However, in addition to considering a shirt’s style, color, and price, you must also consider its material.

The best shirt materials are comfortable and soft.

Certain fabrics will naturally affect your skin. Choosing a shirt with the right material is especially important if you suffer from sensitive skin.

Here’s what you should consider when looking for the best comfortable material for shirts:

• Breathable: Keeps the body cool
• Natural: Hypo-allergenic and biodegradable
• Soft: Gentle on the skin, and comfortable to wear all year-round 
• Absorbent: Soaks up moisture and keeps you dry
• Odorless: Repels smells and sweat

So, what materials offer the optimal mix of the above factors?

Well, today you’ll learn the:

• Two best fabrics for your skin
• Right fabric blend for high-quality shirts

Two Friendly Shirt Materials

Cotton

Cotton takes the crown for being the most natural fabric to wear. It’s breathable, weightless, and soft. 

Cotton spinning dates back to 3000 BC India, and today popular types of cotton include Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, and cotton twill. 

At fancysweetstx, it’s no secret that we love using organic cotton. Below are a few reasons why:

• Comfortable and breathable: Cotton is naturally hollow fiber, meaning air passes through it easily. This breathability makes cotton ideal for hot and humid climates.

  Athletes and construction workers will likely wear cotton shirts because they’re comfortable and breathable, making it easier to cool down on a hot summer’s day.

• Moisture control: Cotton fiber draws moisture away from the body, which helps keep you dry. In fact, cotton holds up to 27 times its weight.

• Hypo-allergenic: No chemicals are used when manufacturing organic cotton, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin. 

• Suitable for printing: We love how cotton takes on practically any form of decoration.

  It’s one of our preferred materials for our custom screen printing and embroidery business. Through it, we’ve been able to come up with some cool designs.

Poly/Cotton Blends

Even though linen and silk are strong contenders for the most comfortable and soft fabrics, they’re still inferior to the qualities that fabric blends offer. 

Linen wrinkles easily and loses its biodegradable properties when bleached or dyed. Silk is costly to buy and maintain and tends to shrink.

The term polyblend was originally used to refer to a blend of two or more polyester materials. But today, polyblend refers to a combination of polyester with cotton. 

Blending fabrics gives you the best of both worlds that you wouldn’t otherwise enjoy when using individual fabrics.

Examples of popular blends include cotton and spandex; cotton, polyester, and spandex; rayon and polyester; polyester and viscose. Below are some advantages of these blends:

• Cotton/Polyester/Rayon: Comfortable, breathable, and a little stretchy
• Cotton/Poly: Soft, shrinks less than 100% cotton, and breathable
• Rayon/Polyester: More comfortable and softer than rayon or polyester alone
• Polyester/Viscose: Durable, softer, and resistant to shrinking

Although blends will vary from producer to producer, here are some of the more common ratios:

• 50% Cotton / 25% Polyester / 25% Rayon. This blend is breathable, versatile, and easy to take care of. It’s popular for vintage style shirts.
• 50% Polyester / 50% Cotton. This blend offers comfort, durability, weightlessness, and less shrinkage than pure cotton. 
• 10% Polyester / 90% Cotton. This is a popular t-shirt blend because it offers softness, comfort, and breathability. The 10% polyester can add heathering to the shirts or brightness for safety apparel.

Comfort, Style, and Sustainability

At fancysweetstx, not only do we specialize in making cool shirts and other merchandise, we value your health and prioritize using high-quality, organic, and skin-friendly material.

"Their staff was super helpful, and the shirts were really soft. Great experience"
- Kelsey E.

You may not always know what material your other shirts are made from, but with us, you’ll never have to guess.

But not all construction work shirts are the same—they differ in price, brand, quality, comfort, and design. 

Remember, your workers’ comfort and protection will determine the success of your project. 

So, only aim for the best construction work shirts, which have the following features: 

• Moisture-wicking properties to improve your workers’ comfort
• High visibility to prevent accidents and injuries
• Well-fitting for proper mobility
• Branded to enhance your company’s visibility

With so many options of construction work shirts available, choosing the best can get overwhelming. 

But with these 5 simple tips, your selection will be as easy as pie.

1 - Choose the Best Workwear Fabric

Unlike regular shirts, construction shirts need to be durable. 

Therefore, you want a hard-wearing fabric that’s:

• Breathable: For air to pass through and help evaporate the moisture, keeping the skin cool
• Moisture-wicking: To keep sweat away from the skin during hot weather
• Soft and comfy: To prevent irritability and let your workers focus on the work at hand
• Stretchy: For more freedom in motion and comfort in tasks requiring walking, bending, or stooping
• Easy-maintenance: So it won’t need much preparation for the next project
• Water-resistant: To keep your workers dry when it rains

Most construction work shirts are made with natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, or a blend of both. 

Natural fabrics like cotton are soft, breathable, and comfortable, but they don’t allow moisture to evaporate quickly. 

On the other hand, synthetic fabrics like polyester are hard-wearing, long-lasting, and wick away moisture, but aren’t breathable.

Since construction work shirts need all these properties, the best fabric is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. 

See other major differences in the fabrics below.

fancysweetstx’s safety construction shirts are made with a blend of cotton and polyester to produce the most comfortable, high-quality shirts. 

The three safety shirts below are among our best-selling construction work shirts. We use various fabric compositions to suit each customer’s needs.

• Jerzees 29M: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
• Next Level 6210: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester
• Bayside 5040: 90% Cotton, 10% Polyester

2 - Ensure the Construction Work Shirt Is Well-Fitting

“Fit is everything.”

You hear this phrase a lot in menswear. But in construction clothing, it applies tenfold. 

Construction workers need clothes that give them the freedom to move when working. If they can’t move fast enough to get out of harm’s way because their clothes are too tight or baggy, that becomes a huge safety concern.

And besides their safety and comfort, well-fitting, branded construction shirts benefit your company in many other ways by:

• Displaying a professional image 
• Sending a subtle message that you care about your workers’ dressing
• Freely advertising your brand to prospective clients

3 - Construction Work Shirts Must Be Highly Visible

Your workers must be visible to others at all times when working on a construction site to avoid accidents and injuries. 

To increase their visibility, choose construction shirts with reflective (retro-reflective) tapes. They reflect light back to the workers, alerting other workers and oncoming drivers of their presence. 

These tapes are super helpful, especially in risky environments with dim lights or during night-time road works.

Bad weather conditions like fog and mist also hinder visibility, which can easily result in accidents if your workers work around heavy machines or near the road.

For such conditions, invest in brightly-colored construction shirts for maximum visibility.

Most construction workers wear green or orange safety shirts for daytime visibility. These fluorescent colors are bright and easily noticeable from afar. 

Related Article: Custom Construction Shirts: Safety Green vs Safety Orange

However, ensure that your chosen color contrasts with the surrounding background to let the workers stand out and be easily detected.

• If your construction site is encompassed with greenery, go for orange safety shirts. They’ll contrast with the background and increase your workers’ visibility.
• If your site’s background has heavy machinery and high buildings, green safety shirts are ideal. According to OSHA, all machinery on a construction site must be painted orange, so a fluorescent green provides the perfect contrast.

4 - They Must Comply With the Safety Regulations

Not all PPEs and workwear are designed equally. The US has placed strict measures to ensure all workwear fits its purpose. 

Before purchasing any safety construction shirt, ensure it complies with the current safety guidelines issued by OSHA. OSHA requires all construction workers to be visible at all times, whether they’re interacting with the public, machinery, or oncoming traffic. 

This is done to minimize the occurrence of work-related deaths and accidents, a plan that seems to work because the regulations have drastically reduced work-related injuries and death by 40% since the 1970s.

Below is a summary of the regulations for construction work shirts by OSHA:

• Workers must only wear short or long sleeve shirts. No sleeveless shirts on site.
• During the day, fluorescent-colored shirts must be worn on site, specifically safety yellow or safety orange. The shirt’s color should contrast with the surroundings.
• At night or in poorly lit environments, the shirts must have retro-reflective strips for increased visibility.
• The retro-reflective strips ought to be at least 50 mm wide, form an “X” at the back of the shirt, a continuous strip around the waist, and vertical stripes at the front. 
• The shirts should snugly fit in the sleeves and around the waist to avoid getting stuck on a piece of machinery.

Regarding logo placement on construction work shirts, the safety regulations put in place mandate that your logo must:

• Not block any of the retro-reflective material
• Be small enough to avoid interfering with the shirt’s visibility
• Have a uniform color—multi-colored logos will crowd the shirt’s background color

Observing all these rules on your own is a daunting task that consumes a lot of time. 

Fortunately, at fancysweetstx, we’ve branded lots of construction shirts and learned the nitty-gritty of the industry in the process. 

Our safety shirts meet the ANSI safety regulations to ensure your workers wear industry-approved workwear. Reach out to us, and we’ll handle everything, from design creation to printing or embroidery.

5 - Consider the Climate of Your Workplace

Before purchasing your construction work shirts, ensure you research the climate of your site’s location.

If it’s winter, the temperatures have dropped, and the evenings become less visible, go for shirts with features such as: 

• High-visibility to make your workers more identifiable as the evening approaches
• Long sleeves made with thick fabric for maximum warmth
• Moisture-wicking properties to keep them dry and comfy

If it’s summer, you’ll experience warm, hot and humid weather, so you want to pick lightweight and breathable construction shirts for maximum comfort. A long sleeve shirt made of lightweight fabric is also ideal as it helps to protect your workers’ skin from the scorching summer sun.

Protect Your Workers With the Best Construction Work Shirts

The construction field is a challenging industry that requires maximum protection. Help keep your workers safe with the clothes they wear. 

A construction work shirt is an effective PPE that workers must wear at all times on site. 

The shirt must be highly visible, well-fitting, comply with OSHA safety regulations, and appropriate for the weather. The fabric used must also be durable and of the highest-quality.

fancysweetstx specializes in making custom safety-compliant apparel for construction companies and contractors to protect their workers from work-related injuries. 

We offer the best custom screen-printing and embroidery services for construction shirts and other workwear such as safety vests and hats. 

Get started today with your workers’ construction shirts by filling out our custom quote request form here. 

If you’d love to know more about construction work shirts, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help.

"Faster turnaround on our t-shirt order than expected! I would highly recommend this company to everyone I know!!"
- Patrick P

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How do you know if the job requires it? One sign is if your employees often work with low light and visibility.

Similarly, if they're in one of these occupations, they need a hi-vis jacket:

• Heavy equipment operators
• Construction workers
• Emergency responders
• Rail workers
• Engineering and utility workers

However, a hi-vis jacket isn’t another unnecessary expense for your company. In fact, with the right know-how (which we at fancysweetstx have), it can be a marketing avenue for you to increase your brand awareness.

How? It shows professionalism, and with the right customization, you can make your hi-vis jackets a symbol of your brand.

That's not the only benefit, we'll explore more below.

1 - Bright Colors Allow Drivers to Spot Workers More Easily

The main advantage of a hi-vis jacket is that it enhances your employees' safety by making them visible at all times.

If your employees work around moving vehicles, like trucks or other machinery, such as forklifts and backhoes, they must wear a high-visibility jacket to reduce their chances of being involved in accidents.

The jacket ensures the workers can be seen by the vehicle’s drivers sooner and more easily.

This scenario is attributed to the fact that the human eye responds best to bright, contrasting, or moving objects, meaning employee visibility is improved by the color contrast between a hi-vis jacket and the work environment.

Over the years, numerous studies and observations have proven the danger of working around vehicles.

For example, according to a 2020 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 100 employees were fatally injured at road construction sites every year from 2011 to 2020. 

This study also points out that between 2017 and 2019, over half of road worker fatalities involved workers on foot being hit by moving vehicles on worksites.

Considering the significance of these figures, it's imperative for employers to provide workers with the appropriate hi-vis jackets based on their working environment.

Hi-vis jackets are categorized into three classes depending on their work environment:

• Class 1: Provides the least amount of high-visibility components. Normally fluorescent and reflective strips required to differentiate an employee at non-complex work environments, like warehouses or parking lots.
• Class 2: Offers more hi-vis materials than Class 1, but less than Class 3. Worn by construction workers in low-traffic areas—traffic does not exceed 25mph, like high-traffic parking and toll booths or airports.
• Class 3: Offers the most high-visibility materials, allowing for the best depiction of the human figure against complicated backgrounds. Commonly worn by highway workers in areas where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph.

These three classes are further broken down into three different types:

• Type “O” (Off-road): Worn by workers who are not required to wear hi-vis jackets but work in environments with moving vehicles or equipment where visibility is a concern
• Type “R” (Roadway): Worn by workers exposed to roadway traffic, moving equipment, or vehicles
• Type “P” (Public Safety): Worn by first responders, police, and firefighters

The table below illustrates the square inch requirement of background and reflective material in a hi-vis jacket. 

2 - Enhances Brand Awareness Through Customized Logos and Text

The marketing potential of a hi-vis jacket is an important aspect that most businesses overlook.

To help customers distinguish your business from your competitors, you can have your company’s logo and slogan imprinted on a hi-vis jacket.

This strategy is very effective, given that contractors frequently collaborate with representatives from other businesses on construction sites. Let’s not forget how important brand image is when it comes to first impressions. 

A customized hi-vis jacket will create a more polished and organized brand image, which will instill confidence in potential clients by showing you are a trusted expert.

To enjoy all these benefits, there are several regulations you must follow. Your hi-vis jacket must comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 107 guidelines. This means:

• Your logo or other imprinting can’t cover an area larger than 72 square inches. You’re free to divide that space however you choose.

  For example, you can place one logo on the back of a hi-vis jacket and another on its front pocket.

• Your logo and writing should not leave gaps of more than two inches horizontally in the area covered by retro-reflective material.

  The logo and text of non-compliant material should not cover more than 22 square inches of the minimum amount of visible retro-reflective.

• You should also consider your hi-vis jacket’s “balance of design”. This means that both the front and the back of the jacket should have high-visibility materials present.

  A hi-vis jacket with a large logo on the back and nothing on the front will still fail the balance of design test, even if it falls under the 72 square inches measurement.

3 - It Results in Greater Worker Productivity

Wearing a hi-vis jacket will create a sense of belonging among employees, and there is no better feeling than when your workers know you appreciate them.

When you take your time to get your employees outfitted in custom made hi-vis jackets, you win their trust.

Being part of a team and feeling valued will also motivate them and result in improved productivity.

