Vinyl decals are a simple way to jazz up an otherwise plain-looking hat. They're a bit like stickers, but more durable, made from a non-removable vinyl material that can be applied to pretty much any item of clothing or accessory, from hats and bags to t-shirts and jackets.

If you've never applied a vinyl decal to fabric before, you need to know the basics so you can get it right the first time. Applying vinyl decals isn't something you get to do over if you make a mistake! In this step-by-step guide, we're walking you through the process of applying a vinyl decal to a hat or fabric.

What You Need Before Applying a Vinyl Decal

Before you get started, you'll need to get your hands on the right tools, including:

• The vinyl decal itself

• Transfer tape or backing paper (if it’s not already attached)

• A squeegee or credit card

• Rubbing alcohol

• A lint-free cloth

• Either a heat press or an iron

You'll also need to do a bit of prep before you apply the vinyl sticker, including cleaning the surface thoroughly. If you're applying the decal to a hat that's already been worn, it's a good idea to wipe the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any sweat or residue.

Applying vinyl decals to cotton or polyester fabric? Wash and dry the material without fabric softener first, so the decal sticks better.

How to Apply a Vinyl Decal to a Hat or Fabric

Follow this easy step-by-step process for a successful vinyl decal application on a hat or fabric:

1. Start by positioning the decal exactly where you want it. You could always mark the material with a fabric pen if you want to be really precise.

2. Slowly peel the backing off, keeping the vinyl on the transfer tape.

3. Press the decal down onto the hat or fabric with firm pressure.

4. Smooth the decal from the center outward and use your fingers or a squeegee to push out any air bubbles.

If you're using a heat press or iron, follow these instructions instead:

1. Set the heat press to around 305°F (if you're using an iron, set it to the cotton setting with no steam).

2. Cover the decal with a bit of parchment paper or a Teflon sheet to protect it.

3. Press the decal for 10 to 15 seconds.

4. If your iron doesn’t cover the entire decal in one go, lift it up, relocate, and press again.

Once the decal has cooled slightly, peel off the transfer paper, starting at a corner and pulling back slowly at a sharp angle. If any part of the decal lifts, that means it needs to be pressed again for a few more seconds.

If you're looking to apply a vinyl decal on hats specifically, you'll need to apply firm, curved pressure and pay more attention to keeping everything flat and even.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Decals

Make sure you avoid making the following mistakes when you're applying vinyl stickers to your hats or clothes:

Rushing the Prep

It's totally understandable if you want to get your sticker in place as soon as possible, but don't let this be at the expense of getting the transfer just right. If you don't prep the surface properly in advance, your decal might end up with weak spots (meaning it's more likely to peel, especially after a few wears and washes).

Not Using Enough Pressure

Another mistake that's easy to make is not using enough pressure when you're applying the decal. You need to press it in firmly, especially at the edges, so it'll bond properly. Again, failing to do this will likely cause the sticker to peel away from the material. On a similar note, don't move the iron while you're pressing, as this can cause the decal to move slightly and wrinkle.

Using Steam or Too Much Heat

Heat is often necessary when you're applying adhesive vinyl decals, but too much can warp or melt your stickers, which obviously isn't the effect you want. It's best to check the temperature guide for your specific vinyl type so you know you're getting it right. As for steam, you should never use this, since it adds moisture that can break the adhesive bond.

If you're learning how to apply vinyl decal for the first time, it's best to start easy with a smooth, flat surface. Once you're confident with how the process works, that's when you can move on to trickier items with a curved or flexible design, like hats.

Tips for Long-Lasting Vinyl Decals

So, once it's been expertly applied, how can you keep your vinyl decal looking great for as long as possible? There are a few tips that we recommend to achieve this.

Our key piece of advice is to use high-quality vinyl that's designed for fabric (not all vinyls work well on textiles!). Check that you've bought a heat transfer vinyl before you apply it. Avoid using outdoor vinyl, like the kind you might see on a car window or a mug, as this won’t hold up on fabric.

Once you've applied it to your item, it's wise to let the decal sit for at least 24 hours before you think about washing or stretching the fabric, so the adhesive has time to cure. And speaking of washing, when you do need to clean your decalled clothes or hats, the safest option is to wash them inside out in cold water and air dry them. Strictly no fabric softener, bleach, or high heat in the dryer, since these all wear down the adhesive faster.

Now you know how to apply a vinyl decal in a way that lasts, you might be in the mood to shop for some new decals for your gear. Check out our selection of decals at Notch Gear—we're sure you'll find something you'll love.

We all know the frustration of buying a hat that's either way too big or too small, but not many of us understand the basics behind a well-fitting hat.

How should a baseball hat fit, and why does size matter? How do you know when your cap fits well, and how can you measure your head to make sure you get a good fit first time around? We're answering all these questions and more in this baseball cap fit guide.

Why Fit Matters for Your Baseball Hat

Having a well-fitting baseball cap has practical and aesthetic benefits.

Nobody wants the discomfort of wearing a cap that's too tight against their head, potentially leaving a red mark from the band or being too small to push down properly over the forehead. Nor do you want a hat that's too big and loose, so it blows off your head at even the smallest gust of wind and doesn't look properly fitted.

Imagine the nightmare that Major League Baseball players would have if they wore ill-fitting hats! When you get the right fit for your baseball cap, you'll feel more comfortable and confident wearing something that suits your personal style and molds to your head shape just right.

