Introduction
When searching for professional hat contract manufacturers, the United States boasts numerous experienced production facilities that provide OEM/ODM customization services for brands, retailers, and wholesalers. Unlike brands, these factories focus on private label production for clients, helping businesses build their own hat product lines. In this article, Meidiney introduces the best 10 customizable hat factories in the USA to guide your procurement decisions.
1. Unionwear – A Model of Union Manufacturing
Location: Newark, New Jersey
Established: 1992
Factory Size: 70,000 square feet, employing 175 workers
Unionwear is a leading union-made manufacturer of hats, bags, and binders in the United States. All factory employees are members of Workers United, Local 155, enjoying comprehensive benefits including health insurance, pension plans, and paid vacation.
Production Capabilities:
Specializes in producing baseball caps, knit hats, visors, and various hat styles
Minimum order quantity: 24 blank caps, 48 embroidered caps
In-house embroidery equipment allows completion before production, improving efficiency
Offers multiple mesh back panel color combinations
Key Advantages:
Unionwear uses local production, avoiding international logistics and supply chain disruption risks. As a 100% American-made facility, Unionwear’s product quality is stable, delivery times are controllable, and prices are competitive, breaking the traditional notion that union manufacturing is costly.
Official Website:https://unionwear.com
2. Reach Headwear Manufacturing – Modern Production Facility
Location: Vernon, California
Factory Address: 2848 Leonis Blvd, Vernon CA 90058
Reach Headwear is a professional hat manufacturing factory providing comprehensive customization services for emerging and established brands. The factory focuses on custom hat and knit hat production, offering various customizable styles from classic to modern.
Production Range:
Foam trucker caps
Baseball caps (multiple styles)
Knit hats and beanies
Various casual hat styles
Customization Options:
Fabric selection: from classic cotton to technical performance blends
Closure types: snapback, buckle, and adjustable styles
Decoration techniques: traditional embroidery to cutting-edge printing technology
The factory’s flexibility makes it suitable for brands at all stages of development, from startups to well-known brands.
Official Website:https://reachheadwear.com
3. Seam Apparel Factory – Low MOQ Specialist Factory
Location: United States (contact for specific address)
Seam Apparel positions itself as the ideal partner for startups, wholesalers, and retailers, providing high-quality custom hat production with flexible minimum order quantities.
Product Range:
Baseball caps
Trucker caps
Snapback caps
Bucket hats
Knit hats
Fitted caps
Factory Services:
Private label production
Wholesale supply
Comprehensive customization services
Embroidery, screen printing, woven labels, heat transfer, custom tags
Core Advantages:
The factory offers low minimum order quantity services, particularly suitable for emerging businesses testing the market, while possessing scalable production capacity that can expand output as customer business grows.
Official Website:https://seamapparel.com
4. Steve Apparel Manufacturing – Experienced Contract Factory
Background: Decades of experience in the hat manufacturing industry
Steve Apparel is a comprehensive hat production factory providing full-service from design to finished products. The factory employs advanced cutting and sewing techniques, providing OEM/ODM services for internationally recognized brands.
Production Lines Include:
Baseball caps
Sports caps
Knit hats
Dad hats
Bucket hats
Cowboy hats
Customization Capabilities:
Custom design
Custom printing
Logo design
Private label services
Embroidery techniques
Fabric and color selection
The factory deeply understands that hats are worn in various ways (forward, backward, sideways), therefore offering flexible logo placement solutions to ensure brand identity is clearly visible in all wearing styles.
Official Website:https://steveapparel.com
5. Cali Headwear Factory – Los Angeles Local Factory
Location: Los Angeles, California
Experience: Over 40 years of manufacturing experience
Cali Headwear factory headquarters is located in Carson, Los Angeles, accepting OEM and ODM orders, serving wholesale and private label customers. The factory’s unique feature is offering both American domestic manufacturing and import options.
