FAQ
Everything You Need to Know About Custom Embroidered Hats
We get a lot of questions. Here are the answers to everything — from placing your first order to caring for your finished hat. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out and we’ll get back to you fast.
General Questions
The Basics
What is custom embroidery?
Custom embroidery is the process of stitching your logo, design, or text directly into fabric using specialized machines. Unlike screen printing or heat transfer, embroidery is permanent — it won’t crack, peel, or fade over time. It gives your hat a professional, high-end look that holds up through years of wear.
What types of hats do you embroider?
We work with a wide range of hat styles including structured snapbacks, unstructured dad hats, trucker hats, beanies, and fitted caps. We carry top brands like Richardson, Flexfit, New Era, and ’47 Brand. Whether you want a low-profile 6-panel or a high-crown snapback, we’ve got options to fit your style and budget.
Do you have a minimum order quantity?
Nope — no minimums, ever. You can order a single hat or a hundred. We treat every order with the same care, whether it’s one piece for a birthday gift or a bulk run for a corporate event. Most competitors require 12 or 24 hats minimum — we don’t.
How long does it take to get my order?
Most orders ship within 5–7 business days of your order. Rush options are available if you’re working against a deadline — just reach out before ordering and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Where are you located and do you ship everywhere in the US?
We’re based in Upstate New York and we ship to all 50 states. Every hat is made right here in the USA — no overseas production, no middlemen. Just two brothers with a machine and a commitment to quality.
Are you a family-owned business?
Yes — EmbroideryDude is run by brothers Mert and Ahmet Gurcan. We started in our dad’s tailoring shop in 2019 and have grown into a fully online custom hat business while keeping the same hands-on, personal approach. When you email us, you’re talking directly to one of us.
What makes EmbroideryDude different from other hat companies?
A few things: no minimums, free shipping, no setup fees, fast turnaround, and the fact that we personally handle every order. You’re not dealing with a warehouse or a dropshipper — you’re working directly with the people who actually stitch your custom embroidered hats. We’re also 5-star rated on Etsy with over 5,000 happy customers.
Can I really order just one hat?
100% yes. One hat is totally fine. We get single orders all the time — for gifts, personal use, samples before a bulk run, or just because someone wants a one-of-a-kind custom embroidered hat. No minimums, no judgment, no extra fees for small quantities.
Design & Artwork
Logo, Files & Design Questions
What file formats do you accept for logos?
The best formats are vector files — AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF. These give us the cleanest digitizing results for your custom embroidered hats. We also accept high-resolution PNG or JPEG files (at least 300 DPI), though vector is always preferred. If you’re not sure what you have, just send it over and we’ll take a look.
Is there a setup fee or digitizing fee?
No setup fees and no separate digitizing fee. Digitizing turns your artwork into a stitch file, and many shops charge for it on top. Ours is built into the logo price, so the price you see is what you pay.
Can you help me create a design if I don’t have a logo?
If you have a rough idea, text, or even a hand-drawn sketch, send it our way and we’ll work with you to get it stitched. We’re not a full design agency, but we can help refine and adapt your concept into something that embroiders cleanly on a hat. For complex original logo design, we recommend working with a graphic designer first.
How many colors can I use in my embroidery design?
Embroidery supports up to 15 thread colors, and we carry a wide range of Madeira thread colors to match your brand. Keep in mind that very complex multi-color designs may need some simplification to translate well into stitches — we’ll let you know if adjustments are needed.
How detailed can my embroidery design be?
Embroidery works best with bold, clean designs. Very fine lines, tiny text under 1/4 inch, and highly detailed gradients don’t translate well to stitching. If your design has elements that won’t embroider cleanly, we’ll flag it before production and suggest adjustments so your finished hat looks great.
Can I see a proof before my hat is made?
Your on-screen preview shows placement and color, and a real person checks every design before stitching. If something won’t stitch well, we contact you before we start. Want to approve it yourself first? Add a digital proof for $8.99 when you order.
Ordering & Pricing
How to Order & What It Costs
How do I place an order?
