3D Puff vs Flat Embroidery on Hats
3D puff is the raised, almost bubbly embroidery you see on a lot of snapbacks and trucker hats. It's a great look on the right logo and a bad one on the wrong logo. Here's how to tell.
Quick answer
- 3D puff stitches over foam so your logo stands up off the hat.
- Best for bold letters and simple shapes. Small text and thin lines should stay flat.
- $4 per hat, front logo only.
What 3D puff is
For puff, a layer of foam is placed on the hat and the logo is stitched over it. The stitches cut the foam and the extra is torn away, leaving the design raised off the hat. Flat embroidery is stitched straight onto the fabric with no foam.
See how the letters stand up off the hat? The foam underneath gives puff its height, and the stitches wrap around it for a rounded edge.
That's why puff loves thick, simple shapes. Thin lines and tiny text don't have room to wrap the foam.
Puff vs flat at a glance
| Flat embroidery | 3D puff | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Clean and classic | Bold and raised |
| Best for | Any logo, including detail and small text | Blocky letters and simple, bold shapes |
| Where | Front, sides and back | Front only |
| Price | Included | $4 per hat |
Logos that work in puff
- Big, blocky letters and initials
- Simple shapes with thick outlines, like the gear logo at the top of this guide
- Short words, team names and numbers
Logos that don't
- Small text and thin lines, since the foam rounds them out
- Lots of fine detail packed close together
- Logos that rely on many small color areas
A common move is to do the main word or initials in puff and keep smaller details flat. If you're not sure, leave your order on flat, mention puff in the notes, and we'll tell you honestly whether your logo will work.
Where puff goes
3D puff is for the front logo only. Side and back logos are always stitched flat, which is what most people want there anyway since those logos are usually smaller.
Best hats for puff
Structured hats with a firm front panel show puff best. Our favorites:
- Otto 31-069 5-panel: does really well with puff. The seamless front gives letters a smooth base.
- Richardson 7-panel trucker: a flat, wide front that makes a bold puff logo pop.
- Richardson 112, Yupoong 6006 and Flexfit 110F: classic structured fronts that hold puff well.
Unstructured dad hats are softer and better suited to flat embroidery.
Tip: Not sure your logo will work in puff? Order it flat and mention puff in the notes. We'll tell you honestly before anything is made.
Add puff when you build your order. It's one click under decoration style.
