Product Spotlight

HATS

Hats – this breakout category skyrocketed in demand by 103% in just one year. Get 2026’s hottest money-makers, data-driven insights, and top-selling trends to dominate the market right before the summer peak.

See best-selling hats

Why sell hats and headwear?

Let’s start with our data, because the numbers never lie:

Headwear sales grew by 103% since last year (aka hats = an absolute customer favorite).

Our team forecasts a demand spike during the summer months.

The global headwear market is projected to reach an incredible $14.33 billion by 2032.

Need more reasons? We got ’em

Hats are a social media sensation – they’re everywhere. Y2K styles, retro and vintage-inspired designs tapping into that 80s and 90s vibe, minimalistic embroidery, and of course, pop-culture memes like “Just a chill guy.”

Even if your audience isn’t super trend-focused, hats are customer favorites in tons of niches, like travel, lifestyle, and fitness

That means hats are the key to unlocking multiple audiences and very, *very* profitable niches.

The best news? Printify makes selling hats as easy as pie

Printify has a huge variety of hat styles, so you’re bound to find one (or several) that perfectly match your store’s niche and brand identity. Plus, we’re always adding new options, so you can keep your collections fresh and growing.

Choose between DTF printing or detailed embroidery to bring your ideas to life!

2026’s Biggest Earners

Build an excellent staple collection with our top-5 all-star picks – customize them with fresh designs, and cash in big by cross-selling:

See all Hats

How to sell hats, fast, from scratch

1. Choose a hat style and your target audience

2. Create your design

Need a new design? Here’s what’s trending on marketplaces and social media:

Funny embroidery pieces, vintage-style decorations, lifestyle and identity-branded looks, and pop-cultural quotes (yes, think of “Just a chill guy”)
Follow Reddit or Instagram and TikTok trends to spot emerging hat styles that are gaining traction with influencers or niche communities.
National holidays can give additional design inspiration, e.g., patriotic designs for July 4 or Thanksgiving in October.
Keep seasonal trends in mind. Right now, summer is around the corner, so you should lean into the summer hats category.
Use tools like Canva or Printify’s Product Creator for new designs (including free graphics and an AI image generator).
PS: Etsy’s 2025 Color of the Year is called “Lime Green”.

3. Add the hat to your store and promote it

Add hats to your store using high-demand keywords like “custom hats” or “fitted hats” or “summer hats” or “funny trucker hats.” Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Trends for keyword research.
Ensure your listings are SEO friendly so users will find them on Etsy and Google.
Upload high-quality product mockups through Printify that showcase the hats well.
Promote your hats on social media by creating custom photos or using AI tools like Midjourney or GPT-4p for unique visuals.

Cross-selling opportunities

Make irresistible bundles with tote bags or socks, mugs and cross-sell to boost profits..
Find quick wins in wellness and fitness by cross-selling sports supps, yoga mats, or tank tops
Lean into the summer season by selling vacation-themed hats along with t-shirts

Offer limited-time promotions or bundle deals

To drive sales and increase the average cart value, offer your customers to purchase hats in bundle deals, e.g., “Buy 4, get 5” for hats with group-themed designs, or offer hats to customers buying socks and bags. You can also arrange limited-time discounts for seasonal collections like Summer or Vacation.

Tap into niches

Think of college students who wear caps for their graduation, the huge market for bachelor’s and bachelorette party accessories, or couples that love partner clothing – there are many niches that you could sell to.