Personalised Work Shirts: Polos, Tees and What We Don't Make
By The Velocity Wear Team
Search for work shirts and you'll find everything from heavy-duty drill shirts to crisp oxford shirts for bank staff to polos and tees. They all count. The right one depends entirely on the job. Let's be clear upfront about what we make: embroidered and printed polo shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and outer layers. We don't make woven dress shirts or oxfords.
Work polos
The most versatile work shirt. Smart enough for customer-facing roles, tough enough for trades, and easy to embroider. Poly-cotton piqué suits most jobs; performance polos suit outdoor and active work. See our work polo shirts guide.
Work t-shirts
Cooler and cheaper, great for warehouses, kitchens, gyms, events and relaxed retail. A left-chest logo plus a back print with your business name is a common setup.
Sweatshirts and hoodies as work layers
For cold workshops, vans and winter site work, a branded sweatshirt or hoodie over a polo keeps the uniform consistent all year. See company hoodies.
When you need a woven shirt instead
If staff need a collared, buttoned shirt, such as in banks, law firms, hotel reception, or formal hospitality, a woven oxford or poplin shirt is the right answer. Those need a supplier who specialises in woven shirts. Many firms pair a woven shirt for formal staff with a branded polo or quarter zip for everyone else, and we can help with the knit side of that.
Personalisation options
- Company logo embroidered on the left chest.
- Staff name or job title on the right chest.
- Department or role on the back for large sites.
- Website or phone number on the back for trades.
Name badges vs embroidered names
Embroidered names look smart and can't fall off, but staff turnover means shirts become unusable when someone leaves. For high-turnover roles, consider a logo-only shirt with a separate name badge. For long-serving teams, embroidered names are a nice touch.
Sizing staff respectfully
Use a private form, offer men's and ladies' cuts, and include measurements. Nobody should have to say their size out loud in a team meeting.
Getting the look consistent
When a team wears a mix of polos, tees and layers, keep the same logo size, position and thread colour across all of them. Write it down as a simple spec. Otherwise the polo logo ends up 9 cm wide, the hoodie logo 12 cm, and the tee print a slightly different blue, and the team looks mismatched.
How many shirts per person
For full-time staff, three to five shirts each covers a working week with washing. Part-time staff need fewer. Build in spares for new starters and replacements, and review stock every few months.
Seasonal uniform switches
Many firms switch from polos in summer to sweatshirts or softshells in winter. Keep branding identical across both so customers always see the same company. Plan the winter order in September so staff aren't cold in October.
Who pays for uniforms
Most businesses provide required uniforms free to staff. Decide how many items each person gets and when they're replaced, and write it into your staff handbook.
Minimums and timing
Our minimum is 20 per design with sizes and cuts mixed. Individual names don't change the minimum. Production takes 10 to 15 working days after artwork approval. Browse polo shirts, custom t-shirts and corporate uniforms.
