Today, we’re talking snapback hats.
Now, custom branded caps are one of the most popular branded items you can get your hands on, and for good reason. They’re practical, wearable and put your brand front and centre.
But with so many different types of hats and caps, which is which? And which one is actually right for your brand?
Today, we’re clearing it up and focusing on the ever-popular snapback.
Here’s a quick rundown of the ones you might already be familiar with.
Baseball cap: A cap with a brim at the front, traditionally associated with baseball. They come in a range of shapes, profiles, materials and closures.
Trucker hat or cap: A type of baseball-style cap typically characterised by a breathable mesh back, structured front and adjustable closure.
Beanie: A close-fitting, brimless hat that covers the head and is commonly worn for warmth.
Bucket hat: A hat with a soft, downward-sloping brim that goes around the head, giving it its distinctive bucket-like shape.
Sun hat: A broad category of hats designed to provide protection from the sun, often with a wider brim for greater coverage.
Dad cap: A relaxed, typically unstructured baseball-style cap, usually with a curved brim and adjustable back.
Visor: A type of headwear with a brim at the front and an open crown, leaving the top of the head uncovered.
So what’s the snapback?
Snapback caps are often associated with a flat brim, structured front and higher profile, but the snap closure is the defining feature. The style can vary from cap to cap, but you’ll find an adjustable snap closure at the back.
What makes a hat a snapback?
A snapback is a cap with an adjustable snap closure, usually made from plastic, at the back. The closure allows you to adjust the fit rather than choosing a fixed-size cap.
Key features:
- Adjustable snap closure: The plastic snaps at the back allow you to adjust the fit.
- Often a flat brim: Many snapbacks have a stiff, wide and flat bill, although the brim can vary by style.
- Structured front: Snapbacks are often structured and provide a prominent area for branding.
- Made for customisation: The front panel provides space for logos, embroidery, patches and other decoration methods.
Identifying a snapback hat
From the front, a snapback hat can look like a fitted cap or another structured baseball cap.
The easiest way to tell the difference? Look at the back.
A snapback has a snap closure that allows you to adjust the fit. A fitted cap, on the other hand, doesn’t have an adjustable closure and is made to fit a specific size.
Dad caps can look similar too, but they typically have a more relaxed, unstructured shape and curved brim.
And then there’s the trucker cap.
Trucker caps can also have a snapback closure, but the mesh back is what gives a classic trucker cap its distinctive style. So while a trucker cap can be a snapback, not every snapback is a trucker cap.
How to decorate a snapback cap
This is going to vary from snapback to snapback. Different cap materials, panels and construction can affect which decoration method will work best.
Some of the options you might come across include embroidery, 3D embroidery, screen printing, Colourflex Transfer and sublimation.
Embroidery gives you a textured, stitched finish and is a popular choice for logos on caps.
3D embroidery takes this a step further by creating a raised design, making it a good option when you want your logo to stand out.
Screen printing applies ink to the surface of the cap and works well for solid-colour designs on suitable styles.
Colourflex Transfer can be used to reproduce more detailed or colourful designs, depending on the cap.
Sublimation is a full-colour, edge-to-edge option for suitable products.
The right option will depend on the particular cap and the artwork you’re working with. Check the individual product for its available decoration methods, or get in touch with our team if you’re not sure.
For a deeper look at how each decoration method works, head to Decoration Methods Explained.
Finding the right hat or cap for your brand
There are a lot of hats out there, and what works for one brand might not work for another.
Whether you’re after a snapback hat, trucker cap, dad cap, bucket hat or something completely custom, we’re here to help you find the right fit.
Browse our range of caps and hats
If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, get in touch with our team, and we can take care of it.
