Quick Answers
- Most popular items: Carhartt t-shirts, hi-vis vests, embroidered hats, crew hoodies
- Best decoration for workwear: Embroidery (most durable) or screen printing (best for large prints)
- Hi-vis compliance: ANSI Class 2 or 3 — read our OSHA compliance guide
- Turnaround: 7–10 business days
- Reorders: Logo stays on file — fast reorders when you hire new crew
- Ships nationwide: Yes — or local pickup in Petoskey, MI
Why Branded Apparel Matters for Contractors
Your crew represents your company on every jobsite, at every supply house, and driving through every neighborhood. Homeowners and commercial clients judge professionalism before the first handshake — and a crew in matching branded gear signals that you run a real operation.
Beyond first impressions, branded apparel serves practical purposes on the jobsite:
- Client trust — homeowners feel more comfortable with a uniformed crew in their home or on their property
- Jobsite identification — when multiple trades are working the same project, branded shirts identify who belongs to which company
- Free advertising — every truck stop, gas station, and lunch spot becomes a marketing opportunity
- Team cohesion — matching gear builds crew pride and a sense of belonging
If you are not already outfitting your crew in branded apparel, you are missing one of the simplest and most cost-effective marketing tools available. For more ways to stand out, read 7 Ways Contractors Can Get More Jobs This Year.
What to Order: The Contractor Essentials
Daily Wear T-Shirts
The foundation of any crew's wardrobe. Screen printed company t-shirts with your logo on the front and a larger back print are the most cost-effective way to brand your crew. Order in bulk (48+) for the best per-piece pricing.
Recommended blanks: Carhartt CTK84 (pocket tee, built tough), Gildan 5000 (budget-friendly for high-volume), Port & Company PC55 (core blend, durable).
Hi-Vis Safety Gear
If your crew works near roads, on commercial jobsites, or in any situation where visibility matters, hi-vis apparel is not optional — it is required. ANSI-rated vests, shirts, and jackets with your company branding keep your crew safe and compliant while marketing your business.
Read our full guide to OSHA high-visibility requirements to understand Class 2 vs Class 3 requirements and which garments you need for your jobsite type.
Recommended: CornerStone CSV405 (Class 2 vest), Port Authority SRJ754 (Class 3 rain jacket), Carhartt CTTSV43 (hi-vis rain defender).
Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Crew favorites for early mornings, cold-weather work, and shoulder seasons. Screen printed or embroidered depending on the look you want. Carhartt midweight hoodies (CTK121) are the most popular choice among contractors.
Hats & Beanies
Embroidered trucker caps and knit beanies are high-visibility branding items — your crew wears them at lunch, at the gas station, and after work. They are also relatively inexpensive to order, making them a great add-on to any apparel order.
Insulated Jackets & Outerwear
For winter work, branded Carhartt duck jackets, insulated bibs, and heavyweight hoodies keep your crew warm while keeping your name visible. Embroidery is the preferred decoration for outerwear — it holds up better on heavy fabrics than screen printing.
Vehicle Lettering
Complete the look by matching your truck and trailer branding to your crew apparel. Custom vehicle lettering turns every drive into advertising.
Embroidery vs Screen Printing for Workwear
| Feature | Embroidery | Screen Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Excellent — thread lasts the life of the garment | Very good — ink bonds with fabric |
| Best for | Left chest logos, hats, jackets, polos | Large back prints, multi-piece orders, t-shirts |
| Minimum | No minimum | 12 pieces |
| Setup | One-time digitizing fee | Screen setup per color |
Many contractors use both: embroidered logo on the front chest, screen-printed company name and phone number on the back. That combination maximizes both professionalism and visibility.
Building a Crew Apparel Program
The smartest approach is to standardize your crew apparel and order by season:
- Spring/Summer: Screen printed t-shirts (daily wear) + embroidered hats + hi-vis vests
- Fall/Winter: Embroidered Carhartt hoodies + insulated jackets + knit beanies
- Year-round: Embroidered trucker caps (the most-seen branded item your crew wears)
We keep your logo digitized and on file. When you hire a new crew member or need to restock seasonal gear, reorders are fast and consistent. We also build custom online stores where your crew orders their own gear — sizes and styles they actually want, no spreadsheets required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many shirts should I order per crew member?
Most contractors order 5–7 t-shirts per crew member for daily rotation, plus 2 hoodies and 1 hat. This gives enough for a full work week without doing laundry mid-week.
What happens when I hire someone new?
Your logo is on file — just tell us the sizes you need and we will produce them. Turnaround on reorders is typically 5–7 business days since setup is already done.
Can I get just a few pieces to start?
Yes. Embroidery and DTF printing have no minimum order. You can start with a small test order and scale up. Screen printing requires 12+ pieces.
Do I need to meet OSHA hi-vis requirements?
If your crew works near traffic, on road construction, or on commercial jobsites that require PPE, yes. Read our full OSHA hi-vis compliance guide.
Can you add individual crew member names?
Yes. Embroidered names are $6.00 per garment. Screen-printed name customization is also available on bulk orders.
Why Order From Personal Graphics
We outfit contractors and construction companies with in-house production — not outsourced. Carhartt, hi-vis, and industrial brands are our bread and butter. We understand jobsite durability requirements and can recommend the right garment and decoration combination for how your crew actually works.
We ship anywhere in the United States, and local contractors can stop by our Petoskey shop to see samples in person.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your crew — how many people, what you need, and your budget. We will put together a recommendation and quote.
Custom Apparel for Contractors → · Branded Workwear → · View Pricing →
Have questions? Chat with us using the button in the lower right — available 8am–10pm. Or call (231) 347-6347 or email us — we're here Mon–Fri 8am–4pm.
