How to Order Custom Company Shirts Your Team Will Actually Wear
Branded apparel is one of the few marketing expenses your team uses every day. Done right, it makes a small business look established and gives employees something they're proud to wear. Done wrong, it's a box of stiff shirts in the back office. Here's how to get it right.
Start with how the shirts will be used
Staff uniforms, trade show giveaways and a "thank you" hoodie for your team are three different orders. Uniforms need to survive weekly washing and look consistent. Giveaways need a good price per piece. Team gifts should feel premium enough that people wear them on weekends.
Pick a garment people like
The most common mistake is choosing the cheapest blank. For everyday staff wear, a soft, mid-weight tee or a polo costs a little more and gets worn far more often. Ask to feel samples if you can, and offer a fitted cut alongside the unisex one.
Keep the logo simple
- Left chest: clean and professional, great for uniforms and polos
- Full front: bold, better for events and casual wear
- Back print: good for staff who need to be identified from behind, like event or field crews
Send a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or a high-resolution PDF) if you have one. If you only have a JPG, a good shop can redraw it.
Know when to screen print and when not to
Screen printing is the best value for larger runs with a few colors. For small runs, full-color logos or one-off names, DTF printing or embroidery may make more sense. Most shops have a screen print minimum (ours is 48 pieces), so ask what method fits your quantity.
Plan quantities with a buffer
Order for current staff plus a few extras in your most common sizes for new hires. Re-ordering a small batch later almost always costs more per piece than adding a few to the original run.
Make re-orders easy
Keep your approved proof, garment style and colors on file so the next order matches. If different locations or departments order separately, an online store lets each one order their own sizes and pay on their own card.
Threadz makes apparel for businesses, teams and events as well as Greek life. See how we work with businesses, or send us your logo and we'll mock it up for free.