OEM & Private Label · Cap Encyclopedia
OEM Cap Manufacturing
OEM cap manufacturing is the full-service path — brand supplies tech pack and artwork, factory sources fabrics, prepares patterns, cuts moulds, samples, produces and packs. Every step has a realistic timeline and a cost. Here's the playbook.
Programme MOQ
300 pcs
Per style / colourway
Sampling
10–15 days
Digital → PP sample
Bulk lead time
45–60 days
After PP approval
QC standard
AQL 2.5
Pre-shipment inspection
The full OEM workflow
- 1. Tech pack review — the factory audits construction, fabric spec, trims, decoration and packaging.
- 2. Costing — RFQ returned per silhouette / colourway / decoration combination with FOB and EXW pricing.
- 3. Digital mock — 3D or flat mock with all artwork positions before physical sampling.
- 4. Pre-production (PP) sample — physical cap in bulk fabric with final decoration. Approve for bulk.
- 5. PO + deposit — usually 30% deposit, 70% against B/L.
- 6. Bulk production — cutting, embroidery, assembly, closure, QC.
- 7. Pre-shipment inspection (AQL 2.5) — third-party or in-house.
- 8. Packing and freight — polybag, hangtag, carton, then FOB Karachi or air freight sample lot.
What to include in a cap tech pack
- Silhouette reference and construction (6-panel structured, 5-panel unstructured, trucker, dad hat, etc.).
- Crown fabric spec — fibre content, weight, colour Pantone reference.
- Visor spec — flat or curved brim, insert grade, stitch row count.
- Buckram grade for structured crowns (medium / heavy).
- Closure — snapback (7 or 9 snap), buckle, hook-and-loop, elastic, fitted (no closure).
- Sweatband — cotton twill, terry or PU.
- Decoration — vector art files, Pantone references, stitch method or patch spec, position and size.
- Labels and trims — main label, size label, care label, hangtag.
- Packaging — polybag, cap-shaper insert, carton pack quantity.
MOQ by construction
| Style | Standard MOQ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Snapback / dad hat (standard fabric) | 300 / colourway | One-size construction |
| Trucker (foam + mesh) | 300 / colourway | Cheapest FOB |
| Fitted cap (8 sizes) | 600 / colourway | Size-run drives higher MOQ |
| Custom fabric colour / dye | 1,200+ | Fabric mill minimum |
| PVC patch cap | 300 | Plus one-time tooling |
| Sublimated cap | 100–200 | No plate tooling |
Lead time breakdown
- Digital mock: 2–3 days from tech pack.
- PP sample: 10–15 days (fabric sourcing usually the gating item).
- Bulk production: 30–45 days after PP approval.
- QC + packing: 5–7 days.
- Freight to EU/US port: 25–35 days sea; 5–7 days air.
Where OEM programmes lose time
- Vague tech pack — the factory has to guess and iterate. Send exact fabric weights and Pantone codes.
- Late artwork changes — every artwork change after digitising resets the embroidery step.
- Fabric colour dyeing — custom colours need mill lead time; use stock colours if possible.
- Label / trim sourcing — main labels from a specific supplier can add 2 weeks. Consolidate suppliers.
- Freight booking — sea container consolidation slots need booking at PP-approval stage.
Payment & Incoterms
- Deposit: 30% at PO, 70% against B/L copy pre-shipment.
- Incoterms: FOB Karachi is standard; EXW available for consolidators; DDP possible for larger programmes.
- Currency: USD or EUR. Bank charges outside remitter's country are for the beneficiary unless agreed.
- Sampling: sampling cost is usually credited against the first bulk PO.
Ready to run your first OEM cap PO?
Send the tech pack and target quantities — we'll return a costed quote and a sampling schedule inside 48 hours.