Business and workplace uniforms are a representation of a brand – it’s the first impression a customer will have of the business, particularly in customer service. With this in mind, it’s important that uniforms look good, wash well, and accurately reflect the company’s ethos.
The most important part of a workplace uniform is the logo. And with so many different logo applications to choose from, it can be hard to know which is most appropriate for your uniform – whether you’re in construction, healthcare, or customer service. At Designs To You, we offer a variety of logo application options including heat seal, embroidery, screen printing and digital printing – so here’s what you need to know about each.
Embroidery is generally the gold standard for uniform logo application. Unlike printed or pressed logos (particularly lower quality logo applications), an embroidered logo or text won’t fade or peel after washing. Embroidered logos can be sewn onto sleeves, the chest, or the back of garments.
Embroidery works best to help a simple design stand out, whether a business logo or name. The textured detail of embroidery gives your logo a polished finish that holds up in all settings.
Heat seal logo application can be applied to a range of fabrics, and is especially useful on performance surfaces (i.e. waterproof or airtight fabrics) where embroidery can compromise the garment’s integrity.
Heat-sealed logos have a flat texture that blends into the surface of the fabric, taking on the properties of the garment’s main fabric.
Most printed graphics that you see on work uniforms or t-shirts are achieved with screen printing. Screen printing can be a cost-effective way to add a logo to a bulk order of uniforms, particularly for fabrics like cotton. Screen printing requires the fabric to have a smooth, non-textured surface for a clean print.
Digital printing works similarly to screen printing, except that the ink is applied using a digital printer. Digitally printed logos have the added advantage of greater customisation – colour gradients and intricate details can be printed onto garments exactly as they appear on screen.
The best uniforms have logos that are clearly visible and durable. When deciding the type of logo application for a uniform, we look at the garment’s fabric and logo design.
Type of fabric | Example garments | Suitable logo application |
Cotton | T-shirts, jumpers | Embroidery, screen printing, digital printing |
Polyester | Activewear | Heat sealing, digital printing, embroidery |
Cotton/Poly Blends | Polo shirts, workwear, scrubs | Embroidery, screen printing |
Denim | Jackets, caps | Embroidery |
Polyester blends / treated polyester | Hi-vis jackets | Heat seal |
Embroidery is the most versatile type of logo application as it can be applied to a wide range of fabrics, including workwear and uniforms. Embroidery won’t ever fade – unlike other printed logo applications.
Screen and digital printing are cost-effective options for bulk orders. Heat seal works well on specialised waterproof fabrics, but not as well on knitted fabrics due to the uneven surface. At Designs To You, we’ll work with you to come up with the right logo application based on your uniform, fabrics, and longevity.
A good logo design strikes the right balance between originality and clarity – when customers can recognise your brand at a glance. The logo application can change how the final design will look on the garment, so it’s important to work with a uniform supplier that knows how to make your logo stand out.
In our opinion, you can’t go past an embroidered logo – embroidery can enhance the appearance of a small logo on the chest or the sleeves, more prominently on a plain, single-coloured garment. For large logos that cover a large part of the front or back of the garment, screen or digital printing may be more suitable.
