Why does a new trade business need branded workwear?
When you start a trade business, branded workwear helps customers trust you from the first visit. A tidy uniform with your name and number also advertises your business on every job and every drive past a customer's house.
This checklist helps you plan a complete kit, from everyday garments to PPE, without overspending.
Checklist: everyday branded garments
- Polos or t-shirts for warm days, with your logo on the left chest.
- Sweatshirts or hoodies for cooler days.
- A softshell, fleece or gilet for outdoor work.
- A waterproof jacket for wet weather.
- Hard-wearing work trousers.
Checklist: protective clothing
- Hi-vis in the class your work requires. See our hi-vis classes guide.
- Safety footwear and head protection as your risk assessment requires.
- Flame resistant clothing if your work involves those risks. See our FR workwear guide.
The Health and Safety Executive's guidance on PPE at work explains employers' responsibilities.
Checklist: branding
- Get your logo as a vector file. See our guide to preparing a logo for embroidery.
- Choose one main colour that matches your van and signage.
- Decide on positions: chest logo, plus phone number or website on the back.
- Keep branding clear of reflective tape on hi-vis.
Checklist: sizes, quantities and budget
- Collect each person's sizes before ordering.
- Give each person enough garments to rotate through the week.
- Set a budget per person and prioritise the essentials.
- Keep invoices. Our guide to workwear and tax summarises HMRC guidance.
Checklist: reorders and growth
- Stick to the same styles and colours so new staff match.
- Keep a spare or two in common sizes for new starters.
- Reorder before garments look worn.
Where can you see our construction workwear?
Visit our construction workwear page for garments we supply to trades. We also embroider personalised gifts, as our guide to personalised baby and kids gifts shows.
Do we supply customers near you?
We are based in Worcestershire and dispatch orders across the UK, and customers nearby can arrange local collection. See how we work with customers locally on our pages for embroidery in Dudley and embroidery in Oldbury, or browse all areas we serve in the West Midlands.
Frequently asked questions about workwear for new trade businesses
What workwear does a new trade business need?
Most start with embroidered polos, a sweatshirt or hoodie, an outdoor layer and work trousers, plus any PPE such as hi-vis that the work requires.
Can you add our phone number to the back?
Yes. A phone number or website on the back is popular with trades because it works as advertising on every job.
Can you supply hi-vis with our logo?
Yes. We supply hi-vis vests, jackets and trousers and add your logo in a way that leaves the reflective tape clear.
Is there a minimum order?
We welcome small orders as well as large ones, so a sole trader kitting out one van and a club ordering a full squad are both looked after. Tell us your quantity when you ask for a quote and we will advise on the best value option.
Do you supply the clothing as well as add the logo?
Yes. We supply the garments from trade brands such as Portwest, Regatta, Result, Gildan and Fruit of the Loom, then embroider or print them, so you deal with one supplier from start to finish.
Where can you check the facts in this guide?
Kit out your new trade business
Tell us what your team does, how many people need kit and share your logo. You can request a quote, call 07825 818684 or message us on WhatsApp.
