Guide to Custom Construction Workwear: Ordering Tips

Planning bulk custom workwear? Discover smart ordering strategies, sizing pro-tips, and simple care guides to make your jobsite gear last longer.

Written By: Amy
Nov. 6, 2026

You’ve picked your gear and customized your logo. Now, let’s talk logistics. Ordering bulk workwear shouldn’t feel complicated! We’ll walk through key questions to ask before ordering, tips to get the perfect fit for your crew, and best practices to make your gear last.

New to our custom construction workwear series? Catch up here:

Part 1: Best Hats and Apparel

Part 2: Choosing the Right Customization

Classic Carhartt Detroit Jacket paired with custom embroidered patch. High visibility SP12 beanie with custom leather patch.

Pre-Order Planning & Strategy

Are there safety and compliance requirements for my jobsite?

Safety always comes first. Before choosing your colors, check your jobsite safety requirements. Need high-visibility gear? We offer neon fabrics across our lineup of custom hats and apparel.

Working around electrical hazards or open flames? We source premium, flame-resistant (FR) options from Bulwark—the most trusted name in FR workwear. Just tell your designer your safety requirements, and we’ll match you with the right gear.

The Port Authority Enhanced Visibility Beanies use 3M yarn for a cool reflective stripe.

Bulwark Work Shirts are flame-resistant for safety and ready to be customized with your logo.

Ultra Durable Carhartt Watch Cap beanies come in brite lime and brite orange colors.

How many uniforms should I order for my crew?

On the jobsite, you always measure twice and cut once. But when it comes to ordering uniforms, the best rule of thumb is to order 1.5x to 2x your current headcount.

Construction environments are brutal, and crews go through gear much faster than expected—even when working with the best brands. Plus, having a backup stash of fresh gear on hand makes onboarding a new hire seamless. If you ever run low, reordering is incredibly easy. Your CPH designer keeps your logo and specs on file, making exact reorders a breeze.

Do you offer women’s specific fits for uniforms?

While the majority of heavy-duty workwear is unisex, outfitting everyone in clothes that fit comfortably is a huge morale booster.

• For Hats: Mix up your hat profiles! The popular Richardson 112 trucker hat fits most, but low-profile options like the Richardson 115 or the unstructured Richardson 111 are huge hits for crew members who prefer a lower-crown fit.
• For Apparel: Favorites like Red Kap work shirts and Carhartt jackets, vests, and hoodies all come in dedicated women’s fits with the exact same heavy-duty specs. Just ask your designer for specific sizing sheets.

Richardson 115 low-profile trucker hat with leather patch

Red Kap Women’s Work Shirt with custom direct embroidery

Richardson 111 unstructured trucker hat with woven patch

What if I order too many hats for my uniform?

Honestly, we don’t think that’s possible. Ordering a bit over your headcount might leave you with some extra inventory. Don’t worry! Extra gear is actually a powerful marketing tool.

High-quality custom gear makes an unforgettable closing gift for high-value commercial clients, inspectors, project partners, and developers. It keeps your company top of mind for the next big project bid. Because we make the best gear, people will actually wear it rather than toss it in the back of a closet. Think about adding a few extra premium products from Carhartt to your order specifically for these giveaways. Carhartt coolers always impress and come in handy on and off the jobsite.

No glue, no shortcuts: Hand-stitching every PVC patch ensures your logo stays locked in place, shift after shift.

Seasonal Timing: Plan Ahead for Crew Gear

At CPH, we take pride in crafting high-quality gear. Doing your logo justice takes care and time. Keep in mind that our standard turnaround times running 2 to 6 weeks depending on your customization style.

To keep your crew comfortable year-round, here is when to plan your seasonal orders:

• Fall/Winter Transition (Outerwear & Beanies): Demand for Carhartt jackets, heavyweight hoodies, and beanies surges starting in August. Order by September at the latest to ensure your winter gear is in hand before the cold sets in.
• Spring/Summer Transition (Performance & UPF): Stock up on UPF sun-protection tees, lightweight performance hats, trucker hats, and moisture-wicking polos early in the spring.
• Year-Round Layering: You can never go wrong with layers. Pairing lightweight performance shirts with mid-weight hoodies, softshell jackets, or fleece vests lets your crew adjust to changing jobsite temperatures throughout the day.

