The Draco is a top seller in the Steampunk Hatter brand and it’s easy to see why!
With beautiful engraved detailing and shading matched with luminous airbrushed colors the Draco stands out and is a perfect example of what makes our laser engraving process so important, which is why it will be the design we follow through the process today!

Step 1, Original Drawing:
Sketch out your original design onto paper the size of the hat crown this will insure that none of the design will be cut off in the finished product. Once you have a design you are happy with, the design gets inked in with a fine tip black pen and the remaining pencil marks get erased.

Step 2, Computer Editing:
The completed ink drawing is scanned into the computer and opened in the editing program, Corel Draw. There, the design is cleaned up and modified to be read by the laser engraver.

Step 3, Parts:
What kind of leather will the design be printed on? Every kind of leather engraves and cuts differently, so it is important to test on scraps. Have parts dye cut out of the desired leather to engrave on.

Step 4, Airbrushing:
Not all of our laser engraved hats get airbrushed but the majority do. When the parts are airbrushed it makes the contrast and pop more than a hat without it. Airbrushing also gives us colors we never had the ability to create before. Some hats have up to 6 different colors and many airbrushed hats have custom templates to help the airbrushing be more precise.

Step 5, Engraving:
Now that you have all of the parts and the design ready in the computer, you are ready to print. All of the speed and power settings are programmed in the Corel Draw and then sent to the laser engraver. Line up your parts in the machine, press print and watch the magic happen!

Step 6, Production:
Last but not least, all of the finished parts are sewn together into a one of a kind, handmade hat!

The Draco
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth…?” From the depths of time itself comes an all-leather masterpiece of fierce design and regal pedigree. Our Draco asks nothing more from its wearer than 100% boldness, as that’s what it presents to the world. Hand-worked dragon-scale pattern, scalloped leather band, powerful wing accent and serpentine eye all come together to speak of battles yet to win and skies to seek aloft. Available in black and brown, to match almost any mood, the Draco is a solid beauty. Water-treated, like our other offerings; however the wing itself holds its shape best when kept as dry as the dragon’s breath. Buy the Draco today, wear it to your next gathering, and utter not a sound. Let this beauty do the roaring for you.

Neil Simmons is a photographer with a flair for life that shows up in his work. With a background in both business and photography (as a double-major at San Jose State University), fueled by a true affinity for the art of making pictures, Simmons exemplifies what it means to be a risen star in the field of professional photography. Raised in Santa Cruz County, Simmons lives close to many of his favorite photogenic spots, but he also makes a point of traveling to study other parts of California and the West, enjoying the challenge of getting the shots he wants while on the road. The world around him, shimmering and rippling with ever-changing light, provides Simmons with the materials he needs to be inspired and productive. An avid surfer and snowboarder, Simmons enjoys being out in natural settings sharing the activities he loves most with his wife and two children.

We at American Hat Makers have had the pleasure and privilege to work with local photographer, Neil Simmons for around 2 years and we could not be happier with not only the quality of his work but the positive and productive attitude he brings to every photo shoot.

Neil shows skill and experience in being able to always get the best out of his models, another challenge to any photo shoot, but it hardly seems like a challenge when Neil is consistently capturing beautiful locations without taking attention from the models who always look and embody the genuine feeling of the picture for a perfect balance in every image.

Neil is known for his eye, if you are planning on doing a shoot with Neil be on your toes when it comes to location! Neil’s artistic edge kicks in when it comes to finding every possible shot for the most variety possible in every location and trust us, you won’t be disappointed with the results!

Neil’s hard work has paid off bringing a new sense of life to the American Hat Maker brands, giving a clear division of the brands using specific setting and mood in a way we didn’t think was possible, so thank you Neil for these years together and we hope to continue growing together for more years to come!