consistency across a squadron: same font, same text height, same content logic. A uniform series looks far better than a mix of tapes ordered one by one.
The link with the pilot wings
The tape sits just below the qualified wings. The two pieces read together: the wings identify the qualification, the tape names the wearer. That's why the tape's format and style must match the wings already worn.
If you order both at once, send us the wings' dimensions. We'll set the tape width accordingly for a clean alignment, with no overhang on one side or gap on the other.
Sewn leather or velcro?
Two fixing logics. Leather sewn directly onto the flight suit is the traditional version: permanent and discreet. It works when the tape stays on a dedicated garment.
Velcro (hook-and-loop) brings flexibility: you remove the tape for washing, transfer it between flight suits, and store it easily. You then need the matching hook part on the garment. For personnel who regularly change uniforms or postings, velcro is often the practical choice. State your need at the quote stage: the cut and finish depend on the chosen fixing.
Before validating
A few checks that avoid bad surprises: the exact spelling of the name (one wrong letter engraves a permanent flaw), the rank or qualification up to date, the text length against the chosen format, and the fixing type.
Read the proof line by line. Stamped leather can't be corrected: what's validated is what gets delivered.
Placing the order
On the 100-piece grid, the name tape is 6.89 € excl. VAT per unit. For an individual order or a small series, the price adapts to volume and finish.
Send us the exact name, the qualification, the desired format and the fixing type through the site. We return a free proof within 48 h, with the rendering to scale so you can confirm legibility before production.