Factory Services Include:
3D CAD modeling
Pattern design
Fabric sourcing
Cutting and dyeing
Digital printing
Sewing
Leather embossing
Laser etching
Tie-dye splash
Embroidery
Patches and appliques
Available Fabrics:
Felt, leather, sherpa fleece, sublimation fabrics, denim twill, cotton twill, vinyl, and many other options.
Official Website:https://www.caliheadwear.com
6. Affix Apparel Production Facility – High-End Custom Factory
Positioning: Premium private label hat manufacturing factory
Affix Apparel is a production factory specializing in high-end custom hat manufacturing, providing private label production services for brands pursuing quality and innovation. As one of the fastest-growing hat production factories in America, Affix helps brands and retailers bring their hat collections to life.
Production Process:
Design development phase: clients provide creativity and inspiration
Fabric sourcing: offering multiple fabric, texture, and finish options
Sample service: providing production samples for approval before bulk production
Bulk manufacturing: factory facilities can handle orders from hundreds to thousands of pieces
Product Line:
Custom knit hats
Baseball caps
Custom fedoras
Custom berets
It only uses high-quality fabrics, ensuring product durability, comfort, and luxury feel.
Official Website:https://affixapparel.com
7. Argus Apparel Los Angeles Factory – Los Angeles Local Production Facility
Location: Los Angeles, California
Facilities: Los Angeles production facility with professional in-house team and strong network of local partners
Argus Apparel is a trusted American hat production factory, with all hats meticulously crafted in their Los Angeles facility. The factory maintains strict control over quality, fit, and finished products.
Factory Advantages:
Low minimum order quantities, suitable for startup brands
Fast turnaround times
Full service: from design development, fabric sourcing to final packaging
Offers unique closures, embroidery, and printing elements
Production Types:
Snapback caps
Trucker caps
Baseball caps
Fitted caps
Private label knit hats
As one of the most reliable hat production factories in Los Angeles, Argus is trusted by startups and growing brands.
Official Website:https://argusapparel.com
8. AmeriCap Manufacturing – North Carolina Factory
Location: North Carolina
Established: 1989
AmeriCap has been operating as a hat production factory since 1989, providing OEM services for private label merchants, wholesalers, and retailers. The factory offers factory-direct pricing, ensuring price advantages without compromising quality.
Fabric Selection:
Brushed twill
Cotton twill
Polyester
Cotton blend fabrics
Washed vintage denim
Canvas
10-ounce duck cloth
Bedford cord
Koolnit
Mesh
Tri-blend wool
Leather
Product Line:
5-panel and 6-panel caps, Lowrider caps, unstructured hats, visors, suitable for outdoor activities.
Official Website:https://americap.com
9. Classic Cap and Embroidery – Texas Traditional Factory
Location: Dallas, Texas
History: Dating back to 1928, reopened in 1985
Classic Cap and Embroidery is a historic production factory providing complete OEM and ODM services for hat private label merchants. The factory accepts custom services for different types and shapes of hats.
Customizable Shapes:
Sloped shape
Round
Square
Traditional golf shape
Customizable Elements:
Embroidery
Screen printing
Straps
Belt buckles
Velcro
Labels
Sweatbands
Hang tags
The factory also offers special decoration services such as crystal beads, metal studs, and even scent customization to meet clients’ special requirements.
Offcial Website:https://classicce.com
10. Artex Knitting Mills – New Jersey Professional Knitting Factory
Location: Westville, New Jersey
Established: 1926
Factory Address: 300 Harvard Avenue, Westville, NJ 08093
Artex Knitting Mills, founded in 1926, is a professional knit hat production factory capable of producing custom-styled hats based on client design drawings. The factory primarily develops hat styles for the workwear, outdoor, and uniform industries.
Specialization Areas:
Knit headwear
Ski hats
Hunting caps
Workwear hats
Outdoor hat styles
Uniform caps
The factory accepts ODM and OEM orders from domestic and overseas clients, with nearly a century of production experience and technical expertise.
