Average Cost of Branded Workwear in the UK (2026 Price Guide)

Workwear & Uniforms Costs at a Glance

In 2026, branded workwear & uniforms in the UK costs between £10 and £90+ per item depending on the garment type, customisation method, and number of logo positions.

Below is a table showing the typical cost per garment with one embroidered or printed logo for some of our most popular categories:

Item Type	Typical Cost per Garment (Branded with 1 logo)
T-Shirt	£10-£20
Polo Shirt	£15-£30
Sweatshirt / Hoodie	£20-£35
Gilet & Bodywarmers	£20-£45
Fleeces	£20-£40
Softshell Jacket	£30-£60
Jackets	£60-£90+
Hi-Vis Vests	£7.50-£15

Please note that the prices above are a general guide only, your final cost will vary depending on your choice of garment, number of logo positions, and customisation method.

Important points to consider when choosing your workwear uniform

• A standard branded polo shirt costs £15–£30 including one embroidered logo, while a technical jacket ranges from £60–£90+.
• Embroidery costs slightly more upfront than printing but lasts 50+ industrial washes, making it the better long-term value for daily uniforms.
• Printing generally works better for large detailed logos.
• A full weekly workwear kit per employee (5 polos, 2 sweatshirts, 1 jacket) typically costs £99–£150 depending on garment quality.
• Ordering 25+ items unlocks significant tiered pricing discounts, and spending over £150 (ex. VAT) removes the £15 logo setup fee entirely – these deals can be found in our deals and bundles page.

What Affects the Price of Branded Workwear

Three things drive the final price:

• Garment Choice: There’s a big range in base garment prices depending on quality. A ‘budget’ t-shirt may start at around £6, where as a ‘premium’, high-performance jacket can sit around £70.
• Customisation Method: Embroidery is a bit more expensive than print but it offers a premium, durable outcome for your logo or design, while printing can be more cost-effective for larger quantities or detailed logos.
• Logo Positions: A simple left-chest logo is the baseline; however, if you add extra logo positions such as sleeves, large back, this will increase the price per garment.

What Should You Consider Before Ordering Branded Workwear?

Is Embroidery or Printing Better Value for Workwear & Uniforms?

Most of our customers have moved past chasing the cheapest price, they want kit that still looks sharp after six months of daily wear. While embroidery costs slightly more upfront, its long wearing and durability makes it the most cost-effective choice for daily uniforms. Printing such as screen printing and DTF printing remains the go-to for high-volume orders, offering vibrant, large-scale branding at a lower initial price point.

Where should I put my Logo on my Workwear & Uniform?

Logo placement is more than just how it looks; it’s about visibility. A standard left-chest logo is the industry standard, but adding positions on the sleeves or back can make your staff really stand out and look like a cohesive team. While extra logo positions increase the per-unit cost, they make the difference between ‘staff in matching tops’ and a team that actually looks like they belong together.

Check out our Workwear & Uniform Logo Placement Guide for more information on where to place your logo.

Is Premium Workwear Worth the Extra Cost?

The gap between a £6 t-shirt and a £70 technical jacket reflects the garment’s purpose. Premium workwear costs more upfront, but it earns its keep. High-performance fabrics handle long shifts in poor weather without falling apart after a few washes. We’ve had clients tell us their teams genuinely appreciate getting decent kit. It sounds small, but it matters for retention and employee moral.

Print vs Embroidery Pricing

	Print	Embroidery
1-7 Garments	£5.50 per logo	£6.00 per logo
8-24 Garments	£5.00 per logo	£5.00 per logo
25-49 Garments	£4.00 per logo	£4.00 per logo
50+ Garments	£3.00 per logo	£3.75 per logo

Additional Charges & How to Save

While we aim for transparency with our branded workwear prices, certain customisations or small orders may incur additional handling fees. Here is a breakdown of how to manage your budget and take advantage of our bulk savings.

• Logo Setup Fees: All new logos are subject to a one-off £15 setup fee to digitise your artwork for our machines. However, the more you spend, the more you save:
  • Spend £150+ (ex. VAT): Your 1st logo setup is FREE.
  • Spend £300+ (ex. VAT): Your 2nd logo setup is FREE.
  • Note: This pattern continues for every additional £150 spent.
• Logo On File: Once we have digitised your logo, we keep it in our secure library for all future orders. To avoid paying the setup fee on repeat orders, simply select the ‘Logo On File’ option at checkout.
• Small Run Fees: To maintain our high-quality standards on every job, embroidery runs of 5 garments or less incur a small run fee of £15. To bypass this cost entirely, simply order 6 or more embroidered items in a single run. Print runs of 3 garments or less will incur a small run fee of £15. This cost will not be incurred for runs of 4 print items or more per logo.

While printing has a lower initial branded workwear price, embroidery often offers a lower cost-per-month because it survives 50+ industrial washes without fading, whereas prints may degrade earlier.

The Sole Trader & Small Teams

Ideal for independent contractors or start-ups businesses looking to make a professional first impression without a massive upfront investment.

• The Focus: Professionalism, brand identity without spending a fortune.
• Best Value: We have designed a range of workwear bundles specifically for smaller teams. These bundles include a mix of polo shirts, hoodies, jackets and more, all including FREE branding.
• Typical Cost: £99 – £199 ex VAT

Construction & Tradespeople

Designed for growing site teams and trade businesses that require high-performance, durable personalised workwear that meets strict safety regulations.

• The Focus: Safety compliant and durable workwear.
• Best Value: For teams on-site, we have heavy-duty fabrics that withstand 60°C washes.
• Typical Cost: £150 – £400 ex VAT

We also specialise in VAT-exempt safety gear (such as specific protective footwear and hard hats which can help stretch your budget further).

