Custom Uniform Design: What to Consider Before Placing an Order
When it comes to custom uniform design, the details matter. Generic, off-the-shelf options get the job done, but if you want to see the big payoff, you need to invest in thoughtful customization. Here’s why.
Common Uniform Challenges
Before settling on custom work uniforms, consider the following:
Workplace Environment
Striking the perfect balance between appearance and functionality can be tricky. Before ordering, consider your workplace environment—the real-world conditions employees encounter throughout the day. Are employees inside, outside, in customer-facing roles? The answers to these questions will help you select the right:
- Fabric: Cotton is a natural fabric that is highly breathable and ideal for warm environments. But it also wrinkles easily. Polyester is a durable, synthetic moisture wicking fabric that is quick drying but can trap heat. Ultimately, the environment should dictate the material.
- Size: Standard sizes don’t work for everyone. Rather than forcing employees into poorly-fitting uniforms, opt for extended size ranges for unique body types.
- Allotment: Physically demanding roles mean more wear and tear on uniforms. Giving maintenance staff and front-desk employees the same number of uniforms is a common mistake. Tailor the allotment to the role.
Employee Comfort & Functionality
When evaluating custom work uniforms, look for designs that balance comfort with professionalism, prioritizing:
- A wide range of movements
- The weight of the material and how it feels during a long shift
- Breathability
- Potential irritants like tags and seams
- Practical features like pockets, badge holders, zippers, and belt loops
Brand Identity
To get the most out of your custom uniform design, consider how your uniforms:
- Reinforce your brand through logos, whether they are embroidered, screen printed, heat-sealed, or sewn on patches
- Reflect your company culture, whether it’s traditional, formal, modern, or casual
- Distinguish your brand from competitors
- Adapt to different roles and environments without compromising brand appearance
Ready to elevate your brand with custom uniforms that make an impact? Our team of design specialists can help translate your brand identity into functional, professional attire. Schedule a consultation today!
Ordering
Before settling on a custom uniform supplier, consider their business model. Many distributors use outdated processes that hinder efficiency and drive up costs.
Traditional uniform programs can be inefficient and costly for a few reasons. Placing orders often involves manual paperwork, phone calls, and email exchanges that waste time. Not only can orders get lost, quantities are often misallocated, leaving you with too many (or too few) custom uniforms.
Our Proximity System™ completely transforms the status quo. Here’s what makes it unique:
- A centralized hub: Our system gives you a dashboard—a single hub that tracks every aspect of your program in real time. This allows you to view inventory, pending orders, budget, and distribution status from one intuitive interface.
- Role-based catalogs: With our system, employees can only order uniforms appropriate to their roles, which ensures you maintain efficiency and compliance.
- Budget controls: Need to set spending limits by department or job role? The Proximity System™ allows you to do exactly that.
- Analytics: Traditional custom work uniform programs do not give you insight into ordering patterns, wear rates, and cost trends. Our system tells you exactly how your uniform budget is performing.
We Handle Your Uniform Program. You Focus On Your Business.
It’s easy for uniform programs to slip down the long list of priorities. But sidelining custom uniforms means missing opportunities to strengthen your brand and improve employee morale and performance. Unitec doesn’t just streamline programs and slash budgets—we enhance brands with custom uniforms that work as hard as your team does. Contact us today to learn more about our custom work uniform program.