You’re ready to get your brand out into the world — not just online, but on real gear. A hat. A shirt. Something tangible.
Now comes the question that holds a lot of people up:
“What should I actually put on it?”
The good news? You don’t need a full branding agency or a 40-page brand guide to launch your first piece of merch. You just need to start simple, strong, and smart.
Here’s how to do exactly that.
🎯 Start With the Basics
Your logo or business name is a perfect starting point.
Seriously — don’t overcomplicate it. Clean branding is timeless. A well-placed name or symbol on a hat or tee gets the job done and keeps your look sharp.
If you’ve got a good logo, it’s ready for merch. If you’ve got a decent logo, we’ll help clean it up. If you’ve got nothing? We’ve helped build from scratch, too.
🔠 Keep It Bold, Clean, and Readable
Remember: hats and shirts are meant to be seen from a distance, across a room, on a jobsite, or behind a coffee counter.
-
Big text
-
Strong contrast
-
Simple layout
Small, cramped designs don’t show well — especially on textured materials like leather or cloth.
Whether it’s a chest print or a leather patch, legibility is king.
✍️ Add-On Ideas That Work
Once the basics are locked, here are some things we love seeing added — especially for local and small businesses:
-
City/State: Nothing says “local pride” like repping your roots
(e.g. “Lost Hat Co. – Idaho” or “Hat Foundry – Built in OK”) -
Slogan or Tagline: If it’s short, punchy, and memorable, add it
(e.g. “Clean Cuts. No BS.” or “Weld It. Wear It.”) -
Industry Nods: Let people know what you do without saying too much
(“Mobile Detailing,” “Coffee Crew,” “Shop Built”) -
Icons or Shapes: A clean hammer, flame, mountain, or patch silhouette can say more than text
🚫 What to Skip (Especially on Your First Run)
-
Phone numbers and full addresses (not memorable or scannable)
-
Website URLs that are too long
-
Font soup — stick to 1 or 2 max
-
Overcrowding the layout — give it breathing room
-
Complex gradients or full-color art on hats (especially patches)
💡 Pro Tips from the Hat & Tee Pros
-
For Hats:
→ Front and center = logo
→ Back = website or flag
→ Side = initials, state shape, or crew name -
For Shirts:
→ Left chest print = clean and professional
→ Full back print = great for trades, teams, or event wear
→ Tagline along the hem or sleeve = chef’s kiss
👀 Don’t Worry, We’ll Mock It Up
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Just send us what you’ve got — even if it’s a sketch, rough file, or idea.
We’ll create a mockup for you before anything is produced, so you can visualize the final product and approve the design before we go live.
Let’s Build Your First Custom Hat or Shirt
Your first piece of merch doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be you.
Let us help you keep it simple, strong, and ready to rep. Whether you’re outfitting your team, launching a brand, or just want to see your logo on something real, we’re here to make it happen.
Let’s build something together.