Keep Your Workers Safe and Promote Your Brand With a Custom Hi-Vis Jacket

Hi-vis jackets will lower the possibility of accidents and support your staff’s safety. They will help to inform machine operators of the presence of other workers in low light working environments.

When customized with your logo, hi-vis jackets will also promote brand awareness and show your company’s professionalism.

You can customize hi-vis jackets with your company’s logo and other information using our screen printing or embroidery services.

In the unlikely event that you dislike your current logo design, our talented in-house graphic designers will help you come up with a compelling logo that tells your brand’s story.

“Great to work with for large and small orders. Good quality shirts and able to assist with designs.”
- Danielle Nelson 

“I would recommend fancysweetstx for anyone who is looking for quality clothes and excellent customer service. My company has used fancysweetstx several times to make T-shirts, Hoodies and long sleeve T's as gifts for our customers/employees.”
- Matthew S

At fancysweetstx, we understand the significance of employee safety and we’re familiar with the ANSI 107 regulations that must be followed when designing hi-vis jackets.

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• Boost brand affinity
• Build trust
• Foster professionalism
• Create a safe working environment for your employees

While not all work shirts are designed the same, there are features that each one should have in common. Today we’ll dive deep into the essential features that your work shirt must include.

We’ll also discuss:

• How the quality of your work shirt’s material affects its durability
• Why your work shirts need to be brightly colored
• The best logo placement practices for work shirts
• The benefits of having a breathable work shirt

1- High-Quality Material

The quality of your fabric plays an important role in the longevity of your work shirts. Considering that some employees work in extreme environments, like under the hot sun, a fabric with a quality fiber weave will ensure that your work shirts last longer and retain their original appearance. 

However, different materials have different characteristics. For example, you can’t expect the same level of breathability with polyester as you do with cotton. 

Cotton fibers are naturally more porous than polyester fibers, allowing air to easily flow through the fabric. Despite these differences, undeniable signs of quality do exist, regardless of the type of fabric being used. 

One is the quality of the fiber weave. When you examine a fabric closely, you’ll see the individual fibers that compose it. In a quality fabric, the fibers will be closely and tightly woven. 

To check the quality of your fiber weave, you can simply hold the garment against a light source and even stretch it slightly. If a lot of light seems to pass through the material, it means that there are gaps in the weave. 

This serves as an indication that the material isn’t sturdy and won’t withstand stretching and other wear for long. 

If it’s difficult to see light through a garment, however, this means that the fibers are closely knitted, resulting in a stronger material.

The second aspect to pay attention to is the material’s thread count. The greater the thread count per square inch, the softer, tighter, and more densely woven your material will be.

The last thing to check is the finish. High-quality material will show even weaves, color tones, and very few unusual creases. 

While there’s no one-size-fits-all material for a work shirt, the best strategy is to choose a fabric that fits your business.

For example, people in the landscaping business need a work shirt material that can hold up against the elements, is excellent at skin temperature regulation, and can withstand wear and tear.

Fabrics like polyester and cotton-polyester blends fit this situation perfectly because they're robust, breathable, and resistant to moisture. 

The table below compares these two fabrics and their suitability as a material for work shirts.

2 - Bright and Reflective Design

Work shirts must be designed with employee safety in mind. Employees in these industries are in close contact with moving machinery and traffic, meaning there’s a high chance of them being involved in an accident. Choosing a bright and reflective design for your work shirts increases visibility and decreases accidents.

Bright colors are easy to spot no matter the weather. When working in challenging conditions, like snow and rain, it’s easy for lighter colors to blend in.

Bright colors, however, increase the visibility of a worker, mitigating potential hazards.

According to OSHA requirements, high visibility colors include:

• Yellow
• Neon green
• Orange 

Besides being brightly colored, work shirts need to have retro reflective stripes. These stripes reflect light towards its source, illuminating a worker in poor light or at night.

At fancysweetstx, we help you maintain a safe environment by helping you design high-visibility work shirts. We can also create functional hi-vi jackets that enable your workers to stay visible on job sites. Tell us more about your project and let our experts deliver work shirts that your team will love.

3 - Good Logo Placement

Positioning a logo on visible areas, like the center chest or back of your work shirts, will help you communicate your brand message easily. When people can easily spot your logo from a far they’ll identify the wearer with your company.

Positioning a large, simple logo in the middle chest area ensures that it’s visible to everyone and helps prevent obscuring any retro reflective material. 

For smaller logos, the left of the chest is a common placement point.

A good design will not be complete without a call to action (CTA). Once your audience is aware of your brand, you would want them to take action—maybe call you, or visit your website. 

The middle back area is an ideal position for your CTA as it’s less aggressive than advertising right on the front of a shirt.

4 - Breathability And Moisture Wicking Capabilities

Summers get extremely hot. For most outdoor workers in industries like construction and landscaping, a breathable and moisture-wicking shirt helps to keep them cool.

While worker safety and branding are vital, that doesn’t mean you should settle for a low-performance garment. Breathable shirts allow air to circulate on the skin, keeping workers cool on a hot day.

In addition to being breathable, your work shirts need to be able to wick away moisture. A moisture wicking fabric draws sweat away from the skin and dissipates it into the atmosphere, keeping you dry.

A material like polyester seems to pass these standards pretty well. Although it’s not as breathable as cotton, its moisture-wicking property is outstanding. When combined with cotton to form a poly-cotton blend, the fabric is both breathable and moisture wicking.

Wondering how to choose the best fabric? At fancysweetstx, we make all our work shirts using a poly-cotton blend because of its suitability for such environments.

After asking us to create branded work shirts for his business, this is what Nick Green had to say:

“fancysweetstx is our go-to place for all of our customized apparel needs.”
- Nick Green, US

Get in touch and let us help you grow your business with the power of branding, while also ensuring the safety of your employees.

Create a Functional Work Shirt

Custom work shirts help build your business loyalty, communicate your brand message, and promote a safe and productive environment for your employees. 

When your employees wear branded shirts, people can take notice of your brand. This will attract potential clients who will be interested in your services themselves.

At fancysweetstx, we help you create functional work shirts that you and your employees will love. We help you choose the best fabric, design, and color to suit your working environment. Place a custom work shirt order today, and let us help you grow your brand with high-quality apparel.

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Custom construction shirts promote your brand while also protecting your employees by increasing their visibility.

Most construction sites use either green or orange for their high visibility apparel. This isn’t by coincidence, as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) act mandates the use of these fluorescent colors to keep employees safe.

But how do you choose between these two colors? Both are easily noticeable to the eye and also comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines.

Well, the answer lies in the purpose of high-visibility clothing. Since the primary goal of high-visibility apparel is to increase visibility by conspicuity, the more striking color of the two should be selected.

This guide will make choosing either color easier by exploring:

• The factors that affect the brightness of high-visibility shirts
• ANSI requirements on high-visibility apparel for different work zones
• Different work sites in construction and the best choice for each site

Let’s get started by learning the factors that affect the conspicuity of high visibility apparel.

1 - Sharp Contrast With Work Background

Contrast is the difference between the shirt color and the work background.

A color that has a sharp contrast with other objects in the vicinity is easily detectable. High visibility shirts achieve this by use of fluorescent fabrics.

The orange or green fabrics aren’t fluorescent on their own but are dyed to achieve that effect. This is done by coating fluorescent pigments on the outer surface of the clothing in the manufacturing process to make a fabric that’s in the visibility spectrum.

Once light hits the fabric, it emits the reactive fluorescent color back to the eyes, making it easily visible.

Before choosing between the two colors, you must consider the background of your work site.

While safety green is the more visible color of the two, contrast can tip the scale in safety orange’s favor. 

For example, on a building site surrounded by greenery, safety orange will sharply contrast with the background, making it more noticeable from a distance. Safety green can blend in with the foliage and the visibility of the moving workers can only be detected from a close distance.

On the other hand, green is more suitable for construction sites with complex backgrounds, such as heavy machinery and high-rising structures. Since OSHA requires that all machinery on a construction site is painted orange, green shirts will contrast highly with these objects, increasing the visibility of your workers.

2 - Easy Detection by the Human Eye

Another factor that affects the conspicuity of a construction shirt is its brightness. The human eye responds best to brightly colored objects.

For high-visibility clothing, brightness is measured using a spectrophotometer in line with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) guidelines in ASTM e1164. The instrument passes light through a sample fabric, then divides it into the different wavelengths that are reflected and perceived by the eye.

The luminance measured is expressed as a percentage. The higher the luminance, the higher the visibility and detection of the color by the eye.

The ANSI-ISEA–107–2015 guidelines provide the minimum luminance factor for safety colors, as shown in the table below.

Safety green has the highest luminance since it has a wide spectrum of color between neon green and yellow. This makes it more conspicuous to the eye than safety orange.

At fancysweetstx, we refer to all colors in the fluorescent green to yellow spectrum as safety green. This doesn’t mean that all our safety green shirts are the same color. Choose a color for your custom construction shirt within that spectrum as long as it meets the minimum luminance required by ANSI.

Here are some of our best safety green shirts within the neon green to yellow color range.

3 - Easy Recognition by Observers

Recognition in hi-vis clothing refers to how someone interprets a color’s meaning when they see it.

Most people interpret different colors in their own way. Some say yellow is vibrant and stimulates them to work, while others associate blue with feelings of calmness and serenity. Cultural factors mostly condition the interpretation of color in the subconscious mind.

For custom construction shirts, the goal is to protect your employees from accidents that arise from moving vehicles or machinery. You ideally want a color that’s associated with caution or warning.

While safety green is the more visible color of the two, safety orange is largely associated with warning and caution. That’s because orange is widely used for:

• Barrels 
• Cones 
• Road construction signs
• Auto warning triangles

It’s also closely related to the color red, which is commonly recognized as a caution sign.

For this reason, safety orange shirts will provide better protection in workplaces outside general construction sites. Such work zones include:

• Sidewalk maintenance
• Highway road construction
• Parking lots and driveways

4 - Effect of Dirt on Color Visibility

Construction workers are frequently exposed to dirt from dust and residue from oil and paint. What happens to the visibility of construction shirts when they’re exposed to dirt?

Safety green shirts may become brighter with dust but become dull with dirt, paint and oils. Safety orange shirts, on the other hand, become less visible when exposed to dirt and all other residue.

For high visibility at all times, ensure your workers wear clean safety apparel. Clean construction shirts are easily noticeable, even in low light conditions.

For OSHA compliance, you must also replace the shirts when they’re significantly discolored or worn out.

The quality of the fabric is one of the essential features to consider while picking a custom construction shirt. A high-quality fabric will give you value for your money since it doesn’t need frequent replacement.

fancysweetstx construction shirts are made in a cotton-polyester blend that’s durable and remains bright even after frequent washes.

“Very impressed by the speed and quality of my company's shirt orders. They got our order done in less than a week (70+ shirts).”
- Micheal Salisbury

5 - Additional Requirements on Reflective Properties

A fluorescent fabric alone is sometimes not enough to increase the visibility of your workers.

ANSI provides guidelines for when high-visibility clothing should be paired with reflective tape. This improves visibility at night and in high-risk environments and ensures your workers are clearly seen.

The table below highlights the different classes of hi-vis clothing, their requirements, and the construction environments they’re best suited for.

Safety green and orange provide equal protection at night time when reflective bands are added on the fabrics. That’s because the reflective bands bounce back light from headlights even before the driver notices the color.

However, if the same clothing is worn during the day, contrast and recognition factors must be considered before the color choice is made.

Best Construction Shirt Color for Different Environments

Both safety green and safety orange construction shirts will boost the visibility of your staff in their workplaces.

However, factors such as the work background, luminance and recognition make safety green best suited for most environments.

The table below highlights different work zones in the construction industry and the best suited safety color for each.

Protect and Promote Your Company With Customized Construction Shirts

Construction shirts are functional items of clothing that provide comfort for your workers while keeping them safe.

Adding your company’s logo and name to safety shirts is a great way to promote brand awareness.

fancysweetstx specializes in creating safety-compliant apparel for contractors to protect employees from accidents on construction sites. Our state-of-the-art screen printing, embroidery, and heat transfer machinery makes the best custom work gear for your staff, including:

• Crew sweatshirts
• Hoodies
• Safety vests
• Hats 
• Beanies

Our vast experience in creating custom work clothing for companies has earned us a reputation as dependable, trustworthy, and easy to work with for custom safety apparel.

Here’s what one of our customers had to say:

“Phenomenal experience buying a run of 65 t-shirts. Very fast responses from the account manager, great pricing, and fast production. Finished product is of excellent quality.”
- Joe M

Get started with your custom construction shirts by filling out the form on this page. You can also contact us for help with any questions you may have.

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From eye-catching sunshades to an attractive company logo, there's no limit to the creativity you can incorporate to make landscaping work shirts look remarkable.

After working with a bunch of landscaping businesses, we’re excited to share our expertise on how to make your custom work shirts impressive.

Today, you’ll learn:

• Which colors are best for landscaping work shirts
• The best places on your shirt to put your design
• How a great design can help communicate your business’s value
• Why you need to pay attention to seasons when designing a landscaping shirt

To that end, here are four ideas for making impressive custom landscaping work shirts.

1 - Find the Perfect Place to Put Your Design

A landscaping work shirt with your company logo fosters professionalism and increases your brand loyalty.

People notice logos before they see your organization’s name. That’s because a logo reflects your company in the real world. It bears your brand message, which is why it's always important to find the perfect location on your work shirt to print your design for increased visibility.

A challenge for most landscaping businesses is deciding on the best places on a work shirt to have their logo printed.

Should it be on the front, middle, or back? Should it be left-aligned, center-aligned, or right-aligned? Well, many of these decisions depend on the size of your design and the message you want to convey.

Say, for example, you want to create a design rich in details. Well, putting the logo on the front will ensure it's visible to most people at all angles.

Suppose you want to include an enticing company slogan in your design. Putting it on the back would be perfect as it helps communicate your company’s value to people behind you.

While there are a lot of possibilities for logo placement and design, we always recommend to keep it simple for landscaping shirts. A simple design and placement clearly and effectively communicates your business information.

After all, you're in the lawn and landscape business; you're not a clothing brand.   

The table below shows the best positions to print your design for a custom landscaping work shirt.

2 - Select Shirts That Fit the Season

Landscapers often work in extreme environments. They have to endure intense heat during summers and low temperatures in winters. To maximize your team’s productivity, you need to make sure that you provide them with the best pieces of equipment that protect them from the harsh environment.