Corporate & Large Enterprises

Built for organisations and large-scale workforces that demand brand consistency, volume discounts, and streamlined procurement.

• The Focus: Bulk discounts, brand consistency, and streamlined logistics
• Best Value: Large-scale orders benefit from our significant tiered pricing discounts. For organisations managing multiple departments or locations, we remove the administrative headache with our Corporate Account Ordering Portals. This allows individual employees or branch managers to order pre-approved kit directly, while you maintain total control over the budget.
• Typical Cost: £1000+ ex VAT

Industry	Typical Cost Range	Focus	Best Value Tip
Sole Trader & Small Teams	£99-£199 ex VAT	Professionalism, brand identity without spending a fortune.	Shop our workwear deals & bundles which include a mix of polo shirts, hoodies, jackets and more, all including FREE branding.
Construction & Tradespeople	£150-£400 ex VAT	Staying compliant and durable workwear.	Shop our heavy-duty fabrics that will last and withstand anything.
Corporate & Large Enterprises	£1000+ ex VAT	Bulk discounts, brand consistency and streamlined logistics.	Make the most of our tiered pricing or enquire about our ordering portals.

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Opt for Workwear Deals & Bundles

Purchasing individual items can add up quickly, where as our workwear deals & bundles are set up to provide a full uniform solution with up to 65% discounts and FREE branding.

Look at Tiered Pricing Brackets

All of our workwear have tiered pricing brackets, meaning the more you buy, the less you pay per item. When finalising your order, check to see if you are close to the next price bracket. For example, increasing your order from 24 to 25 items can often drop the unit price significantly, sometimes making it cheaper to buy 25 items than it would have been to buy 24.

Standardise Your Logos

Using the same logo size and style across all your garments from t-shirts to jackets if you can, this will avoid multiple setup fees. Same logo, same setup…fewer fees.

Hit the Free Set Up Thresholds

Remember, we offer a free logo setup for every £150 (ex. VAT) you spend. If your basket total is sitting at £140, adding one extra garment or an accessory could actually save you money by triggering that £15 discount. When you spend over £150 you will also get FREE delivery!

Get the order structure right and the savings add up quickly, especially on repeat orders where your logo’s already on file.

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How To Get An Exact Price For Branding Workwear

The prices on this page are a general guide to help you budget, but your exact cost will depend on the garments you choose, the number of logo positions, and your order quantity. There are two ways to get your final price:

Option 1: Build Your Order Online

Simply browse our product range, add your chosen garments to your basket, and select your branding options at checkout. You’ll upload your logo, choose your positions (left chest, sleeve, back, etc.), and the basket will calculate your total automatically, including any tiered pricing discounts, setup fees, and delivery.

Option 2: Request a Quote

If you have a larger order, multiple logo positions, or specific requirements that need a tailored approach, our team can put together a quote for you. This is particularly useful for businesses ordering across multiple departments or needing a mix of garment types. Simply contact us with your requirements and we’ll come back to you with a full pricing breakdown.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Section)

To help you navigate branded workwear prices in 2026, we’ve answered the most common questions our customers ask.

What is the average cost of workwear per employee in the UK?

For a standard “weekly workwear kit” (typically 5 polos or t-shirts, 2 sweatshirts/hoodies, and 1 gilet or softshell), the average cost per employee ranges from £99 to £150. This cost varies based on whether you choose budget-friendly brands or premium, high-quality garments. Investing in higher-quality items often reduces the annual cost per employee, as the garments require less frequent replacement.

Can I order branded workwear with no minimum order?

Yes, there is no minimum order quantity for branded workwear at Essential Workwear. You can order as few as one item with embroidery or printing. However, orders below 6 embroidered items or 4 printed items will incur a small run fee of £15.

How long does branded workwear take to be delivered?

Our standard turnaround time is 7-10 working days once you have approved the artwork visuals. However, if you had a specific deadline, please contact our customer service team and we will try to accommodate your deadline.

Do I have to pay VAT on custom workwear?

Standard workwear is subject to VAT at 20%. However, certain items such as safety boots and children’s hi-vis clothing may be zero-rated for VAT. Additionally, if you are a VAT-registered business, you can usually reclaim the VAT on your workwear as a legitimate business expense.

Does the price on the website include a logo?

Our deals & bundles include one logo (either embroidery or print) in a single position. Individual items that are outside of a deal or bundle are displayed on the website as the blank garment price with customisation costs added in the basket. You will see a full price breakdown in the basket before you pay.

Is sustainable workwear more expensive?

In 2026, the price gap for sustainable garments has narrowed. Organic cotton or recycled polyester garments usually carry a 10–15% premium over standard synthetic fabrics. However, many of our corporate clients find this is offset by the positive brand image and improved garment longevity.

What is a Corporate Account Ordering Portal?

A Corporate Account Portal is a private, password-protected version of our website tailored specifically to your business. It features the garments you have approved, with your branding already applied to the pricing. This ensures 100% brand consistency across your entire workforce, no matter who is placing the order. Enquire about an account today – sales@essentialworkwear.com.

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Ready to make your team stand out in 2026?

Whether you’re kitting out a team of 5 or 500, we can sort it. Give us a call, drop us a quote request, or just start building your order online, the basket prices everything up as you go.

Take the next step today:

• Browse Our Workwear Bundles: Save up to 65% off and free branding – Shop Here
• Get a Quote: Have a specific requirement? Request a bespoke quote and our team will get back to you within 24 hours.
• Enquire about a Portal: See how our Corporate Ordering Portals can save your business hours of admin time.