Ahead Debuts Five Innovative Ornamentation Techniques
New Decoration Options Bring Fresh Texture, Detail and Craft to Headwear, Apparel
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (September 17, 2026) – Ahead is introducing five new ornamentation techniques, giving customers fresh ways to add texture, dimension and craft to their logos on headwear and apparel. The techniques span labels, patches, plates and badges, each intended for different applications and audiences.
Silicone Printed Woven Labels
Last season, Ahead introduced a merrowed-edge version of this look. This new silicone printed woven label offers a more refined, sophisticated alternative, finished with a delicate triple-run stitch tack down.
The new woven label is now available on apparel as well as headwear – a strong option for pieces such as the Stiles, which can take on a new look through art.
For headwear only, Ahead is also offering a “Sneaker Style” tack down: the label is sewn down on two sides only, leaving the other two open, much like the label on a sneaker tongue. It’s a playful, unexpected detail built for today’s more casual golfer.
AeroPlate
AeroPlate updates the AeroFlex look with a fully tonal treatment and cut-out lettering – a bold, modern option that pairs well with AeroSphere or any Modern Trend cap.
SuedeSoft
SuedeSoft is a debossed microsuede patch, sewn down with a tonal zigzag stitch. It comes in a full library of colors and gives headwear an upscale, country-club feel. Ahead is also launching SuedeSoft samples on apparel to round out the collection.
Harwich
Harwich pairs a cross-stitch look with frayed-edge cotton twill and typographic detailing, which is a natural fit for the new pigment-dyed Grenada or the distressed Coda.
Silicone Badge… Now with Counter Forms
Ahead first launched the silicone badge at the January 2026 PGA Show. The new counter form option adds open “holes” within the design, a fresh twist on a decoration built for lightweight, performance-driven headwear.
“These five techniques all come down to the same idea: giving customers more ways to bring their brand to life through ornamentation,” said Mark Kliethermes, Senior Creative Director, Ahead. “Whether it’s the detail in a woven label or the texture in a suede patch, we wanted options that hold up when seen close up and are also recognizable from a distance.”
For more information on Ahead’s latest collections, visit aheadweb.com. To shop online, head to aheadusashop.com.