How to Heat-Apply Graphics on Servicewear and Uniforms

June 22, 2009

By Cara Cherry, Contributing Writer

Whether you are buying a cappuccino or getting your oil changed, chances are the person assisting you is outfitted in custom workwear or servicewear of some type. It’s hard to say exactly when the first uniform was worn and by whom. Perhaps soldiers going into battle started the phenomenon. Or maybe it was railroad workers who wore bib overalls in the late 1800’s that popularized the trend. Either way, from traditional to non-traditional, workwear has become a staple of various sectors in our labor force.

Garment decorators who already provide team uniforms, school uniforms and fanwear may find it’s a natural progression to expand services by offering customized servicewear. With an established customer base and product decorating knowledge, it can prove to be a very lucrative market.

However, decorating uniforms or servicewear requires a big commitment. First, you need to determine what type of programs you wish to offer. A true uniform can include tops, bottoms, coats, hats and other accessories. While a wearables program may be a one-time event, if you decide to offer uniforms, then you need to be ready and willing to support that program for several years.

Second, are you familiar with the wide variety of styles available in uniforms and workwear? Whether decorating for a restaurant or the boardroom, hospital or landscaping crew, it’s important to be aware of the large variety of apparel available.

Finally, don’t forget about the feminine needs of this market.  Wearing a men’s shirt in a smaller size doesn’t cut it anymore. Fit, quality, style and color are very important to women. In addition, both men and women are looking for advanced fabrics that that wick away moisture or stretch to fit and are willing to pay for them. It’s important to include this as part of your offering.


This button-down shirt for a television reporter features a feminine cut and fit, and is decorated with a CAD-PRINTZ Digital Transfer design on the left chest.

Branding
Workwear does more than just serve a purpose. It reflects a company’s image and values. Since employees in logoed servicewear are usually the first person a customer comes in contact with, it is important they look credible and professional. At the same time, many companies want to be seen as both modern and fun, which has started a shift towards more casual uniform styles. Selecting just the right uniform is an important part of branding a company’s corporate style.

If you would like to get into this market then consider implementing a program with your own company first. If your employees wear customized uniforms, customers entering your shop will know exactly to whom they’re talking. Wearing shirts or jackets decorated with your logo as you do everyday errands can earn you extra business. You are advertising your business on your body, which can be a great conversation starter that eventually leads to extra sales.

When it comes time to decorate, there are a variety of options to choose from including screen printing, embroidery and direct-to-garment printing. Heat-applied materials are another great option as you can offer both long and short runs and still make a profit. This article will focus on heat-applied materials, which are available in a variety of finishes, colors and special effects.

Heat transfer vinyl comes in a wide range of solid colors, making it easy to match most corporate colors when designing logos. Heat transfer vinyl also is available in stripes, animal prints, polka dots, glitters, metallics and neons — though you’ll probably use these novelty materials to decorate fun fashion wear. Corporate clients will usually stay with more traditional colors and designs.


This long sleeve traditional button-down with a left chest Gilbert’s Hardware logo is done with CAD-PRINTZ digital transfer material.

Digital transfers printed via inkjet or laser also can be applied using a heat press, which gives your shop the ability to print detailed, almost photorealistic transfers that can be applied to any type of fabric. This innovative technology is ideal for workwear as it’s very economical and allows businesses of all sizes to order amazing graphics at a price that fits their budget. Digital transfers can be applied to aprons, hats, sublimated garments and more.

Placement
Once you’ve won the job to create a customer’s workwear and determined what types of apparel will be used in the program, then you need to consider the size and placement of the client’s logo. Small designs usually work well on the left chest, especially on jackets, vests, polos and button-down shirts. Additionally, extremely small logos — or even Web site addresses — can be placed around the back collar, shirt cuff on a long-sleeve garment or shoulder area on a short-sleeve shirt.


Full back designs offer great advertising opportunities as the design can be seen when the wearer is facing away from you.

Larger designs are often placed across the front or back. In some cases, a large design on the back works well with a smaller design on the front. That way the logo is always visible to the customer.

The same is true with hats. Think about the last sporting event you attended. If the person sitting in front of you was wearing a hat decorated only on the front, that business completely lost an opportunity to advertise. Although it may seem somewhat unconventional, placing a logo on the front and the company name or a small logo on the back and/or sides of a cap makes the cap an even more effective advertising tool.

Backpacks, duffel, cases or bags don’t always have specific placement options and can be decorated in a variety of ways. If the bag has a front center area, then this might be the ideal place. Sides and handles can be good alternatives.


Here are a bag and CD case designed to demonstrate alternative placement using CAD-PRINTZ Digital Transfers.

Overall, there are no limits to the places you can put logos. From professional to casual to modern to traditional, decorators have a number of opportunities to get creative with servicewear.  With some serious research and planning, you can create corporate apparel programs for both small and large businesses and truly increase the profitability of your business.

Cara Cherry is a representative of the public relations & advertising department of Stahls' ID Direct, St. Clair Shores, Mich.

* All Images Courtesy of Stahls’ ID Direct

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