RECLAB is Golden Circle Group's custom headwear platform. Designed for brands, manufactured factory-direct, engineered to leave nothing to chance.
Minimum Order
72 units
Production Lead Time
4–6 wks
Production
Factory-direct
In element / Alpine
Custom Headwear·Low Minimums·Full Design Support·Factory-Direct·6 Engineered Elements·Nothing Left to Chance·Custom Headwear·Low Minimums·Full Design Support·Factory-Direct·6 Engineered Elements·Nothing Left to Chance·
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Low Minimums
Start from 72 units per style. Accessible for growing brands without sacrificing product quality or manufacturing standards.
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Full Design Support
In-house design team works with you from concept through production-ready files. Hourly rates, fast turnaround, real expertise.
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Factory-Direct Production
No middlemen. We work directly with our manufacturing partners — which means tighter spec control, better pricing, and direct accountability.
Trusted by brands including
In the element
Built for the journey.
Studio shots don't tell you anything. These hats are designed against real conditions — weather, motion, hours — and that's where they're judged.
Infield · Team Wool
Packable · Carry System
Quick-Dry · All Mesh
Range · Mesh-Back Canvas
Roam · Topo Print
Transit · Run Build
Process
How it works.
From intake to delivery, every step is documented and deliberate.
No samples without a locked spec. No production without approved samples.
01
System Review
Structured intake call. We map your use-case against the six RECLAB elements and deliver a documented system brief — what to build and why.
~45 min
02
Spec & Design
Lock the full six-element configuration. Deliverables: tech pack and final art files.
1–2 weeks
03
Production Sample Approval
Pre-production sample produced against the locked spec. You review and sign off before any production commitment is made.
3–4 weeks
04
Production
Factory-direct production against approved samples. QC at source. Full traceability throughout.
4–6 weeks
05
Delivery
Worldwide shipping included. Tracked from the factory to your dock or 3PL.
6–8 weeks
Hat Shapes
Eleven foundation silhouettes.
Materials
What it's made from.
The System
Six variables. Every one controlled.
Every RECLAB hat is configured across six independent elements.
Change one and the outcome changes. Control all six and you control the product.
01
Structure
Fit, crown height, shape.
02
Material
Fabric, weight, hand feel.
03
Function
UPF, moisture, breathability.
04
Mobility
Packability and recovery.
05
Interior
Lining, sweatband, finish.
06
Expression
Branding, trims, identity.
Field reference
Where the hat earns its spec.
Built backwards from sustained conditions, not photo-day weather.
"Most hats are decorated. Ours are engineered."
We start with what your headwear needs to do — and build backward from there.
Ready to build?
Start with a 45-minute System Review. No commitment. No pitch.
The System
Six elements. Every variable controlled.
The GCG operating system, expressed as a product. Every RECLAB hat is configured across six independently-tunable elements — each one documented, each one specified before a sample is cut.
It's the same rigor we apply to brand operations, scaled down to a single object.
01
Structure
Controls
Crown height and profile
Bill length and curvature
Fit system (fitted, adjustable, stretch)
Overall silhouette
Outcome
How the hat sits on the head. How it reads from a distance. Whether it's structured enough for daily wear or flexible enough to pack flat.
02
Material
Controls
Fabric weight and hand feel
Weave structure (ripstop, canvas, nylon, wool)
Surface finish (matte, waxed, coated)
Colorfastness and UV stability
Outcome
What the hat feels like. How it ages. The weight in hand before it's ever worn. Materials are selected against the use-case, never the other way around.
03
Function
Controls
UPF rating and UV blocking
Moisture-wicking capacity
Breathability and airflow design
Water resistance or treatment
Outcome
What the hat actually does for the person wearing it. Not marketing language — measurable, specified performance that justifies the material choice.
04
Mobility
Controls
Packability and pack size
Structural recovery after compression
Weight (specified in grams)
Fold or roll capacity
Outcome
Whether it survives a bag, a pocket, a 14-hour flight. Mobility is either designed in or it isn't — there's no middle ground.
05
Interior
Controls
Crown lining material and finish
Sweatband width and composition
Interior structure (stiffened, floating, bonded)
Skin-contact comfort spec
Outcome
What the wearer experiences. The part no one sees — the part they feel for hours at a time. This is where cheap hats lose and engineered hats win.
