Richardson 111 Hats: Where It Sits in the Range
The 111 sits close enough to the 112 that the difference is worth stating plainly. We'll frame it by what each is for.
The 111 is a garment-washed trucker in the same family as the 112, so it shares the mesh back and adjustable closure while reading softer and more relaxed than the crisp standard finish. That washed character is the reason to choose it and it's the practical difference for most programs.
- Same family as the 112. Mesh back, adjustable.
- Washed finish reads softer. Less crisp, more relaxed.
- Suits heritage and lifestyle positioning. The classic build fits brands leaning traditional.
- Made in the USA, no minimums. One hat is a real order.
What the Washed Finish Does
The property that distinguishes it and it changes more than appearance.
A garment-washed blank has been washed after construction, which softens the fabric and relaxes the structure. Three consequences follow.
- It arrives broken in. No stiffness to wear through, which some people prefer immediately.
- It reads casual. The softness signals relaxed rather than corporate, which suits some brands and works against others.
- Color is slightly muted. Washing takes the edge off saturation, which is part of the appeal.
Our note on custom washed cotton hats covers washed finishes generally.
Choose a washed blank if the hat should read relaxed from the first wear. A standard finish is crisper and takes months of wear to soften.
How It Compares
| Washed trucker | Standard trucker | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft immediately | Crisp; softens over months |
| Color | Slightly muted | Fuller saturation |
| Reads as | Casual, heritage | Neutral, versatile |
| Structure | Slightly relaxed | Firmer |
| Suits | Lifestyle, breweries, retail | Corporate, teams, general |
The washed version trades crispness for immediate softness and a more relaxed read.
Our note on the Richardson 112 review covers the standard model.
Decoration Considerations
A washed blank behaves slightly differently under the needle.
Softer fabric moves more. Stabiliser matters marginally more than on a crisp blank and very dense designs are less forgiving.
Muted color changes contrast. A thread chosen against a standard blank may read differently on a washed version of the same color.
The practical guidance is to proof against the actual blank rather than assuming a design transfers from the standard version unchanged.
Our note on the best thread colors for hat embroidery covers contrast.
A washed blank is slightly softer and slightly more muted than the standard version of the same color, so a thread chosen against one may not read the same on the other. Proof against the blank you are ordering.
- Assuming it is identical to the 112. The finish changes feel and color.
- Washed blanks for a corporate program. They read casual.
- Reusing a thread choice unchecked. Contrast differs on muted color.
- Ordering without confirming current specs. Blanks get revised.
Which Programs Suit It
- Breweries and craft businesses. The relaxed read matches the positioning.
- Retail and lifestyle lines. Customers respond to a hat that feels broken in.
- Heritage and outdoor brands. Washed finishes suit the aesthetic.
- Restaurants and hospitality. Less corporate than a crisp blank.
Where it suits less well. Corporate uniform programs and anything wanting to read precise and professional, where a crisp standard blank is the better match.
Our note on custom Richardson hats covers the range.
Washed Finishes and Fading
How a washed blank ages, which is part of what customers are buying.
Garment washing removes some surface dye during manufacture, which is what produces the muted color. Wear and washing continue that process, so the hat keeps softening in tone rather than holding a fixed color.
Three consequences.
- Fading reads as character. On a washed blank it looks intended, where the same fading on a crisp blank looks tired.
- The design contrast increases. Thread holds its color while the fabric continues to lighten, so a mark becomes gradually more prominent.
- Pieces diverge. Two hats from the same run worn by two people will not match after a season, which is authentic and worth mentioning on a uniform program.
That last point matters for a program where consistency is expected. For retail and lifestyle it is part of the appeal; for a uniform where hats sit side by side it can read as inconsistency.
Confirm the Current Specification
Worth doing on any blank chosen by model number.
Manufacturers revise blanks between production years. Fabrics change, colorways are introduced and retired and occasionally construction details shift.
Two habits protect a program. Confirm the current spec before finalizing a design around a model. And record the exact model and colorway ordered, so a reorder years later matches rather than approximating.
Where a program runs across several years, staying on a core model with a stable range matters more than a marginal spec advantage.
Our note on the Richardson hat styles overview covers the range.
What We Tell Customers Who Ask
Washed blanks cost modestly more than standard equivalents. Where the relaxed read is not the reason for the order, that difference buys little.
Washed finishes age into the look rather than away from it, so wear reads as character. A crisp blank shows the same wear as looking tired.
Both share the mesh back, so ventilation is comparable. Neither has an advantage in Florida heat over the other.
For breweries, retail and lifestyle programs we would run the washed version. For corporate and team programs, the standard finish.
We proof against the actual blank rather than assuming a washed and standard version of the same color read identically. Free digital proof, free artwork setup on twelve or more, no minimums.
The Richardson 112 review, custom Richardson hats, the Richardson hat styles overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Core guides: richardson 112 vs richardson 168.
What is the Richardson 111?
A garment-washed trucker in the same family as the 112, sharing the mesh back and adjustable closure while reading softer and more relaxed than the crisp standard finish.
How is it different from the 112?
The finish. A washed blank arrives broken in, feels softer immediately and reads slightly more muted in color, where the standard finish is crisper and takes months of wear to soften.
Which programs suit it?
Breweries, retail, lifestyle and hospitality, where a relaxed read matches the positioning. Corporate uniform programs usually suit a crisp standard blank better.
Does it decorate differently?
Slightly. Softer fabric moves more under the needle and muted color changes how a thread reads, so proof against the actual blank rather than assuming a design transfers.
Should I confirm the specification?
Yes. Manufacturers revise blanks between production years, so confirm current specs before finalizing a design and record the exact model ordered for future reorders.
Is ventilation the same?
Comparable. Both share the mesh back, so neither has an advantage in heat.
Is there a minimum order?
No. One hat is a real order and artwork setup is free on orders of twelve or more.
Same family, softer finish, more relaxed read. Order custom Richardson-style hats — start on the quick order page — washed and standard builds. Free digital proof before production, free artwork setup on twelve or more, no minimums. Browse custom trucker hats.
Popular pick: Richardson 112 Snapback Trucker.
Popular blank: Yupoong 6606 Retro Trucker. Browse all custom Richardson hats.
★★★★★ 4.9/5 · 23,000+ reviews · Made in the USA
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