Printing on Snapback vs. Fitted Caps: What's the Difference?

The decades-old debate between hat enthusiasts - snapback vs fitted caps. Which is better? Well, that all depends on your brand, social media marketing, products, and audience.

Whether you want to branch out to a new audience or niche down to hat enthusiastic, knowledge is your best friend when it comes to printing hats. Luckily for you, that's us!

If you're looking into printing snapbacks and fitted caps, you'll need to know the practical and cultural differences between the two hats. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about the hats themselves, and how to choose a reliable hat printing service for your business.

What Is a Snapback?

Snapbacks are adjustable 6-panel caps with a flatter, wider rim than a baseball cap. The adjustable straps at the back of the hat can be metal or plastic, and because of this, they're one-size-fits-all.

The front panels of snapbacks tend to be quite stiff, firm, and starchy material. You're likely to see snapbacks with embroidery on the front thanks to the strength of the material.

Snapbacks also have wide angles, changing the brim shape. There is a 90-degree angle between the cap and the brim - this pushes the front of the cap into a prominent position - another reason you're likely to see logos or brand names on snapbacks.

Many notable faces have donned a snapback over the years - from Jay Z in the 90s to Chance The Rapper and his extensive hat collection. Snapbacks hit their fashion peak in the 90s and early 00s, made popular primarily by hip hop artists, basketball players, and football players. However, it hasn't gone out of fashion at all - you can still stylize it with a modern wardrobe!

Don't confuse baseball caps (sometimes called 'dad hats') with snapbacks. While both have an adjustable strap at the back, baseball caps tend to have 5 panels and a curved brim.

What Is a Fitted Cap?

Fitted caps have an almost completely flat brim with a very subtle curve. They're fitted because they have no adjustable strap at the back of the hat. Some people prefer fitted caps to snapbacks because the lack of strap can give it a cleaner finish, but this does mean you'll have to find your size because fitted caps aren't one-size-fits-all.

Fitted hats have more malleability to them. They're a softer material, which means they can crease, but they're also generally a little comfier to wear for long periods of time. Not to mention, some people wear their fitted caps with a crease in them on purpose.

The lack of clasps on fitted caps also allows for easier custom hat designs. Printing patterns, slogans or embroidery is easier on blank fitted caps because you've got more surface area to play with and fewer obstacles.

Snapback vs Fitted Caps

So, which cap should you choose to print on and sell?

Snapbacks are generally the more popular option with mass audiences. While they aren't as straightforward to put prints on as fitted caps, it's still done to a very high degree of quality. Because they're adjustable and one-size-fits-all, you're holding far less inventory and it makes the manufacturing process smoother.

However, fitted caps also have their perks. While you have to hold a higher quantity so you can offer different sizes, it's balanced out. Fitted caps are quite niche - you generally find more intricate designs on them rather than just a slogan or logo - and with niche products come loyal audiences. These audiences are also more willing to pay premium prices for high-quality goods.

Recommended Hats

Here are our top three recommended hats for printing on and selling, loved by our customers. We offer blank hats you can fully customize at amazing wholesale price, and quality you can see and feel.

Here are our recommendations for hats to print on:

Flexfit Adult Premium 2010 Fitted Cap

The Flexfit Fitted Cap covers all of your fitted cap needs. Here's why our customers love it:

• Comes in 6 colors - black, navy blue, grey, heather grey, royal blue, and white
• 6 structured panels
• Flat rim with full rim color and printing
• Moisture absorbent, fabric-matching sweatband
• Durable and enduring - bottom stitched for longevity

Richardson Trucker Snapback

Hats are highly collectible items - but did you know trucker hats are one of the most sought-after? Not only are they collectible, but our Richardson Trucker Snapback hats are practical, comfy, and:

• Available in a huge array of 70+ color combinations
• Has cotton twill front panels with 100% polyester visor mesh back panels
• Six panels for support and comfort
• A strong, pre-curved front visor with visible stitching
• A snapback closure
• Rated 5* by our customers

Flexfit Yupoong Classic 2 Tone Trucker

We also provide headwear from the market-leading Yupoong, Inc. An industry giant, Yupoong has been making hats since 1974. Being able to offer branded Flexfit Yupoong hats is a great tool to have in your arsenal!

Flexfit Yupoong Classic Trucker hat specs:

• 10 2-tone color options to choose from
• A Yupoong sticker on the brim
• Structured 6-panel body
• Adjustable snapback closure
• 3 1/2" crown
• Amazingly low wholesale price

Offer Snapbacks and Fitted Caps to Increase Your Audience!

There is no downside to offering printed caps in your retail or e-commerce store, or as a part of your expanding brand - but in the snapback vs fitted caps debate, it's really up to personal preference and audience. Bear in mind whether your hats are for style or comfort, logo or no logo, and whether you want to potentially hold lots of inventory or not.

At All Day Shirts, we offer a selection of hats and other items of clothing to print and ship for you. Come and browse our range and start printing your hats today!