Official Website:https://www.artexknit.com
Key Considerations When Choosing a Hat Manufacturing Factory
Minimum Order Quantity Requirements
Different factories have vastly different minimum order quantities. Unionwear’s MOQ is as low as 24-48 pieces, perfect for small businesses; while some large factories may require orders of hundreds or even thousands of pieces. Consider your budget and storage capacity when choosing.
Customization Capabilities
Ensure the selected factory provides the specific customization technologies you need, such as embroidery, screen printing, sublimation, woven labels, or leather patches. More advanced decoration techniques typically cost more but can significantly enhance the final product’s quality.
Production Lead Time
US domestic factories typically offer faster turnaround times than overseas production, with most orders completed within 2-4 weeks. However, complex customization or large batch orders may extend the timeline, so be sure to confirm production and shipping schedules in advance.
Quality and Materials
Material quality directly affects hat durability and appearance. Look for factories using premium fabrics such as pure cotton twill, performance polyester blends, wool, or sustainable materials. Request samples before large orders to personally evaluate quality.
Ethical Production Practices
If sustainability and ethical labor are important to your brand, prioritize factories with transparent production practices. For example, Unionwear’s union manufacturing approach ensures workers receive fair wages and benefits. Many factories now offer eco-friendly materials and responsible production methods.
Geographic Location
Factory location affects logistics costs and communication efficiency. Areas like Los Angeles and New Jersey have concentrated apparel manufacturing resources, facilitating quick adjustments and quality control. Local production also better protects intellectual property.
How to Establish Partnership with Factories
Step 1: Clarify Requirements
Before contacting factories, clarify your product specifications:
Hat style
Required quantity
Budget range
Customization requirements (embroidery, printing, etc.)
Delivery timeline
Step 2: Request Quotes and Samples
Request quotes from multiple factories, comparing prices, minimum order quantities, and delivery times. Also request samples to evaluate the factory’s actual production capabilities and quality level.
Step 3: Factory Inspection
If possible, personally or via video inspect factory facilities to understand:
Advanced level of production equipment
Quality control processes
Workers’ working environment
Order management systems
Step 4: Sign Clear Contracts
Contracts should include:
Product specifications and quality standards
Pricing and payment terms
Delivery times and breach of contract liability
Intellectual property protection clauses
Quality assurance and after-sales service
Advantages of US Domestic Production
Choosing American domestic hat production factories has many advantages:
Quality Control: US factories typically have strict quality standards and regulatory requirements, ensuring better product quality.
Communication Efficiency: Communication within the same time zone is more convenient, allowing quick resolution of production issues.
Intellectual Property Protection: US law provides more comprehensive intellectual property protection, keeping designs and brands safer.
Delivery Speed: Domestic production avoids lengthy ocean shipping times, enabling faster market response.
Flexibility: Small batch orders are more easily accepted, facilitating market testing and rapid product iteration.
Sustainability: Reduces carbon footprint, aligns with environmental trends, and enhances brand image.
Supporting Local Economy: Creates jobs in America, strengthening social responsibility.
Future Trends and Recommendations
Sustainable Production
More and more factories are adopting eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester, and implementing energy-saving and emission-reduction measures. Choosing environmentally conscious factories helps long-term brand development.
Digitalization and Automation
Some advanced factories have introduced automated equipment and digital management systems, such as Unionwear’s robotic technology and AI design tools, improving production efficiency and product consistency.
Small Batch Customization Trend
As consumer demand for personalized products increases, factories that can accept small batch orders will be more competitive. This provides emerging brands with more opportunities for trial and innovation.
Rapid Response Capability
Market changes are accelerating, requiring factories to have the ability to quickly design, sample, and produce. Choosing responsive factory partners is crucial.
Final Thought From Meidiney
Working with the right factory partner can not only produce quality hats but also grow with your business, adapting to changing needs while maintaining consistent quality. By choosing US domestic factories that align with your values and requirements, you’ll be able to create hat products that truly represent your brand and satisfy customers.
