Figuring out how to approach branded workwear can be surprisingly difficult. There are all sorts of options, from screen printing to embroidery, and each comes with its own, unique set of benefits.
If you’re currently struggling to figure out which approach your business should take to customisation, then you’re in the right place. From messaging intention to industry trends, these are a few important things to keep in mind.
Messaging intention
Before you can start thinking about the customised workwear itself, you need to think about your messaging intention. Are you trying to make a uniform that will be worn by your employees every single day? Are you making some branded t-shirts for a trade show, where you really want to make your mark?
Depending on the kind of message you’re trying to communicate, you’ll likely find that certain types of customisation are more appropriate than others. Start with the message, and the way your brand communicates more generally, before moving on to the specifics.
Durability
Another thing to keep in mind is durability. If you want to make a subtle piece of branded workwear that looks great for months or even years, then you could consider going with an embroidered chest logo. Embroidery is incredibly durable if cared for properly, and can also look very smart.
If, however, you’re only making customised workwear for a series of events, durability might not matter so much. It could be just as effective to use a DTG design that will last more than long enough, while offering more flexibility in terms of design size.
Subtlety
Different forms of customisation can also have a very different feel. Screen-printed garments from a company like Screen Textiles can have vibrant colours and beautiful designs, but they might not be quite subtle enough for, say, a law firm.
A small embroidered design on a gilet, on the other hand, might not be super obvious, but it could offer that perfect balance of customisation to someone in professional services.
Industry appropriate
Lastly, it’s not always going to be appropriate to just pick the design style that you personally think is the best. You’ll also need to look at what other businesses in your niche are doing, and then decide how closely you want to toe the line.
For example, even within professional services, there is a lot of variation. While a screen-printed t-shirt might be fine for an IT professional, it wouldn’t go down nearly as well in a more traditional context like law or finance. And again, depending on the industry, it might be more or less important that you aim to fit in.
It’s a good idea to sit down with a designer and look at some mockups, to help you get an idea of what the end product might look like. Customised workwear can do wonders for your business, but you do need to make sure that you take the time to really hone your approach and use the right design and customisation type.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
