A staff jacket has a tougher job than a branded T-shirt. It needs to keep people warm or dry, survive regular wear, and make your team recognisable from a distance. Knowing how to customise staff jackets properly means matching the garment, branding method and artwork to the job – not simply adding a logo to the cheapest option.
For trades, delivery teams, security staff, event crews and front-of-house teams, a well-chosen jacket makes the business look organised before anyone says a word. Get the details right and it becomes workwear people are happy to put on each morning.
How to customise staff jackets: start with the job
Choose the jacket before choosing the print. A lightweight softshell may be right for staff moving between a vehicle and a customer site, while a padded jacket makes more sense for people working outdoors through winter. A high-visibility style may be essential where visibility rules apply, but it also limits where and how branding can be added.
Think about where the jacket will actually be worn. A café delivery rider needs weather protection and freedom of movement. A building contractor may need a hard-wearing outer layer that can handle dust and repeated washing. An events team may only need a smart, lightweight jacket for a few busy days, where clear branding matters more than insulation.
The fabric affects the finish too. Smooth polyester softshells, fleece, padded jackets, waterproof outer shells and bomber-style workwear all take decoration differently. Embroidery can look excellent on a substantial softshell or fleece, but may feel too heavy on a thin, lightweight shell. Printed transfers are often a better fit where the fabric is technical, stretchy or difficult to stitch.
Colour is a practical decision, not just a brand decision. Black, navy and charcoal hide everyday marks well and suit most logos. Brighter colours are useful for roadside teams, sports marshals and promotional staff, although the logo needs enough contrast to stay readable. If your logo is dark, a dark jacket can make it disappear unless it is printed with a light backing or adapted for the garment.
Choose a logo position people will notice
The left chest is the standard starting point for branded staff jackets because it is visible in conversation and looks professional across most jacket styles. Keep it compact and clean. A small logo that is sharply embroidered or printed usually works harder than a detailed graphic squeezed into a tiny space.
For teams who spend much of the day facing away from customers, add a larger back print. This is particularly effective for tradespeople, couriers, facilities teams and event crew. A business name, service description or short contact detail can work well, but do not turn the back into a crowded advert. It needs to be read quickly from several metres away.
Sleeves can add useful information without overloading the jacket. They suit a website address, staff role, sponsor logo or short message. Bear in mind that seams, pockets, zips and panel changes can restrict the available print area. A good supplier will check the jacket construction before confirming the artwork position.
A reliable layout is a left-chest logo with a larger design on the back. If you need staff names or roles, use the right chest where space allows. For example, a cleaning company could use the main logo on the left chest, “Supervisor” on the right chest and the company name on the back. That is clear, functional branding rather than decoration for its own sake.
Keep artwork simple at small sizes
Jacket branding is often viewed from a distance, so fine detail can be wasted. Tiny text, complicated gradients and thin outlines may look good on a screen but lose clarity once printed or stitched. If your logo contains a tagline, consider whether it is needed on the chest version. You can retain the full design on the back and use a simplified mark at the front.
Supply the best artwork available. Vector files are ideal for logos because they can be resized without losing sharpness. High-resolution PNG files can also work for print, especially where transparency is needed. A low-quality image pulled from social media is likely to produce fuzzy edges, and embroidery may require the design to be simplified before it can be digitised.
Pick the right customisation method
There is no single best method for every staff jacket. The right choice depends on the fabric, design, quantity, budget and how heavily the jacket will be used.
Embroidery for a durable, professional finish
Embroidery is a popular choice for left-chest logos on fleeces, softshells, polos and heavier work jackets. It creates a raised, textured finish that feels established and holds up well to regular use. It is especially good for simple logos, bold lettering and designs with a limited number of colours.
The trade-off is detail. Very small text and complex artwork can be difficult to reproduce in thread. Embroidery can also be less suitable for lightweight waterproof jackets, where stitching can affect the outer layer, or for large back designs that would become heavy and costly.
DTF and heat transfer for detailed designs
DTF and other heat-transfer methods are strong options for full-colour logos, fine lines and detailed artwork. They can produce crisp results on many jacket fabrics and are practical for names, numbers and short-run orders. This makes them useful for one-off staff additions, temporary event teams or businesses testing a new uniform.
The finish sits on the surface of the garment rather than becoming part of the fabric like embroidery. On large designs, this can feel warmer or firmer than the jacket itself. It is usually best to keep transfers purposeful and correctly sized rather than covering a whole back panel without a reason.
Screen printing for larger, repeat orders
Screen printing can be cost-effective for larger runs with straightforward artwork, particularly where the same design appears on every jacket. It delivers strong, solid colours and can be an excellent choice for event crews, campaigns and promotional teams.
It is less flexible when every garment needs different names or roles, and setup costs make it less attractive for small quantities. If you need just a handful of jackets or no minimum order, a transfer method may be the more sensible route.
Get sizes and quantities right before production
Staff jackets are outer layers, so people may wear them over hoodies, jumpers or work clothes. Do not assume an employee’s usual T-shirt size will be right. Ask for a size guide and, where possible, allow staff to try a sample jacket before placing a larger order.
Include a few spare jackets if the team is growing, or keep a note of the garment brand, style, colour and decoration details so future additions match. Product ranges can change over time, and a navy jacket from one range may not match another exactly.
For a first order, it can be worth ordering one sample before committing to a large run, especially if the logo is detailed or the jacket has unusual seams. Confirm the placement, dimensions, thread or print colours, and spelling of any names or job titles. A visual proof catches most avoidable mistakes before production starts.
Plan for wear, washing and fast turnaround
Workwear gets washed more often than casual clothing. Give staff clear care instructions, usually washing inside out at the recommended temperature and avoiding harsh treatment that can shorten the life of a print. Embroidered logos are highly durable, but the jacket fabric, waterproof coating and zip quality still need appropriate care.
If you need jackets quickly for a new contract, exhibition, film crew or winter team rollout, have the essentials ready when requesting a quote: jacket style or purpose, quantity, sizes, print positions, artwork and required date. Fast production is far easier when there is no uncertainty over the design.
East London Printers can help with one-off additions as well as larger branded workwear runs, using print and embroidery methods suited to the garment and deadline. The key is to choose a jacket your staff will genuinely wear, then make the branding clear enough that every shift puts your business in view.