The Richardson 112 is the trucker hat most people picture when they hear the word: a structured, six-panel cap with a cotton-blend front, a breathable mesh back, a pre-curved visor and an adjustable snapback. It is one of the most popular blank caps for custom logos, and for good reason. It fits most adults, comes in a long list of colors and gives embroidery and patches a firm, even base.
It isn't the only trucker worth a look, though. This guide compares the Richardson 112 with other trucker styles, from five-panel and foam-front caps to low-profile and stretch-fit options, and explains the best way to add your logo to each.
What makes the Richardson 112 so popular
The 112 has earned its reputation by getting the basics right:
- A shape that suits most people. The mid-profile crown sits neither too high nor too shallow, so it looks good on a wide range of wearers.
- All-day comfort. The mesh back keeps it breathable in hot weather, and the snapback adjusts to fit most adults.
- Plenty of colors. Solid colors, heathers and two-tone combinations make it easy to match brand or team colors.
- Easy reorders. It's a long-running core style, so you can order the same cap again next season.
- Name recognition. Many customers already know the 112 and ask for it by name.
Richardson 112 at a glance
| Feature | Richardson 112 |
|---|---|
| Panels | Six, with a center seam on the front |
| Profile | Mid-profile with a structured front |
| Front fabric | Cotton blend |
| Back | Breathable mesh |
| Visor | Pre-curved |
| Closure | Adjustable snapback |
| Sizing | Fits most adults; a youth version is also made |
Browse the 112 and its relatives in our Richardson trucker hats collection.
Richardson 112 vs other trucker hat styles
Most trucker hats share the same idea, a solid front with a mesh back, but small differences in shape and construction change how they look and how they take a logo.
| Style | What's different | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Richardson 112 | Six panels, mid-profile, structured front | Embroidery and patches; an all-round crowd-pleaser |
| Six-panel lookalikes | Similar shape, with small differences in crown depth, feel and colors | Matching a specific color or budget |
| Five-panel truckers | One seamless front panel instead of two | Wide patches and printed logos |
| Foam-front truckers | Tall, rounded foam front with a retro feel | Throwback and novelty designs |
| Low-profile and unstructured truckers | Softer crown that sits closer to the head | A relaxed, broken-in look |
| Flat-bill truckers | Flat visor, often with a taller front | Streetwear and bold logos |
| Stretch-fit truckers | Sized elastic fit instead of a snapback | A snug fit and a clean, closed back |
Richardson 112 vs five-panel truckers
A five-panel trucker replaces the two front panels with one seamless panel, so there's no center seam running through your logo. That smooth front is a better canvas for wide patches and printed designs. If you like Richardson but want a seamless front, the brand makes a five-panel trucker too.
Richardson 112 vs other six-panel truckers
Several brands in our trucker hats collection make six-panel, mid-profile snapbacks that look a lot like the 112. The differences are subtle: crown depth, how stiff the front feels, the visor curve and the color list. If your customers ask for the 112 by name, stick with it; if you need a particular color or a budget-friendly giveaway cap, compare alternatives side by side.
Richardson 112 vs foam-front and unstructured truckers
Foam-front truckers have a tall foam front panel and a nostalgic look, and they lean casual. Unstructured and garment-washed truckers have a soft crown and a broken-in feel. The 112 sits in the middle: structured enough to look sharp, relaxed enough to wear every day.
Why a structured front matters for your logo
A structured cap has a stiff backing behind the front panels, so the crown stands up on its own and the logo stays upright and smooth. That firm surface is why the 112 is such a reliable base for embroidery and patches, and why logos on it look crisp from a distance.
An unstructured cap has no backing, so the crown is soft and relaxes when it's worn. It feels casual and broken-in, and unstructured caps are among the styles we screen print and decorate with DTF, along with flat-front caps.
Richardson 112 custom logo options
How you decorate a trucker depends on its front. Here is what works on the 112 and its cousins:
- Embroidery. The structured front holds stitches firmly, and we offer up to 15-color stitching on hats. Bold, simple logos stitch best. Learn more about custom embroidery.
- Patches. We offer woven, PVC and faux-leather patches. Woven patches capture finer detail than direct embroidery, PVC adds bold, raised color and faux leather has a tonal, outdoorsy feel.
- Screen printing and DTF. We print on flat-front and unstructured styles. For a full-color or highly detailed logo, choose a flat-front style such as a five-panel trucker, or an unstructured trucker, rather than the 112.
Decoration goes on the front; the mesh back is usually left plain. For a closer look at each method, read embroidered vs printed hats.
Best trucker hats for custom logos
Use these quick picks to match the hat to the job:
- Brand merch and retail: the Richardson 112 with an embroidered logo or a faux-leather patch.
- Full-color artwork: a five-panel or unstructured trucker, printed with DTF.
- Teams and leagues: the 112 for players and coaches, plus a youth trucker for younger kids.
- Outdoor and work crews: a trucker with a PVC or faux-leather patch for a rugged look.
- Large giveaways: a trucker from our budget-friendly hats, embroidered with a simple logo.
Love the retro foam-front look? Ask us which decoration suits the style you pick before you order.
Ordering tips for custom trucker hats
- Contrast the logo with the front. On two-tone caps, your logo sits on the front panel color, so choose thread or patch colors that stand out against it.
- Keep it simple. A cap front is a small space. Drop taglines and fine detail, or save them for a woven patch.
- Skip size collection. Snapback truckers adjust to fit most adults, which makes them an easy pick for teams, staff and gifts.
- Think about where they'll be worn. Heathers and darker fronts hide dust and sweat better than white fronts, which helps on job sites and outdoor crews.
- Send a clean file. A PNG with a transparent background at 300 DPI is preferred, and AI, EPS, PDF and JPG files work too.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Richardson 112?
It's Richardson's classic trucker cap: six panels, a mid-profile structured front in a cotton blend, a mesh back, a pre-curved visor and an adjustable snapback. It's a favorite blank for embroidered and patch logos.
Is the Richardson 112 one size fits all?
The snapback adjusts to fit most adults. Richardson also makes a youth version for smaller heads.
Can you put a patch on a Richardson 112?
Yes. We offer woven, PVC and faux-leather patches, and the 112's structured front gives them a firm, even base.
Can you print a full-color logo on a trucker hat?
Yes, on the right style. We screen print and apply DTF on flat-front and unstructured hats, so choose a five-panel or unstructured trucker for a printed logo. On the 112, embroidery or a patch is the better fit.
How is a trucker hat different from a baseball cap?
A trucker hat has a mesh back for airflow and usually a snapback closure. A classic baseball cap is made from solid fabric all the way around.
Pick your trucker and add your logo
The Richardson 112 is a safe bet for most custom logos: a comfortable fit, plenty of colors and a firm front for embroidery and patches. If you want a seamless front for printing or a more relaxed shape, another trucker style may suit you better. See every decoration option on our custom hats page.