One way is by ensuring that your work shirts are designed for the right environments and seasons.

During summers, for example, the temperatures are always high. Light and heat-resistant shirts made from a fabric like polyester will ensure that your employees can work comfortably during a hot day. Polyester is more breathable and less sticky on the skin when your body is sweaty.

You can also provide long sleeved shirts that protect your employees’ skin from harmful UV rays.

On the other hand, during winters, your employees need something warmer. Although a shirt alone is not enough to keep them warm (pairing it with a custom hoodie or beanie is a good idea), the type of fabric and the color can influence how their body conserves heat.

Cotton, for example, is an excellent fabric for winter shirts. You can make it thicker to hold off the elements during winters.

Pro Tip: When choosing the colors of your winter shirts, opt for dark colors that help absorb heat, keeping you warmer.

At fancysweetstx, we ensure that your landscape working shirts are designed for the right season. Most of our shirts are made from a tri-blend of polyester, cotton, and rayon to ensure that your custom apparel’s fabric meets your requirements. You can check our collection to learn more.

3 - Create a Design That Communicates Value

The dream of every landscaping entrepreneur is to establish a solid client base for your business.

Yet there are over 636,249 landscaping service businesses in the US, so competition is thick. Finding your unique angle during marketing and branding will help you stand out.

Custom working shirts are great tools to advertise your business. They act as your first elevator pitch to trigger interest in your prospects.

However, not every design will help get your brand known. In that case, you need to make a design that communicates value to your potential customers.

A great design will help alert your audience to your services and communicate professionalism.

The question is, how do you create an effective design that communicates value for your landscaping business?

Firstly, ensure that your business logo is related to what your business is all about. Let's say you have a landscaping business specializing in lawn maintenance. A logo with grass symbols or a lawn mower accompanied with rich green color will immediately communicate your services.

Secondly, create a slogan that effectively communicates your brand message. Avoid generic slogans—taglines like “affordable lawn care” and “your one stop lawn caring partners” are way too obvious.

Consider adding a touch of creativity while also maintaining your company’s value proposition, like this slogan: “Imagine your ideal outdoor space and start living it.”

Finally, keep it simple. Some of the best shirts we've ever printed are one and two color designs in white or black ink. At fancysweetstx, we insist that it's important for you to focus on your business. Don't overcomplicate your shirts with a lot of detail or colors. Focus your time on what you do best. 

After communicating value with your design, the next thing you want is for your audience to take action. Right from your design, you can include:

• Contact details like a phone number or email address
• Your website address
• Social media handles

Expert Tip: Make sure your slogan is super straightforward. A great slogan acts as a perfect elevator pitch that communicates your brand message about your business.

4 - Go For Vibrant Colors 

Colors play a vital role in any business brand. Color preferences are deeply rooted in emotions and how customers perceive a particular brand. Think of the last time you drove past a billboard that caught your eye. Which colors caught your eyes? 

For landscaping work shirts, choosing the right colors will not only help communicate your business image emotionally, but bright colors help improve visibility, therefore ensuring your employees' safety.

Many landscapers work on busy roads and even during the night. Bright colors like yellow, neon green, orange, and red help drivers spot them at a distance.

Most residential landscapers spend much of their time under the hot sun, especially during summers. Going for bright colors, will help keep them cooler.

At fancysweetstx, we help you choose the best colors for your landscaping work shirts. After buying one of our custom apparel, here’s what one of our customers had to say.

“My shirt is so soft and comfortable to wear! fancysweetstx shirts are the best.”
- Jeannie K, US

Custom Landscaping Work Shirts Can Be Both Functional and Impressive

Custom landscaping work shirts are an essential part of your business's uniform. It may seem like an expensive investment, especially for new businesses, but hey, hear us out.

When you have customized landscaping apparel, it helps make your first impression on your prospects. When your landscaping crew shows up on a work site wearing the shirt, it will help make your brand known.

However, you’ll agree that choosing the best work shirt is not a simple task. You have to consider the type of fabric for your shirt and the right colors and design to incorporate for your custom work shirt.

Here at fancysweetstx, we help you create great landscaping shirts that will make an impression on your potential clients. We have been printing landscaping uniforms for nearly a decade, which means our team has the expertise to help you create great-looking shirts while ensuring your employee’s safety. 

You can order your custom apparel or check out our collection for inspiration.

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OSHA requires employers to ensure their employees work in a safe environment free from hazards that may cause injury or death.

Offering protective and high-visibility work gear is a primary means of ensuring your personnel’s safety.

Today, we’re looking at four simple steps to customize your work gear so you can promote your brand without‌ breaking OSHA rules. We’ll also compare the influence that custom and non-custom work gear have on your brand and employees.

1 - Select Your Work Gear

Custom High-Visibility Safety Vests

When choosing custom high-visibility safety vests, ensure they’re compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 standards. This code (recommended by OSHA) sets the guidelines for creating safe and professional high-visibility work gear.

The most crucial characteristic of compliant safety vests is their fluorescent colors. OSHA specifies the following luminous colors as the best options for high visibility safety vests:

• Yellow
• Orange
• Bright red
• Orange-red
• Yellow-green

These colors stand in sharp contrast to the immediate environment. Thanks to their special pigment, they absorb UV light and send it back to an approaching vehicle or worker to maintain the wearer's visibility—even in dim conditions.

Besides helping keep workers safe by making them visible to vehicle drivers and plant operators, custom high-visibility vests provide an excellent opportunity for:

• Personnel identification
• Promoting brand awareness
• Creating a professional image
• Organizing employees into departments

Custom Construction Hi-Vis Work Jackets

Like all hi-vis safety gear, your company’s safety jackets need to conform to OSHA guidelines, which include:

• Affixing 50 mm wide retroreflective strips vertically, around the waist, and with a shoulder-to-waist “X” on the back to enable visibility in dark places
• Ensuring safety work jackets are well-fitting without billowing strips to avoid entanglement in moving machinery
• Protecting workers from fire, chemicals, static electricity, and radiation by making custom safety work jackets from flame-resistant and insulated material
• Ensuring safety work jackets are ‌long or short-sleeved and avoiding sleeveless jackets

Having addressed OSHA’s concerns, the custom construction hi-vis work jacket provides you with an excellent opportunity to promote your business.

For example, you can customize the jacket to include your company logo.

However, while there’s a lot of free space left on the jacket, you need to design your company’s logo so that it’s the right size and doesn’t obscure the jacket’s safety features.

Don’t make the logo too small to be seen either.

According to the ANSI-ISEA-107-2015 (Section 7.2):

• The total surface area covered by custom text and logo on the front and rear of a high-visibility safety jacket shouldn’t exceed 465 cm.sq (72 in.sq)
• Custom text and logo should not create horizontal gaps over 50 mm (1.97 in.) on the retroreflective material of a hi-vis safety jacket

The best places to put your company logo include:

• Chest pocket
• Upper back
• Lower back

Custom Safety Hoodies and Sweatshirts

Keep your personnel comfortable by adding custom hoodies and sweatshirts to their work gear.

Having apparel made from luminous safety colors and soft fluffy material, as with All Mechanical Insulation Inc, will improve professionalism and comfort without compromising safety.

Workers are more likely to wear the safety gear beyond the worksite, further publicizing your custom embroidered company logo.

Protect your crew and promote your brand by choosing from fancysweetstx’s wide range of worksite safety apparel.

Custom Screen Printed Safety T-shirts

Custom Screen Printed Safety T-shirts provide maximum comfort and mobility because of their flexibility and breathability.

You can have them made with built-in UV protection, too, to shield workers from the hot sun.

Custom Hard Hats

Besides their power to make your workers visible and protect them from potential on-site head injuries, custom safety hard hats hold a great opportunity for brand publicity.

Their bright colors, such as orange, yellow, red, or white, provide a unique backdrop for printing your company's name or logo.

These two options stand out in printing your logo onto hard hats:

• Direct printing: Involves printing your logo directly onto the hard hat.
• Decals: Sticking logos onto the hard hat; however, they may fade over time.

As in all work gear customizations, ensure your company information is not so extensive that it defeats the safety gear’s purpose.

Maintain a maximum length and height of 3 inches for the logo and text. The best spot to place your logo and text on a hard hat is in front, above the brim.

The table below will help you compare the effects of custom and non-custom work gear on your brand and employees.

2 - Create Your Design

In creating your design, the contrast between the work gear’s color and your company logo should be your primary consideration.

For example, as safety work gear is fluorescent, a black logo creates a naturally vivid contrast. Its non-reflective nature also makes it the most compliant color to ANSI standards.

Besides the logo and text color, ANSI 107 standards limit the total surface covered by your customizations to 72 square inches.

You can divide the 72-inch quota and spread it across the safety apparel.

You can have your logo and text printed on the work gear‌ by:

• Embroidery
• Heat transfers
• Single-color screen prints in black
• Full-color printing that’s bright and clear

3 - Choose Your Designer

Choosing your designer is a process that involves comparing businesses’ ability to meet your needs at the most competitive price.

Below is a cross-section of the main factors you need to consider before settling on a company that’s best suited for designing your work gear.

Product Range and Availability

You can never overemphasize the convenience of sourcing all your custom safety work gear—including vests, t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, and hats—from a single supplier. It minimizes logistical costs such as shipping and offers other benefits like bulk discounts.

Another critical factor is the custom design options a company offers. For example, does the company do embroidery, color printing, heat transfer, or a combination? Can they supply the actual work gear? Or is customization all they can do?

fancysweetstx designs, produces and supplies specialized, custom printed and embroidered clothing and promo products in bulk.

Some of our flagship products include:

• Safety apparel
• Contractor shirts
• Embroidered hats and beanies
• Embroidered crew sweatshirts

Reliability

First, reliability involves a design company’s dependability and ability to service your order within the agreed timeframe.

Second, reliability refers to the company’s product compliance with the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107).

Can they show proof of certification on demand?

Did you know? CAN/CSA Z96-02 and EN ISO 20471 are the equivalent safety standards for Canada and Europe.

Affordability

As with your other expenses, the company supplying you with custom work gear should justify its prices.

Therefore, it’s essential to shop for the most affordable and well-suited supplier of custom work gear.

The following video provides handy tips for purchasing hi-vis work gear.

Expert Tip: Choose a shirt with a soft material that will be worn more often than a standard shirt.

4 - Promote Your Brand

• Custom embroidered polo shirts: Offer comfort and confidence and boost company image when meeting current and prospective clients.
• Custom work hats and beanies: Trucker hats protect against the sun’s UV rays, and beanies keep you warm during cold weather.
• Custom logo water bottles and coolers: Keep employees hydrated and make excellent giveaways to current and prospective customers.

You can also contact us for more customized promotional products, such as:

• Lanyards
• Sweatshirt blankets
• Stickers and magnets
• Enamel pins and keychains

Choose Safety and Comfort

At fancysweetstx, we firmly believe that workers are more productive when they’re assured of safety and comfort at the workplace. This is the philosophy behind our success in partnering with other businesses.

For certified work gear such as hi-vis t-shirts, and hats, fill out this form and tell us how we can help you. We’ve got state-of-the-art embroidery, color printing, and heat transfer equipment to create your company's best custom work gear.

Our customers are enjoying a thriving partnership with us.

See for yourself:

Protect and Promote

Providing your crew with certified work gear guarantees workplace safety and gives you peace of mind.

Besides, custom safety gear presents you with an excellent opportunity to promote your business at no extra cost. fancysweetstx will help you optimize safety and brand visibility on every piece of custom work gear you order.

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As the team leader or employer, you need to ensure that your workers' hi-vis shirts comply with the ANSI guidelines.

The ANSI guidelines are the American national standard for high-visibility garments and headwear.

They specify the requirements for color, design, and fit within specific guidelines to promote the visibility of workers on the job site.

Even if your industry does not require ANSI compliance, it’s essential to take note of these guidelines to help maintain your team's safety and visibility in the workplace.

Following the standards when sourcing your team’s hi-vis shirts will help avoid work-related injuries and save you from any trouble that could stem from giving out noncompliant shirts.

In this guide, we look at the compliance guidelines and what you should look out for when buying new hi-vis shirts for your workforce.

We’ll also help you identify a compliant source for all your hi-vis apparel.

1 - Visible Color From All Directions

The main aim of wearing high-visibility apparel in the workplace is so that the worker is easily discernible to others in the work environment.

This is especially critical in environments with moving vehicles, heavy machinery, or low light.

For the workers to be visible, the color of the hi-vis shirt should be bright and highly reflective, no matter the background.

For example, if you’re working at night on a construction site, you can reduce the risk of injury by wearing highly reflective PPEs.

The high contrast between the hi-vis apparel and the background enhances your visibility. This is because our eyes respond best to large contrasting objects.

According to ANSI-ISEA 107-2015, hi-vis apparel must also be made of a reflective and fluorescent-colored fabric.

The most commonly used fabrics are orange or neon, with reflective strips shaped in an “H” both at the front and back.

Fluorescent fabrics do not blend in with their surroundings, which enables visibility—even in a low light environment.

The colors that comply with the guidelines are:

• Fluorescent yellow-green
• Fluorescent orange-red
• Fluorescent red
• Bright yellow-green
• Bright orange-red

Your hi-vis shirts are also required to have stripes of reflective tape visible in all directions, especially if your workforce plans to wear them at night.

2 - Logo and Name Tag Placement

Logos and name tags are important in the workplace for:

• Easy identification
• Brand recognition
• Giving a professional look to the team

According to the ANSI-ISEA 107 guidelines, any logo, lettering, or identification panels should not create gaps of more than 50 mm in the retro-reflective material.

This means that you should place the logo strategically to ensure that safety isn’t compromised.

We always advise our clients on the best way to brand their safety wear. For instance:

• The logo in the front should be small to avoid obstructing the fluorescent background of the hi-vis shirt.
• The logo can’t be placed on the retro-reflective strips.
• Multi-colored logos interfere with the fluorescent color and must be avoided.

The logo should be big enough to be readable, but not too big that it interferes with visibility.

Make sure you discuss with your supplier about the logo placement to ensure that you give your workers compliant hi-vis apparel.

3 - Flame Resistant Material

All materials used in the manufacture of hi-vis apparel must be clearly marked as flame resistant or not flame resistant.

