Thinking of outsourcing hat production to China, Vietnam, or Bangladesh — but not sure who to trust or how to start? You’re not alone. Here’s exactly what you need to know — from MOQ to margin, sample to shipping.
This guide is written for:
- Startup hat brands launching on Shopify, Etsy, or Amazon
- DTC streetwear founders tired of local production costs
- Small-to-mid U.S. brands scaling into wholesale or retail
- Anyone who’s thought: “I want to outsource… but don’t want to get scammed”
Why Most Hat Brands Turn to Chinese & Southeast Asian Factories
Producing hats locally is expensive, slow, and often impractical at scale. If you’re building a U.S.-based headwear brand, outsourcing is not a question of if, but where.
China and Southeast Asia have become the go-to hubs for brands needing:
- Custom embroidery and full private labeling
- Low minimum order quantities (MOQs)
- Rapid sampling and bulk turnaround
- Affordable pricing without sacrificing quality
“When we moved our dad hat production to JoinTop, we reduced unit cost by 62%, improved embroidery quality, and got product to Amazon 10 days faster.”
— Owner, Seattle-based DTC hat brand
Production in Vietnam or Bangladesh may reduce import duties into the U.S.
Our 5-Step Process
You don’t need to be a sourcing expert. You need a factory that acts like a teammate.
- You send us your idea, sketch, or reference photo
- We make a physical sample in 7–14 working days
- You approve (or request changes) via photo or mailed sample
- We mass-produce (based on quantity)
- We ship to your warehouse, 3PL, or Amazon FBA
How We Keep You Protected
We’ve worked with over 200 U.S. hat brands, and most of them were nervous to outsource the first time. We get it.
Here’s what we do to make it low-risk:
- Signed production agreement with timelines and specs
- Pre-production sample approval
- Quality control at three stages: fabric, mid-line, pre-shipment
- Secure payment via PayPal, bank transfer, or Alibaba Trade Assurance
- Refund or replacement policy for defective bulk
“JoinTop was the first factory to offer me a written timeline and stick to it. They kept me updated at every stage.”
— Founder, Texas lifestyle brand
Common Mistakes U.S. Brands Make
- Assuming cheaper = better
- Not asking about packaging upfront
- Skipping the sample step
- Underestimating shipping time
JoinTop helps prevent these mistakes by providing material guidance, full packaging support, and transparent delivery quotes.
Real Client Snapshot
Client: DTC sports cap brand in California
Problem: Previous factory couldn’t scale or match color quality
Solution: Moved production to Vietnam factory with full color matching
Result: Scaled from 100 to 50,000 units in 8 months, 42% margin increase
“Their ability to advise on materials, patch application, and packaging was game-changing.”
What You’ll Need to Get Started
- Your logo file (PDF, AI, or PNG)
- The hat style you want (or a reference photo)
- Preferred colors, fabric, and closure type
- Whether you need labels, tags, or packaging
- Shipping destination
If you don’t have all of this ready, we’ll help you fill the gaps.
China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh — Which Factory Is Right for You?
| Location | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| China | Custom styles, fast sampling | Flexible MOQs, R&D capacity |
| Vietnam | U.S. brands with tariff concerns | Lower export duty, stable capacity |
| Bangladesh | Large volume orders | Best for bulk promotions or retail |
JoinTop owns and operates factories in all three countries to give your brand maximum flexibility.
Ready to See What We Can Make?
Whether you’re a small brand with a bold idea or a growing business scaling up, we’re here to help.
Fast, flexible, and factory-direct.
Sample and quote turnaround within 24 hours.
Start your project with JoinTop
FAQ
Do you support private label and white label?
Yes. We can add your brand label, tags, and ship retail-ready.
How do I pay?
Bank transfer, PayPal, or Alibaba Escrow are all available.
Can I order only 100 hats?
Yes. We support low MOQ for select styles.
Is your factory WRAP certified?
Yes. We’re WRAP and ISO 9001 certified.
Do you support Amazon FBA shipments?
Yes. We handle full prep and shipping to Amazon fulfillment centers.
Final Thought
You don’t need just a supplier. You need a manufacturing partner who’s transparent, experienced, and responsive.
Let’s build something great — starting today.
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