Custom Hats and Design Your Own at Imperial 1916: How It Works

A custom hat starts with a stock style and ends with your mark on the front. Imperial 1916, making headwear since 1916, sells custom hats through Imperial Custom, its channel for adding your logo to a hat.

This guide walks through the decisions you make before you order: which style, how the logo should look, where it sits, and which colors read best. It then covers what Imperial Custom offers, so you know where to start.

What Are Custom Hats?

A custom hat carries a mark you choose: a company logo, a club crest, a team name. The hat itself is a stock style. The logo is what makes it yours.

People order them for different reasons. One hat for yourself. A set for a member-guest, a team, or a small business. Whatever the reason, the best custom hats start with a clear idea of what the hat should say at a glance.

How Do You Design Your Own Hat?

The decisions follow roughly the same order, no matter what you're making. For the site's own explainer, see How It Works.

Step 1: Choose the Hat Style

Start with the hat, not the logo. The shape decides how much room the logo gets and how the finished hat is worn.

Look at the crown, the brim, and the closure. A structured crown holds its shape. An unstructured crown sits softer and looks more relaxed. The Golf Hats collection is a good place to compare shapes side by side.

Read the product page for the style you have in mind. The 1371P - The Oxford Performance Bucket Hat page lists:

• 100% performance poly with grosgrain ribbon

• Brim Size 2 1/4"

• An "Add Logo to Front" option

Then check your size against the sizing chart in the Imperial Help Center before you order.

Step 2: Settle on One Clear Idea

Decide what the hat should communicate before you think about colors. Pick one focal point, usually the logo, and keep everything around it simple.

A single, well-sized mark reads from across a fairway. A crowded front does not.

Step 3: Get Your Logo Ready

Use the current version of your logo, not an old file someone saved years ago. Simple shapes and readable lettering hold up at hat size. Fine detail, thin lines, and small text are the first things to get lost.

If your logo includes a long wordmark, consider a shorter mark or an icon version for the hat.

Step 4: Plan the Logo for the Front

The front of the crown is where a logo gets seen first. On 1371P - The Oxford Performance Bucket Hat, the product page option is "Add Logo to Front".

Size the logo so it sits comfortably on the front with some space around it. A logo that runs edge to edge looks cramped once it's on the hat.

Step 5: Choose Colors That Read

Contrast does most of the work. A light logo on a dark hat, or a dark logo on a light hat, is easy to recognize. Low-contrast pairings look subtle up close and disappear at a distance.

Keep the palette short. Two or three colors usually look cleaner than six.

Step 6: Check Every Detail

Read every word in the design, letter by letter. A misspelling on a hat stays there. Check the logo version, the colors, and the size one more time before you order.

What Makes a Good Custom Hat Design?

Good custom hats tend to share a few traits:

• One clear focal point

• Strong contrast between logo and hat

• A logo sized to the front of the hat

• Lettering you can read at arm's length

• A style that suits where the hat will be worn

A custom hat does not need to be complicated to stand out. A clean logo on the right style usually looks better than a busy design.

What Should You Have Ready Before You Order?

A few minutes of preparation saves second thoughts later:

• Who the hat is for and where it will be worn

• Your logo, in its current version

• The style you want, with its product page open

• Your size, checked against the sizing chart

• A sense of which logo colors will contrast with the hat

• How many hats you need

What Does Imperial Custom Offer?

Imperial Custom is Imperial's channel for adding your logo to a hat. The Welcome to Imperial Custom page sets out its terms:

• "Easily add your logo to any Imperial style!"

• "Perfect for personal custom orders and small businesses"

• "No minimum order qty, and free ground shipping on all orders"

Buying for a company? Start with Imperial Custom, and send any questions to weborders@imperial1916.com.

Create Custom Headwear

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Hats

Can I Use an Existing Logo on a Custom Hat?

Yes. Imperial Custom's own line is "Easily add your logo to any Imperial style!" Before you order, check that you are using the current version of your logo, with the colors and spelling you want.

Is There a Minimum Number of Hats I Have to Order?

Not through Imperial Custom. Its terms say "No minimum order qty".

Are Custom Hats Suitable for Personal Projects?

Yes. Imperial Custom is described as "Perfect for personal custom orders and small business".

Where Do I Start If I Am Buying for a Company?

Start with Imperial Custom, and email weborders@imperial1916.com with any questions.

What Kind of Logo Works Best on a Hat?

Clear shapes, readable lettering, and a short color palette. If your logo has fine detail or small text, a simplified version will usually read better at hat size.

How Do I Make a Custom Hat Look More Professional?

Use one focal point, consistent colors, strong contrast, and a logo sized to the front of the hat. Simple usually looks more finished than busy.

Pick your style and add your logo.

Start Customizing