The crown should be low: Dad hats are meant to sit low on the head. If the crown is too tall, it stops looking like a dad hat and starts looking like a trucker or snapback. Always choose a low-profile crown.

The hat should be unstructured or lightly structured: This means there’s no hard shape holding the front of the hat up. The fabric is soft and relaxed, which is what gives dad hats their classic, casual look.

The material should be soft cotton or cotton twill: These fabrics feel better, last longer, and make embroidery easier. Avoid stiff or synthetic materials.

The back should be adjustable: A metal buckle or fabric strap is best. It fits more head sizes and gives the hat a clean finish. Snapbacks can work, but they don’t have the same classic feel.

The front panel should be smooth and stable: This is the area where your logo goes. It needs to hold stitching without bunching up or warping. A good blank will always keep the logo looking clean and sharp.