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When going up against your competitors, every little detail counts. Everything from the quality of your products, website, and signage through to the level of customer service is an opportunity to promote brand awareness and trust. Even something as humble as the business uniform can have a significant impact.
The right company uniform can elevate your brand, foster team commitment, leave a positive impression on your customers, and provide an added level of safety and security. What is the key to creating a successful business uniform? In one word - professionalism! Good research, planning, and implementation are needed, along with understanding your brand identity. Here are 3 essential steps involved in designing and implementing a business uniform that not only looks good, but also works for your business, the team and your brand.
Step 1 Understanding Your Brand And Uniform Needs
Before you even begin to think about fabrics or designs, doing some strategic planning and defining your core business values is a necessary step to set you on the right track. This will include:
1. Defining Your Brand Identity
A uniform is essentially a visual extension or representation of your brand. Therefore you will need to look at your current brand values/personality, logo/imagery and target audience to get a good idea of what it is you are trying to present. Is your business high-end or casual, formal or relaxed, modern or timeless? Who are your customers, and what would they expect from your staff? What colours and imagery does your brand currently identify with? A good uniform should reflect these things first and foremost.
2. Analysing Operational Requirements
While form and fashion are essential, overlooking practicality is a mistake. Always place the comfort and safety of your employees first, taking into account daily tasks, the environment your employees will be working in, and how the uniform will perform under these conditions. Are employees mostly indoors or outdoors? Are they exposed to temperature fluctuations or extreme temperatures? Front of house or behind the scenes? Are there safety requirements that need to be met (e.g. hi-visibility clothing, non-slip footwear)?
3. Gathering Feedback
As it is your employees that are going to be wearing the new uniform it is important to ask for their input into what they would like to wear, fabric preferences or features, what they would feel comfortable working in and how they feel about the cost and upkeep of the product. Invoicing your employees in the design process means they are more likely to embrace the change and take pride in wearing the uniform.
Step 2 Designing The Uniform
Now it’s time for the fun part - choosing items of clothing and branding options. Lets go!
1. Choosing The Right Garments
Most uniforms will include a variety of items for wear across different seasons and for personal preference. Some of the more common options are:
- Tops: Polo shirts, button-down shirts, blouses, tee-shirts, singlets, sweaters, and jerseys.
- Bottoms: Trousers, skirts, dresses, pants, and shorts.
- Outerwear: Blazers, vests, overalls, jackets and coats.
- Accessories: PPE, bags, beanies, gloves, socks, scarves, belts, aprons, name badges.
2. Selecting Fabrics And Colours
The choice of fabric and colours can significantly impact the look, feel, and functionality of any uniform. Opt for durable, easy-care fabrics that can withstand regular daily use and consider factors like breathability (cotton, linen, high-performance fabrics), durability, wrinkle resistance, and stain resistance. For colours, these need to be aligned with your brand identity, but you also need to consider the visual impact different colours might have, for example, blue is often associated with trust, green for nature, and red for energy or vitality.
3. Incorporating Your Branding
The best uniforms subtly and professionally integrate your logo and brand elements without ending up like a walking advertisement. Embroidery is a classic and durable option for logos on shirts, jackets, and hats. In contrast, screen printing is suitable for larger designs and can be more cost-effective for bulk orders. Try to use your brand colours strategically in the design of the garments themselves for the best results, and consider incorporating brand colours in buttons, trim, or lining. See here for more on the difference between screen printing and embroidery for corporate branding.
4. Flattering With Fit And Style
Comfortable employees are happy and productive employees. Choose breathable, well-fitting garments that allow for ease of movement. A well-fitting uniform looks more professional and enhances employee comfort and confidence. Always consider a range of body types and preferences and offer a good range of sizes to accommodate all employees and opt for classic styles that won’t date too quickly. Offering matching options where appropriate maintains the desired cohesive look and feel regardless of the item of clothing.
5. Prioritising Functionality And Practicality
A uniform shouldn’t get in the way of an employee’s ability to perform their tasks effectively. Or worse, become a safety hazard! Consider pockets, ease of movement and adjustability as well as the necessary safety features. What are employees carrying in their pockets? Do they require an unrestricted range of movement? Do features like adjustable waistbands or cuffs improve functionality?
Step 3 Implementation And Management
Even if your employees already wear a uniform, there is always likely to be some degree of resistance to change with something new and unfamiliar. Effective implementation and ongoing management are crucial for the success of the introduction of any new uniform change.
1. Developing A Uniform Policy
Setting up a clear and comprehensive uniform policy will set expectations and ensure consistency around your new uniform and how it is to be worn and looked after - this will avoid any issues with miscommunication down the track. The policy should address things like when, where and how the uniform must be worn, care and maintenance instructions, replacement procedures, consequences of non-compliance, and if any personalisation is allowed (e.g., different footwear or hats) - the key here is to clearly define expectations without any room for misinterpretation.
2. Choosing A Reliable Workwear Supplier
Selecting the right uniform supplier is going to be one of the most important decisions you make with regard to quality, consistency, and even timely delivery. Start by researching multiple suppliers, and comparing all the usual factors such as pricing, quality, lead times, and customer service. Request samples to compare fabrics and construction quality, and ask for branding examples in your chosen format (embroidery or screen printing) to get a good idea of what looks best. It is also a good idea to check references and reviews to see what other businesses have to say about their experience and to ensure they are able to meet your business’s initial and ongoing supply requirements.
3. Implementing A Smooth Rollout
Ensuring a positive and enthusiastic approach to the rollout of your new uniform is key to a successful uptake. It is best to make the uniform introduction process as seamless as possible for your employees by informing them about the new uniform well in advance, providing sizing sessions to ensure a comfortable fit the first time, and presenting the uniforms in a way that emphasises their value and importance. Also offering guidance around the new uniform policy and be open to receiving feedback and addressing any concerns that may arise.
4. Managing And Maintaining The Uniform Program
The uniform program requires ongoing management to ensure its continued effectiveness. Establish an inventory management process if you are storing the uniform on-site to track uniform stock levels and anticipate replacement needs. Implement regular inspections to ensure employees are adhering to the uniform policy and that garments are in good condition. Budget for future replacements and updates by factoring in the cost of replacing worn-out uniforms and potentially updating the design in the future. Keep the lines of communication open, regularly checking in with your employees to identify any areas for improvement.
Choosing clothing and accessories for your business uniform isn't just about picking out what looks good. It's a strategic decision that can really boost how people see your brand, improve employee satisfaction, and have an impact on how well your business does overall. Keep in mind, what your team wears is often the first thing people notice – so make sure it's a great first impression! See Tradestaff Workwear for all your business uniform needs.