Loading...
Custom workwear is more than just putting a logo on a shirt. When you are outfitting a construction crew, warehouse team, or roadside maintenance squad, the apparel has to meet strict safety standards while still representing your brand. Getting this right means understanding the regulations, choosing compliant garments, and using decoration methods that do not compromise the safety features of the gear.
This guide covers everything you need to know about ordering custom safety apparel and workwear, from ANSI compliance to print placement rules.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) publish the standards that govern high-visibility safety apparel in the United States. The current standard, ANSI/ISEA 107-2020, defines three types of hi-vis garments:
Type O garments are designed for workers in off-road environments where there is no traffic exposure but where enhanced visibility is still needed. Think warehouse workers, parking lot attendants, or event staff. These garments require the least amount of reflective material and background fluorescent fabric.
Type R is the most common category for construction, utility, and roadway workers. These garments require a minimum amount of both fluorescent background material (typically yellow-green or orange-red) and retroreflective striping. The retroreflective bands must be at least 2 inches wide and arranged in specific configurations around the torso.
Type P covers law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel. These garments allow for more flexibility in design, including the use of contrasting colors and different configurations of reflective striping, as long as they meet the minimum visibility requirements.
Within each type, garments are rated as Performance Class 1, 2, or 3, with Class 3 providing the highest level of visibility. Class 3 garments require retroreflective material on both the torso and sleeves or legs, and they need larger areas of fluorescent background material. Most roadside workers in states like California are required to wear at least Class 2 or Class 3 garments.
Here is where custom workwear gets tricky. You cannot just slap a logo anywhere on a hi-vis vest or jacket. The placement of your branding must not cover or interfere with the retroreflective striping or reduce the minimum area of fluorescent background material below ANSI requirements.
Not every decoration method holds up equally on workwear fabrics. Safety garments, work jackets, and industrial uniforms take abuse — exposure to weather, chemicals, repeated washing, and physical abrasion. You need methods that last.
Screen printing is the go-to for most workwear. Plastisol inks bond well to the polyester mesh typically used in hi-vis garments, and they hold up through industrial laundering. For cotton-blend work shirts, screen printing delivers bold, durable logos that withstand hundreds of wash cycles.
Best for: Hi-vis vests, work tees, polyester-blend safety shirts, large back prints.
Embroidery is the premium choice for workwear branding. Thread does not fade, crack, or wash out. It gives a professional, established look that is ideal for polos, jackets, button-downs, and hats. On heavier workwear fabrics like canvas and duck cloth, embroidery holds exceptionally well.
Best for: Jackets, polos, button-down work shirts, hats, beanies, canvas work gear.
HTV works well for individual names, employee numbers, and department identifiers on workwear. It is durable, available in reflective and high-visibility colors, and can be applied precisely in small areas without interfering with safety striping.
Best for: Individual names, numbers, small compliance labels, reflective lettering.
DTF transfers are gaining ground in workwear decoration because they adhere well to polyester and poly-blend fabrics that are common in safety garments. They produce full-color logos with good durability and flexibility, although they may not match the wash endurance of screen printing on heavily laundered garments.
Best for: Full-color logos on polyester safety gear, moderate wash cycles, smaller runs.
When ordering custom workwear, the garment itself matters as much as the decoration. Here are key factors to consider:
At French Press Custom, we regularly produce custom workwear for construction companies, warehouses, logistics firms, landscaping crews, and municipal departments across Southern California. Common orders include:
French Press Custom has over 15 years of experience producing custom workwear for teams across Southern California. We understand the compliance requirements, we stock a wide range of ANSI-rated blanks from top brands, and we know which decoration methods deliver the best results for your specific application. Whether you need 24 embroidered jackets or 500 printed hi-vis vests, we will make sure your crew looks professional and stays safe.
Ready to order custom workwear? Get a free quote from French Press Custom or call us at (562) 407-3800.
Get a free quote in 60 seconds - screen printing, embroidery, DTG & more. No minimums on most methods.
Get a Free Quote
Everything you need to know about vinyl heat transfer (HTV) for custom apparel. Learn what it is, when to use it, its advantages over other print methods, and where it falls short.
Discover how nonprofits use custom apparel for fundraising, events, and volunteer recognition. Budget-friendly tips and creative gear ideas from French Press Custom.
Get a free quote for your next project - no minimums on most methods.
Get a Free QuoteA complete guide to ordering custom uniforms for your small business. Covers choosing blanks, decoration methods, sizing, budgeting, reordering, and working with a print shop.
