How to Tie Dye a Baseball Cap (and Actually Make It Look Good)

Tie-dye hats are everywhere right now—from music festivals to golf courses. And yeah, they look fun and easy to make… until you try doing it yourself. Suddenly you’re staring at a blotchy mess wondering what went wrong.

If you’re a brand trying to bring that bold, colorful vibe to your cap collection, there’s good news: it’s totally doable. You just need the right fabric, the right method, and the right process to scale it up without losing that handmade feel.

Here’s how to tie dye a baseball cap properly—and how we help brands make it work at scale.

The Short Answer

To tie dye a baseball cap:

1. Start with 100% cotton
2. Soak it in soda ash solution
3. Fold or twist it into a pattern
4. Secure with rubber bands
5. Apply dye using squeeze bottles
6. Let it sit for 8–24 hours
7. Rinse, wash, and dry

That’s your basic blueprint. But if you want pro results (and to scale production), read on.

Start with the Right Cap

If your hat’s not cotton, don’t bother. Polyester doesn’t hold dye well—it repels it. For strong, lasting color, go with 100% cotton.

What works best:

• Soft cotton twill
• 6-panel, unstructured crown
• Adjustable strap (metal buckle or velcro)

We manufacture these types of dye-ready blanks at JoinTop. You can browse our baseball cap collection to see common profiles we work with. Whether you’re starting with 100 units or scaling to 10,000, our factories in China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh are ready to go.

Pick a Tie-Dye Style That Fits Your Brand

Not all tie-dye is the same. Here are three popular methods we use with clients:

1. Classic Spiral or Stripe

Twist the hat, band it up, apply color in sections. That bright, iconic swirl.

2. Ice Dye

Cover the cap with ice, sprinkle powdered dye, and let it melt. The result? Dreamy, blended tones.
Learn more about the ice dye method here.

3. Shaving Cream Marbling

Spread shaving cream on a tray, add dye, swirl it, then roll the cap through. It creates fluid, one-of-a-kind patterns.

We’ve tested all these techniques in production. If you have a signature style, we’ll help you replicate it—at scale.

How to Tie Dye a Baseball Cap (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the full process we follow when testing or sampling:

1. Wash the cap to remove finishes or sizing
2. Soak in a soda ash solution (1 cup soda ash per 1 gallon water)
3. Fold, twist, or scrunch into your pattern
4. Secure tightly with rubber bands
5. Apply fiber-reactive dye with squeeze bottles
6. Place the hat in a sealed plastic bag
7. Let sit for at least 8 hours (overnight is ideal)
8. Rinse thoroughly in cold water
9. Wash separately and air dry

Not sure what dye to use? We recommend high-quality fiber reactive dyes for the best color saturation and longevity.

Ready to produce at scale? Check out how we approach bulk customization on our sample display page.

How Long Should You Let the Dye Sit?

At least 8 hours, but we recommend 24 hours for maximum color payoff.

Under-curing leads to faded or uneven results. That’s why we use humidity-controlled curing in all our facilities—it locks the dye in for good.

Can You Scale Tie Dye for Bulk Orders?

Absolutely—but tie dye at scale is a whole different game. You need:

• Consistent patterns or controlled randomness
• Repeatable dye mixes
• Strong QC and colorfast testing
• Skilled hands and trained teams

At JoinTop, we offer:

• Bulk tie dye production
• Sampling and test runs
• Color repeatability through recipe tracking
• Flexible MOQs
• Full production in China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh

Want to know how other brands scale customized caps? Take a look at New Era’s custom program for inspiration.

Why Tie Dye Baseball Hats Still Sell

Tie dye adds personality, movement, and color to any cap. It works across:

• Streetwear
• Resort and golf brands
• Music merch
• Festival gear

Combine a solid dye job with clean embroidery, and you’ve got a cap that sells itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tie dye polyester hats?

Not really. Polyester doesn’t absorb dye well. Stick to 100% cotton for best results.

What’s your minimum order for custom tie dye?

Our standard MOQ is 300 pieces per style/color, with sample runs starting at 50.

How long does production take?

35–45 days after sample approval, depending on order volume and dye style.

Interested in building your own line of custom-dyed baseball caps?
Contact us here and our team will get back to you shortly.

JoinTop is a headwear manufacturer trusted by brands worldwide.

We specialize in custom dyed caps—with full control over fabric, dye, production, and finishing.

• Global production across China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh
• Low MOQs for startups
• Fast sampling turnaround
• Certified ethical manufacturing (BSCI, WRAP)
• Real people who get creative processes

Need caps that feel creative and look consistent? That’s our thing.