Custom Dad Hat Manufacturer

The dad hat is unstructured on purpose, which means the fabric does all the work. A cheap twill looks limp; a washed, heavier twill looks relaxed. Brands that want the vintage dad hat feel need the wash, not just the shape.

Mike Apparel manufactures custom dad hats with unstructured 6-panel low-profile crowns, pre-curved brims, garment-washed or enzyme-washed cotton twill, and brass buckle, self-strap or clip closures, with flat embroidery, patches or distressing. Mike Apparel manufactures hats for brands that need a custom dad hat manufacturer willing to start at 50 pieces, ship in 2–3 weeks and keep the block consistent on every reorder.

Dad Hat fabrics and weights

Choosing the cloth for a custom hat is a trade-off between hand feel, weight, print behaviour and cost. These are the fabrics we run most often for this product, with what each one is best at. On this product the two fabrics we quote most are Washed cotton twill 280 GSM (the classic dad hat) and Cotton chino twill 260 GSM (clean, unwashed dad hat).

Dad Hat fits we build

We build the pattern on one of the blocks below or from your own measurements, grade it across XS to 3XL for the US market, and confirm every size on the sample before cutting bulk. Dad Hat buyers most often specify: standard dad hat.

• Standard dad hat
• Deep-crown dad hat
• Distressed dad hat
• Corduroy dad hat

Dad Hat construction

Our default build for hats. Change any line in the tech pack; the sample confirms it. The single most important line in a dad hat spec is: unstructured front panels, no buckram.

• Unstructured front panels, no buckram
• Pre-curved brim, 7 cm, with soft board
• Brass buckle and self-fabric strap, or clip closure
• Sewn eyelets and cotton sweatband
• Enzyme wash for softness and a faded look

Branding the hat

We handle all decoration internally, which keeps lead times at 2–3 weeks and removes the hand-off between a blank supplier and a printer. Options that suit a hat: For dad hat decoration, flat embroidery on the front leads, followed by small side embroidery.

• Flat embroidery on the front
• Small side embroidery
• Distressing on the brim and crown
• Woven and leather patches
• Custom inside labels

For a method-by-method comparison on hats, read screen printing vs DTG vs embroidery.

Your label on every hat

Private label is included, not an upsell. A custom hat from Mike Apparel ships with your woven or printed neck label, size tab, care label and, if you want them, hang tags, custom poly bags and printed boxes. Send vector artwork and we produce label samples alongside the garment sample. See our private label clothing page for label types, minimums and artwork specs. For dad hat orders we recommend a woven neck label plus a printed care label as the minimum; hang tags and washed twill hat packaging are added at your choice.

Dad Hat minimum order quantity

Every custom hat run starts at 50 pieces per design and colourway, sizes mixed however you like. Order more and the per-piece cost comes down, because cutting, sampling and setup are spread over a bigger run — that’s true whether you’re ordering hats on their own or alongside other products. A simpler dad hat in Washed cotton twill 280 GSM with one placement costs less than the same style in Cotton chino twill 260 GSM with multiple placements and full packaging.

For an exact number, send us the fabric, decoration and quantity you have in mind and we’ll send back a full written quote, itemised by fabric, trims, decoration and labels, with DDP shipping quoted separately so you see the landed cost. See custom hat and beanie manufacturing cost for what actually drives the cost. A first dad hat run ships DDP, so the number you're quoted is the number that lands at your door, nothing added at customs.

Lead time and production process

How an order for hats moves through the factory, with the timing for each stage. Dad Hat samples ship with a swatch of Washed cotton twill 280 GSM so you can compare weights before bulk.

1. Brief and quote (24 hours)Send a tech pack, sketch or reference hat with target quantity. We reply with fabric options, MOQ and a per-piece quote.
2. Pre-production sample (7–10 days)One hat in your fabric, fit, colour and branding. Revisions until approved. Read about the sampling process.
3. Approval and depositSign off the sample and size set; 50% deposit reserves fabric and the production slot.
4. Bulk production (2–3 weeks)Cutting, sewing, wash, decoration, labelling, QC and packing in-house, with photo updates.
5. QC and DDP shipping (4–7 days by air)Inspection against the approved sample, then DDP delivery with duties paid. See our full timeline guide.

US and international delivery

Most of our hat production ships to the United States, DDP, meaning duties, taxes and customs clearance are paid by us and included in the quote. Air freight lands in Atlanta or Houston in four to seven days after the run ships; sea freight takes four to five weeks and costs less for larger orders. We also ship to the UK, Canada, Australia, the EU and the UAE. See streetwear manufacturing for USA brands and our DDP shipping page. Dad Hat orders to the USA are usually air-freighted; a 50-piece run weighs little enough that air costs only a few dollars per piece more than sea.

Frequently asked questions

Brands ordering the dad hat often pair it with: custom hat manufacturer, custom fitted hat manufacturing, custom snapback hat manufacturing, custom hat and beanie manufacturing cost, custom woven labels, hang tags and packaging.

Last updated September 6, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.