06
Expression
Controls
Brand application and placement
Trim color and hardware finish
Closure type and detail
Label, patch, or woven identity
Outcome
How the brand is communicated. Not as decoration — as a deliberate element of the product. Quiet, consistent, intentional.
Anatomy
59FIFTY low-profile — every variable labelled.
Interior
Knit construction — skin-contact spec, not afterthought.
Mobility
Packable nylon bucket — designed for the bag, not the hanger.
Ready to configure
Every element locked before a sample is cut. Every decision documented before production.
System Builds
Three use-cases. One operating system.
Each build is a different demand routed through the same six elements. Same discipline, three outcomes — evidence that one system holds up across genuinely different briefs.
In environment · Field reference
Three configurations. Three demands. One controlled system.
01
Build 01 — Travel
The Travel Build
Built for transit, climate shifts, and bags that have no room.
Compresses to near-nothing. Recovers completely.
Performs on day one and day one hundred.
ExpressionTonal woven label, matte hardware, minimal trim
02
Build 02 — Climate
The Climate Build
Rated for direct sun. Engineered for sustained heat.
A functional shield that doesn't read as technical gear.
Built for environments that demand performance.
Full Configuration
StructureMid-crown, extended bill, mesh side panels
Your configuration is built from scratch — not copied from a template.
A GCG Brand Product
A brand, built on the system.
RECLAB was built inside Golden Circle Group to test a thesis: that operational rigor and creative direction belong on the same team. The object — a hat — was the smallest unit we could engineer end-to-end and still prove the model. Worn closest to the face. Engineered without exception.
The premise
A hat that lives outside the box.
Most headwear is designed in a showroom and judged on a model's head. We design backwards — from the trail, the boat, the truck bed, the 14-hour transit — and the spec follows the use, not the other way around.
Why We Exist
RECLAB was not formed to build hats.
It was formed around the object worn closest to the face. The last thing put on before stepping into the world.
What Fits
A hat that truly fits does not ask for attention. It just belongs.
The right shape. The right weight. The right fit. Nothing forced. Nothing extra.
How We Build
Every fabric earned its place. Every detail refined through reduction, not excess.
Because the best things are not the ones you notice most. They are the ones you keep reaching for.
What It's About
This is not about hats. It's about who you are.
RECLAB builds headwear for the people who reach for the same hat every morning — on the trail, on the water, on the road. The piece that disappears into use, then becomes part of how you move.
River
Desert
Cold
"If it becomes options, it fails."
The moment headwear becomes a catalogue of choices with no filter, the engineering is lost. RECLAB keeps the variables controlled and the outcome intentional.
Every RECLAB program follows the same documented sequence. You know what happens, when, and what you sign off on at each stage.
Typical timeline: 10–14 weeks from kickoff to delivery.
How it works
Built on approvals, not assumptions.
Custom production fails when steps are skipped or specs left ambiguous. RECLAB runs every program against the same eight checkpoints — each one with a documented deliverable you approve in writing before we move forward.
Nothing enters production without your sign-off. Nothing ships without QC at source.
01
System Review
45 minutes · Week 0
A structured intake call. We walk through your use-case against the six RECLAB elements and produce a documented system map: what's locked, what's flexible, what's recommended.
No pitch, no commitment. You leave with a brief you can act on.
You receive
Recorded review session
System map document
Configuration recommendation
Indicative pricing
02
Spec & Tech Pack
1–2 weeks
Full six-element specification locked. Our design team produces a production-ready tech pack: silhouette, materials, trims, colorways, art placement, label placement, and packaging.
Every detail is written down. Nothing left to factory interpretation.
You receive
Full tech pack PDF
Colorway sheets
Production-ready art files
Material and trim list
03
Digital Mockup & Photo Sample
3–5 days
Before any physical sample, we provide a digital rendering of your design across colorways, followed by a detailed pre-production photo sample for written approval.
Both are free. Both are required before we move on.
You receive
Digital mockup (renders)
Photo proof of pre-production sample
Approval form
04
Physical Sample Optional
+15 days · +$200
For brands that want to feel the product before committing to production, we'll build and ship a physical sample. Adds 15 days and a $200 sample fee plus shipping.
Skip this if photo approval is enough — most repeat programs do.
You receive
Physical pre-production hat
Tracked shipment
Sample review form
05
Production Greenlight
Same week
Written approval of sample (digital or physical) plus 100% payment unlocks production. From this point, specs and quantities are locked.
This is the only payment milestone — no setup fees, no progress invoices, no surprises.
