Custom Softshell Jackets: The Branded Outerwear Guide
By The Velocity Wear Team
Branded softshell jackets are typically embroidered left-chest and are the standard choice for teams working outdoors in UK conditions, offering wind resistance and water repellency without the bulk of a waterproof shell. Velocity Wear produces them from a 20-piece minimum with mixed sizes, around 10–15 working days from artwork approval, plus 2–5 working days tracked UK delivery.
What a Softshell Actually Does
It is worth being precise, because expectations cause most of the disappointment here. A softshell is wind-resistant, water-repellent and breathable. It is not a waterproof jacket. It will shrug off drizzle and a short shower comfortably and will eventually wet out in sustained heavy rain. For most outdoor working days in the UK, that is the right trade — a genuinely waterproof shell is less breathable and less comfortable to work in.
Specifying for the Job
A few choices separate a softshell that gets worn from one that lives in a van.
- Fleece-backed linings are warmer and suit colder outdoor work; lighter unlined softshells suit milder conditions and active work.
- Check the cuff and hem adjustment — jackets that cannot be closed at the wrist let wind straight in and are far less useful.
- Pocket configuration matters more than it sounds for trades and site work, where a chest pocket that closes is genuinely used.
- Size for layering. A softshell worn over a fleece needs the room, and a fitted one will simply not be worn in winter.
Embroidery on Technical Fabrics
Embroidery is standard on softshells and durable, but technical fabrics need decoration handled sensibly. Very dense designs create a large number of needle penetrations in a fabric whose value partly comes from its weather resistance, so simpler, cleaner marks are generally the better specification. A left-chest logo is conventional; a larger back mark is often added for site identification.
“"Softshells get worn every day for years. It is the one branded garment where the logo genuinely earns its cost."”
Ordering and Cost
Orders start at 20 pieces with mixed sizes allowed. Softshells carry a higher per-piece cost than fleeces or polos, which makes bulk discounts — up to around 40% as quantities rise — more valuable in absolute terms. For a growing team, ordering a wider size spread up front avoids small top-up runs that each pay their own setup cost. Compare lined and unlined options in the free instant price calculator, since the difference across a run is often smaller than expected.
Artwork
Supply vector artwork and confirm exact brand colours so thread can be matched as closely as possible. Simplify fine detail and small text before embroidery. Preview placement and scale in the free Design Studio, and keep the logo specification identical across softshells, fleeces and polos so the range reads as one uniform rather than three separate purchases.