7 terms you must know before producing a cap.

 

Crown

 

The front part of the hat fits over the top of your head and touches your forehead. Usually the main area of embroidery and customization on caps. Can be created as low profile, medium profile or high profile by adjusting the angle of the front crown. Low profile slants backward versus high profile that angles almost straight up the front crown.

 

The crown of the cap is also what determines if the hat is structured or unstructured. Structured hats have a buckram fused to the inside of the cap to keep the front ridged. Unstructured caps

has no re-enforcement and cap material sits loose against the head.

 

Top button

 

Fabric covered button that sits directly on the top center of the hat at the intersection of the fabric panels. Button color can match the material of the cap or in a contrasting color.

 

Eyelets

 

Round holes sewn in the hat for increased ventilation and style. Eyelets can have sewn borders or metal grommets.

 

Panels

 

Fabric pieces used to create the shape of the cap. Most are 6 panels caps with a seam in the center of the front crown but there are also 5 panels and 8 panels caps. 5 panels caps are mainly used for the trucker caps or caps that have screen printing on the front instead of embroidery.

 

Panels are sewn together with thread matching the color of the cap material or made thicker if needed. Other fabric types are wool, mesh or performance materials that allow for greater moisture wicking or ventilation.

 

Bill or brim

 

The visor that extends out from the crown of the cap to shade you from the sun or elements. 

The bill is normally curved or can be flat as in pro-style caps. Bill is plastic and sandwiched between two pieces of fabric. A contrasting sandwich is created by adding a third piece of fabric along the front of the bill between the top and the bottom fabric. Sandwich fabric is normally in a contrasting color and can be screen printed with text for customization.

 

Flip style bill is when a contrasting color of fabric is used on the bottom of the bill and is folded up over just the front of the bill to look similar to a sandwich style bill. Stitching on the bill can range from 4 rows to 8 rows. Length of bill varies between styles.

 

Back closures

 

On adjustable caps, there are a variety of closures used. Most popular are velcro, sliding buckle, deluxe locking brass buckle or plastic snap (used on trucker caps most often). Fitted style and

Flex style hats have n closure style on the back nor do they have the hole in the back.

 

Sweatband

 

Fabric used on the inside edge of the cap to help absorb sweat and keep your cap looking clean and dry. Sweatband styles range from standard cotton to high performance synthetic material with advanced moisture wicking properties.