You receive
Final production order confirmation
Locked spec PDF
Production schedule
06
Production
8–10 weeks from approval
Factory-direct production against your locked spec. We monitor each stage — cut, sew, embellishment, trim, finish — against the tech pack.
You receive a midpoint progress update with photos from the line.
You receive
Production kickoff confirmation
Midpoint progress photos
Estimated completion date
07
QC at Source
3–5 days
Every order is inspected on the floor before shipping — fit, finish, stitch density, embellishment registration, color match, packing.
Anything off-spec is rebuilt before the order leaves the factory. You get a QC report with the shipment notification.
You receive
Source QC report
Inspection photos
Shipping notification
08
Ship & Reorder
8–14 days transit
Worldwide shipping included. Tracked from the factory to your dock or 3PL.
Your spec, art files, and tech pack stay on file for up to two years — reorders skip steps 01–04 and go straight to greenlight.
You receive
Tracked shipment
Delivery confirmation
Reorder-ready file set
Ready to start the process?
Frequently Asked
Every question. Straight up.
If you're considering a custom headwear program, you have questions. We answer them all here — minimums, timelines, payment, files, IP, sustainability, and everything in between.
RECLAB's MOQ is 72 units per style, per color. Designed to keep growing brands accessible without sacrificing manufacturing standards.
Can I order multiple designs in one program?+
Yes — each design is treated as a separate style. The 72-unit minimum applies per style and per color. We don't split single orders across designs.
Do you support first-time customers?+
Absolutely. The System Review is built for first-timers — we walk you through every element, file format, and decision before production begins.
Are there discounts for returning customers?+
Repeat brands and recurring programs are eligible for Preferred Member Pricing — custom rates based on volume, cadence, and program scope. Reach out to discuss.
Timing & Production
What is the typical lead time?+
Standard production is 8–10 weeks from sample approval, plus 8–14 days for shipping. Total: roughly 10–14 weeks from kickoff to delivery.
Do you offer rush production?+
Yes, for an additional fee and subject to factory availability. Contact us with your timeline and we'll confirm feasibility.
Can I make changes once production starts?+
No. Once you greenlight production, specs are locked. This protects your timeline and your unit cost. Review carefully before approving.
How do I track my order?+
You receive shipping confirmation with a tracking number as soon as your order leaves the factory. Production progress is shared at midpoint with line photos.
Samples & Approvals
Can I get a sample before placing the full order?+
Yes. Pre-production photo samples are free and required before approval. Physical samples are optional: $200 plus shipping, with an additional 15-day production window.
What's the difference between a photo sample and a physical sample?+
A photo sample is a detailed photographic proof of the actual hat before production. A physical sample is the real hat, built and shipped to you for in-hand review. Both reflect the same construction.
Do you provide digital mockups?+
Yes — free with every program. Renders across colorways, ready to share with stakeholders or internal review.
Customization
What customization options are available?+
Thirteen foundation silhouettes, hundreds of fabrics and colors, and embellishments including embroidery, woven patches, leather patches, debossing, and rubber. Custom labels and inside tags are standard.
Can I request custom labels or inside tags?+
Yes — branded closure labels and inside crown labels are included in every unit at every tier. Specialty branding (woven, leather, custom shapes) is supported.
Do you offer specialty fabrics?+
Yes — leather, suede, technical performance fabrics, and sourced specialty materials. Additional cost and extended timelines apply; quoted per project.
Are there extra charges for intricate designs?+
Highly detailed designs, high stitch counts, or multi-position artwork may carry additional charges. We provide an exact cost during the spec phase before any commitment.
Can you match specific Pantone colors?+
Yes — we match most Pantones, with the standard caveat that thread and fabric dyeing can show slight variance. For critical color, we recommend confirming with our team during spec.
Do you provide hat design templates?+
Yes — every silhouette has a design template with sizing guides, embellishment zones, and label placements. Available after kickoff.
Do you offer design services?+
Yes. Logo cleanup, embroidery digitizing, and full graphic development are available. Pricing is quoted per project based on complexity.
Artwork & Files
What file formats do you accept?+
High-resolution vector formats: AI, EPS, or PDF. Submit artwork at 100% scale for accurate placement.
What is your artwork policy?+
All artwork must be approved in writing before production. RECLAB is not responsible for errors in client-provided files. Please review every detail before sign-off.
Who is responsible for intellectual property rights?+
Clients are responsible for ensuring their submitted designs don't infringe on trademarks or copyrights. RECLAB is not liable for any IP disputes arising from client-provided artwork.
