A protective element for an article of apparel, the protective element comprising: a first material layer having a first side and an opposite second side; a second material layer associated with the first material layer; a pad component located between the first material layer and the second material layer; a plate component positioned adjacent to the first material layer, wherein the plate component is disposed adjacent the first side of the first material layer and the pad component is located adjacent the second side of the first material layer so that the first material layer is disposed between the plate component and the pad component, wherein the plate component has a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; an attachment area formed on an outer perimeter of the plate component, wherein the attachment area corresponds to the second portion so that the attachment area has the second thickness; and an attachment element that attaches the plate component to the first material layer, wherein the attachment element extends entirely through the second thickness of the attachment area, wherein the first side of the first material layer comprises a guide pattern, the guide pattern corresponding to a perimeter shape of the plate component and wherein: the guide pattern is an incision extending entirely through the first material layer that exposes the pad component; the guide pattern extends into the pad component; or the guide pattern is a depression in the first material layer, the depression includes a bottom and sidewalls, the bottom is disposed between the first side of the first material layer and the second side of the first material layer, and the sidewalls extend from the bottom to the first side of the first material layer. a first material layer having a first side and an opposite second side; a second material layer associated with the first material layer; a pad component located between the first material layer and the second material layer; a plate component positioned adjacent to the first material layer, wherein the plate component is disposed adjacent the first side of the first material layer and the pad component is located adjacent the second side of the first material layer so that the first material layer is disposed between the plate component and the pad component, wherein the plate component has a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; an attachment area formed on an outer perimeter of the plate component, wherein the attachment area corresponds to the second portion so that the attachment area has the second thickness; and an attachment element that attaches the plate component to the first material layer, wherein the attachment element extends entirely through the second thickness of the attachment area, wherein the first side of the first material layer comprises a guide pattern, the guide pattern corresponding to a perimeter shape of the plate component and wherein: the guide pattern is an incision extending entirely through the first material layer that exposes the pad component; the guide pattern extends into the pad component; or the guide pattern is a depression in the first material layer, the depression includes a bottom and sidewalls, the bottom is disposed between the first side of the first material layer and the second side of the first material layer, and the sidewalls extend from the bottom to the first side of the first material layer. the guide pattern is an incision extending entirely through the first material layer that exposes the pad component; the guide pattern extends into the pad component; or the guide pattern is a depression in the first material layer, the depression includes a bottom and sidewalls, the bottom is disposed between the first side of the first material layer and the second side of the first material layer, and the sidewalls extend from the bottom to the first side of the first material layer.