Bundle Up: Carhartt Duck Detroit Jacket + Woven Patch

Keep it Cool: Richardson 112 Trucker Hat + PVC Patch

Look Good in Layers: Cornerstone Shirt Jacket + Silicone

Maximize Your Budget with Bulk Tier Discounts

Ordering gear for multiple crews or planning ahead for the year? Bundling items with the same patch design and style helps you unlock lower cost-per-unit pricing:

• Mix & Match Products: You don’t have to order 100 identical hats. You can combine hats, hoodies, and work shirts with the same patch into a single project to hit higher discount tiers.
• Add Secondary Finishing Touches: Adding custom clip labels or side/back direct embroidery also qualifies for bulk discounts.

Quick Custom Uniform Punchlist

Before submitting your quote request, gather these key details to get your mockup faster:

• Headcount & Size Breakdown: Know your crew size and account for extra inventory (remember the 1.5x rule!).
• Logo File: High-resolution is best. Vector files like .EPS, .SVG, or .AI result in the cleanest patches and embroidery.
• Jobsite Rules: Confirm whether your site requires any high-visibility fabrics or flame-resistant (FR) gear.
• Hard Target Date: Let us know if you have a hard deadline, like a project launch or company event.

Sizing Pro-Tip: Navigating Industrial Workwear

Fitting a whole crew can be tricky. The majority of work shirts, polos, and jackets run true-to-size, and brands like Red Kap offer tall sizes in popular work shirts. Your CPH designer is always happy to share sizing info sheets for all apparel styles so your team gets their fit right fit.

What is the typical turnaround time for a bulk order?

We believe in real timelines, not false promises. Standard production takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your customization type. Unlike competitors who promise quick turns they can’t hit, we give you transparent deadlines you can actually plan around. Check our quote request form for current lead times and photo examples for each style.

Here is our simple 6-step process:

• Submit Your Request: Fill out our quick quote form with your design ideas and gear preferences.
• Review Your Free Mockup: Work one-on-one with a CPH designer to refine your digital proof.
• Pay Your Invoice: Once you love the design, we’ll send an online invoice to kick off production.
• Approve Your Sample: We send you a photo of your actual patch or direct embroidery. Check it against your mockup and give us the green light before we run the whole batch.
• Production & Delivery: We create your custom gear. Then our Raleigh team quality-checks and ships every order right to your door.
• Put Gear to Work: Your custom workwear arrives ready for the jobsite!

How to Care for Custom Workwear

Our patches and embroidery are built for the daily grind, but a little care keeps your gear looking sharp longer.

How to Wash & Care for Hats

• Skip the Machines: Never use a washing machine, dishwasher, or clothes dryer. High heat and aggressive cycles can ruin your hat.
• Hand-Wash Only: Spot-clean small stains with mild detergent. For dirty cotton hats (truckers and dad hats), gently hand-wash in warm water and air-dry.
• Rinse Performance Gear: After a sweaty day on the job, rinse polyester performance hats in the sink or shower.
• Protect Leather Patches: Avoid soaking leather patches in water. Excessive moisture causes warping, staining, and cracking over time.
• Air-Dry Always: Set your hat on a flat surface to air-dry naturally.

Apparel + Patch Care Guide

To maximize the longevity of your custom apparel, follow these simple care guidelines.

• Wash: Inside-out, cold water, gentle/delicate cycle.
• Load: Small loads to reduce fabric friction and soaking.
• Dry: Air-dry for best results, or tumble dry on low heat.
• Avoid: Bleach and harsh detergents.

Special Patch + Applique Care

• Silicone & Tpu: Skip fabric softerners to help protect these customizations.
• Ironing: Never iron directly over TPU, Silicone, or PVC patches.

A Note on Leather Patch Apparel

For machine-washable apparel, your CPH designer will always recommend stamped leather or performance leatherette. Both hold up exceptionally well in water. If you choose laser-etched genuine leather, avoid machine washing entirely. Moisture causes real leather to stain and warp over time.

Beyond the Jobsite: Pride, Convenience, and ROI

Ordering custom hats and apparel in bulk shouldn’t feel like a second job. It also shouldn’t result in generic hats that end up tossed in the back of a truck. Our design and ordering process makes outfitting your team effortless. Plus, the final product builds genuine crew pride and doubles as a powerful marketing tool for your business.

Don’t just take our word for it. Jack Henderson Adams, Founder of Western Earthworks, partnered with CPH to build gear his crew actually wants to wear. Watch the video below to see how our one-on-one design process keeps ordering simple. Custom hats can turn your crew into brand ambassadors on and off the clock.

Trust the CPH Team

Outfitting your crew in premium, custom workwear is an investment in your safety, brand, and team pride. We are here to help at every step so you can focus on the job. Our team will help you choose jobsite-tested hats, pick the best patch, and nail your order logistics.