Caps and beanies sit at eye level, get worn all year round and are often the first thing a customer notices. They also offer one of the smallest branding areas you can buy, which means the style, the decoration method and the size of the logo all matter. This guide covers the main options and what to think about before you order.
The main styles
Baseball caps
The most popular branded headwear. Look at the crown (structured caps hold their shape and give a firm front panel for the logo; unstructured caps are softer and more casual), the closure (adjustable strap, snapback or fitted) and the fabric (cotton twill is common; polyester and mesh-back trucker caps breathe better in summer).
Beanies
The go-to winter headwear for outdoor teams. Plain knitted beanies, turn-up cuffed styles and fleece-lined versions are all common, and lined styles add warmth for cold, low-activity roles. See our winter layering guide for the rest of the cold-weather kit.
Bucket and sun hats
Wide brims give shade for outdoor teams in summer, such as landscapers and grounds staff. See our summer workwear guide for more.
Hi-vis headwear
Hi-vis beanies and caps are available for roles where extra visibility helps. Headwear is not a substitute for the rated hi-vis garments your risk assessment requires; see how hi-vis workwear works.
Getting the branding right
Embroidery is the usual choice for caps and beanies. It looks sharp, handles repeated wear and suits curved, textured surfaces far better than most prints. A few things help it look its best:
- Keep the design simple. The front panel of a cap is small. Fine text and thin lines can close up in stitching, so a simplified version of your logo often works better.
- Mind the seam. Many caps have a centre seam on the front. Structured caps with a stiffened front panel give the cleanest result.
- Beanie cuffs. On turn-up beanies the logo sits on the cuff, so the design needs to fit its depth.
- Side and back placements are an option for a web address or second logo.
We send a proof before anything is stitched, so you can see the size and placement first. For more on decoration methods, see embroidery vs print.
Sizing
Most branded caps and beanies are one size, with an adjustable strap or a stretch knit, which makes headwear one of the easiest items to order for a whole team. Fitted caps are the exception and need individual sizes.
Where headwear fits in a uniform
Headwear works best as part of a matching set: the same logo and colour as the polos, hoodies and jackets. It is also a popular add-on for events, promotions and new-starter packs. See our new starter workwear checklist and branded hoodies for pieces that pair well.
The short version
Pick the style for the season and the job: caps for most of the year, beanies for winter, sun hats for exposed summer work. Embroider a simplified logo on a structured front, and remember that a cap is not a substitute for a bump cap or helmet where your risk assessment calls for head protection.