If the material used in the apparel is flame resistant, then it must be tested according to the following guidelines:

• ASTM F1506-10a, Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Arc Rated Textile Materials for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc and Related Thermal Hazards
• ASTM F1891-12, Standard Specification for Arcand Flame Resistant Rainwear
• ASTM F2302-08, Standard Performance Specification for Labeling Protective Clothing as Heat and Flame Resistant
• ASTM F 2733-09, Standard Specification for Flame Resistant Rainwear for Protection Against Flame Hazards
• NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting, 2011
• NFPA 2112, Standard on Flame Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire, 2012

When placing an order for hi-vis shirts, always ensure that all the relevant guidelines are followed.

We’re familiar with safety guidelines for the compliance of hi-vis apparel, so if you’re unsure, we’ll make sure that all guidelines on compliance are adhered to for you.

Expert Tip: When placing an order for hi-vis shirts, always indicate whether you need flame resistant fabric. This should be guided by the conditions of your work environment.

4 - Maintenance and Replacement

Workers are often exposed to dirt, smoke, and even paint. This could all interfere with the visibility of the safety apparel.

OSHA guidelines indicate that once worn out or discolored, the hi-vis shirts must be replaced.

To comply with safety guidelines, safety apparel must also be cleaned to maintain their original color and visibility.

If you’re not handwashing safety apparel, use the “delicates” cycle of your washer and only wash them with a mild detergent. Do not use any bleach or fabric softeners. However, if you need to, use mild stain removers.

When drying hi-vis apparel, use the “no heat” setting or line-dry them.

Providing quality workwear for your team can make a huge difference in saving you money, especially with frequent replacements.

Make sure to choose quality hi-vis shirts that will still look bright even after washing.

At fancysweetstx, we use a durable blend of cotton and polyester in the production of hi-vis apparel to ensure that the apparel can withstand several washes and remain in perfect working condition.

We also fit all safety apparel with a label showing the cleaning instructions as stipulated by the OSHA guidelines.

“I'm very grateful for the help our non-profit received from fancysweetstx. Always professional, friendly, with great quality and service.”
- Deborah M.

Types and Performance Classes of Hi-vis Apparel

There are three garment types and classes for hi-vis garments. They’re classified according to the protection they offer and the environment they’re best suited for.

The table below shows the different types and classes.

The primary goal of all hi-vis apparel is to make your workers visible. Even volunteers and vendors who are around an active work environment should be provided with hi-vis apparel.

Take the Extra Steps to Keep Your Workers Safe

Hi-vis shirts help reduce the risk of accidents and help promote workplace safety. In low light and dark working environments, they help alert vehicle drivers and machinery operators of the presence of other workers.

When branded with a logo, hi-vis shirts also promote brand awareness and show the professionalism of a team.

At fancysweetstx, we understand the importance of safety and we’re familiar with the regulations that must be followed in the production of hi-vis shirts.

We’re also involved in the production and printing of other safety hi-vis apparel such as:

• Jackets
• Hoodies
• Contractor shirts
• Overalls

If you’d like to take an extra step in promoting the safety of your team, check out our website for your custom hi-vis apparel.

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However, this image makes your workers look like the other 10 million+ employees in the US construction industry, making it impossible for your brand to stand out.

Fortunately, there are many ways to stand out in the construction industry:

• Providing excellent customer service 
• Finding a niche and excelling in it
• Building a good team
• Keeping up with emerging trends

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to set your firm aside is by branding the equipment your workers already use—such as, their construction uniforms and safety apparel.

Displaying your company’s logo on your workers’ hi-vis and safety clothing not only gives you an edge over your competition but also comes with other benefits.

1 - Branded Apparel Displays Professionalism

If you want to show your clients that they can trust your brand and your workers, establish a professional business image with branded construction uniforms. 

Having your company’s logo or name embroidered on your workers’ safety shirts and hi-vis jackets reinforces your brand’s strategy and position in the industry.

Branded uniforms are also crucial for gaining new clients. As clients meet with your workers, the branded clothing sends a message of order and professionalism, which builds their confidence in your company. 

This, in turn, makes them want to associate further with your brand.

2 - Branded Apparel as a Sense of Pride and Responsibility

Are you proud of the construction work you do? 

What of the people that work for you? 

If your answer is “Yes”, then invest in branded uniforms to display your pride.

When Schoen Inc. dresses their workers in branded reflective safety jackets, they’re letting the world know that they trust their employees.

Do you think the firm would’ve put their logo on their workers’ uniforms if they were abrasive or showed poor behavior? Most likely not.

By choosing to brand their safety shirts, Schoen Inc. is communicating confidence in their workers.

When a company brands its uniforms, the sense of ownership trickles down from the leaders to the workers. 

Branded apparel is the company’s vote of confidence in the workers that they’ll represent the brand appropriately, both on site and off.

3 - Branded Apparel Promotes Team Building

Think of your favorite sports team. If you go to the stadium to watch them play, you’ll likely associate and bond with fans pledging allegiance to the same team.

The same idea applies to branded construction uniforms; matching safety hoodies promote a sense of belonging and solidarity, making employees feel they’re working as a team towards a common goal. 

When the workers wear your brand, they’re saying they are part of a community and culture, increasing cohesiveness and building team spirit.

The branded apparel also boosts the workers’ morale and productivity. When they wear the same safety clothes at work, they feel included and take pride in their tasks.

Besides uniting workers, branded uniforms give them a consistent look. 

When they dress in matching apparel, it becomes easy to locate your workers, and know they’re a part of your mission.

4 - Branded Apparel Is an Excellent Marketing Strategy

Branded clothing has long been used as an effective marketing tool to attract prospective clients and improve a company’s exposure.

When workers wear branded construction and safety clothing, they become associated with your brand wherever they go.

Related: Choosing the Best Custom Branded Construction and Safety Clothing

As people spot your company’s name and logo, the branded apparel translates to free advertising. This way, your brand is able to reach people and places not yet conquered by traditional media.

Besides, unlike paid TV and print adverts, branding construction uniforms is far less expensive, since the clothing does the advertising for you.

Plus, branded construction clothing, such as long sleeve safety t-shirts, lasts longer than traditional advertising. 

Clothes are designed to be worn for months or years, so your company logo will be displayed for a long time to come.

5 - Branded Apparel Builds Trust and Credibility

Construction companies with branded apparel enjoy a greater perception among prospective clients and other workers. 

Customers naturally perceive workers wearing branded clothing as experts in their field with a sense of pride in their work, making them better service providers. 

As a result, new clients will feel secure and confident in seeking your construction services, while old customers will readily refer you to their friends.

Remember, consistency sells. 

If people can rely on having the same experience anytime they seek your services, they’ll keep visiting your business. Branded construction uniforms offer all workers a consistent appearance, reinforcing trust and credibility.

Construction Uniform: What Do Construction Workers Wear?

Forget the yellow hard hats and reflective vests construction workers adorn on site—there’s much more to their clothing.

From operating heavy machinery to carrying huge loads and working at heights, construction sites pose serious accident and injury threats to workers. 

That’s why the US workplace laws mandate that employees wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when on construction sites. 

The PPEs are meant to protect workers from health and safety risks (high and low) that may occur via: 

• Falling objects on site, crushing the workers’ limbs
• Cuts and abrasions through the skin by sharp objects 
• Physical impact from heavy machinery, damaging internal organs
• Flying particles in the air entering the eye

Generally, the construction workers’ clothing needs to meet the safety standards for the job. This means the eyes, head, ears, and feet need maximum protection.

Branding Construction Uniform for Success

Whichever way you choose to brand your workers’ construction uniforms, anywhere they go, word of your company will spread.

If you’re ready to elevate your brand with custom branded construction uniforms, reach out to fancysweetstx today at [email protected] or call us at 419-318-2029 for further inquiries.

We offer excellent custom printing and embroidery services with plenty of personalization options to make your branded construction uniforms stand out. 

"I ordered a yellow sweater in a group purchase that I loved - it was SO soft and looked great." - Erin O'Neil

Frequently Asked Questions

What should construction workers NOT wear to construction sites?

The clothing items and accessories workers shouldn’t wear on site for safety purposes include:

• Ripped jeans
• Skirts or dresses
• Jewelry
• Open-toed shoes
• Tight pants

Why should construction workers wear hi-vis clothing as part of their uniform?

Hi-vis clothing is an essential part of construction uniforms because it makes workers visible to other workers or road users, preventing accidents and injuries. 

What factors should you consider when buying branded construction uniforms?

Durability, safety, and comfort are key factors to consider when choosing a custom construction uniform. 

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Safety vests are as common as construction shirts on jobsites. But, do you know the strict guidelines safety vests need to meet to fit into construction compliance standards?

For instance, did you know many readily available safety vests don’t meet construction compliance guidelines? That’s either because of the retro-reflective band quality, placement, or fabric color choice. This could potentially put you and your crew at risk.

Today we’ll look at:

• ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for safety vests
• Recommended class of hi-vis safety vests appropriate for various construction scenarios
• Essential branding tips to ensure your brand is visible and safety compliant

What Are the Essential Features of a Compliant Safety Vest?

For a safety vest to be compliant to existing standards, it should include a fluorescent background fabric in the recommended colors and retro-reflective bands placed according to its performance class.

Additional safety compliance features may be necessary depending on site hazards, for example, fire resistant fabric treatments for environments with a high fire risk.

We’ll break down these specifications later.

The American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107) defines, in detail, all safety compliance specifications for workwear.

Whereas, CAN/CSA Z96-02 and EN ISO 20471 are the equivalent safety standards in Canada and Europe, respectively.

Let’s briefly go over these compliance specifications for construction safety vests.

1- Background Color of the Safety Vest

ANSI/ISEA 107 recommends that you make the background or main fabric color for your safety vest one of these bright colors:

• Fluorescent yellow-green  
• Fluorescent orange-red
• Fluorescent red
• Bright yellow-green
• Bright orange

In these colors, you’re more visible and therefore safer on a construction site. This is especially important in worksites with moving vehicles and motorized equipment.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 census found that the transportation and construction sectors account for 47% of workplace injuries.

Of these, ‘struck by’ injuries are the third most common type of injury accounting for almost 500 fatalities and about 10% of fatal occupational injuries annually.

Improving the visibility of workers on construction sites with compliant safety vests is key to achieving occupational safety and reducing the rate of these ‘struck by’ injuries.

In the table below, we compare the different situations ideal for the recommended background colors.

2- Fit of the Safety Vest

Safety vests that don’t fit aren’t just uncomfortable, they can also cause safety hazards in the workplace. How so? By snagging on machinery or restricting the construction worker’s movement.

Below are the features of appropriately fitting safety vests:

• Not too snug, leaving sufficient room for movement and clothing underneath.
• No raw seams, edges, or tabs that can cause discomfort and undermine wearability.
• They should fit in a way that other garments or equipment, like tool belts or harnesses, don’t cover the retro-reflective strips.

Most safety vest manufacturers offer a variety of safety vest sizes, ranging from XS through to J (XXXXL) and 5XL. Sizing can vary across vendors, so it’s important to double check their size charts.

Here’s a table showing an example of how vest sizes correspond to chest measurements.

Expert Tip: Measure across the fullest part of your chest, ensuring that the tape doesn’t dip.

For layering over light clothing such as a t-shirt, buy a vest that’s your exact chest measurement. However, add 2–3 inches to your chest measurement if you plan to layer your vest over heavy clothing, like jackets.

3- Design of the Retro-Reflective Strips

Correctly designed retro-reflective strips should have the following features:

• Have a strip at least 2 inches (50 mm) in width.
• Two strips that pass vertically at the front, running from the shoulders to the waist.
• A horizontal strip at the navel running all around the body.
• Class 3 safety vests require retro-reflective around both arms and legs.

The last point brings up a crucial question about the performance classes for safety vests.

What Are the Performance Classes of Safety Vests?

Safety vest performance classes refer to the various categories of visibility requirements for safety vests based on the level of hazard workers are exposed to.

In the table below, we summarize the three main performance classes, their characteristics, and use cases.

Your safety director or site manager needs a copy of the latest ANSI/ISEA 107 publication, which covers in depth all features of safety apparel for construction.

Expert Tip: Before buying safety vests, check the care label which indicates whether it’s ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant, the performance class of the safety vest, and its other safety features, such as whether it’s flame retardant.

How Can You Brand Safety Vests Within Construction Compliance?

The general rule of thumb for branding safety vests within construction compliance, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), is:

• The front logo needs to be smaller than 16.25 inches (105 cm²) and shouldn't cover more than 3.8 sq. in. (25 cm2) of the retro-reflective strips.
• The back logo can be as big as 77.5 sq. in. (500 cm²) but not obscure any of the retro-reflective strips.

Working with the right branding partner ensures that regardless of whether you’re branding safety vests, jackets, or bibs, your logo placement is always optimal and fully compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs high visibility safety apparel (HVSA) and safety vests?

The need for HVSA and safety vests is determined by two factors:

• The legislative requirements of the jurisdiction the construction site falls under
• Potential hazards a worker can encounter on site based on a hazard assessment

Where the worker is exposed to motorized equipment or oncoming traffic, fluorescent fabrics with retro-reflective strips are mandatory for high visibility.

Other protective features may be incorporated into safety vests to meet additional hazards. For example, flame retardant fabrics where fire is a risk or 5-point breakaway vests to prevent getting caught in machine parts.

What is ANSI/ISEA 107?

It’s an industry consensus standard first published in 1999 by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Updated every 5 years, it’s a voluntary standard that specifies the requirements for high visibility safety apparel and headwear. It’s recognized and compliance mandated by many regulatory authorities, including OSHA.

What’s the difference between ANSI 207 and ANSI 107 safety vest standards?

ANSI 207 was the industry safety standard specifically developed for public safety workers, like law enforcement personnel.

However, it was incorporated into the ANSI 107 publication of 2015 with these new performance classes for high visibility safety apparel:

• Type O (Off-road): Performance class 1 for workers in temporary control areas, not exposed to high traffic (below 25 mph)
• Type R (Roadway): Performance class 2 (25–45 mph speeds) or class 3 (beyond 50 mph) for workers exposed to highway traffic or in roadway temporary control zones
• Type P (Public Safety): Performance class 2 or 3 for law enforcement and emergency responders exposed to struck-by hazards off-road or on roadways

Get Started on Your Custom Safety Vest Order

With the foundation of this beginner’s guide, you’re equipped to provide your construction crew with safety vests that are compliant to the relevant safety regulations.

As you upgrade the safety of your team, don’t forget to brand their safety vests accordingly with the services of an expert printer. Reach out to us today for a no-obligation custom quote.