Pick a hat in our shop, add your text or logo in the designer, and pick a size and spot. You see your exact price, bulk savings included, before you check out, so there’s no quote to wait for. A real person checks your design before anything is stitched.
How much does a custom embroidered hat cost?
Each hat is a base price plus a charge for each spot you embroider. One Richardson 112 is $29 with front text or $39 with your logo, dropping to about $19 to $20 a hat at 100 or more. A side or back spot adds a few dollars. There are no setup or digitizing fees, and the designer shows your exact price as you build.
Do you offer bulk or volume discounts?
Yes, and they’re automatic. The price per hat drops at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 100 hats. Text prices count every hat in your order, and logo prices count every hat that carries that logo, across styles and colors. Ordering 500 or more, or need invoicing for a company account? Get in touch.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more through our secure checkout. All payments are processed through WooCommerce Payments, which uses bank-level encryption to keep your information safe.
Can I cancel or change my order after placing it?
Reach out as soon as possible if you need to change something. We can often update an order before production begins. Once we’ve started stitching, your order can’t be changed or cancelled. All sales are final, and we don’t offer refunds. See our custom order policy.
Do you offer rush orders?
Rush production is available on a case-by-case basis depending on our current workload. If you have a hard deadline, contact us before placing your order and we’ll let you know what’s possible. Rush orders may carry an additional fee.
Shipping
Delivery, Tracking & Shipping Info
Is shipping really free?
Yes, completely free — no minimums, no conditions. Free shipping applies to all orders across the contiguous United States. No promo codes needed, no thresholds to hit. The price you see is the price you pay.
How fast will my order ship after it’s ready?
Orders typically ship within 5–7 business days of your order. Once shipped, you’ll receive a tracking number via email. Transit time is typically 2–5 business days depending on your location within the US.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently we ship within the United States only. We’re working on expanding to international shipping in the future. If you’re outside the US and really want our hats, reach out — we may be able to work something out on a case-by-case basis.
How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, you’ll receive an automated email with a tracking number and a link to track your package. You can also log into your account on our website to view order status. If you have any issues, just email us and we’ll look it up for you.
What if something’s wrong with my order?
Every hat is made to order, so all sales are final and we don’t offer refunds. If we make a clear mistake, like the wrong design, the wrong hat or wrong placement, text or email us your order number and photos within 7 days of delivery and we’ll replace the affected hats. Shipping damage is handled through the carrier, and you’re responsible for the cost of shipping any hats back to us. See our custom order policy.
Quality & Care
How to Keep Your Hat Looking Great
How durable is embroidery compared to screen printing or heat transfer?
Embroidery is significantly more durable than screen printing or heat transfer. Screen-printed designs crack and fade after many washes; heat transfers can peel and lift. Embroidery is stitched directly into the fabric — it won’t peel, crack, or fade, and it typically outlasts the hat itself. It’s the premium choice for anything you want to last.
How should I wash my embroidered hat?
Hand washing is always best — use cold water and mild soap, gently scrub, and air dry. If you machine wash, use a delicate cycle with cold water and place the hat in a mesh laundry bag to protect its shape. Never put your hat in the dryer, as heat can warp the brim and shrink the fabric.
Will the embroidery colors fade over time?
With proper care, embroidery colors stay vibrant for years. We use high-quality Madeira thread, which is colorfast and UV-resistant. Avoid leaving your hat in direct sunlight for extended periods and follow the washing instructions above, and your colors will hold up well.
What is your quality guarantee?
Every hat goes through a quality check before it ships. If anything is off — stitching errors, wrong colors, wrong placement — we catch it and fix it before your order leaves our hands. If a clear mistake on our part ever slips through, like the wrong design or the wrong hat, we replace the affected hats under our custom order policy. We don’t ship hats we wouldn’t be proud to wear ourselves.
5,000+
Customers Served
30,000+
Items Embroidered
Since 2019
Proudly Made in USA
Still Have Questions?
We’re Just an Email Away
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out directly — we respond to every message personally, usually within a few hours.