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Custom uniforms do more for a small business than just make the team look professional. They build brand recognition, create a sense of team unity, and signal credibility to customers. Whether you run a restaurant, landscaping company, auto shop, real estate office, or retail store, a well-executed uniform program is one of the highest-ROI branding investments you can make.
But if you have never ordered custom uniforms before, the process can feel confusing. What blanks should you choose? Which decoration method works best? How do you handle sizing across your team? What should you budget?
This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish.
Before reaching out to a printer, spend a few minutes defining what you actually need.
Count your current employees and add a buffer. A good rule of thumb is to order 10 to 15 percent extra to cover new hires, replacements, and sizing exchanges. If you have 20 employees and want each person to have 3 shirts, that is 60 shirts plus a 10 percent buffer, so order around 66.
This matters more than most people realize. A screen-printed logo on a landscaping crew's shirt faces very different conditions than an embroidered logo on a real estate agent's polo. Consider:
The blank garment is the foundation of your uniform. A great logo on a cheap shirt still feels cheap. Here are the most popular options by category:
The right decoration method depends on your design, garment choice, and budget. Here is what works best for uniforms:
Best for: Polos, jackets, hats, and any situation where a premium, professional look matters. Embroidery is the gold standard for corporate uniforms.
Pros: Extremely durable, professional appearance, textured dimension, withstands industrial laundering.
Cons: Not ideal for large designs or fine detail. Per-unit cost is higher than screen printing for large areas. Limited to smaller logo placements (typically left chest, right sleeve, or back of collar).
Typical cost: $5 to $12 per piece for a left-chest logo, depending on stitch count and quantity.
Best for: T-shirts with larger logos, back prints, or multi-location designs where you want a flat, smooth finish.
Pros: Cost-effective at volume, vibrant colors, huge design area, variety of ink types for different feels.
Cons: Setup fees per color, per location. Less practical for very small orders or designs with many colors.
Typical cost: $3 to $8 per piece for a 1-2 color print at quantities of 48+.
Best for: Individual name personalization, small orders, and when you need different text on each garment (employee names, for example).
Pros: Sharp text and numbers, no setup fees, works on diverse fabrics, specialty finishes available.
Cons: Not ideal for large, complex designs. Noticeable hand feel on the garment.
Typical cost: $3 to $6 per piece for a small name or logo.
Many businesses use a combination. For example, embroidered logo on the left chest and a vinyl employee name on the right chest. Or a screen-printed back design with an embroidered front logo. Mixing methods gives you the best of each technique.
Sizing is where uniform orders most commonly go wrong. Here is how to get it right:
A common small business size distribution looks roughly like this:
Your team may vary, but this gives you a starting point if you need to estimate.
Most blank garments are available up to 3XL or 4XL, but extended sizes often cost $2 to $4 more per piece. Budget for this so you are not caught off guard.
Here is what a typical small business uniform order costs, broken down:
Custom uniforms with a company logo that are required for work are generally tax-deductible as a business expense. Consult your accountant, but this can offset a meaningful portion of the cost.
Your first order is not your last. Employees leave, new people join, shirts wear out, and sizes change. Build reorderability into your plan from the start:
Not all print shops are set up for uniform programs. Look for a partner who offers:
A well-planned uniform order is straightforward when you have the right partner guiding you through the process. Take the time to choose quality blanks, match the right decoration method to your needs, collect sizes properly, and plan for the long term.
French Press Custom has been outfitting small businesses across Southern California since 2010. From single-location shops to multi-site operations, we help businesses of all sizes build uniform programs that look professional and last.
Ready to get your team looking sharp? Request a free quote at frenchpresscustom.com or call (562) 407-3800. We will walk you through blank options, decoration methods, and pricing so you can make the best decision for your business.
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