Good uniforms do more than identify your staff. They make your business look consistent and professional, help customers find help quickly and give your team something comfortable and durable to work in. This guide covers how to plan and order them without surprises.
1. Define what the uniform needs to do
- Environment: kitchen, warehouse, retail floor, office, outdoor work or sports field.
- Durability: how often it is washed and how rough the work is.
- Comfort: heat, movement and all-day wear.
- Brand image: casual and friendly, or formal and polished.
- Roles: do managers, front-of-house or event staff need different pieces?
2. Choose the right garments
| Business type | Common uniform pieces |
|---|---|
| Restaurants and cafes | Aprons, tees, caps |
| Retail and hospitality | Polos, shirts, name-ready tops |
| Trades and warehouses | Durable tees, sweatshirts, jackets, work pants |
| Gyms and studios | Activewear, tanks, hoodies |
| Sports teams | Team tops, shorts, warm-up layers, socks |
See our custom uniforms and workwear page for the full range.
3. Select fabrics for the job
Cotton is comfortable and breathable; polyester blends resist wrinkles, hold colour and dry faster; heavier twill and canvas suit tougher work. Our fabric selection team can recommend options that survive frequent washing.
4. Plan logo placement and decoration
- Left chest logo: the standard for polos and shirts.
- Large back print: great for event staff and visibility.
- Sleeve or cap logo: subtle extra branding.
Embroidery is the most durable, professional choice for workwear, while screen printing suits t-shirts and larger graphics. Read embroidery vs screen printing to decide.
5. Collect sizes the right way
- Share a size chart with garment measurements (our size chart guide explains why this matters).
- Collect sizes in one spreadsheet with names and roles.
- If possible, ask staff to try a sample size run.
- Add a few extra pieces in the most common sizes for new hires.
6. Approve a sample
Check colour, logo size and placement, fabric feel and fit before bulk production. Samples take 7 to 10 business days with us. Wash the sample to check durability.
7. Order, receive and plan reorders
Bulk production takes 2 to 4 weeks after sample approval, from 50 pieces per design. Keep your approved specs on file so reorders match exactly, and plan stock for seasonal hiring and replacements. Ask about packing options that make distribution to staff easier.
Uniform ordering checklist
- Garment list per role
- Fabric and colour choices
- Logo files and placement for each garment
- Size list per person, plus spares
- Delivery deadline
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom uniforms?
At MAKEWELL APPAREL the minimum is 50 pieces per design for most products, which suits most small and mid-sized teams. Sizes can be planned within the order to match your staff.
Embroidery or printing for work uniforms?
Embroidery is the most popular choice for polos, shirts, jackets and aprons because it looks professional and withstands frequent industrial washing. Printing works well for t-shirts, event staff and large back designs.
How long does it take to get custom uniforms?
Samples take 7 to 10 business days and bulk production takes 2 to 4 weeks after approval. Plan ahead for openings, events or seasonal hiring.
How do I collect sizes from my team?
Share a size chart with garment measurements and collect each person's size in a simple form or spreadsheet. Ordering a few extra pieces in common sizes covers new hires and replacements.
Need uniforms for your team?
Send your garment list, logo and headcount. We will recommend fabrics and decoration and send an itemized quote within 24 hours.
Quote My Uniforms