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• Safety vests keep employees visible and protected against hazards, such as drivers failing to see roadside employees.
• They allow you to easily identify your workforce.
• They help keep everyone organized in their different roles.

When customized, safety vests also serve many other purposes, including:

• Maintaining a professional look (which can help you score more contracts).
• Instilling a sense of pride and team spirit in your employees.
• Marketing your business and creating/maintaining your brand identity.

Today, we’ll go over some useful tips to ensure you get the most out of your custom safety vests.

Tip 1 - Ensure ANSI/ISEA 107 and OSHA Compliance

The ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 is a compliance standard that regulates high visibility clothing for workers. It sets clear parameters such as the print area, type of material to be used, or size of reflectors. These parameters should be followed when making custom safety vests.

The standard itself is voluntary, but following it can improve your worksite by:

• Reducing accidents
• Improving productivity and morale

In addition, it goes hand-in-hand with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Note: Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Administration says that employers must provide workers with a work environment that’s free from any recognized hazards which are likely to cause harm or death.

ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 focuses on the following parameters:

High Visibility

Your custom safety vests should be made out of highly visible fabric with bright fluorescent colors that stand out against any surrounding background or lighting conditions.

Fluorescent-colored fabrics have special pigments to soak up and reflect ultraviolet (UV) light, which makes them glow and appear bright even at night or in dim light.

The best color options according to OSHA guidelines are:

• Yellow-green
• Orange-red
• Bright red
• Yellow
• Orange

The custom safety vests must have strategically placed strips of reflective tape to increase their visibility in low-lit conditions. These reflectors work by bouncing light off themselves to make the entire vest appear much brighter.

This is especially useful during nighttime, as the reflectors are clearly visible when drivers are shining their headlights on the road.

Safety Assurance

The table below details the safety accreditations you should look for.

Choose the safety vest class that works best for your needs. The more exposure to hazards your employees face, the higher the safety class you should get.

Remember: Safety vests are sold according to their classifications, so as an employer, it’s your responsibility to pick the right one.

Tip 2 - Choose the Right Printing Options for Your Logo or Text

There are numerous printing options available for logos, printed text, or both, including:

• Single-color screen prints in black
• Full-color printing that’s bright and clear
• Retroreflective printing
• Heat transfers

Choose a print that contrasts perfectly with your safety vest’s color.

Solid color black prints are the most legible and most suitable for maximum visibility. They’re also the easiest way to maintain compliance with ANSI standards.

Even if your line of work doesn't necessarily require ANSI compliance, following the ANSI standards is a reliable way to ensure your workers stay visible, which can help prevent accidents.

However, the point is for workers to stand out even in dim conditions. Therefore, the printed area must not cover a large block of high visibility material. As a result, your logo and print details must not exceed 72 square inches—according to section 7.2 of the ANSI 107 standards.

You can split the 72 square inches however you like, as long as you are within the parameters. For instance, you can print the logo on the pockets with the printed text on the back.

The same section of the ANSI compliance document also specifies that your printed text and logo should be less than 22 square inches on the retroreflective strips.

It’s also important to maintain the “balance of design” as specified by section 6.3.5 of ANSI standards. You need as much unprinted material as possible on either side of the vest, which means you can’t use all the allowable 72 square inches on one part of the vest.

For instance, you can’t have both a large size logo and print on the back—you have to distribute it so that the vest remains clearly visible from either side.

Where Can I Place the Logo?

Since you can’t cover the entire vest for safety reasons, you need to be strategic about where you place the logo. You want to put it where it’s clearly visible to market your company without compromising the vest’s safety features.

The best places to print your logo include:

• Upper back
• Lower back
• Front chest pocket

You can use a larger logo on the vest’s back and a smaller one on the chest, or pocket.

Regardless of the position you choose, ensure that the size of the logo matches the chosen portion as well as the text you want to include. Make it too big and you’ll be outside the parameters of ANSI regulations, make it too small and no one will see it.

Place your logo no less than an inch from any major features such as seams, zippers, or pockets. This will distort its shape.

Additionally, stick to simple single or two-tone logos in dark colors that are legible against the bright contrast of the vest or result in an uneven print.

Expert Tip: Choose a logo and print design that works on your other custom apparel (such as hoodies and t-shirts). Maintaining the same design will reduce the time it takes to get your orders produced and cut down on screen printing costs.

In addition, it will help you maintain a consistent brand identity that can help boost your business.

Tip 3 - Choose Functional Vests

Your custom safety vests should be functional and include user-friendly features such as:

Safety Breakaways

Vests fitted with a breakaway system are designed in such a way that when they are pulled with excessive force they break away from the body.

They help prevent accidents if one gets caught or entangled in the moving parts of machines and heavy equipment.

Handy Pockets

Pockets are handy for keeping small tools and other useful items such as notepads and calculators. Look for a vest design that comes with multiple pockets for increased functionality.

Pro Tip: Multiple pockets will also give you more printable space to display your logo.

Flame Resistance

Flame-resistant vests are designed with self-extinguishing capabilities so they don’t catch fire when exposed to flames.

If your employees work in areas where they may be exposed to sources of extreme temperatures, get heat-resistant vests to increase their safety.

Color Coding

Color coding your safety vests makes it easy to identify and distinguish workers doing different jobs or within different departments. This can help you implement a more coordinated incident response system in the event of accidents.

Get Durable and Functional Custom Safety Apparel

Custom safety vests are worthwhile for added safety and compliance in your worksite.

That said, fading, unclear prints, or lopsided logos won’t do your business any good. You don’t want to pay to replace your vests frequently or portray a negative image that can cost you contracts.

fancysweetstx can help you get it right the first time.

We offer top-notch printing for your safety vests and other custom safety clothing.

Get in touch with us via:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +393399950518
• Website: www.fancysweetstx.com/safetyapparel

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In industries such as construction and manufacturing, the workforce often faces safety risks like falling objects.

Safety clothing and personal protective equipment like hard hats is necessary to shield your workforce from head injuries, making them feel safe at work.

However, many companies underestimate the power of hard hats in boosting brand exposure.

Today, we’ll look at:

• How to customize quality branded hard hats for your workforce
• What are custom branded hard hats? 
• Comparison between custom and non-custom hard hats
• Frequently asked questions about custom hard hats

Pro Tip: Customized hard hats are a great marketing tool, especially when employees wear them regularly.

While protecting employees from on-the-job injuries, they also market your brand and create awareness among your potential customers.

Let’s look at how to customize quality branded hard hats for your workforce to boost brand visibility and make your workforce feel like an empowered team.

1 - Choose the Right Imprint Colors

When customizing, choose the right imprint colors for your hard hats.

Hard hats are available in different colors for easy personnel recognition on the job site. For instance, workers with leadership roles can wear red hats, supervisors can wear blue hats, and regular workers can wear green hats.

Color differentiation also makes it easy to know when someone is in the wrong place.

Since safety regulations require that hard hats be visible from all directions, always go with bright colors like red, yellow, orange, or green.

However, you don’t have to stick with one color. Two or more imprint colors will give your hats a more personalized look.

Additionally, if you want to print your logo or brand name on the hats, find the right color combination to maintain visibility while effectively communicating your message.

Some excellent color combinations that give hard hats a good look include red and green, blue and yellow, and white and red.

2 - Customize With a Logo

The best way to customize branded hard hats for your workforce is by printing your company logo on them.

Hard hats customized with your company logo go beyond keeping your employees safe. They create a sense of belonging and make your employees feel good about being part of the team.

There are two ways to print your logo on hard hats:

• Decal: You can print a decal, which is a sticker that sticks to the surface of the hat. Printing a decal is easier and less expensive, though does have the potential to wear off over time.
• Directly onto the hat: You can also imprint your logo directly onto the hat. This will last much longer than decal logos.

The best place to print a logo on hard hats is on the front of the hat, above the brim. It's the most visible place that will best expose your logo.

Avoid imprinting on the back or sides of the hat as it reduces the visibility of your logo.

When printing, ensure your logo is of the right size that fits perfectly on the hat while remaining visible, too.

Make the logo large enough to be easily seen, but not so large that it looks out of place. Most logos are sized between 2 x 2" and 4 x 4".

In short, get your brand name out there with branded hard hats printed with your company logo for a unique and professional look.

3 - Add Some Personalized Text

In addition to the company logo, you can customize hard hats for your workforce by printing custom text on them.

Examples of text you can imprint to personalize your hard hats include:

Company Name

Your company name on your hard hat is a cost-effective way to create brand identity, increase brand visibility, and boost brand recall.

If your employees regularly work outdoors, hats printed with your company name gives them a sense of belonging. Additionally, they get a sense of identity if they’re working together with employees from other companies.

Safety Slogans

Hard hats printed with safety slogans not only act as protective equipment but also as advocates of safety.

Pass a powerful message to your employees by printing safety slogans on their hats.

Examples of safety slogans you can print on your hard hats include:

• Think safety
• Safety starts with self
• Think safe, work safe, be safe
• Safety first, so you last

Job Roles

How about using hard hats to identify employees by their job roles? You can label hats meant for supervisors differently from general workers.

For instance, printing a large ‘S’ to denote supervisor and ‘V’ to denote visitor creates a distinction between employees and non-employees on a job site.

Alternatively, you can print the full job roles (e.g Supervisor), depending on your preferences.

Employees' Names or Initials

Instead of job roles, you can personalize the hats with individuals' names or initials.

Printed names or initials make employees stand out, and it becomes easy to identify them on-site. 

Text to Commemorate Occasions

You can also use your hard hats to commemorate important occasions or remember significant people.

For instance, you can customize hats to mark safety events such as National Safety Week, World Safety Day, or Safe and Sound Week.

If you want us to help you customize hard hats for your workforce, you only need to tell us how you want it done and the text you want printed on them.

You’ll have your branded hats in the shortest time possible.

4 - Consider Custom Strip or Artwork

Another creative way to customize hard hats for your workforce is to include custom strips and artwork.

Reflective strips are especially effective if your employees regularly work at night. These strips can glow at night and provide an easy way to identify a worker in the dark.

Therefore, they help reduce accidents and enhance workplace safety at night.

Custom artworks are also unique and make your hats look more attractive. You can customize your hats with drawings and artwork which portray a special message (e.g. unity) about your brand.

Artwork is a great way to communicate your values, personality, missions, and vision as a brand.

Expert Tip: Keep your artwork simple to make it memorable while effectively passing your message to the public.

Now that you know how to customize hard hats, let’s briefly look at what exactly branded hard hats are (and the benefit of having one).

What Are Custom Branded Hard Hats?

Custom branded hard hats are hard hats modified to suit your specific needs and preferences in terms of design, color, printing, and branding.

As a unique and cost-effective marketing tool, you can customize hard hats in a way that benefits your company by:

• Creating more brand awareness for better marketing opportunities
• Boosting brand visibility to attract more prospective clients
• Exposing your company logo to enhance brand identity
• Sharpening brand recognition to build trust and loyalty

Custom vs Non-custom Hard Hats

As mentioned, custom hats are often personalized to fit your desired specifications, while non-custom hats come in a one-type-fits-all design.

The table below will help you understand the pros and cons of customized hard hats and their potential impact on your brand.

As you can see, custom branded hard hats not only keep your employees safe but also highlight your brand and make it stand out from the crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when customizing my hard hats?

Some of the aspects you need to look out for when customizing your hard hats include:

• The type of material. This may affect the impression of custom imprints such as logo appearance. Types of materials used to make hard hats include: High-density polyethylene (HDPE), ABS plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.

  HDPE and ABS plastic hard hats are the easiest to customize and make the best quality branded hard hat print.

• The design. Some designs (e.g. those with irregular surfaces) make it hard to print custom texts or logos on the hats.
• Color preferences. It’s best to go with your employees’ color preferences or your company’s theme colors.
• The colors. Poor color combinations like red and orange will affect the overall display of your hats.

What type of hard hats are suitable for my employees?

There are two types of hard hats you can customize for your employees depending on the type of risk at the workplace:

• Type 1. Protects your employees from vertical impact, such as impact from a falling hammer.
• Type 2. Protects your employees from vertical and lateral impact, such as impact from hitting sharp window corners.

Talk to your hard hat supplier and they’ll help you determine which type of hats are the most suitable for your employees.

Where can I get a custom branded hard hat with a logo?

Here at fancysweetstx, we customize your hard hats and make them suitable for both your brand and your workforce.

Our custom hard hats create a safe working environment while making your brand uniquely stand out from the crowd.

Contact us today and we’ll get started on customizing the perfect hard hat for your brand.

You order, we deliver!

“Excellent price, quality, design team, and quick shipping. First-time customers, but we'll be back! Thank you, fancysweetstx!”
— Christina P

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When worn appropriately, without coverings or distractions, Hi-Vis clothing saves lives and reduces injuries. For instance, drivers, other workers, or pedestrians can easily spot a worker in a high visibility jacket, reducing the chances of an accident. 

With many high visibility clothing on the market, choosing ones that work best for you can be challenging.

Luckily, considering the following factors will help you select the best high visibility jacket:

• The lighting conditions
• Different fabrics available
• Customization aspect
• Comfort and fit

1 - The Lighting Conditions in the Workstation

Before purchasing a high visibility jacket, it’s crucial to consider the time and location of its use. 

Workers in different industries operate under varying lighting conditions. For instance, a construction worker spends hours on site during the day when there’s adequate light. While an emergency responder working late at night will be on site when it’s dark.

Therefore, workers need high visibility jackets made from fluorescent materials during the day and Hi-Vis made from retroreflective materials at night to ensure safety and visibility. 

But what do these terms mean?

• A fluorescent material absorbs the sun’s UV light and reflects it on the viewer’s eyes as visible light. Jackets made of this material need a natural light source, and hence don’t glow in the dark.
• Retro-reflective material bounces back light to its source. For instance, at night, retro-reflective Hi-Vis will reflect light from a coming vehicle, making its wearer more visible. It’s often incorporated in a jacket through reflecting tapes or stripes.

The table below describes the appropriate material for workers depending on their lighting conditions.

2 - Type of Fabric

Fabric plays a huge role in determining your high visibility jacket’s durability.

Let’s take, for instance, cotton vs. polyester.

Cotton is a natural fiber that cannot absorb enough of the fluorescent dye color needed to make a reflective material. Thus it’s not vibrant enough to pass the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Testing Standards for high visibility safety apparel.

