Branded beanies are knitted hats with your company logo on them. Businesses hand them to clients as gifts and to staff as part of a uniform because in UK, the weather is cold and damp, which stretches through autumn into spring. So a warm hat gets worn for a long time.
This guide shows you how to choose the right hat and the right patch for corporate beanies. It also covers logo size and care for branded beanie hats.
Why Do Beanies Work So Well for Corporate Branding?
Beanies work for winter promotion because they look fashionable, so people actually wear them, and a warm hat is useful for the British year. Staff and clients may keep them on during the commute and at the weekend, which is why your logo is spotted by many people as your logo sits at the front of the head, where it is easy to spot across a busy yard or street.
As uniform for outdoor teams
For outdoor crews, a beanie is a piece of uniform because in winter season, they need warm headwear with their uniforms, and beanie embroidered caps can fill the purpose very well.
As gifts for staff and clients
A beanie is a useful gift that costs you little to brand, and it is better than a desk gadget that sits on a desk, a beanie is something people reach for every cold morning.
At winter events
Promotional beanies make the events like Christmas, charity runs and outdoor sponsorship memorable while putting your brand infront of people because they tend to put them on as a fashion wear straight away, maybe to click a photo.
Which Beanie Style Should You Choose?
Beanie caps come in many styles, each suits a different purpose. The following table is given below to help you look for what style matches your brand well.
| Style | What it looks like | Where the logo goes | Best for | Trade-off |
| Cuffed beanie | Long knit with a folded band | Front of the cuff | Staff uniform, everyday wear, gifts | Cuff depth limits logo height |
| Fisherman beanie | Short, sits above the ears | Front of a shallow cuff | Creative brands, retail merch | Small logo only, less warmth over the ears |
| Slouch beanie | Loose, longer at the back, no cuff | Front of the knit | Casual merch | The knit stretches across the logo when worn |
| Bobble hat | Beanie with a pom-pom on top | Front of the cuff | Christmas gifts, winter events | Reads as seasonal, less suited to daily uniform |
| Plain beanie | Snug, no cuff | Low on the front | A slim, sporty look | Single layer, so it stretches more |
Which Beanie Material Is Best?
Each and every style of a beanie can be made with different fabrics, which can work in different weather and give a different feel.
Acrylic
Acrylic is soft, light in weight, manmade fabric that is made to imitate wool, it provides good warmth, making it a good choice for everyday branded beanies. It can be washed by hands but it can scorch under high heat.
Merino Wool
Merino wool is natural and feels soft on the skin and offers excellent warmth and breathability. It is a good option for premium corporate gifts and colder weather though it can shrink in a hot wash.
Recycled Polyester
Recycled polyester feels similar to acrylic and can provide good warmth but it is made from recycled material, they are generally easy to wash on a gentle cycle, but high heat can damage the synthetic fibres.
Cotton
Cotton is a lightweight fabric and is comfortable for milder weather. It suits casual branded beanies that are supposed to be worn in mild weather. Cotton is easy to wash, but proper care is required because it can lose its shape.
Fleece-Lined Knit
Fleece-lined knit beanies use a soft, plush layer inside that adds extra warmth and comfort in cold weather and makes the hat bulkier. Which makes them suitable for outdoor teams working through winter, and a gentle wash cycle helps protect its shape and fabric.
Which Patch Types Work Best on Beanies?
A patch is a badge that is customized separately and then sewn onto the hat. Some people prefer patches better than direct embroidery, as they can provide the freedom to reuse and swap.
Some people might already have a plain beanie which they want to personalize, simply putting a patch on to decorate it is a popular practice. The following are the custom patch types that work best on beanies.
| Patch type | Look and feel | Fine detail | Best beanie use | Trade-off |
| Embroidered | Raised, stitched texture | Medium | Staff uniform, everyday wear | Very small text blurs |
| Woven | Flat and smooth | High | Small logos, fisherman cuffs | Less raised texture |
| Leather | Natural, premium | Medium, one tone | Client gifts, outdoor brands | No full-colour logos, avoid soaking |
| PVC | Soft, rubbery, raised | Medium | Outdoor crews, wet work | Stiffer and heavier than fabric |
| Sublimated | Flat, printed | Very high, full colour | Logos with photos or colour fades | No texture, looks printed |
| Chenille | Fluffy, raised yarn | Low | Large, bold designs | Too bulky for most cuffs |
| Sequin | Small shiny discs | Low | Party and festive hats | Not suited to daily uniform |
| Appliqué | Layered fabric shapes | Low to medium | Big, simple designs | Usually too large for a cuff |
How Do You Order Branded Beanies?
Ordering a beanie that represents your brand is easy, you can just follow the steps given below.
- Choose your beanie style and colour, based on who will wear it and where.
- Then choose the material type and if you are unsure, tell us how the beanies will be used and we will suggest one.
- Send us your logo in a vector format as it can keep the design and lines clear.
- Request a quote and confirm the order.
- Delivery time lines can vary depending on the style design and material.
- Receive your beanies and hand them out.
What Affects the Price of Branded Beanies?
The following aspects can affect the price of the beanies, whether to increase or decrease it.
The beanie style
Each beanie style is knitted differently, some have a cuff, and some are without a cuff. It can make the price go up and down.
Material
Different materials can cost you different prices as some fabrics are cheaper than others.
Embroidery
More embroidery requires more time, which can increase the price if your beanie has more embroidery.
Quantity
The prices per hat can improve if you order a bulk quantity, you can exact price by requesting a quote.
How Do You Care for a Branded Beanie?
- Check the care label, since materials differ.
- Turn the beanie inside out before putting them in a wash to protect the outer surface.
- Wash by hand, or on a soft cycle at 30°C or below.
- Squeeze the water out gently, do not wring or twist the knit as it can stretch.
- Reshape the beanie and dry it flat.
- Keep the beanie away from direct sunlight.
- Do not tumble dry or iron it.
When Should You Order Branded Beanies for Winter?
Order at least three to four weeks before you need the beanies in hand as production time can vary based on the beanie style, material or your embroidery design, and you might also need time to decide on it and receive the delivery.
If you want them as Christmas gifts, aim to approve your mockup by mid-November. For outdoor teams, it makes sense to have beanies ready before the early mornings turn dark and cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a single branded beanie as a sample?
Yes, there is no minimum order, so you can order one beanie to check the colour, design, embroidery and material before a full run.
Can you match our exact brand colours?
You can send your Pantone references with your logo. Thread and fabric show colour differently from a screen, so expect a close match rather than an exact copy.
Can we use the same patch on caps and jackets?
Yes. A patch can be sewn any apparel caps, as well as beanies and jackets work well.
Can a sewn-on patch be removed later from a beanie?
Yes you can snip the edges and remove the patch from a beanie though it might leave holes in the fabric.
Can you put a patch on a bobble hat?
Yes you can put a patch on a cuffed bobble hat, the patch goes on the cuff, just like a standard beanie.
Choosing the Right Branded Beanie
As you know how beanies can effortlessly play a part in branding as they are suitable for staff who work outdoors, used as presents and giveaways. They are fashionable and due to the cold weather in UK people like to wear them as a part of uniform and to stay warm at the same time. As we have discussed above they can be made in many styles and materials so they can be worn in different weather and environments so you can get your custom beanies made for mild winter as well.
When you are done deciding the style and material, send us your logo and request a free quote. There is no minimum, at the Caps Maker so you can start with one beanie and then place a bigger order once you are happy with it.
