From corporate gifting to promotional marketing, there are so many great ways to use swag to your advantage. Small and large businesses alike benefit from custom goods with their logo, as do local sports teams, non-profit organizations, the list goes on and on.
Of all the different products you can imprint your logo on, though, nothing beats beanies when the cold weather rolls around. That’s why we’ve created this guide on how to make custom beanies. Follow along step-by-step to bring your vision to life!
After all, it takes just a few clicks when you partner with the professionals here at Diehard Custom. Why bother with DIY when you can kick back, relax, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your brand is represented the way it should be? Start designing custom beanies with logo now!
Why Make Custom Beanies?
There are so many different ways you can use your swag budget, from other types of custom hats with logo to custom socks with logo, custom scarves, and much, much more. So what makes customizing beanies the best use of time and resources?
When you think of winter, you probably envision bundling up anytime you step outside the house. A beanie is a cold-weather essential for keeping your noggin warm, but it’s also a powerful way to get your logo in front of more people.
Unlike pens or stickers, a beanie is something people wear repeatedly so you can keep your brand top of mind - literally. Manufacturing and distributing custom beanies can turn customers, employees, vendors, event attendees, and even friends/family into walking billboards.
Here are some of the most common use cases for custom beanies:
- Corporate Giveaways: A practical, premium-feeling freebie clients will love.
- Trade Shows & Conferences: Stand out in a crowd by offering attendees something useful that other brands are probably overlooking.
- Retail & Merchandising: A great product to sell or include as part of a limited-edition launch.
- Fundraisers & Charity Events: Great fundraiser items people are happy to buy and wear.
They’re not just warm and functional, either. They’re also a stylish, low-maintenance accessory that works for all ages and demographics. Whether it’s a classic cuffed beanie, a slouchy style, or a pom-pom beanie, there’s an option for any brand’s aesthetic.
Plus, there are countless ways you can customize your beanie - embroidered logos, knit-in designs, and custom patches to name a few. They’re practical to order in bulk as well since one size fits most.
But custom beanies can be used for so much more than giving away to potential customers - they’re a great way to unify employees, sports teams, and organizations. This doesn’t just help exude professionalism but fosters a sense of camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
No matter why you’re interested in making custom beanies, trust that you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through how to make custom beanies below to help bring your vision to life.
How to Make Custom Beanies: Step-by-Step Guide
Before actually getting into the steps of creating custom beanies, you’ll reach a crossroads where you need to choose between some level of DIY and leaving it entirely to a professional like Diehard Custom.
A Word on DIY vs Professional Approach
If you're making a single beanie or a small batch for personal use, sure - the DIY approach can be tempting. But even then, it might make sense to partner with a company that offers low MOQs (minimum order quantities) rather than trying to handle the project yourself.
The truth is, DIY methods like hand embroidery, iron-on patches, or screen printing may work, but the question is how well they work. The limitations are jarring. Designs can fade, fray, or lose shape over time. You deserve better!
Plus, anytime you’re making more than a few beanies you’re going to find the DIY route time-consuming, tiresome, and frustrating. With all the moving pieces at play and the quality concerns, it makes much more sense to let an expert handle the heavy lifting for you.
This basically guarantees you’re getting an end result you’re proud to show off and share with the world, all while allowing you to focus on what you do best - no matter what that is. As for who you can count on to help bring your beanies to life, look no further than Diehard Custom.
Benefits of Making Custom Beanies at Diehard Custom
So why learn how to make custom beanies at Diehard Custom over all the other options you have at your fingertips? Simple - better quality, superior service, and low prices. What more could you ask for?
Over the past 10 years and counting we’ve earned the trust of so many small and big brands alike through our commitment to exceeding expectations at every step of the journey.
It all starts with the premium blank beanies we’ve sourced from world-renowned brands such as Carhartt, Nike, Richardson, and New Era. But, we also have our own in-house beanie brand if you want to get the best bang for your buck. No matter which you choose you’re getting comfortable beanies people are going to love wearing.
As for the personalization side of things, you have a world of possibilities from embroidery to patches, woven labels, and even just a knitted design. We make it easy to design your beanies with an intuitive customization wizard, or upload your design and we’ll take it from there.
Enjoy MOQs as low as 1 on certain styles, but keep in mind that the more you buy, the better deal you’ll get. So, how much do custom hats cost? Prices can fall as low as $8.49 per beanie when you buy in bulk!
Perhaps most importantly, though, you’ll get world-class customer service from A to Z. Just get in touch if you ever have any questions or concerns, we’re always available to help.
