Custom cap embroidery, flat or raised 3D

Embroidered caps are one of the most practical branded items there is. Outdoor teams, delivery and field staff wear them daily; sports clubs, schools and running groups use them as team kit; brands and streetwear labels sell them as merchandise; and events, golf days and promotions hand them out because they get worn long after the day itself.

A cap logo is often the most visible branding a person carries, so it pays to get the stitching right. We usually pair cap orders with golf shirts or hoodies using the same digitised logo, so a team kit matches from head to waist.

• Structured six-panel and baseball caps – a firm front that holds embroidery and 3D puff well
• Snapbacks and flat-peak caps – larger front area, popular for bold logos
• Trucker caps – foam or cotton front with mesh back; the front takes embroidery, mesh is avoided
• Unstructured dad hats – soft fronts suit flat embroidery and smaller logos
• Bucket hats and beanies – see beanie and bucket hat embroidery

Placements include the front centre, front left or right, either side panel, the back above the strap and the peak. Many caps have a centre seam on the front, which affects how fine lettering sits; we digitise around it and show the position on your proof.

3D embroidery, also called 3D puff, stitches over a layer of foam so the logo stands up off the cap in a raised, rounded profile. It gives a bold, premium look that flat embroidery cannot match and is the signature finish on many snapbacks and sports caps.

3D works best on chunky lettering and solid shapes on a structured cap front. Fine detail, thin strokes and small text are better stitched flat, and many designs combine both: raised main lettering with a flat outline or tagline. Beanies and soft hats can take 3D in some cases, but the foam is more noticeable on a knit, so we usually recommend flat stitching there.

3D needs its own digitising, with satin stitches sized to cover the foam cleanly. Read more on our 3D puff embroidery page.

The usable area on a cap front is curved and smaller than most people expect, so wide logos are scaled to fit between the side seams and tall logos are limited by the crown height. Send a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) or a sharp PNG or JPG. If you want 3D, tell us at quote stage so we can check the design suits it. Our digitising is done in-house and your cap file is saved for re-orders.

Caps in common colours are quick to source, and fast or same-day cap orders may be possible on qualifying jobs, always subject to capacity, job size, approved artwork, payment and a confirmed deadline. 3D and multiple placements add time.

You can also bring your own caps; check they have a stitchable front panel. Collect finished caps from our Rivonia shop once we confirm they are ready, or arrange delivery, quoted per job.