Location, location, location…

You’ve decided on a profile, closure and fabric type. What other hat features should you consider? When having your logo embroidered on a hat it is important to remember that you might not be able to put your entire logo on the front of the hat. Most hats can accommodate a design that is 2 ¼” high by 4” wide. What if your logo doesn’t fit into this area? Smaller text may need to be eliminated or enlarged. A vertically orientated logo may need to be reorganized to have a horizontal organization. Your embroiderer can help you adjust your logo so that it will work for caps. If you have a large logo, a high profile style may be better for your design because there is a larger embroidery area. Your embroiderer may be able to embroider your vertically orientated design on low profile cap but you won't be able to see the top part of the design when the hat is worn.

When reworking your logo for caps it is important to emphasize your business name. So what happens to that small text you eliminated from the front of your hat? You might be able to have your tag line, web address or phone number embroidered on the back of your hats. Additional information can also be added to the sides of hats. Keep in mind that only small designs and limited text can fit in these areas. Don’t feel like you have to put your design on the front of a cap. Sometimes a small, subtle logo on the side of a cap may be all you need. What about embroidery on the bill? Unless you are having custom hats made this isn’t possible because embroidery on this section must be sewn before the stiff part of the bill is added.

Next… Contrast Stitch, Cool Max & more

Enzyme Wash, Mesh, Sandwich & More

Hats come in a variety of fabrics including wool, twill, brushed cotton, canvas and mesh. Some hats are constructed from fabric that has received a special treatment such as pigment dye and enzyme wash to give it a worn look and comfortable feel. Some styles are available in different fabric combinations such as nylon/mesh. When considering fabric types keep in mind what activities will be performed by the hat wearer. You may love a particular wool hat during the winter but your landscaping crew won’t wear it during the hotter months. Fabric colors should also be considered. A black hat will be tolerant of stains but the dark color will attract heat in the summer.

Speaking of color, hats come in a rainbow of colors and color combinations. From desert camouflage to tangerine there’s a color for everyone. It’s important to consider the colors in your design when choosing a hat color. You need to pick a hat color that is different from your logo colors and contrasts well with your business name. You may want to pick a two-color hat with the color of the bill, sandwich or trim being the same color as your business name. This will emphasize your name and help make your logo look really sharp.

Don’t Order Your Hats Just Yet! Stay tuned for “fitting” your logo on your hat, embroidery locations, & more.

Buckram, D-Ring...Those Details

Finding your embroidered hat “style” is somewhat of a personal choice depending on what you think looks good and is comfortable. But what about all those details in the catalogue descriptions? First, what is “profile”? The profile describes the height of the front part of the crown, the part that covers your head. Profiles range from unconstructed/ low profile to high profile/ trucker. Unconstructed caps lie close to your head but aren’t tight fitting. Constructed or high profile caps are stiff in the front crown area so that the higher profile and shape of the crown is maintained. Often buckram (a stiff backing) is used inside the front of the cap to keep this shape. Hats with the same profile can vary in shape. For example, trucker hats have a fairly flat front appearance while other high profile hats have a curved, “athletic” look.

Baseball hats come with a variety of adjustable back closures attached to a strap or fabric tab. Different types include Velcro, snap, D-ring and buckle. Flexfit caps are constructed with a stretch headband inside the cap instead of a closure. This style is great for workers who want a snug fitting hat that won’t blow off.

Another style consideration is the type of bill. Bills range from being almost flat to fairly curved. Some styles have a short bill while others have an extended bill, a good choice when you need to keep out the sun.

Coming…Choosing the Right Fabric & Color for Your Hats

Flexfit, Trucker or Buckram, What Is Your Hat Style?

You’ve decided to purchase decorated baseball hats to promote your business. Why hats? Hats are fun to wear, inexpensive and they are a great way to advertise your business. You flip through some catalogues to check out the different styles and you realize there are hundreds of caps, some with unknown descriptions. Unconstructed, buckram, flexfit? What do these terms mean? How do you choose a hat style that will work best for you and your business?

First, you may be wondering if your hats should be screen printed or embroidered. I strongly suggest embroidery. If you need lots of hats for a giveaway and your design doesn’t have many colors then screen printed hats may work for you. In that case, choosing a hat style is easier because you are limited to five panel hats (no center front seam) for screen printing. Otherwise, embroidered caps will have a higher valued appearance, enhance your logo and be worn more often.

To come…Hat Profiles, Closures & Bills.