Workwear covers everything from high-vis vests on a building site to polo shirts at a coffee shop. The printing choices depend heavily on what the staff actually do during the day. Here is how to plan branded workwear that looks professional and survives daily use.
Choose the garment first, not the branding
Too many businesses pick the shirt colour, then realise the fabric is wrong. Start by asking:
- Outdoor or indoor?
- Physical work or seated?
- Seen by customers daily, or staff-only?
- Washed weekly, or more often?
A builder’s T-shirt needs heavyweight cotton, dark colours, and a print that survives a washing machine on hot. A barista’s polo needs a breathable blend, stain-resistant, and a clean logo. Same brand, different garments.
Method by use case
Trades and outdoor: DTF printing on polyester or cotton blends. Durable under heavy wash.
Hospitality and retail: Embroidery on polo shirts. Premium feel, clean logo, survives commercial laundering.
Office / front desk: Embroidery on fitted polos or DTG on softer cotton tees. Branding stays subtle.
Healthcare and hygiene: Embroidered name badges or vinyl on scrubs. Avoid heat-sensitive prints.
High-visibility workwear
Yellow and orange hi-vis needs special consideration:
- Use reflective heat-applied vinyl or DTF for print
- Avoid ink that reduces visibility (heavy black prints over hi-vis panels)
- Follow BS EN ISO 20471 guidance if it is safety-critical kit
Sizing for staff uniforms
Unlike event T-shirts, uniforms need to fit each individual well. Collect sizes using actual fitting samples. Budget:
- 5 to 10% wastage from size changes over first 6 months
- 1 to 2 spare units per size, held at the business for new starters
Budget expectations
For 20 staff polos with embroidered chest logo:
| Garment tier | Per unit | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Budget polo (Fruit of the Loom) | £12 to £15 | £240 to £300 |
| Mid range (B&C, AWDis) | £16 to £20 | £320 to £400 |
| Premium (Stanley/Stella, RTX Pro) | £22 to £28 | £440 to £560 |
Setup fee for embroidery digitising the logo: £25 one-off, waived on orders over 50 units.
Staff names on uniforms
Options:
- Embroidered name: £2 to £3 per unit, permanent, premium feel
- Detachable name badge: £4 to £8 per badge, reusable, can be updated
- Vinyl name under logo: £1 to £2, less formal but practical
For hospitality and retail we recommend embroidered first names. Clean, friendly, and helps customers engage.
Replenishment strategy
Plan for ongoing small orders:
- Keep a “uniform spec” document with garment, colour, print placement, and supplier details
- Schedule top-ups every 6 months for new starters
- Keep 2 spare pieces per size stored
- Budget 15 to 25% of initial spend for annual replacement
Branded aprons, caps, and accessories
For hospitality, we add:
- Aprons: screen printed or embroidered, £12 to £18 each
- Caps: embroidered (flat or 3D), £10 to £15 each
- Beanie hats: embroidered for outdoor staff, £12 to £16
- Jackets and softshells: embroidered logo, £35 to £60 each
Managing costs long term
Once the initial uniform rollout is done, ongoing costs are predictable:
- New starters: 2 tops plus a jacket = £50 to £80 per person
- Annual replacement: 15 to 20% of staff need a full replacement
- Seasonal items: hoodies in winter, polo tees in summer
Set this as a line item in your HR budget so it does not become a surprise.
Getting started
Send us:
- Business type and number of staff
- Garment preference or budget per person
- Your logo (vector if possible)
- Brand colours
We will suggest 2 to 3 realistic garment options with quotes, and produce a single sample before you commit to the full order.
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