Branded workwear is one of the cheapest, hardest-working bits of marketing a trades business will ever buy. A logo on every chest and back makes a small firm look established, builds trust on the doorstep, and turns every job and every van into free advertising. But kitting out a crew properly takes a bit of planning — order the wrong garments and you end up with kit that cracks, shrinks or sits unworn in the van.
This guide walks through how to kit out a trade team the sensible way: what to order, how much, and the decisions that save you money and hassle down the line.
Start with the garments your trade actually wears
Different trades need different kit, so build your order around how your crew actually works rather than a one-size-fits-all package.
For most outdoor and site-based trades — builders, groundworkers, roofers, scaffolders and landscapers — the core kit is hi-vis on top, with hard-wearing hoodies, sweatshirts and soft shell or fleece jackets for warmth. These take a beating, so durability matters more than a slim fit.
For trades working in customers' homes — electricians, plumbers, gas and heating engineers, kitchen and bathroom fitters — a smarter look pays off. Embroidered polo shirts and tidy soft shell jackets reassure homeowners and look professional in photos and reviews. Many firms run both: polos for the customer-facing side and warmer layers for colder or rougher work.
A sensible starting kit for one worker usually looks something like this: two to three branded polos or t-shirts, one or two hoodies or sweatshirts, a soft shell or fleece for colder months, and the right hi-vis for the work. Add work trousers, beanies and caps where they make sense.
Work out how many sets per worker
The most common mistake is ordering too few. If a worker only has one polo, it spends half its life in the wash — so you want enough that everyone has clean kit on every working day.
As a rule of thumb, aim for at least three of the items that get worn and washed most (usually polos and t-shirts), so there's always one on, one in the wash and one spare. One or two of the heavier layers per person is normally plenty, as jackets and hoodies aren't washed as often. Always order a few extra pieces in common sizes too: new starters arrive, garments get damaged, and a small buffer saves you paying setup costs again for a single item.
Embroidery or print: which to choose
For everyday trade workwear, embroidery is usually the best choice. Stitched logos are tough — they don't crack, peel or fade the way a cheap print can after months of washing and site wear — and they give a premium, professional finish on polos, jackets, fleeces and hoodies. Embroidery is ideal for logos on the chest, sleeve or cap.
Print comes into its own for large, detailed or very colourful designs, big back graphics, and lightweight garments like t-shirts where embroidery would feel heavy. Modern techniques such as DTF (direct-to-film) give crisp, full-colour results that hold up well. Many trade kits use both: an embroidered logo on the chest and a larger printed version across the back.
If you're weighing up the two in more detail, our guides and resources break down the pros, cons and costs of embroidery versus screen printing.
Don't cut corners on hi-vis
If your crew works on or near roads, construction sites or moving vehicles, hi-vis isn't optional — it's a safety requirement, and the right class matters. Hi-vis garments are graded by class, with higher classes offering more visibility for higher-risk environments. Getting the class right keeps your team safe and compliant.
The good news is that hi-vis can be branded just like the rest of your kit. Embroidered or printed logos on hi-vis polos, vests and jackets keep your team visible and on-brand at the same time. If you're unsure which class your work calls for, check our guide to hi-vis clothing classes before you order.
Plan your logo setup once, reorder forever
Before anything is decorated, your logo needs to be set up for embroidery (digitised) or print. This is usually a one-off step, and a good supplier keeps your finished artwork on file. That's important for trades: as your team grows, every reorder should match the original kit exactly, with no surprises in colour or position.
To get the cleanest result, supply your logo as a high-quality vector file if you have one, and note your exact brand colours. A little care at setup means sharper branding on every garment.
Order in one go where you can
Most decoration involves a setup cost per logo and per garment type. That means it's almost always cheaper to order in batches than to drip-feed single items. Plan ahead: think about the season (warm layers before autumn, lighter kit before summer), bring new starters into a scheduled reorder where possible, and keep that small buffer of spares so you're not paying setup fees for a one-off.
For firms kitting out a whole team at once, workwear bundles that combine the core garments per worker are often the best value and the simplest to manage.
A quick kitting-out checklist
Before you place your order, run through this: Which trades and roles am I kitting out? What core garments does each person need, summer and winter? How many sets per worker, plus spares? Embroidery, print, or both — and on which garments? Do we need hi-vis, and at what class? Is my logo ready, and who's keeping it on file for reorders?
Answer those and you'll avoid the usual pitfalls and end up with kit your crew actually wants to wear.
Frequently asked questions
How much branded workwear should I order per worker?
A practical starting point is three polos or t-shirts, one or two hoodies or sweatshirts, and a jacket or fleece, plus the right hi-vis. Order a few spares in common sizes too.
Is embroidery worth it for workwear?
For most trade kit, yes. Embroidery is the most durable and professional finish, and it holds up to heavy washing far better than cheap prints.
Can I add more kit later and still match?
Yes — as long as your supplier keeps your digitised logo and order details on file, future orders will match your original kit.
What's the most cost-effective way to order?
Order in batches rather than single items, since most decoration carries a setup cost. Bundles that cover a full worker's kit are usually the best value.
Get your crew kitted out
Need to kit out your team? CentralCustom supplies durable, logo-branded workwear for tradesmen across the UK, with no large minimums and fast turnaround. Explore our custom workwear and branded uniforms or request a quote and we'll help you build a kit that lasts.