Key Signs Your Hat Fits Just Right

If you've not worn baseball caps much or you just don't know what a well-fitting hat should feel like, here are some of the key signs that you have the perfect hat that fits just right:

• The hat sits snugly above your ears without squeezing your head

• You don't feel pressure at your temples, but the hat also doesn't slide around when you tilt your head or walk

• The hat doesn't leave red marks or give you a headache after an hour, nor does it lift when you bend over

The best way to understand how a baseball hat should fit is to look in the mirror. If the hat is resting evenly on your head, not tilting forward or riding up in the back, it's a good fit. Make sure the brim sits just above your eyebrows.

Adjustable vs. Fitted Hats

Wonder how adjustable versus fitted baseball caps compare when it comes to fit?

Adjustable hats are the more flexible option because they can be adjusted at the back, usually with a strap, plastic snaps, or velcro, so you can change the fit any time. These are a particularly good option if you like to switch up your hairstyles and need to adjust your hat based on your hair underneath.

Fitted hats come in fixed sizes, so they're more difficult to get right. But they usually look better and more balanced once you’ve found the right size because you won't have a strap that's really tight or loose at the back. To buy a fitted cap, you'll need to know exactly how a baseball hat should fit first, so you don't end up with a tight or loose fit that you can't adjust.

Measuring Your Head for the Right Size

If you're buying a fitted hat, the best way to get a good fit is to compare your head size to the company's hat sizing chart. But that means measuring your head in the first place, which is probably something you've never done before!

The good news is that the process is pretty easy:

1. Wrap a soft tape measure around your head circumference just above your ears and eyebrows (where the hat should sit). Make sure the tape lies flat and isn’t too tight or loose.

2. Write down the number in inches or centimeters.

3. Then check a size chart from the brand you're buying from (this is important! Sizes vary slightly between manufacturers).

Top tip: If your head measurement falls between sizes, go with the larger one.

Knowing how to find out your head size is a much better alternative to just guessing. You want to make a good purchase and get plenty of wear out of your hat, after all.

Common Fit Mistakes to Avoid

A lot of people choose hats based on how they look rather than how they fit. With that in mind, here are a few common fit mistakes to avoid when you're buying and wearing a baseball cap.

First, when you're buying an adjustable hat, don't think you can avoid looking at the size chart altogether. Even adjustable caps have a size range, so you don't want to go for something way too small or large.

When you're wearing a baseball hat, avoid:

• Wearing it too far back on your head, which will make it look loose and increase its chances of falling off

• Forcing the hat to break in when it feels too small (newsflash: it probably is. Hats don't have much stretch!)

Hopefully, now you know how a baseball hat should fit: snug but not tight, secure but not stiff. Now you know how to find your head size, you might feel ready to shop for a new baseball cap, and we've got plenty of hat styles for you to choose from.

See our product page to check out our baseball cap fashion range, including trucker hats, ponytail hats, caps with adjustable straps, and fitted hats.

If you're looking to diversify your cap selection, you might have done a quick online shop and made the surprising discovery: more than one cap type exists.

Yep, that's right—while all caps are identifiable by their shape (they're clearly distinguishable from, say, bowler hats or beanies), not all caps fall under the same category. There are actually quite a few different types of caps, but in this article, we're going to be focusing on the two styles that often win the popularity contest: fitted caps and snapbacks.

If you're wondering how these two cap types differ, and how to pick the right hat for you, we're breaking it all down in this fitted cap vs snapback comparison.

Understanding Fitted Caps

So, what's the deal with fitted caps?

As the name suggests, these caps come in specific "fitted" sizes and don't have an adjustment feature. They're designed to fit snugly on your head, and a good seller should offer a few different sizes, so you can choose the right cap for your head shape. Don't know what that is? Most sellers also provide a sizing chart for you to reference.

Fitted baseball caps are a great choice if you wear caps every day, since you don't have to faff around with an adjustable strap every time you put it on. Just make sure you choose the right-sized hat for your head, or it's not going to fit as it should.

Exploring Snapback Hats

Snapback caps are designed to fit all head sizes, with an adjustable strap at the back of the hat to give you a tailored fit.

Snapbacks are another versatile cap option, but snapback styles are synonymous with sport and street culture and make more of a fashion statement than fitted baseball caps.

Comparing Style and Fit

You're probably already noticing the differences between these two hat styles, but let's break them down in more detail.

There are two key distinguishable features of snapback caps compared to fitted caps:

1. Snapbacks have an adjustable snap closure, usually made from plastic, that you can use to adjust the size of the cap to fit your head perfectly. A fitted cap is just a hat, with no adjustable sizing.

2. The snapback design is bolder, with a more structured high crown and a flat brim. Fitted caps are flatter, with less structure, and usually have a rounder brim.

Both hats are a great accompaniment to any casual outfit, but fitted baseball caps have a more classic style and are easier to dress up or down than snapbacks.

Pros and Cons of Each

Here's a table listing the pros and cons of fitted caps vs snapbacks.

Making the Right Choice for Your Wardrobe

By now, you should probably have an idea of whether you want to buy a snapback cap or a fitted baseball hat, but if you need a few more prompts, here's how to make the right choice for your wardrobe.

Think about how you're planning to wear the cap. Fitted hats are a great choice if you know your size and want to build a collection of caps for casual wear, while snapback caps are ideal for streetwear fashion enthusiasts and make a bold statement.

Both hats come in a range of colors and designs, so the right choice for you all comes down to your own personal style.

Why stop at these types of baseball caps? We recommend checking out all the types of caps sold today, including trucker hats and dad hat styles. There are so many styles to check out on Notch Gear— shop our baseball caps here.