Polyester, on the other hand, is synthetic and not dyed through immersion, letting it maintain the Hi-Vis jacket’s brightness and fluorescent qualities even after washing. This makes it compliant with the ANSI standards.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester are also stronger than cotton, making them more durable. Since workers are more likely to wear their Hi-Vis jackets every day at work, it’s best to choose such hard-wearing fabrics. 

Other advantages of synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon are: 

• They’re closely knitted and bright enough in low-light conditions.
• They feel smooth on the skin.
• They’re warmer on the body.
• They wick away moisture rather than absorbing it.
• They’re lightweight .

Expert Tip: If your workers are often exposed to fire and flammable substances, choose fire retardant fabrics like nylon and polyester. These will slow down or stop the spread of fire and reduce its intensity, making them ideal for emergencies.

3 - Customization Aspect

A logo says a lot about your business—it visually represents your organization’s goals, history, and gives it an identity. 

As an integral part of your brand representation, it’s crucial to display your logo on your worker’s Hi-Vis jacket. 

Most construction sites today have two or more businesses working simultaneously, and failing to tell workers apart can greatly hamper communication. Yet with your company logo on your workers’ HI-Vis jackets, you’ll differentiate them from other workers.

Besides distinguishing workers on site, a branded Hi-Vis jacket:

• Creates a professional look and uniformity for workers
• Strengthens your brand by creating awareness 
• Promotes unity between workers
• Leaves a good impression of your business

But branding the Hi-Vis jackets is not enough—the logo placement is equally important.

Luckily, fancysweetstx can help you settle for the best logo placement. With a decade and a half worth of experience in the industry, we’ve come to learn the ins and outs of custom branding safety apparel and strategic placement of your company logo for maximum brand awareness. 

Related: Employee Apparel: 6 Safety Apparel Must Haves for Construction Workers

Here are some considerations on your logo’s placement:

• Your company logo should not conceal any of the jacket’s retro-reflective material.
• The logo needs to be small and not overpower the jacket’s fluorescence.
• Avoid multi-colored logos since they overshadow the safety clothing’s color background.

Expert Tip: Following these branding rules on your own can be cumbersome and time-consuming. But with the help of fancysweetstx, your workers will have their branded Hi-Vis jackets in no time. We’ll handle all the work for you, from design creation to custom embroidery.

4 - Fit and Comfort

Proper fit means the garment must be large enough to sit well on the body and stay in place during work. Additionally, it must leave sufficient space for appropriate clothing to be worn underneath.

Without a proper and comfortable fit, you introduce new hazards to the working site.

Wondering how? Let’s explain.

• If the garment is too small, it can restrict the worker’s movement and prevent them from carrying out their tasks well.
• If the garment is too big, the excess material can get in the way of their work or get caught in moving machinery.

Therefore, to avoid injuries, consider the jacket’s fit and comfort during work.

Furthermore, its seams and material shouldn’t cause irritation. And the jacket needs to be of appropriate weight with enough stretch.

Other features that enhance the fit and comfort include:

• Flexible material
• Proper ventilation
• Stretch panels under the arms
• Adjustment straps

Also, consider the number and size of tools to be carried around like backpacks, equipment belts, gloves, and boots. The Hi-Vis jacket must be large enough to prevent any obstruction from these tools since the workers need to be highly visible from far away.

Promote Your Brand Today With a Customized Hi-Vis Jacket

Adding your company logo to your Hi-Vis jacket is one of the greatest ways to promote your brand and build authenticity.

With fancysweetstx screen printing and embroidery services, you can add your company’s logo and additional texts to Hi-Vis jackets to suit your brand. 

If you don’t like your current logo design, our experienced in-house graphic designers can help you create a new design that tells your story. 

We’re here to help you bring your brilliant ideas to life. So tell us about your project today, and we’ll handle the rest. 

It’ll be easy and fun, our customer Amy has tried us and proved this to be true.

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Our experience with and understanding of safety apparel is why our customers come back to us time and again to help them with safety clothing and hi-vis apparel. 

A recent order for a local Ohio business involved customization of Class 1 hi-vis safety jackets and Class 1 hi-vis long sleeve pocket shirts. 

Hi-Vis Construction Safety Jackets

The black hi-vis jackets have hoods and wide reflective stripes. We embroidered the customer's full color logo on the left sleeve.

In our Buyers Guide for Custom Construction Shirts, we talk about identifying features of hi-vis safety clothing:

• Fluorescent safety red, yellow, and orange colors go beyond brightness. They absorb and reflect colored light that intensifies their appearance for better daytime visibility.
• Retro-reflective strips reflect a cohesive image back to the viewer and enhance the visibility of the wearer at night or in low light. 
• Compliance testing rounds out the essential features. The ANSI requires testing by accredited laboratories for all compliant hi-vis manufacturers.
• Custom printed logos don't obscure the retro-reflective strips and are easily legible.

Hi-Vis Safety Long Sleeve Shirts

The long sleeve safety shirts that were part of this order were screen printed directly on the pocket. 

There aren't a lot of options for decoration on ANSI clothing because of the reflective safety strips. In order to maintain standards, we have to avoid them in decoration. This leaves the center front and back and upper sleeves as the most common print areas. 

Our article about essential features for construction shirts goes into more detail on safety shirts. Here are a few key safety regulations for safety clothing:

• Fluorescent colors for daytime visibility—safety yellow and safety orange to contrast with the environment
• Retro-reflective strips for nighttime or poorly lit areas that have no natural light
• Retro-reflective strips should be a minimum of 50 mm wide and form an “X” at the back, vertical strips in front and a continuous strip around the waist
• Long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, no sleeveless shirts
• Snug fitting in both the sleeves and torso to avoid snagging on machinery

Get Started on Your Custom Hi-Vis Order

Safety comes first on any jobsite. Hi-vis clothing is an easy way to make an immediate improvement on the safety of your team. Reach out to us today to outfit your crew in custom safety apparel.

You definitely want to avoid outfitting your crew in a hodgepodge of colored shirts or for the clothing to fall short of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hazardous workwear regulations.

In this buyer's guide, we will point you towards the right custom construction apparel, keeping in mind that:

• Safety comes first to ensure workers are out of harm’s way.
• Comfort is key since wearability contributes to the effectiveness of the safety apparel.
• Compliance with the OSHA standards will keep your workers safe and will protect you from hefty fines.
• Proper branding makes workers easily identifiable and puts your brand out there positively. 

Types of Custom Construction Workwear

Construction shirts are easily the most visible pieces of workwear, but they work well when paired with other custom pieces, such as:

• Custom Embroidered Beanies: Easy to layer beneath hard hats in cold seasons
• Custom Logo Trucker Hats: Great for summer wear and guaranteed to carry your brand beyond the work site
• Custom Face Masks: Turn a necessity into an advantage for your brand visibility

1 - Custom Hi-Vis

Hi-Vis clothing is a staple of construction workwear. Any construction site with motorized machinery or direct access to traffic requires appropriate high visibility workwear for all workers. 

Don’t limit your crew’s hi-vis to the ubiquitous safety vest. You can include hoodies, jackets, t-shirts, pants, bibs, coveralls, rainwear, and even accessories such as bags.

We can help you place your brand on just about any work item or accessory.

Important Features of Custom Hi-Vis

There a three key features that, in combination, identify hi-vis clothing:

• Fluorescent safety red, yellow, and orange colors go beyond brightness. They absorb and reflect colored light that intensifies their appearance for better daytime visibility.
• Retro-reflective strips reflect a cohesive image back to the viewer and enhance the visibility of the wearer at night or in low light. 
• Compliance testing rounds out the essential features. The ANSI requires testing by accredited laboratories for all compliant hi-vis manufacturers.
• Custom printed logos don't obscure the retro-reflective strips and are easily legible.

In this table, we compare the different reflective tape requirements dependent on the hazard level.

If your construction site isn’t in direct traffic, you can be less strict with safety apparel. For instance, enhanced visibility clothing can be any color, including black, with retro-reflective strips to improve visibility.

Enhanced visibility clothing still meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) criteria while offering muted color options.

How Hi-Vis Compare with Safety Construction Shirts

Hi-Vis clothing requires accreditation and compliance to ensure that they support health and safety conditions at work.

While comfort and quality are important, the choice of hi-vis focuses more on:

• Quality of retro-reflective strips
• Regulatory length of retro-reflective strips 
• Correct placement of retro-reflective strips and custom printed logo

This is unlike custom construction shirts, which factor in aesthetics to enhance brand visibility and may or may not adhere to hi-vis regulations.

Expert Tip: Not all retro-reflective strips are equal. Make sure the retro-reflective strips on your hi-vis are high quality and comply with the ANSI standards.

2 - Custom Safety Construction Shirts

Custom safety construction shirts are a versatile staple for any construction worker. They fit easily under hi-vis vests in hot weather, yet wearers can still layer them under safety hoodies and jackets in cold weather.

Important Features of Custom Safety Construction Shirts 

Custom safety construction shirts should give the wearer comfort, versatility, and mobility.

The key features to look out for are:

• A polyester and cotton blend or tri-blend, which provides good insulation, moisture-wicking, and absorption properties. They can also take a beating with regular wear.
• Safety yellow and safety orange color options for daytime visibility.
• Bold custom printed or embroidered logo in colors that complement the safety color.
• Proper fit and sizing.

We use a selection of 5 great t-shirt blanks which give our clients the best combination of fit and quality.

Expert Tip: Women’s t-shirts have a notoriously snug sizing. Order one size up for your female crew members to ensure they get the best comfort and mobility. 

How Custom Safety Construction Shirts Compare with Hi-Vis Clothing

The major difference between custom safety shirts and hi-vis is the retro-reflective strip.

Safety shirts don’t require the retro-reflective strip since they are mainly for daytime visibility and work located away from traffic or motorized machinery.

That said, they pair well with hi-vis vests, jackets, and other enhanced visibility outerwear.

The safety orange and yellow create visibility on site while the custom embroidered or printed logo serves to identify crew members.

3 - Custom Safety Hoodies and Jackets

Comfort in all types of weather is essential to functional wear. Construction workers work in the elements for 8 hours a day, sometimes more.

In the summer, they may be fine with sun shades and safety vests. Winter, however, demands that whatever warm outerwear they choose is safety compliant and representative of your company.

If protective clothing is uncomfortable or ineffective, workers will find a million reasons not to wear them.

Long-sleeved construction t-shirts can double as both summer and winter wear. In summer, they protect workers from sunburn and exposure during long work hours. Workers can also layer them for warmth in the cold months.

Important Features of Custom Safety Hoodies and Jackets 

Functionality should be the top consideration for safety hoodies and jackets.

Key functional features include:

• Correctly placed retro-reflective strips
• Ample space to place your custom printed or embroidered logo
• Pockets to put essentials
• Insulation to keep the wearer warm

How Custom Safety Hoodies and Jackets Compare with Hi-Vis

Custom hoodies and jackets are more for warmth than anything else. That’s why workers in low or no traffic sites can make do with enhanced visibility and don’t have to stick to fluorescent colors, unlike hi-vis clothing.

What Are Custom Construction Shirts?

Custom construction shirts are work apparel that meet safety color codes and are custom branded with an embroidered or printed logo to identify workers.

Advantages and Benefits of Custom Construction Shirts

Custom construction shirts offer your construction business certain benefits and advantages over generic workwear.

Advantages of Custom Construction Shirts

By setting up your crew in custom construction shirts, you:

• Enhance your brand image
• Promote onsite professionalism
• Create a sense of belonging and ownership of the project for all staff
• Improve health and safety at work

Benefits of Custom Construction Shirts

What benefits can your construction business gain from the above advantages?

• Better sitewide compliance with safety regulations and fewer citations
• Higher team morale and productivity
• Brand visibility within the community

Price Range

The price of custom construction shirts and other custom workwear can vary significantly depending on:

• Type of customization: 
• Embroidery is the most expensive way to brand workwear, but it lasts longer and has a high-end feel.
• Screen printing and heat transfer methods are cheaper and faster to implement.
• Purchase quantity: Some suppliers give up to 30% discounts on unit prices for orders in the hundreds.
• Hi-Vis safety classification: Following the ANSI 107 standard, class 1 workwear is cheaper than class 2, which ‌costs less than class 3.
• Quality and fabric:
• Polyester clothing is cheaper than cotton or blended fabrics.
• The higher the cotton content, the higher the cost of the clothing.
• Clothing made in the USA will cost more than pieces made overseas. 
• Many businesses in the construction industry prefer pocket tees. The addition of the pocket increases the cost of the garment and can potentially increase the cost of customization.

Expert Tip: Use a design logo that is a single color, preferably black. It’s cheaper to print and stands out against most colors. Customization will be cheaper if your artwork fits as-is on various apparel items without editing.

Here is a table comparing the price points of various safety construction apparel in safety yellow:

Custom screen printing and embroidery service providers like fancysweetstx often offer add-ons, such as redesigning your artwork. 

With all these variables, it’s best to get a custom quote to cover all your business needs.

How Customers Feel about Our Custom Shirts

According to buyers, custom construction shirts need to have:

• High-quality fabric and logo prints
• Affordable pricing to ease bulk purchases
• Quick turnaround on orders

Very impressed by the speed and quality… done in less than a week (70+ shirts)... perfectly fabulous.
— Michael S.

Great to work with for large and small orders. Good quality shirts and able to assist with designs.
— Danielle N.

Get Started on Your Custom Construction Wear

With a clearer picture of price points and the options available for custom construction shirts and complementary safety workwear, you’re ready to take advantage of our branding expertise. Reach out to us today to outfit your crew in custom safety apparel.

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Great employers understand that workplace safety means happier employees and higher productivity.

While you can and should design your site to eliminate workplace hazards, some workplaces are inherently dangerous—hence the need for measures like personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safety apparel protects your employees from bodily harm and you from losses in workers’ compensation. 

It’s also worth noting that your employees’ safety gear also speaks for your brand. That’s where fancysweetstx’s custom branded safety clothing comes in; but more on that later. 

First, let’s break down the must-have safety apparel for construction workers as recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

1 - Hi-Vis Protection

Fluorescent yellow and orange safety vests are synonymous with construction sites, and for good reason.

Hi-vis (or high-visibility) clothing is essential, especially for construction sites where vehicles or mobile heavy machinery are present.

Some of these heavy machines have huge blind spots in their immediate front and rear lines of vision. Being readily seen by their operators increases the safety of workers on foot.

Safety yellow (yellow-green), orange, and red are the only fluorescent colors recommended by OSHA for hi-vis. They stand out from their surroundings in both daylight and dark or low light conditions.

