How to Create a Great Company Uniform

One of the most obvious visual elements of any brand is the employee uniform. If done well, it not only conveys a basic degree of professionalism but also reflects the company’s values and leaves a lasting impression on customers. Of course, uniforms have different requirements depending on the workplace environment or industry—some uniforms may be designed with a primary function or safety as a top priority, while others are more about brand promotion and making customers feel a certain way about the company.

Like your company’s logo or signage, uniforms often give customers a first impression of your business and are something you will see every day, so designing a great uniform is no small priority. With that pressure, designing one can be a real challenge. Additionally, once it’s designed, the process of acquiring and managing your uniform inventory can become a tedious chore, taking critical time away from your other obligations. 

At Accent Branding, we sympathize with business owners who need to create uniforms that are enthralling and functional and need them ordered quickly and painlessly. As a premier handler of company uniform needs, we outline a few tips below on how to design excellent company uniforms. Once you’re ready, Accent Branding has turnkey online uniform shops that make getting your team outfitted a snap.

Steps to Create A Great Company Uniform

1. Identify your brand values and uniform purpose

Before you begin designing, reflect on what you want your uniform to convey to your clients and customers. Is your brand casual or formal? Professional or creative? Do you need different uniforms for customer or client-facing employees versus backroom or warehouse employees? Write down your main uniform categories and any specific needs for each of them. These factors will help you narrow down options when you design an employee uniform.

2. Find the sweet spot between quality and quantity

Another aspect to consider before you actually design the uniform is the complexity. Typically, more complex uniforms that involve certain safety features, fastening styles, ornate stitching or other custom elements may end up being more expensive than practical. Consider factors such as employee turnover, functionality and practicality of the uniform, the physical demands of the job, and the frequency of replacements to determine whether you should keep things simple and streamlined or you can afford a more complex and potentially more attractive look. This will help you get the most out of your budget before you even create a work uniform. 

3. Include employee input

Your employees know their job demands best and they’re the ones who will be wearing company uniforms the most, so it is critical to consider their insight. Ask them if the current uniforms have any pain points as far as comfort or completing certain tasks. You may not think it is, but comfortable, safe, and good-looking uniforms go a long way toward happier employees and reduced turnover. Starting with a concept that acknowledges and reflects employee input is a great way to ensure employee buy-in, build teamwork, and foster a sense of company pride.

4. Design your company uniform

While more creative-inclined business owners might love the process of creating a work uniform, others prefer to leave it to professionals. However you choose to create your uniform, be sure to communicate clearly and consider design trends, aesthetics, fabrics, and silhouettes that speak to your unique brand identity. You should also consider inclusivity factors, such as different body types and sizes, gender expressions, and other cultural sensitivities in your design.

5. Find a merchandising partner you trust

Once your uniform is designed, you’ll need a reliable way to get your team outfitted and have options for easy replacements, new orders, and other inventory needs. From receiving employee requests to managing inventory, you need to be able to count on a merchandiser who will take care of all your uniform needs so that you can focus on the daily tasks of running your business.

While we aren’t designers ourselves, Accent Branding can make sure whatever you create gets ordered and shipped effortlessly with turnkey branded merchandise and uniform solutions—let us source, warehouse, and ship your uniform products so you don’t have to worry about it. Going a step further, we can also set up an online branded merchandise store for your business, allowing employees to request products or modifications directly. 

No matter where you are in the process, let our experts create and manage a fully-integrated work uniform program for your company. Reach out to Accent Branding today to get started, and take uniforms off your to-do list.