How much does a custom hat usually cost? Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a perfect answer. The cost of a custom hat can range from $7 to $50 per hat, depending on factors such as the type of hat and the quantity ordered. If you want a starting point for budgeting, go with $25, but keep in mind the following factors that could lower or raise the price:
- Style of Hat
- Design Intricacy
- Bulk Discounts
- Initial Setup Fees
Style of Custom Hat
Different custom hat styles will have different prices per hat. This can be due to differences in material, ease of customization, and current supply vs. demand for that style of hat. Some baselines to keep in mind when looking at custom hat style:
- Baseball Caps – $8-50
- Baseball Cap Definition: A catch-all term for hats with a front bill and a normally tight fit.
- Flexfit – $10-55
- Flexfit Definition: Baseball cap brand with an elastic band that automatically adjusts size.
- Dad Hats – $8-40
- Dad Hat Definition: A baseball cap without any structure in the front.
- Trucker Hats – $8-$45
- Trucker Hat Definition: Caps with a mesh back and tall, foam front.
- Snapbacks – $8-$45
- Snapbacks Definition: Caps with a flat bill in front and adjustable sizing strap in back.
- Beanies – $7-40
- Beanies Definition: Unstructured, brim-less hats.
Note on Price Ranges: You might be wondering what the deal is with the wide price ranges – this reflects bulk discounts and the cost difference for premium versus generic brands.
Design Intricacy of Your Custom Hat
When we’ve talked about custom hat logo and design tips before, we’ve talked about the advantages of simplicity in design from a branding perspective. Logo simplicity not only improves the design’s impact, but can also lower the price:
- Colors – Fewer colors mean less money spent on different inks or fabrics.
- Detail – The more small, intricate details in your logos, the more expensive it will be to set up.
- Number of Logos – Keeping to only a single design on the front of the hat will be more affordable than adding images on the back and sides.
- Logo Application Method – How you add the logo to the hat makes a significant difference.
Logo Application: Custom Hat Decoration Methods
- Screen Printing: Cost-effective for larger orders, but expensive for smaller orders.
- DTF/Heat Transfer: Low entry cost makes it good for small orders.
- Embroidery: Professional look, but increased cost.
- Patches: A middle ground that is more expensive than printing, but less expensive than traditional embroidery.
- Combining Decoration Methods: This can vary per manufacturer, but generally speaking, if you combine multiple decoration methods, that will increase the price per hat.
Bulk Discounts for Large Custom Hat Orders
It’s common for manufacturers to offer discounts for larger orders, since some of the initial setup costs don’t need to be repeated for each hat.
- Ordering in bulk can reduce the cost per hat by over 50% in some cases.
- This difference is most pronounced in cheaper hats, but is nearly as effective for more premium brands, too.
- Ask if you can use the same design for multiple hat types/colors.
Initial Custom Hat Setup Fees
Related to bulk ordering discounts, initial setup fees affect the cost of producing a new custom hat. These initial costs include the following:
- Design Creation/Digitization: If the manufacturer is helping you design your logo, or is converting your existing logo to a format for printing, that will often be a one-time fee.
- Printer Setup: Now that the logo is in the correct format, the printing working on your custom hats may need some manual configuration or setup before it can begin.
- Optional – Rush Fees: This isn’t necessarily just for the initial setup; if you need a hat ASAP, rush fees can compound with the above initial setup fees to increase the price.
Pro Tips for Saving Money on Your Custom Hat Order:
Now that we know what all contributes to the pricing of custom hat orders, let’s go over some pro tips to save you money:
Pro Tip 1: Get A Quote
- Work with a manufacturer to get a quote before you start your order.
- By communicating with the manufacturer, you can get an accurate cost estimate and identify areas where you can save.
- Some manufacturers also offer a “Quick Quote” function that lets you get a ballpark for how much your order will cost.
Pro Tip 2: Don’t Go Overboard On Design
- Use fewer colors and a simpler logo.
- Take advantage of the hat’s background color to make your logo pop.
- Do some research on design tips.
Pro Tip 3: Take Advantage of Repeat Orders
- Repeat orders tend to be less expensive than initial runs.
- Manufacturers can save your designs and prints from last time.
- It’s much easier to set them up again than initially make them.
Pro Tip 4: Work With A Good Manufacturer
- An experienced, reputable manufacturer can not only save you money, but also headaches.
- Union printing shops offer high-quality products for all customers.
- A good manufacturer wants to deliver not only on your first order but keep working with you for future ones.
Want a Great Deal on Your Custom Hat Order? Call Hat.Co Today to Get Started!
Whether you’re ordering 10 premium $50 hats or 1,000 simpler $10 hats, Hat.Co has got your back. We’ll work with you from design through production to deliver a custom hat you’re happy with at a price that you can afford.
At Hat.Co, we want to deliver quality and affordability with every hat we make. Call today at (636) 926-2777 or request a free quote online to get started on your design.