Retro-reflective strips increase visibility at night and in low lighting, especially in high-traffic areas (such as when doing road repairs).

Retro-reflective material is made using thousands of tiny glass beads that reflect a focused image back to the original light source. This makes it easier to identify a worker’s position in poor lighting.

Hi-vis doesn’t stop at sleeveless vests either. From long-sleeved crew neck shirts to hoodies, t-shirts and jackets, hi-vis apparel is the perfect canvas for communicating your brand.

Your crew will be wearing the branded apparel at all times, so you want to be sure that your choice of design and quality speaks to your brand.

With our 10 years of experience, we’ll work with you to design and custom brand the best shirt options for your crew.

2 - Head and Neck Protection 

The construction industry has the highest number of traumatic brain injuries compared to all other industries. As such, hard hats that comply with the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) standards are essential for all construction workers.

For such a small piece of headgear, helmets have a tremendous responsibility to:

• Absorb the force of impact through their suspension system
• Resist penetration
• Deflect blows to the head
• Be fire-resistant
• Insulate against electric shock
• Prevent top-of-the-head impact from further injuring the spine
• Be impervious to water

ANSI classifies hard hats according to their level of impact protection and the extent of their insulation against electrical voltage.

“Bump caps only protect you from stationary objects and aren’t OSHA or ANSI approved for the hazards on construction sites”

Expert Tip: Each country has its own hard hat standards. For example, ANSI Z89.1 in the US and CSA Z94.1-15 in Canada. Always make sure that the hard hats used on your construction site are correctly labeled and certified according to local regulations.

Let’s not forget about beanies and neck gaiters. Construction work can be extra challenging in extreme weather, like Midwestern winters. You can layer flat-top beanies and balaclavas under hard hats for extra warmth.

In the summer, towels containing cooling gels will keep your neck from overheating in the long hours outside.

3 - Eye Protection

Flying particles, chemical liquids and gases, and harmful light radiation are all commonplace on active construction sites.

OSHA recommends protective eyewear for carpenters, electricians, machinists, plumbers and pipefitters, sanders, grinding machine operators, sawyers, welders, chemical process operators, and timber cutting and logging workers.

Basically, anyone working with tools, machinery, chemicals or light should protect their eyes. We think so too!

The type of safety eyewear you choose will depend on the site’s hazard assessment:

• Safety spectacles: Have metal or plastic safety frames and impact resistant lenses
• Goggles: Fit tightly and protect the eyes and immediate area around the eyes from impact, dust, and splashes
• Welding shields: Protect the eyes from the intense radiant light and the whole face from flying sparks or chips
• Face shields: Pair well with goggles to provide comprehensive eye and facial protection

Expert Tip: If you wear prescription glasses, make sure your goggles fit over them to avoid impairing your vision.

4 - Foot Protection

Combined with the risk of falling objects and bad weather, the fact that construction workers are on their feet for up to 8 hours a day necessitates good footwear.

Construction sites are full of debris, sharp objects, falling objects and uneven and slippery ground.

Make sure your work boots:

• Are safety toe boots that will protect your feet from impact, puncture, and compression
• Offer firm support for your ankles in case the ground is uneven
• Are waterproof, especially in poor weather or wet working conditions
• Have good traction 
• Are comfortable to wear for long periods

Expert Tip: After a full day of sweating into your work boots, stuff them with a sock full of cedar chips to eliminate moisture and odors.

5 - Hand Protection

Hands are one of the most adversely affected body parts when it comes to workplace injuries, second only to the torso. Over 100,000 occupational hand injuries occur in the US annually. More than half of these accidents are due to a lack of gloves.

Gloves come in a variety of materials depending on the target hazard:

• Fabric gloves offer minor protection from dirt, slivers, and abrasions
• Plastic-coated fabric gloves offer general protection and slip resistance
• Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh protect against cuts, burns, and sustained heat
• Chemical and liquid resistant gloves, made from different kinds of rubber and blended plastics, protect from chemical burns
• Insulated rubber gloves protect against electrical shock

Expert Tip: Fit is key. Ill-fitting gloves can cause blisters and increase the possibility of an accident occurring because of how they limit your range of motion.

6 - Ear Protection

Construction sites are very loud with noises ranging from 80–120 decibels. That’s the noise range between a compactor and a hammer drill.

In an 8-hour day, 85 decibels is the maximum acceptable noise level a construction worker should endure. Every 3 decibels beyond that reduces the exposure time by half.

Here’s a table showing how exposure time reduces as noise levels increase and which machines correspond to which noise levels.

While you can engineer your site and machinery to have sound barriers or to produce less noise, you still need to ensure that your employees are equipped against hazardous noise levels.

Safety apparel has advanced in recent years, and ear protection options are no longer limited to clunky, unwieldy ear muffs.

Ear plugs on the market today have built-in microphones or filter caps that lower noise levels, reaching the ear while enabling the worker to still hear conversation.

Hearing loss doesn’t get the attention it deserves since its onset is slow. Roughly 1 in 5 construction workers experiences hearing impairment which can easily be prevented by using ear protection while on site.

Get Your Safety Apparel Right

Safety apparel is only as good as your usage of it. Train all workers on-site on the proper use of their safety apparel. Regular inspection, careful maintenance, and proper storage will ensure your safety investments benefit you long term.

Above all, getting it right starts with the quality of the safety gear you procure for your construction workers.

If you’re ready to level up your safety game with custom safety apparel for construction, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at 419-318-2029 to discuss your options.

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Think about it, warm enough for cold weather but breathable enough for hot weather. Bright enough to meet safety regulations while still playing into the construction company’s branding.

Let’s not forget durability since it’s not cost effective to keep replacing construction gear. Lastly, you’d have to look good because construction workers deserve nice things too.

You would need all these features while being functional.

It can be a daunting task to source this magical construction shirt for your crew. That’s why we’ve prepared this short guide for the essential features to look for in construction shirts.

1 - Safety Regulation Compliance

OSHA regulations for safety apparel have reduced workplace injuries by 40% since the 1970s. That’s why safety compliance in construction shirts should always be your first consideration.

Whether construction workers are interacting with machinery, oncoming traffic or the public, they need to be easily identifiable to reduce the occurrence of accidents.

In a nutshell, safety regulations for construction shirts are:

• Fluorescent colors for daytime visibility—safety yellow and safety orange to contrast with the environment
• Retro-reflective strips for nighttime or poorly lit areas that have no natural light
• Retro-reflective strips should be a minimum of 50 mm wide and form an “X” at the back, vertical strips in front and a continuous strip around the waist
• Long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, no sleeveless shirts
• Snug fitting in both the sleeves and torso to avoid snagging on machinery

The manufacturer usually provides proof that their garments meet the ANSI safety regulations, which OSHA recommends as a way for employers to comply with its enhanced visibility requirements.

Of equal importance is the placement of branding on the shirt. Here’s where fancysweetstx can help you out with our decade’s worth of experience custom branding construction safety wear.

• Your logo should not obscure any of the retro-reflective material.
• The logo should be small enough on the front to avoid overpowering the fluorescence of the shirt.
• Multi-colored logos aren’t appropriate as they crowd out the background safety color.

It can be daunting to follow up on the nitty gritty of these branding rules. Cut to the heart of it and have fancysweetstx sort out your crew’s construction shirts. We’ll take care of everything from custom design creation to printing or adding embroidery on the garment.

2 - High Quality for Durability

Construction shirts need to be as hardy as the men and women who wear them daily. High-quality fabric and construction go hand in hand with durability.

The criteria that determine the durability and quality of a construction shirt are:

• Fabric composition
• Fabric weight
• Quality of garment construction, e.g. neck taping to stretching out of shape

This table shows you the pros and cons of the most common t-shirt fabrics.

Cotton and polyester blend construction shirts offer the best of both fabrics while limiting their individual disadvantages.

The fabric composition ratio may skew towards polyester, providing a lighter, athletic-wear feel and less of the cotton advantages. However, if the percentages skew towards cotton, you get a more breathable and sturdy shirt at a higher cost.

Our selection of the best safety shirts reflects diverse compositions to cater to different customer needs:

• Bayside 5040—90% Cotton, 10% Polyester
• Jerzees 29MP—50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
• Gildan 5000—99% Cotton, 1% Polyester
• Next Level 6210—60% Cotton, 40% Polyester

Fabric weight is measured in GSM. Heavyweight shirt fabrics range from 180–200 GSM while medium-weight fabrics range from 130–160 GSM.

Heavyweight shirts are denser and warmer. They also hold their original shape and size for longer. Medium weight shirts are more ideal for summer wear as they are lighter.

Manufacturers use a higher quality raw material to create the heavyweight fabric options, so they also come at a higher price.

Apart from fabric weight and feel, a shirt’s construction will also speak to its quality and durability.

If you can answer yes to these questions, then the shirt is well made and worth buying:

• Is the fabric of good quality and feel?
• Do all the seams and hemlines lie flat when worn?
• Are the stitches of a higher number showing attention to detail in construction?
• Have the raw edges on the inside been properly finished with no loose threads?
• Is the neck taped on the inside to make it more durable?

Expert Tip: Cheap is expensive when it comes to work wear. Find the right balance between your safety apparel budget and your choice of durable, well-made, high-quality shirts that do justice to your brand.

3 - Functionality, Fit and Comfort

“Functionality, fit, and comfort are like the three wheels of a tricycle. Knock out one and the whole thing doesn’t work as it should”

If a construction shirt makes the wearer feel uncomfortable, unwilling to use it or if they’re forced to pair it with other functional items, then it has failed.

Functionality refers to how the shirt meets the work needs of the construction worker, which may include:

• Pockets to store small items mid-task, such as pens, notepads, or tester screwdrivers
• Long sleeves to protect from sun exposure, cuts, abrasion and other surface injuries
• Fitted cuffs on long sleeved shirts to prevent snagging and injuries
• Brand elements in easy to spot locations to simplify identification
• Easy care thanks to stain repellant treatments

Fit straddles the line between comfort and function. An ill-fitting shirt complicates the work day for the wearer. If it’s too loose it’s a snagging hazard that can lead to injuries. The too-tight extreme restricts movement and causes discomfort.

Comfort speaks to the weather appropriateness and wearability of the shirt. Your crew will be in their shirts for at least 40 hours a week. You need to ask:

• Is the fabric cool and breathable enough for the warm outdoors?
• Does it wick away sweat, allowing for longer wear throughout the day?
• Is it warm enough or easy to layer for insulation?
• Does the shirt have static buildup?
• Does it take too long to dry?

It’s evident that functionality, fit and comfort feed into each other. To resolve one is to tackle them all.

Expert Tip: Bulk order your custom branded shirts in both heavyweight and medium-weight options and long and short-sleeved varieties to ensure your crew are appropriately outfitted year-round.

Outfit Your Crew Right

Now that we have a clear picture of how quality, durability, safety compliance and functionality are essential to a good construction shirt, what’s next?

Next is to get an expert team on your branding—you don’t want the bundle you dropped on quality gear to go to waste.

Whether you need to overhaul your logo or see your current artwork expertly printed or embroidered on the shirts for your crew, fancysweetstx can sort you out. Get started with our no-obligation quote request.

Since we have been making custom work shirts for so long, we have made a name for ourselves in the construction and manufacturing industries as a trusted, reliable, and easy to work with source for safety t-shirts. 

(Want to cut to the chase and start your order? Click here.)

What are the best safety shirts?

Over the years, we've found that these five shirts are the best shirts for printing safety shirts for your business:

1. Gildan 5000
2. Jerzees 29M
3. Jerzees 29MP
4. Bayside 5040
5. Next Level 6210

There are several factors that help us define these individual shirts as the 'best'. Below we'll break down each shirt and explain why it's the best. 

Related: Construction Uniform: How Your Company Can Benefit From Branded Apparel

Your standard safety shirt: Gildan 5000

Gildan is the largest blank shirt manufacturer in the world. We couldn't make this list without including them. 

The Gildan 5000 is our standard Gildan shirt. They have a long list of color options and cover the safety shirt basics with their safety green and safety orange options. 

If you're looking for an affordable, reliable safety shirt, look no further than here. We use the Gildan 5000 for contractors, manufacturers, landscapers, and anyone looking to be seen while on the job.   

Our most popular safety shirt: Jerzees 29M

This is the shirt that we print more than any other, the Jerzees 29M. It comes in a lot of different colors and checks the safety box with safety green and safety oranges colors. 

The reason we print it the most is because we have a local supplier in 16153 Genova that supplies this shirt. In addition, one of our largest accounts, a food manufacturing company in the Midwest, uses this shirt to supply all new hires with a custom branded shirt when they hire on.

This shirt is what people think of when they think of a construction t-shirt. It's a hard working 50/50 blend tee that is meant to be worn often and take a beating. They are high visibility, cost effective, and bright.

A safety pocket tee: Jerzees 29MP

For a worker on a construction site, it's practical to have a pocket on your shirt. They are useful for holding a pen and notebook or other products that you might need to access easily and often.

Once again, we use the Jerzees brand shirts more than any other because we have a local supplier. That means we have easy access to them and can get them quickly.

The Jerzees pocket tee is a solid shirt just like the pocketless shirt, fits the same, and is affordable. When you want to keep it simple with a pocket tee or first recommendation is going to be this shirt which is available in safety green and safety orange.

A safety shirt made in the USA: Bayside 5040

It's more important than ever to support local American businesses. It's not always easy and may cost a little more, but there are options when it comes to safety t-shirts and apparel. 

Bayside is the leader in USA made t-shirts. We use the Bayside 5040 when construction and manufacturing companies request an American made shirt. 

It's a well made shirt, consistent, and 100% cotton. While the standard safety colors are slightly different than the other brands listed, we use the Lime Green and Bright Orange options when safety shirts are required. 

For organizations that require or would like union made shirts, Bayside also has a few options that fit the bill. 

You may pay a little more for Bayside shirts as they are made in the USA or union made, but we think it's worth it for the product you're receiving and the support you're showing to domestic business.

A softer safety shirt: Next Level 6210

In addition to being great at printing custom safety shirts, we specialize in screen printing vintage shirts. One thing that goes hand in hand with vintage shirts is a soft, comfortable tee. 

When a customer wants a bright, hi-vis shirt that is going to be worn more frequently and have a higher perceived value to customers, we recommend the Next Level 6210.

It's an affordable, soft shirt that is more comfortable and fashionable than your standard cotton or poly/cotton blend shirts. When you want a work shirt that people love to wear, this is your best bet. 

