How do you ensure that a company’s workwear is standardised?

The process in seven steps

The first step is to analyse requirements: what tasks are involved, what physical stresses are present, what safety requirements apply, and what is expected in terms of customer interaction? This determines what quality of material is even suitable.

This is followed by a proposal for the product range and brands, then samples and a fitting. Only then are the sizes taken, the artwork approved for printing and production carried out. Delivery can be made either as a single consignment to the business or picked individually per person.

The sequence is not just a formality: every step that is skipped will come back to haunt you later — usually in terms of dimensions or durability.

Trying things on prevents confusion over sizes

Size charts vary significantly from brand to brand. If you order based solely on the chart, you’ll inevitably have to exchange the item later — and that takes more time than trying it on would have done.

There are two ways to do this: visit the showroom at Kirchstrasse 5 in Gossau, open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00, or arrange to try on a sample set directly at your workplace. On-site fitting appointments are also possible — this is usually the more practical option for businesses operating in shifts or with multiple sites.

It’s important to note: genuine women’s cuts rather than small men’s sizes, and to ensure the full range of sizes is available so that no one is left out.

The three most common mistakes

Firstly: don’t just look at the price. Comfort and durability are what determine whether the clothes will actually be worn — clothes that aren’t worn are 100 per cent too expensive.

Secondly: no fitting. The outcome is predictable: confusion over sizes, exchanges, delays.

Thirdly: failing to clarify re-stocking reliability. If a collection is discontinued from the manufacturer’s range after a year, new staff will find that nothing in stock matches it. Branded goods typically remain available for several years; with Kustom Made, stock management arrangements can be made.

Planning for repeat orders right from the start

An initial project is only half the battle. New staff, replacements and expansions are constantly being added — and that is precisely where the ongoing workload arises.

Repeat orders are produced to the same standard, as logos and embroidery designs are saved and no further preparation is required. To ensure that the order itself does not have to go through HR every time, it is worth looking into setting up your own company shop at an early stage — even if you only have around five employees.

Plan realistically

We deliver unprinted stock items within 5 to 7 working days, and finished stock items within 12 to 14 working days. A complete initial project, including consultation, sample production, fittings and approvals, takes considerably longer, as decisions need to be made within the company between each stage.

Anyone who needs the clothing by a specific deadline — such as a trade fair, an opening or the start of the season — should factor these approval stages in from the outset and start work earlier accordingly.