Getting the front panel right
The front is where most caps are judged. It is also the trickiest panel: it has a center seam, a curve from side to side and, on structured caps, stiff buckram behind it.
Size by cap style
| Cap style | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Structured six-panel | up to 4.5 in | up to 2.25 in |
| Unstructured | up to 4.25 in | up to 1.75 in |
| Low profile | up to 4.0 in | up to 1.75 in |
| Trucker | up to 4.5 in | up to 2.5 in |
Tips for front designs
- Keep small text off the center seam
- Leave about a quarter inch clear of the crown seams on each side
- Wide, short designs suit caps better than tall, narrow ones
- Puff works best here, on the front of structured caps
Questions about hat front designs
Why does my front design look crooked on the cap?
Usually the file was sequenced left to right instead of center-out, which drags the fabric. We fix this in every hat file.
Can text cross the center seam?
Yes, if letters are large enough. Small strokes landing on the seam sink and disappear, so we shift spacing to avoid it.