Is there a minimum order quantity for custom hats? If you’re looking at ordering a custom hat, you’ll inevitably have to ask yourself this question at some point or another. While it varies from store to store, you’ll generally find a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 6-25.
Be sure to check with your manufacturer on any MOQs that they require, after learning more about the relevant factors below. Then, jump in and start designing your custom hat!
Why Are There Minimum Order Quantities for Custom Hats?
Most custom hat manufacturers set minimum order quantities to offset initial setup fees on their end. They also tend to both offer and benefit from bulk discounts, which we’ll talk more about later.
- If you’re using design services, this work only needs to be done once, no matter how many hats you order.
- Similarly, the initial setup of translating the design to the printer or stitcher is something that only has to be done once per order.
- The hat manufacturer may have a MOQ for the base materials from a supplier.
For example, let’s say you want to order a custom dad hat for a group fishing trip, and want professional help with the logo. The manufacturer will spend time creating the design, then translating it into a format compatible with the printer. Once that work is done, though, it won’t need to be repeated for each hat.
Custom Hats Decoration Methods and Minimum Order Quantities
Sometimes, a manufacturer will have different MOQs for different hats. This can be because of the style of the hat, but it can also be because of the decoration method. This tends to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
- Screen Printing: Screen printing’s initial setup work pushes their MOQs higher. Most manufacturers require somewhere between 12 and 24 hats.
- However, once that setup is done, screen printing tends to offer some of the best bulk discounts.
- Patches: These vary based on the type of patch, but generally range from at least 10 to 25 patched hats required.
- Embroidery: Embroidery has one of the lower typical MOQs, typically around 6-12 for most manufacturers.
- DTF/Heat Transfer:DTF/Heat Transfer has the lowest MOQ under normal circumstances, with many manufacturers not requiring any minimum.
- This is due to the ease of production and because it normally requires no specialized equipment to be set up.
- For DTF/Heat Transfer, the style of hat will more likely set the MOQ, rather than the printing method.
Custom Hats, Minimum Order Quantities, and Scaling
As your manufacturer increases the number of hats they make for an order, they can save in several ways by scaling up their production. Many MOQs exist to make the initial setup reasonable in the first place:
- Each additional hat is less expensive since it skips the design phase.
- This can also apply to re-orders with some manufacturers!
- Streamlined production methods for multiple hats can save time as well as money.
- As manufacturers increase supply orders, they often get discounts on materials.
Bulk Discounts on Custom Hats
For the same reasons manufacturers can save money on orders for a higher number of custom hats, you can too! Most manufacturers are happy to pass on these savings to their customers, so everyone wins.
- You don’t have to pay for design fees for each hat, only the one time.
- Savings for the manufacturers turn into savings for you, too.
- Everybody wins!
Pro Tips for Bulk Discounts on Custom Hat Orders:
Pro Tip #1: Plan Ahead
- When setting up a custom hat order, try to think beyond just one event.
- Look ahead to future events throughout the year and see if they can be used there, too.
- If you can ballpark the amount you’ll need for the next few months to a year, you can save by ordering in bulk ahead of time.
Pro Tip #2: Make Hats That Fit In Everywhere
- On a related note, make sure your hat can fit into multiple events and settings.
- This makes it easier to reuse the same hat design and take advantage of bulk orders.
- This can apply to both the logo and hat style:
- Logos that, for example, focus on an organization rather than an event.
- Hat styles like a beanie can fit in all weather, while styles like a Richardson hat can fit multiple occasions.
Pro Tip #3: Collaborate for Larger Orders
- If you’re ordering this for a department in your company, check if another department would also like some hats.
- Similarly, if you’re ordering hats for an organization, check if there are other chapters that would also be interested, or similar organizations around that could use them.
- This lets you take advantage of bulk discounts while keeping to your original order size.
Pro Tip #4: Think About Inventory Management
- Now that you’ve sent in your custom hats bulk order, how are you going to store them?
- Be sure to properly store and maintain your hats, between receiving them and distributing them.
- Beyond regular care considerations, if you had a large order, think about where you will be able to store a high quantity of hats.
- If there will be a significant gap in time between the hat delivery and distribution, look for a climate-controlled environment to protect the hats in all seasons.
Call Hat.Co Today for the Best Deal on Your Custom Hat Order
Hat.Co offers premium-quality hats in quantities large and small. We work with you from design to delivery, ensuring you get the support you need every step of the way.
You can reach out to us at (636) 926-2777 or online for a free quote.