Like it or not, society tends to judge people based on their looks. What an individual wears can impact perceptions of competence, reliability and even authority. This is especially the case in commercial and professional settings.
Imagine having to choose between two businesses, one with staff in their everyday clothes and one with staff wearing uniforms. Which would you choose? Probably the one following a specific dress code. That’s because staff wearing uniforms emit trust and professionalism, suggesting to customers that they take their business seriously and pay attention to detail.
That said, implementing a quality uniform program is super important for businesses. And when designing your company uniform, one feature you should consider is embroidery. Custom embroidery gives a visual aspect to the workwear that helps create an impression on your customers. Let’s take a look at some great reasons to choose custom embroidery for your staff’s attire.
Enhanced Brand Recognition
Using uniform embroidery is a smart branding strategy to make employees instantly recognisable to clients and customers. While wearing clothes embroidered with your company’s logo, each interaction employees have with a client or customer becomes an opportunity to reinforce your brand, giving your business an edge in a crowded market.
Not just at work, but also at lunch breaks or on their commute, your brand is continuously being shown wherever your employees go while wearing their uniform. As a result, your company’s reach increases without incurring additional marketing costs.
Professional and Polished Appearance
Employees wearing polished, embroidered clothes speak professionalism. In addition to giving your staff a professional appearance, high-quality embroidery uniforms also help create trust and confidence. Whether it’s embroidered attire for formal settings or bespoke t-shirts for informal events, maintaining a consistent style helps foster credibility with the clientele.
Improved Customer Experience and Engagement
Uniform embroidery has the power to improve the customer experience by making it easier for customers to recognise staff. This, in turn, promotes approachability and engagement, leading to smoother interactions, higher levels of customer satisfaction and a more engaging retain environment. Simply put, bespoke embroidery creates a sense of uniqueness, instilling customer trust in your brand and its services.
More Durable Than Printed Designs
Printed designs are known for fading, cracking and peeling after repeated washes. With embroidery, you don’t have to worry about this, because the thread is stitched into the fabric, which makes them far more resistant to the stresses of everyday use. So, by opting for embroidery over printed designs you’re ensuring your workwear will continue to look professional even after several washings.
A Way to Add a Personal Touch to Your Workwear
Adding embroidery to your workwear is a fantastic way to infuse a personal touch into the pieces, giving your uniform a unique edge. You can use the many possibilities regarding colours, fonts, and designs to create custom embroidery that perfectly represents your brand. Don’t be afraid to have a bit of fun with your design – just make sure to keep a professional feel while showcasing your brand’s character.
Tips for Custom Embroidery
While embroidery uniforms can bring many benefits to your brand, there are some things you should keep in mind to avoid mistakes and ensure your uniform looks the best it can.
Pay Attention to the Fabric
Certain fabrics can handle embroidery better than others. More durable materials, such as cotton canvas, denim, and other blended materials, are great examples. More delicate or sheer fabrics aren’t suited because the embroidery procedure may damage the cloth.
Opt for a Simple Design
More complex designs can sometimes have an impact on the overall appearance and feel of a printed image. The stitching can produce a thicker line than the ink, leading the design to become messy and unreadable.
The old saying less is more, definitely applies to the design of embroidery. Simple designs provide more information in a small way while giving the appearance of a standout piece.
Be Wise About Colour Choice
The colours you opt for your design can say a lot about your brand’s personality and values. Bold colours like red or black can evoke strength and confidence, while softer hues like light blue or green may suggest approachability and calm. So, make sure you choose colours that align with your brand – this will help create a consistent identity that your customers will recognise.
In embroidery, the contrast between the thread colour and fabric is essential. If the colours are too similar, the design may become hard to read or lose impact. For example, light-coloured threads on dark fabric or vice versa can make logos and text more visible from a distance, making it easy for people to identify your brand and the person wearing the uniform.
The Right Position of Embroidery
The best location for embroidery on a uniform depends on several factors, such as the type of garment, the design, and the intended purpose. However, there are some places where embroidery works best. Some examples include:
Left Chest (Most Common)
The left chest area is the most popular placement, as it’s easily visible without being too large or intrusive. It’s a natural spot for brand logos and employee names and keeps the design close to eye level. This placement works well for shirts, polos, jackets, and lab coats.
Right Chest
If you want to balance the left chest logo or add additional information (like a company slogan or an employee’s title), use the right chest. Placing complementary designs on each side helps balance the look, making the uniform appear well-thought-out and professional.
Upper Back
Placing embroidery across the upper back is suggested for large logos, especially in industries where employees’ backs may face customers, like in hospitality or retail. This placement ensures brand visibility from a distance, helping identify the business even from behind.
Sleeves
Embroidering on sleeves is a stylish choice, often used for secondary logos, flag emblems, or brand messages. It’s a subtle option that doesn’t take away from the main logo placement but adds a unique and detailed look to the uniform.
Collar or Cuffs
For a subtle, high-end look, small logos or initials can be placed on the collar or cuffs. This is particularly popular in corporate or executive settings where discretion and class are important. It’s also a great choice for brands aiming to make a subtle but sophisticated statement.
Lower Hem or Bottom Corners
For a more modern or casual look, the bottom corner (typically the left side of a shirt, hoodie, or jacket) can be used for a small logo or tagline. This placement adds a unique touch without overwhelming the front design.
