When it comes to customising and personalising workwear the best method to use will depend on a multitude of factors. These factors include the type of clothing, the environment in which it is being worn, whether its primary function is to be smart and attractive or functional, whether the item is inner or outer wear, how large the logo or image is and the complexity of the artwork.
The key methods to customising uniforms and featuring logos on workwear are embroidery and heat sealing, also referred to as heat transfer.
What is heatseal printing?
To feature a heat seal logo on workwear, a coloured transfer is created, then applied to a garment using an industrial heat press, which prints and seals the transfer on to the item. The result is a permanent, colour-fast addition to the clothing. Heatseal is an ideal way to prominently feature a company logo on a uniform and can be produced in a full spectrum of colours to match your company brand perfectly. Crucially, heatseal logos can withstand regular washing without peeling or fading.
Why customise workwear?
Branded workwear helps identify your staff, whether that’s to customers or other employees. Workforces across a variety of industries, including refuse and local authority, utilities and construction and facilities management and contract cleaning, can all benefit from clearly branded workwear. Beyond the practicalities of bespoke uniforms, branded workwear can help instil a sense of belonging in your employees and create a professional and consistent brand image.
What workwear is suitable for heatseal printing?
Heatseal transfers are highly durable, so are ideal for workwear and safety clothing that is regularly washed and subject to manual work. They can be applied to a variety of cotton and polycotton clothes, as well as protective clothing, synthetic clothing, and high visibility PPE. Heatseal transfers work particularly well when a large format logo is needed to identify staff at a distance, for example, on the back of a high-vis vest worn by road maintenance and construction workers.
Embroidery or heatseal?
Heatseal isn’t the only option when it comes to branding workwear with your company logo. Embroidery is another possibility. A few factors determine which is most appropriate – heatseal or embroidery.
Tailored workwear for customer-facing roles often benefits from the premium look and feel of embroidered logos. However, high visibility and synthetic fabrics are well suited to heatseal applications. Heat seal is also best for outerwear as it doesn’t puncture the material, which could then cause leaks. Embroidery is not suited to large logos or those featuring complex shading, making Heat Seal the better option.
Contego Safety Solutions can advise on the best customisation methods to use based on the workwear and uniforms you need.
How long does heatseal printing take?
The turnaround between choosing your branded workwear and receiving it may be faster than you think – the entire process can take less than a week from design approval to dispatch. After you’ve selected the PPE clothing and workwear you need from our range, including items in our exclusive WEARMASTER® range, we can help you decide how best to customise it. After you’ve supplied your artwork or logo, we’ll mock-up the design for your approval. Then we’ll apply the logo to the garments and can pack up uniforms for each employee using our WEARPACK® service, making internal distribution to a large number of employees easy and efficient.
Equipping all staff, permanent, temporary and contractors, with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is key to creating and maintaining a safe workplace. Contego Safety Solutions stocks a wide range of corporate workwear, protective clothing and PPE, including our own WEARMASTER® range. The friendly and expert team at Contego Safety Solutions is always on hand to give advice and guidance on the right PPE and protective clothing for your needs. Contact us now on 0800 122 3323 or sales@contegosafety.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
To find out more about our extensive range of safety clothing, workwear and equipment, visit our online shop.
