It’s important to understand what catches the eyes of potential customers when dealing with sales in the custom printing market. Interestingly, custom prints make hats even more fashionable and add a sense of personality.
However, retailers must make several considerations before diving into the custom print logo hats market. This guide highlights five factors to consider before selling hats with custom print logos. It also explores four hat types compatible with customization.
Table of Contents
Overview of the global headwear market
Types of hats suitable for custom logo printing
5 things to consider when selling custom print logo hats
Rounding up
Overview of the global headwear market
The global headwear market size reached US $20.8 billion in 2022, and experts predict the market will reach US $29.4 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.89% over the forecast period.
Factors driving the headwear market’s expansion include the increased utilization of hats in athleisure trends and the emergence of fashionable styles. Many consumers believe hats add a glamorous touch to outfits and boost confidence, and experts assert that it has a positive effect on the industry.
Experts predict North America will emerge as the dominant regional market over the forecast period. They have made such predictions due to the rising purchase of sports merchandise (hats inclusive) in the region. Asia-Pacific also follows closely behind as manufacturers anticipate a speedy market growth due to the increasing demand for hair accessories.
Types of hats suitable for custom logo printing
Baseball caps
Baseball caps have seen their fair share of fame over the years, yet they’re not ready to go out of trend. Consumers favor their large brims and adjustable straps, making baseball hats one of the best choices for custom print logos.
Statistics prove that baseball hats are the most popular type due to their unique looks. 51% of consumers even claim to rock them regularly. Although original designs felt limited in style, recent innovations provide many options to suit various personalities.
Many consumers prefer wearing customized baseball hats with streetwear outfits. Think cropped hoodies with comfy joggers or tracksuits. However, these stylish accessories can take a more feminine approach with cute logos. Ladies can even match them with satin, pleated skirts, or slip dresses.
Beanies
Beanies reign supreme when it comes to winter hats. Due to their close crop, beanies offer the most versatility and warmth. Although there’s so much variety in the beanie family, each comes with designs compatible with custom print logos.
The cuffed beanie is one variant that looks amazing with custom print logos. Cuffed beanies have straightforward designs, usually a rolled piece of fabric installed on the hat’s opening. Interestingly, this cuff provides a blank template perfect for printing winter-related logos.
Other styles, like the cuffless beanie, present similar opportunities for successful custom print logos. Beanies are incredibly versatile and can match any outfit consumers throw at them.
Snapback hats
Snapbacks are probably the first thing that comes to mind when consumers think of customizable hats. These hats are widespread for their adjustable “snapback” closure, which makes them one-size-fits-all.
More importantly, snapback hats have eye-catching designs with large spaces at their fronts. Retailers can utilize these empty areas for custom logo printing.
Like the beanie, consumers can enjoy several variations of the snapback hat. These hat types can accommodate several eye-catching prints to help consumers add accents to their style.
On that note, consumers can pair snapbacks with almost all wardrobe items. They look great with jackets, denim, and even button-up shirts. Snapback hats also have a unisex appeal, making them compatible with dresses, skirts, and other feminine get-ups.
Bucket hats
Bucket hats frequently go in and out of trend, but they never really fall out of style. These versatile headwear have a unisex aesthetic that matches various outfits.
The bucket hat’s unique design makes it easy to fold away when commuting. More importantly, the entire hat is like a blank canvas for custom logo printing.
Retailers can purchase bucket hats in denim, cotton, or more luxe fabrics. The colors are also limitless as some variants even feature tye-dye aesthetics.
The bucket hat’s popularity makes it a top pick for customization. Consumers can wear them for almost any activity since they offer sun protection—while looking stylish.
5 things to consider when selling custom print logo hats
1. Choose the preferred hat type
The first thing to consider before diving into the custom print logo hat market is the target consumer’s preferred type. Some consumers may fancy baseball hats, while others prefer bucket hats.
The geographical location, age, and even gender can also drive consumer demand for certain hat types. Buyers are more likely to purchase baseball hats for formal and semi-formal events. On the other hand, beanies would be the top choice for consumers living in colder regions.
2. Select the color scheme
Ultimately, hats can work with any color. But, retailers must endeavor to avoid overly bright or neon hues. Why? It could look less appealing on the wearer’s hair or skin.
Consumers looking for hats compatible with daily outfits will prefer keeping things simple and natural. Some may take a more daring approach with color blocking. For instance, a dark maroon cap will look amazing with an emerald green tee.
3. Determine the hats image
Color schemes and image work hand-in-hand to create the perfect customized logo hat. This factor determines the cap’s overall appearance.
Some consumers may prefer the image covering the entire cap, while others may demand more subtle prints on the crown or bill. Regardless of the wearer’s orders, retailers must ensure they keep things balanced.
Adjusting the dimensions will help keep the entire hat’s design in the center. An unbalanced image will only disorganize the cap’s overall aesthetics.
4. Determine what custom text go on the hat
Purchasing a custom logo hat is often a choice between image and text, but sometimes consumers want both. Retailers incorporating a phrase or slogan can make it appealing by designing in lowercase, italics, or cursive fonts.
However, remember that caps have limited space. Sellers must ensure all text stay in the front and not spread around the cap. Big fonts only work when consumers demand only one or two words.
5. Choose the preferred printing method
Retailers can use several printing methods to ensure consumers get their preferred designs on their heads. However, many aspects may complicate the printing process, like the cap panel’s seams and curved surface.
Regardless, sellers can use screen printing or heat transfer to produce their custom images. It’s cost-effective (especially for large batches) and will create a fabulous finish with attractive colors.
Alternatively, retailers can settle with embroidery for a more authentic design and printing. But, the process is much slower than screen printing. However, it’s widespread for custom logo printing and offers high-quality and durable results.
Rounding up
The custom hat market is booming and businesses can leverage its growth by investing in customizable hats. Custom print logo hats help add a sense of personality to a wearer’s outfit, which makes them a profitable venture.
This guide explored five factors retailers must consider when selling custom print logo hats to avoid missing out on sales. They must also leverage customizable baseball caps, beanies, snapbacks, and bucket hats to maximize profit in 2023.
