July 4, 2025

5 Common Mistakes Companies Make When Ordering Workwear

Selecting the right workwear for your team is more than just a purchase—it is an investment in your brand, your employees’ comfort, and workplace safety. However, many businesses make avoidable mistakes when ordering workwear, leading to unnecessary costs, dissatisfaction, and inefficiencies. To help you navigate the process, here are five common mistakes companies make and how to avoid them.

1. Prioritizing Price Over Quality

While keeping costs low is important, focusing too much on the lowest price can result in higher expenses in the long run. Low-quality apparel tends to wear out faster, leading to frequent repurchases. Additionally, poorly made garments can affect employee comfort and productivity. Instead of focusing solely on price, consider the durability, material, and workmanship of the workwear. Investing in quality apparel ensures longevity and a better return on investment.


2. Overlooking Comfort & Fit

When it comes to selecting workwear, ensuring comfort and proper fit is essential for employee productivity and safety.  Ill-fitting or uncomfortable workwear can negatively impact employee morale, performance, and even pose safety risks. Consider how different types of fabric feel when there are strenuous movements involved, or how absorbent they are when there is an excess in moisture, which ultimately can cause discomfort. Sizing also contributes to the level of comfort and confidence a wearer will have, but can also be a safety concern as well. A coverall that is too long in the arms or legs can potentially catch onto certain elements or be a tripping hazard. Working with service experts alleviates some of this, as they will be able to measure and recommend the best option for your needs as well as the appropriate sizing.

3. Ignoring Industry Compliance & Safety Standards

Ensuring your workwear complies with industry safety standards is crucial for protecting your team. For industries requiring specialized gear, such as flame-resistant (FR) clothing or high-visibility apparel, selecting workwear that does not meet industry standards can compromise your team’s safety. Neglecting to account for the risks associated with improper apparel not only jeopardizes employee well-being but can also lead to legal and financial consequences. Working with a provider that understands CSA requirements ensures you are partnering with experts who prioritize safety and compliance for you and your team.

4. Inconsistent Branding & Customization

Maintaining a consistent and professional appearance across your team’s workwear is crucial for reinforcing your brand identity. Ordering workwear intermittently without ensuring uniformity in logos, colours, and designs can result in a mismatched look. If you frequently reupload your logo without keeping track of dimensions and file types, you may end up with variations in branding across different batches. This not only looks unprofessional but also leads to wasted time and money. To maintain a consistent brand identity, keep detailed records of your logo specifications and work with a reliable supplier that ensures uniformity across all orders.


5. Not Considering an Online Store for Easy Reordering

For companies that frequently place orders for workwear, an online ordering portal can make the process much easier. By setting up a customized portal, a designated person or team can manage the ordering process with ease, ensuring that your team always has access to the right apparel, with your company logo automatically applied. For organizations that consistently order workwear and reach a certain budget, we often offer the creation and management of an online store at no extra cost. This solution not only simplifies ordering but also provides the option to set up allowances for employees while giving them the flexibility to purchase additional approved apparel using other payment options.

Overlooking certain aspects can complicate the workwear ordering process more than necessary. Focusing solely on minimizing costs, without considering the impact on comfort, safety, or compliance requirements specific to your industry, can lead to unforeseen challenges. Inconsistent logo sizing or colouring across similar workwear, coupled with the lack of streamlined ordering options—especially for organizations with large, frequent orders—can result in unnecessary complexity, consuming valuable time, effort, and resources. We invite you to connect with our Account Executive at Q Custom Clothing, where we can collaborate to design a more efficient, tailored approach to your company’s workwear ordering needs.