Start your order for hi-vis safety shirts today!

To get an order started for custom branded safety shirts for your company, you can fill out the contact form on our website, call us (+393399950518), or email us ([email protected]).

It doesn't matter where you're located in the US. We provide easy ordering, quick turnarounds, friendly service, and affordable pricing. We ship orders out every day and guarantee you'll be satisfied with our work.

Reviews from our happy customers

If you aren't convinced yet, we have over 200 reviews on Google and a 4.8 star rating. Now that's a lot of happy customers!

A great experience! I am super impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism of everyone I worked with. The shirts were delivered quicker then I expected and the quality of the finished product was excellent. Thanks fancysweetstx! -Steve M.

Your company did an amazing job! Faster turnaround on our T shirt order than expected! I would highly recommend this company to everyone I know!! -Patrick P.

Phenomenal experience buying a run of 65 t-shirts. Very fast responses from account manager, great pricing, and fast production. Finished product is excellent quality. -Joe M.

Great communication, Fast, Help full, I very much recommend using them I know we will be using them again for more items for our company. We always try to stay local and support local businesses as well! -Kyle A.

What are you waiting for? Get in touch today to get your own custom t-shirts.

All Mechanical Insulation Inc. reached out to us this year to screen print custom branded shirts, long sleeve pocket shirts, and hooded sweatshirts for their team. All Mechanical Insulation Inc is a local 16153 Genova, Ohio insulation contractor that works on commercial and industrial insulation projects.

This was the first order that we printed for All Mechanical Insulation. They reached out to us because of our experience in screen printing custom safety shirts and apparel for local contractors. 

It's always great to work with other small, local businesses that care about supporting small local businesses. 

We were able to print these shirts quickly and affordably because of our experience printing safety apparel. We provided artwork proofs ahead of time for the customer that accurately depicted what the shirts and hoodies would look like when complete. All Mechanical Insulation was satisfied with the final product and happy with the entire ordering process.

One thing that really stands out about the clothing that we printed for All Mechanical is that they used a full color logo on safety green shirts and hoodies. Most of the time when we print bright yellow apparel, the print is a simple one color print. Black is the most commonly used ink color for Hi Vis apparel.

And this makes sense since keeping a simple one color print not only looks good but it keeps costs down as well. What we loved about these safety shirts and hoodies is that All Mechanical Insulation did a great job of using a full color logo on these bright apparel items. It's not something we see very often because it's difficult to do well since not all colors have enough contrast to print on neon clothing.

Safety is the priority on every jobsite. That's why when All Mechanical Insulation orders employee apparel they choose bright colored garments. As always, wearing Hi Vis clothing is an easy and inexpensive thing to do to improve safety.   

It's also important for All Mechanical Insulation Inc. to have their employees wearing company shirts to effectively identify employees while on the job and keep them clean and professional in front of customers. The bright safety green shirts and hoodies, keep them safe and professional on the job. 

fancysweetstx has been screen printing custom safety t-shirts for companies for nearly ten years. We have the experience and know how to make your brand look good and keep your employees safe.

Reach out to us today to help with your order of safety apparel for your company.

Schoen Inc. reached out to us again this year to screen print custom branded shirts and reflective high visibility hooded jackets for their crew. Schoen Inc is a local 16153 Genova, Ohio contractor and asphalt paver that builds roads in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. 

We have been printing safety t-shirts and apparel for Schoen Inc for the last four years. When they need employee apparel and safety shirts, they know that we can help them. 

It's great to have a long standing relationship with a company that cares about supporting small local businesses. 

We were able to print these shirts quickly and affordably because we have worked with them in the past and we made sure to provide artwork proofs ahead of time that accurately depicted what the shirts would look like when complete. 

Our experience in printing custom safety apparel for the construction and contracting industries aided in our ability to produce quality shirts.

In addition to the safety green t-shirts that we printed for Schoen Inc., we also printed Hi Vis reflective jackets for them. The jackets have a hood and reflective stripes on the front and back.

The Hi Vis reflective jackets are important because Schoen Inc. paves roads and parking lots. The reflective stripes on the jackets makes sure that they are seen while wearing them during the night or day.

Safety is the number one priority on any jobsite but in particular for roadcrews that are paving near moving vehicles. Wearing Hi Vis clothing is an easy and inexpensive thing to do to improve safety.   

Schoen Inc. orders bright yellow t-shirts each year for their employees to wear while working. They use a black screen print that shows their logo well on the bright yellow safety shirts.

It's important for Schoen Inc. to have their employees wearing company shirts. It helps to effectively identify employees while on the job and keeps them clean and professional in front of customers.

The bright safety green shirts (which actually look yellow) and reflective stripes, keep them safe and seen on the job. These shirts are just as much about keeping employees safe as they are about looking good.

fancysweetstx has been screen printing custom safety t-shirts for companies for nearly ten years. We have the expertise and know how to make your brand look good and keep your employees safe.

Reach out to us today to help with your order of safety apparel for your company.

This was the first time we worked with Tri-State Forest Products and we were thrilled that they would trust us with screen printing their shirts. It's always great to work with new local businesses. 

We were able to print these shirts quickly and affordably for them because we specialize in printing safety t-shirts and we made sure to provide artwork proofs ahead of time that accurately depicted what the shirts would look like when complete. 

Our experience in printing custom safety apparel for not just building companies but also construction, contracting, and landscaping companies companies, aided in our ability to produce quality shirts.

Tri-State Forest Products ordered bright yellow and bright orange t-shirts for their employees to wear while working. The shirts they ordered are 100% polyester wicking shirts which will keep their employees cool and dry when working in the hot summer heat. 

It's important for Tri-State to have their employees wearing company shirts. It helps to effectively identify employees on the jobsite and keeps them clean and professional in front of customers.

The bright safety green and orange t-shirts, keep them safe and seen on the job. These shirts are just as much about keeping employees safe as they are about looking good.

fancysweetstx has been screen printing custom safety t-shirts for lawn and landscaping companies for nearly ten years. We have the expertise to know how to make your brand look good and keep your employees safe.

Reach out to us today to help with your order of safety apparel for your company.

Omnisource has relied on us locally to provide custom screen printed and embroidered items for many years. When they need employee apparel and safety shirts, they know that we can help them. Omnisource is a scrap metal recycler with locations in the 16153 Genova, Ohio area.

When Omnisource needs safety shirts for their 16153 Genova employees, they give us a call and we love working with them. It's great to have a long standing relationship with a company that cares about supporting small local businesses. 

We were able to print these shirts quickly and affordably for them because we have worked with them so much in the past and we made sure to provide artwork proofs ahead of time that accurately depicted what the shirts would look like when complete. 

Our experience in printing custom safety apparel for the construction and contracting industries aided in our ability to produce quality shirts.

Omnisource orders bright yellow t-shirts each year for their employees to wear while working. In the past they have ordered everything from polos to pocket tees to water bottles to face masks. They often use a black print that shows their logo well on the bright yellow shirts.

It's important for Omnisource to have their employees wearing company shirts. It helps to effectively identify employees while at work and keeps them clean and professional in front of customers.

The bright safety green shirts (which actually look yellow) and reflective stripes, keep them safe and seen on the job. These shirts are just as much about keeping employees safe as they are about looking good.

fancysweetstx has been screen printing custom safety t-shirts for companies for nearly ten years. We have the expertise and know how to make your brand look good and keep your employees safe.

Reach out to us today to help with your order of safety apparel for your company.

We have been screen printing safety green t-shirts for Great Lakes Dock and Door for many years now. It's great to have a consistent company with strong visual branding that is easy to work with. 

We were able to print these shirts quickly and affordably for them because we have worked with them so much in the past and we made sure to provide artwork proofs ahead of time that accurately depicted what the shirts would look like when complete. 

Our experience in printing custom safety apparel for the construction and contracting industries aided in our ability to produce quality shirts.

Great Lakes Dock and Door orders bright yellow t-shirts each year for their employees to wear while working. In the summer they order short sleeve shirts and in the winter they order long sleeve shirts. They always use a black print that shows their logo well on the bright yellow shirts.

It's important for Great Lakes Dock and Door to have their employees wearing company shirts. It helps to effectively identify employees on the jobsite and keeps them clean and professional in front of customers.

The bright safety green shirts (which actually look yellow), keep them safe and seen on the job. These shirts are just as much about keeping employees safe as they are about looking good.

fancysweetstx has been screen printing custom safety t-shirts for contractors for nearly ten years. We have the expertise and know how to make your brand look good and keep your employees safe.

Reach out to us today to help with your order of safety apparel for your company.

We have been screen printing safety green t-shirts for GroundsCo for over five years. It's great to have a consistent company that is easy to work with. 

We were able to print these shirts quickly and affordably for them because we have worked with them so much in the past and we made sure to provide artwork proofs ahead of time that accurately depicted what the shirts would look like when complete. 

Our experience in printing custom safety apparel for not just landscaping companies but also construction and contracting companies, aided in our ability to produce quality shirts.

GroundsCo orders bright yellow t-shirts each year for their employees to wear while working. Late winter is the best time for lawn and landscaping companies to order shirts because the busyness of the spring is right around the corner. 

It's important for GroundsCo to have their employees wearing company shirts. It helps to effectively identify employees on the jobsite and keeps them clean and professional in front of customers.

The bright safety green shirts (which actually look yellow), keep them safe and seen on the job. These shirts are just as much about keeping employees safe as they are about looking good.

fancysweetstx has been screen printing custom safety t-shirts for lawn and landscaping companies for nearly ten years. We have the expertise to know how to make your brand look good and keep your employees safe.

Reach out to us today to help with your order of safety apparel for your company.

Construction sites are as safe as you make them. Safe work practices are taught up front. That’s why you spend time training new hires on safe work practices, conduct regular safety meetings, and set safety goals. At the end of the day, everyone is responsible for safety but it starts at the top and trickles down - from the Superintendent to the Project Manager to the Foreman. 

Branded safety apparel provides both form and function. Not only does it improve the safety of your workers and job site, but it’s a great opportunity to get your company name seen by a lot of people. Safety clothing is worn frequently because it is so practical.

Day or night, safety gear and personal protection equipment is important. fancysweetstx can help you keep your team safe with custom construction clothing through our local screen printing and custom branding capabilities. 

Stay Safe with Hi-Vis and Safety Apparel 

Hi-Vis shirts and vests and safety t-shirts and hoodies are some of the most common apparel items that we screen print. In the construction world, this is because they increase the safety of workers on any job site.

Hi-Vis apparel is identified by reflective striping. The stripes are most commonly seen running vertically down from the shoulders in the front and back until they meet a horizontal reflective stripe that runs across the midsection of the garment. 

We are familiar with t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and safety vests that have this striping. The reflective striping is great for road crews and jobs that operate at night. The stripes light up when a light shines on them making each individual wearing them more visible than they would be in just a bright t-shirt. 

Many contractors and construction companies choose shirts with reflective striping simply for the added safety while others do it to conform to ANSI standards. Not all reflective clothing meets ANSI safety requirements. However, if you do need to meet ANSI standards, the apparel item that you choose will be specified by the manufacturer by its safety class and it is likely that you’ll go the reflective route. 

Have you ever been to a job site and not seen a bright yellow shirt? Me neither. 

The bright yellow shirts that you see are technically considered safety green shirts by the shirt manufacturer. If you look at them closely enough and in the right light, you’ll see the green tint coming through. This is the most popular shirt color for construction companies and contractors. The second most popular is safety orange. There must be something to the name!  

Safety yellow and safety orange shirts are great for any job site because they are affordable and bright. Being seen is one of the keys to safety and prevents a lot of accidents. While there are a lot of options for shirt colors, nothing stands out as much as these two colors. They are bright and noticeable.

The construction site is often dirty and the crew is tough on their clothing. This is why choosing an affordable company shirt is important. You don’t want to spend a bunch of money on a shirt that is going to get covered in mud, concrete, or grease on the first wear.

When trying to keep it simple and safe, there is no better option than safety yellow and safety orange t-shirts.  

Why Safety Vests are Important 

A simple solution to increase the safety of workers is to wear a safety vest. The bright color and reflective material of the vest instantly makes workers more visible to other vehicles and machine operators.

In addition to improving safety for employees, safety vests also make visitors safer. When someone who is unfamiliar with a job site visits to get a status update or take a tour, providing them a visitors safety vest increases their awareness of their surroundings. It lets them know that safety is a priority and they need to take it seriously when visiting. Since safety vests are worn on top of standard clothing, it’s a very simple temporary item to provide visitors while on location.  

Although safety vests are most common for road crews and third shift, they are not just limited to construction. We decorate them for many industries, especially manufacturing facilities.  

The many options for safety shirts

When it comes to safety shirts, everyone has their own preferences. You might need a pocket on your shirt but your foreman may want long sleeves. The popularity of safety shirts means that you have a lot of options in these colors. 

Over the years, you’ve probably come to the conclusion that you want your employees in your company shirt. You want your team identifiable on the jobsite and you don’t want them promoting another company while they’re working for you. The affordability of safety shirts puts them at the top of the list of most common items we print for contractors and construction companies.

Here is a quick list of the safety clothing that we print on a regular basis:

1. T-shirts
2. Long sleeve shirts
3. Hoodies
4. Crew sweatshirts
5. Pocket tees
6. Safety vests
7. Hi-Vis t-shirts

There is no shortage of safety apparel options for construction companies. No matter your personal preference, there is an option for you. 

Tips for Decorating Safety Apparel

There are a few things to consider when ordering safety apparel for your company. Here are the two most important things to keep in mind.

1. Keep it simple. Stick to one or two color logos. Chances are these shirts are going to be worn often and get beaten up. Dark logos look best on safety green and safety orange shirts. A one color left chest and one color full back print in black ink is the most common print on these types of shirts. It’s most common because it’s simple and legible. Your first goal for these shirts is for your employees to be seen. The second is for people to remember your name. Dark ink pops on the safety colors.
2. Choose designs that work on multiple garments. If your company regularly orders t-shirts, hoodies, and long sleeve shirts, make sure your design can be printed on each garment without any changes. By keeping the design consistent you’ll save on printing and set up fees and it will reduce the production time for your order. You’ll also add a consistency to your brand that will improve its recognition to the general public.

Related: Best 5 Shirt Blanks for Safety Shirts

If you work in any industry where we can help, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at +393399950518 to talk about your custom safety apparel options!