Orders ship within 3-4 weeks after approval, with rush options available. The sooner you take the first step the sooner you’ll have your new beanies in hand. So without any further ado, let’s get into how to make custom beanies!
Step 1: Choose the Right Beanie Style
First you need to pick among a variety of beanie styles, which will affect fit, comfort, and branding potential. Here are the most popular options:
- Cuffed Beanies: The most popular option, offering a fold-over cuff for embroidered logos or patches.
- Slouch Beanies: A more relaxed, casual style with a longer, looser fit.
- Pom-Pom Beanies: A fun, winter-ready option, often used for teams and events.
- Fisherman Beanies: A shorter, snug fit that sits above the ears, ideal for modern streetwear branding.
Think about your brand’s image, audience, and intended use. Our experts are on hand to offer a personalized recommendation if you’re not sure which is best for your needs.
Step 2: Select Your Beanie Color and Fabric
You might already have color schemes in mind based on your branding. This is not something you should take lightly, as it directly impacts brand recognition and design visibility. There are a few different directions you can take this:
- Solid colors: Classic, professional, and easy to match with logos.
- Two-tone or multicolor: Great for sports teams and high-contrast branding.
- Heathered and textured yarns: A premium look with subtle depth.
Don’t overlook the importance of fabric either. This can make or break the ROI you see from these beanies because if they’re itchy, scratchy, or low quality in any other way, they won’t get worn.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about that when you make custom beanies at Diehard Custom. We use soft, durable acrylic yarns because they retain warmth, hold shape, and serve as the perfect blank canvas for vibrant designs.
Step 3: Decide on the Decoration Method
Now comes the real fun of learning how to make custom beanies - deciding on a decoration method. How your logo is applied affects durability, branding impact, and overall quality. These are the three most common approaches:
- Embroidery: Raised stitching for a professional, long-lasting logo. Best for clean, simple designs.
- Patches: Woven, embroidered, or leather patches add dimension and detail. This method works really well for bold or intricate logos that you want to pop.
- Knit-In Designs: Logos and patterns are directly woven into the beanie for maximum durability and the most seamless look.
Again, this isn’t something you need to play the guessing game on. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our customer service team for a recommendation on this step.
Step 4: Create and Optimize Your Design
If you don’t already have your design ready to go, now’s the time to prepare it. We recommend using vector files to get the best results - .AI, .EPS, or .PDF all support clean, scalable designs. We can help you configure your design file if necessary.
One thing we recommend though is avoiding tiny details. We know you want everything to be perfect, but small text or thin lines can get lost in embroidery or knit patterns.
Finally, think about where you’re going to place the logo on the beanie. Embroidery works best on cuffs, while knit-in designs cover the whole beanie. We even let you choose the size and shape of your patch if that’s the decoration method you’re choosing.
Step 5: Determine Quantity and Budget
At this point, the hard work is done. It’s just a matter of figuring out the details of your order. The more you order, the lower the cost per beanie. We let you customize as few as 25 beanies per order, but you’ll get big discounts on 100+ beanies.
You might even qualify for free shipping depending on the scale of your order. If you’re on a tight budget, keep in mind that simpler designs - like knit-in logos instead of embroidery - will help you keep cost in check without sacrificing quality.
Step 6: Review and Approve Your Design Proof
We’ll send you a digital proof of your design before actually beginning production so you can double-check colors, logo placement, and sizing. From there you request adjustments if needed. You can even ask about free samples before we get started if you’re still not sold.
The Production and Delivery Timeline
Once we get the green light to begin production you can expect to have your 2-3 week turnaround - unless of course, you’ve paid more to rush the order.
Each beanie is inspected for accuracy, consistency, and durability before it leaves our facility, so you can rest assured you’re getting the best possible quality. But don’t worry, your order is backed by our satisfaction guarantee. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
Final Words on How to Make Custom Beanies
There you have it, how to make custom beanies at Diehard Custom. These are powerful branding tools that unite teams, captivate customers, and elevate your company’s image - all at once! It’s no wonder they’re one of our best selling categories.
Our blog has a similar resource on how to make custom socks, though, if you’d like to explore alternatives. But really, you can’t go wrong customizing beanies for your brand, sports team, or any other type of organization.
The only thing left to do at this point is to take action on the tips we’ve shared above and bring your beanies to life. Whether you’re hosting an event, launching a limited edition, or simply rewarding loyal clients, we’re here to help you make it happen.
Transform your vision into wearable art that makes a direct impact on your brand today!
