Have you ever tried to decorate a baseball cap with heat transfer vinyl before?
Custom hat production can definitely be a little tricky. So we’ve put together a few tips along with a video demonstration of how to get good results with your USCutter heat press every time, whether it’s a structured or unstructured hat.
First of all, why hats? Well, here’s the math: we’ve costed it out and it’s only about $3.18 in supplies and capital investment to add hat production to your quiver of output possibilities. If you can sell a hat for $10 or more, that’s equal to big profits!
Beginners might find it a little challenging to get started, but here’s the skinny on the 2 biggest problems customers face with the blanks and their equipment:
Problem #1: Undesirable crease marks, pinching, lack of smoothness, and inconsistencies in application
Solution: Use a mini heat press pillow, tucked into the inner sweat band of the hat, to support the shape of the hat facing while it’s under pressure from the hat press. This will prevent any bending or deformation. As you see in the video, you may also want to hold the hat taut by pulling down on the back during the pressing cycle.
Problem #2: Scorch marks
Solution: We use Color Theory Multiverse heat transfer vinyl which applies at low temps (248° F) for application in 3-5 seconds! This avoids any scorching from the high temperatures necessary for applying traditional HTV. As you can see in the video as well, we cut the liner to be wider than the cut graphic so that the upper heating platen of the heat press is not directly touching the hat facing and causing uneven discoloration during pressing.
Watch the video for a complete walk-through on how we decorated a structured hat with our Transforsa Hat Press, which comes with 8 free hats to get started!