Can you replicate an existing hat?+
Yes, if you own the rights to the artwork. We do not reproduce designs owned by other brands.
How long do you keep my files on record?+
Up to two years — making reorders simple. Need longer retention? Just let us know.
Payment & Shipping
What are your payment terms?+
100% payment is required upfront to initiate production. This is the only payment milestone — no setup fees, no progress invoices.
How is shipping calculated?+
Domestic and standard worldwide shipping is included in the per-unit price. Some international destinations may carry additional fees depending on customs and freight.
Do you ship internationally?+
Yes. Allow additional transit time and budget for possible international shipping fees outside the U.S. We quote those at order confirmation.
What if my package is lost or damaged in transit?+
Contact us immediately. We work with the carrier to resolve the issue and ensure your order arrives.
Policies
Can I cancel or return my order?+
Custom orders cannot be cancelled once production has begun. We don't accept returns on custom items unless there is a manufacturing defect.
What if there's a manufacturing defect?+
Notify us within 3 days of receiving your order. This is a strict window. We resolve verified defects quickly and at no cost to you.
What sustainability options do you offer?+
Recycled materials and eco-friendly inks are available on request, and we work to minimize production waste at every stage.
Can I provide feedback after delivery?+
Please do. We follow up after every order to confirm you're satisfied and to capture anything that should evolve in your next run.
How do I contact support?+
Email hello@palette.co or send a note via the quote form. We respond within 24–48 hours on business days.
Still have questions? Send us a note.
Reference · Cap Silhouettes
Eleven shapes. One system.
Every RECLAB program starts with a silhouette. These are the eleven foundation shapes we build from — each one a known volume, a known fit, a known production path. Pick the form, then engineer the rest.
The library
Foundation silhouettes
The shape determines the personality of the cap before any material, color, or graphic is applied. Six-panel for tradition. Five-panel for cleanliness. Trucker for nostalgia. Sport profiles for movement. Choose your starting point.
Pick a shape. Build the rest.
3/4 View
Crown profile
Panels
Brim
Structure
Closure
MOQ
Best for
Compatible materials
Reference · Fabric Library
Twelve fabrics. Specified.
Every fabric in our standard library is selected for a specific use-case — weight, hand-feel, finish, performance. Custom mills available for programs at scale. No mystery cotton.
The library
Standard fabrics
Pick a swatch as your starting point. Every reference here ships from a vetted mill with documented spec sheets. Hover any swatch to reveal the full spec sheet — hand feel, weight, finish, performance.
Custom mill? That works too.
For programs at scale (5,000+ units annually) we develop custom fabrics with our partner mills in Portugal, Japan, and the US.
Reference · Decoration
Seven art styles. One identity.
How the brand reads on the cap. Each technique carries a different signal — heritage, performance, casual, premium. Pick the one that matches the wearer, not the mood-board.
The library
Decoration techniques
Each style has a use-case, a price band, and a production lead-time. We'll recommend the right one for your program after the System Review — not before.
A 01
Direct Embroidery
Stitched directly into the crown panel — frames out logos cleanly with merrowed edge. The premium default. Looks great with script fonts and large lettering. 5mm minimum for text legibility.
A 02
Embroidered Patch
Pre-stitched patch sewn onto the crown. Reads as heritage, workwear, badge-of-honor. Crisp shape control and full-color flexibility without panel disruption.
A 03
Felt Patch
Old-school letterman look. Embroidery layered over a felt base with stitched raw edge. Tactile, collegiate, and built to age well.
A 04
Screen Print
Ink applied directly to the fabric. Regular flat paint or puff paint available. Casual, retro, low-minimum-friendly. Pairs with washed canvas or cotton twill.
A 05
Chenille Patch
Another old-school staple. Fuzzy yarn texture with embroidered merrowed edge. Vintage athletic energy — reads like heritage from across the room.
A 06
Woven Patch
Perfect for logos or art with lots of detail or smaller text — ideal for tech hats and dense logo applications. Holds gradients and fine line work cleanly. Additional cost, MOQ 200 units.
A 07
Rubber Patch
3D molded PVC or silicone patch with raised relief. Modern, technical, weatherproof — the right call for performance programs and outdoor apparel.
One technique. Done right.
We won't recommend a style off a mood-board. The System Review tells us which technique fits your wearer, your program, and your budget.
