0800 169 2228
sales@westcoastworkwear.co.uk
Choosing the right workwear for your business isn't just about picking the cheapest polo shirts you can find online. The workwear your team wears directly impacts your brand image, employee comfort, and even safety compliance. Get it wrong, and you'll waste money on garments that fade, shrink, or fall apart after a few washes.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to make smart workwear decisions—from setting your budget to choosing between embroidery and printing, and finding the perfect logo placement that makes your brand stand out.
Your workwear is a walking billboard for your business. Whether your team is on a construction site, serving customers in a restaurant, or representing your company at a trade show, their uniforms communicate professionalism, quality, and attention to detail.
Poor-quality workwear sends the wrong message. Faded logos, ill-fitting garments, and cheap materials make your business look unprofessional—even if you deliver exceptional service.
Let's talk money first. Workwear budgets vary wildly depending on your industry, team size, and how often garments need replacing.
Budget breakdown by garment type:
Here's the truth about budget: Cheap workwear costs you more in the long run. A £10 polo that fades and shrinks after five washes needs replacing twice as often as a £18 quality garment that lasts two years.
Smart budgeting tips:
Pro tip: Most businesses find the sweet spot at £15–£25 per garment for everyday workwear. This price range delivers durability, comfort, and professional appearance without breaking the bank.
Not all workwear is created equal. Here's what separates quality garments from cheap knock-offs:
Fabric weight and durability:
Stitching and construction:
Fabric composition:
Colorfastness:
How to test quality before bulk ordering:
Always order samples first. Wash them three times and check for shrinkage, fading, and shape retention. If they look tired after three washes, imagine how they'll look after thirty.
This is where most businesses get stuck. Both methods have their place, and the right choice depends on your specific needs.
Best for:
Advantages:
Limitations:
Cost: Typically £3–£8 per logo depending on size and stitch count.
Best for:
Advantages:
Limitations:
Cost: Typically £2–£6 per print depending on size and colours.
For most businesses: Use embroidery for polo shirts, jackets, and caps (your everyday professional wear), and printing for promotional t-shirts, event merchandise, and casual team gear.
For premium brands: Embroidery across all garments creates a consistent, high-end image.
For budget-conscious teams: DTF printing offers excellent quality at lower cost, especially for larger designs.
Where you place your logo dramatically affects visibility and professional appearance. Here are the most effective positions:
Position: 3–4 inches below the collar, centred on the left side
Size: 3–4 inches wide
Best for: Polo shirts, shirts, jackets
This classic placement is professional, visible during face-to-face interactions, and doesn't interfere with movement. It's the go-to choice for corporate workwear.
Position: Mirror of left chest placement
Best for: Adding employee names, departments, or secondary branding
Some businesses use left chest for company logo and right chest for individual names—particularly effective in hospitality and retail.
Position: 3–4 inches down from collar, centred
Size: 12–14 inches wide
Best for: High-visibility roles, events, sports teams
Back placement maximises brand visibility when your team is working. Perfect for construction, events, and any role where people see your team from behind.
Position: Upper arm, centred
Size: 2–3 inches
Best for: Secondary logos, certifications, or sponsor branding
Sleeve placement works well for adding accreditations, safety certifications, or partnership logos without cluttering the chest area.
Position: Centred on front panel
Size: 2.5–3 inches wide
Best for: Company logos, team branding
Caps offer excellent brand visibility and are particularly popular in construction, hospitality, and outdoor industries.
Pro tip: For maximum brand impact, combine left chest embroidery with full back printing. This gives you professional close-up branding and high-visibility marketing when your team is working.
Different industries have different requirements. Here's what works best:
Construction & Trades:
Hospitality & Retail:
Corporate & Office:
Healthcare:
Sports & Leisure:
Ordering without samples: Always test before committing to bulk orders. Sizes vary between brands, and fabric quality isn't always obvious from photos.
Ignoring care instructions: If your team won't follow complex washing instructions, choose easy-care fabrics that can handle regular washing at standard temperatures.
One-size-fits-all approach: Stock a range of sizes including women's fit options. Ill-fitting workwear looks unprofessional and uncomfortable employees are unhappy employees.
Forgetting seasonal needs: Your team needs different workwear for summer and winter. Budget for both lightweight and insulated options.
Choosing fashion over function: That trendy slim-fit polo might look great in the catalogue, but if your team can't move comfortably, it's the wrong choice.
Step 1: Assess your needs—how many people, what roles, what garments?
Step 2: Set your budget based on cost-per-wear, not just upfront cost.
Step 3: Order samples from 2–3 suppliers to compare quality, fit, and decoration.
Step 4: Wash and wear-test your samples.
Step 5: Choose your decoration method based on garment type and brand image.
Step 6: Finalise logo placement for maximum visibility and professionalism.
Step 7: Place your order with clear specifications and delivery timelines.
Choosing the right workwear doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on quality fabrics, appropriate decoration methods, and strategic logo placement, and you'll create a professional image that lasts.
At Westcoast Workwear, we've spent 30 years helping businesses across the UK choose workwear that works. From embroidery and DTF printing to bespoke manufacturing, we handle everything in-house with fast 7-day turnaround times.
Get started today:
Call us on 0800 169 2228 or visit westcoastworkwear.co.uk to discuss your workwear needs with our team.
Your workwear should work as hard as you do. Let's make it happen.
