UV Printed vs. Laser Engraved Hat Patches
CHOOSE UV PRINTED IF...
Color & Detail Matter
Your logo uses multiple colors, gradients, fine details or artwork you want to reproduce closely from the original design.
CHOOSE LASER ENGRAVED IF...
Rugged & Traditional Fits
Your logo is bold and clean, and you want a classic leather-patch appearance for contractor, ranch, outdoor or workwear-style headwear.
UV Printed vs. Laser Engraved
A quick side-by-side comparison of the two most popular leatherette patch treatments at F5.
| Feature | UV Printed Leatherette | Laser Engraved Leatherette |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Full-color logos and detailed artwork | Classic leather-patch look |
| Color | Full color | Material and engraving contrast |
| Fine detail | Excellent for complex logos and small elements | Best with clean, bold artwork |
| Gradients | Yes | No traditional printed gradients |
| Overall look | Modern, colorful and highly detailed | Traditional, rugged and understated |
| Popular for | Business hats, teams, outdoor brands, detailed logos | Contractors, ranch/outdoor brands, bold logos |
Which One Should I Choose?
Start with UV printed leatherette.
UV printing is designed to reproduce that visual information.
Laser engraved leatherette is the natural starting point.
It can work very well as an engraved design.
FOR FINISHED CUSTOM HATS
Both Work on Richardson 112 Hats
The Richardson 112 works well with either patch treatment. Choose UV printed leatherette when you need color and detail. Choose laser engraved leatherette when you want the traditional leather-patch look.
F5's Build Your Bill custom hat builder lets you choose your quantity, available Richardson 112 colors and patch style, then upload your artwork for production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which patch type shows more detail?
UV printing is generally the better choice for very detailed or full-color artwork because it can reproduce more visual information directly from the original design.
Which patch looks more traditional?
Laser engraved leatherette typically has the more traditional leather-patch appearance.
Can UV printed patches have custom shapes?
Yes. F5 can produce custom contour shapes based on the artwork and selected patch format.
What if my logo is not ready for patch production?
Submit the best artwork you have. Complex, colorful artwork generally favors UV printing, while bold one-color artwork often translates well to laser engraving.
Can I order only the patches?
Yes. F5 offers patch-only products as well as finished custom hats.
Where are F5 custom patches made?
F5 produces and finishes custom patches in-house in North Texas.
Still Not Sure? Start With Your Artwork.
Shop the patch options directly, or build a finished custom Richardson 112 and choose the treatment that fits your logo.
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