Knitted Caps with Logo: Embroidery, Woven Label, or Jacquard
Comparing three ways to put a logo on a knitted cap — embroidery, a sewn-on label and a woven jacquard pattern: look, minimum quantities, prices and lead times.
In Latvia, knitted caps with a logo are usually personalised in three ways: with direct embroidery on the cap (works from 1 piece, one-off set-up), with a sewn-on woven or faux-leather label (from around 50–100 pcs), or with a jacquard pattern that is knitted directly into the fabric during production (from around 300 pcs and a 6–10 week lead time). The cap itself from our catalogue costs from around EUR 1.85/pc at 100 pcs (Irwin), with personalisation calculated separately. Prices are excl. VAT and indicative.
August is the right time to order winter caps: standard embroidery jobs are completed in 6–10 business days, while jacquard caps with a custom knit need to be ordered at least 2–3 months before the season.
Embroidery — the universal solution from 1 piece
Embroidery is the most commonly used method. Thread is stitched directly into the cap's knit, usually on the brim or the side. The standard embroidery area on a cap is up to 90×90 mm, though in practice the logo ends up 50–70 mm wide, as the brim is narrow.
It's important to understand that embroidery doesn't capture fine detail: 1 mm letter strokes and thin outlines get lost in the knit. Before embroidering, the logo is redrawn in software (digitising) — this is a one-off set-up fee, roughly EUR 15–35 depending on complexity. If the logo has already been digitised for a previous order, this fee is waived for repeat jobs.
Indicative embroidery price: from around EUR 2.50/pc at 10 pcs and from around EUR 1.20/pc at 300 pcs. For more on the technologies, see our garment printing section.
Sewn-on label — crisp graphics and a branded look
A label is a separately manufactured woven badge or soft PU (faux-leather) patch that is sewn onto the cap's brim. The advantage is that the logo looks exactly as it does in the file, including fine lettering and multi-colour combinations. This is the look used by clothing brands and sports clubs that want their cap to look like a retail product rather than a promotional item.
The minimum quantity is usually 50–100 pcs, as labels are manufactured in batches. Indicatively: label plus sewing from around EUR 1.50/pc at 100 pcs, plus a one-off template fee of around EUR 30–60. The lead time is longer than for embroidery — around 3–4 weeks, since the labels need to be produced first.
Jacquard pattern — the logo woven right into the cap
With jacquard, the cap is knitted from scratch according to your design: the logo, pattern or stripes are formed from yarn of different colours. The result is seamless, the logo can't peel off or wear away, and you can use the entire circumference of the cap as well. It's the same principle as socks with a woven-in logo.
Conditions: minimum quantity is usually from 300 pcs per model, the design is limited to 2–4 colours, and the lead time is 6–10 weeks, including sample approval. The indicative price for a finished jacquard cap with a logo is from around EUR 5.50–8.00/pc at 300–500 pcs. At large quantities, this often costs similarly to a catalogue cap with embroidery, just with a considerably better look.
Comparing the three methods
| Criterion | Embroidery | Sewn-on label | Jacquard pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum quantity | from 1 pc | from 50–100 pcs | from 300 pcs |
| Set-up fee | ~EUR 15–35 (digitising) | ~EUR 30–60 (template) | included in price, sample separate |
| Personalisation price | from ~EUR 1.20/pc | from ~EUR 1.50/pc | included in cap price |
| Number of colours | 1–6 thread colours | practically unlimited | 2–4 yarn colours |
| Fine detail | limited | very good | limited |
| Lead time | 6–10 business days | 3–4 weeks | 6–10 weeks |
| Best for | small batches, teams, gifts | branded products, retail | large seasonal batches |
Examples from our catalogue
- Irwin cap – a classic knitted cap with a brim, 7 colours, suitable for brim embroidery, from EUR 1.85/pc at 100 pcs.
- Boreas cap with patch panel – a cap with a ready-made patch panel, 11 colours, convenient for either a label or embroidery, from EUR 2.00/pc at 100 pcs.
- Izu cap – 4 colours, dense knit that holds embroidery thread well, from EUR 2.24/pc at 100 pcs.
- Level cap – 4 colours, a thicker model for outdoor work, embroidery or sewn-on label, from EUR 3.50/pc at 100 pcs.
- Hale Polylana® knitted cap – more sustainable Polylana® yarn, 3 colours, embroidery, from EUR 5.33/pc at 100 pcs.
- Ives organic cotton cap – organic cotton, 3 colours, suitable for a branded label, from EUR 9.23/pc at 100 pcs.
- Rigi reflective cap – reflective yarn, 1 colour, a good choice for construction and autumn events, from EUR 7.70/pc at 100 pcs.
- Mighty knitted cap with LED light – built-in LED light, 1 colour, side embroidery, from EUR 8.52/pc at 100 pcs.
You can browse the full range of caps in the caps category or in the entire promotional products catalogue.
Preparing your file and how ordering works
The logo should be in vector format (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg). If you only have a JPG or PNG, it can be redrawn — this is part of the set-up work. Colours should preferably be specified as Pantone numbers, as thread and yarn colours are matched to Pantone rather than CMYK.
The process is simple: add the products to a request on our website or send us a list by email, and within one business day you'll receive a quote online and as a PDF with product images, prices, print location, set-up fee and lead time for each item. On request, we can prepare a 3D view with your logo on the chosen cap, so you can see the proportions before production. Artwork approval can be done by email.
FAQ
What's the minimum number of caps I can order?
With embroidery we work from as little as 1 piece, though at small quantities the set-up fee significantly affects the price per piece. For labels, the minimum is around 50–100 pcs, and for jacquard caps, from 300 pcs.
How long does it take to get caps with a logo?
A catalogue cap with embroidery is usually ready in 6–10 business days (production 4–7 business days + delivery 2–3 days). For labels, allow 3–4 weeks, and for jacquard production, 6–10 weeks. Urgent jobs are handled by arrangement.
Can a full-colour image be printed on a knitted cap?
Direct printing on knitwear isn't practical — the surface is porous and stretches. The full-colour logo solution is a sewn-on woven or PU label, on which the image is precise and durable.
Doesn't embroidery stretch the cap out of shape?
A correctly embroidered logo with a backing/stabiliser doesn't stretch the knit. The limitation is the area: a large, dense embroidery design makes that spot stiff, so the recommended size is up to 90×90 mm, with the brim usually 50–70 mm wide.
Can I order caps in different colours within one order?
Yes. For example, Boreas is available in 11 colours, Irwin in 7. The logo set-up fee is charged once, but if each cap colour needs a different thread colour, this should be noted in your request.
Do you send a sample before a large batch?
For embroidery, we can make a single sample cap at the item price plus set-up. In jacquard production, a sample is a standard step and is approved before the batch is knitted.
