Corporate apparel: dressing a team without getting it wrong
The starting mistake
Most failed orders start with the same question: “How much is a shirt with our logo?” The budget picks the piece, the piece doesn’t suit the role, and six months later the shirts are sleeping in a drawer.
The right question is: what does this person do all day? A sales rep meeting clients, a crew working outside in November and a team of volunteers for one day don’t need the same garment. Budget comes next, and it’s often more reasonable than people expect.
Which piece for which role
| Role | Recommended piece | Price (Maison Brody) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and customer service | Embroidered polo | $45 |
| Field crew, job site | Embroidered hoodie | $55 |
| Workshop, warehouse | Printed heavyweight T-shirt | $26 |
| Event, trade show | Printed T-shirt | $23 |
| Client gift | Embroidered cap | $32 |
| Outdoor work, winter | Embroidered beanie | $30 |
| Management, representation | Embroidered crewneck | $50 |
Price per piece, one logo in one position, taxes extra.
The size split
When you don’t know everyone’s size, this split is a reliable base for a mixed adult team.
| Size | Share | For 20 people |
|---|---|---|
| S | 10% | 2 |
| M | 25% | 5 |
| L | 30% | 6 |
| XL | 20% | 4 |
| 2XL | 15% | 3 |
Add 10% extra pieces for sizing mistakes, new hires and damaged pieces. It’s cheaper than running a small reorder in three months. The size guide gives the measurements for each style.
Where to place the logo
- Left chest. The most common placement, and the most understated. It suits every piece and every role.
- Centre chest. More visible, more assertive. A good choice for an event or a team that has to be spotted from a distance.
- Full back. To be read from afar: site crews, volunteers, event staff. Printing only.
- Sleeve or back of neck. The discreet second spot, for a slogan or a web address. Count it as a second position.
The five most expensive mistakes
- Choosing the piece by price. A thin T-shirt a few dollars cheaper that nobody wears costs more than a good one worn for two years.
- Guessing sizes. A team of eight with three pieces too small means 37% of the order to redo.
- Forgetting replacements. New hires always arrive after the order. Plan 10% more.
- Putting the logo everywhere. Three positions on one piece triple the cost and rarely the impact. One well-placed logo is enough.
- Ordering too late. Between proof approval, production and delivery, plan three weeks before a launch or an event.
What it actually costs
| Situation | Order | Total |
|---|---|---|
| A sales team of 6 | 6 embroidered polos at $45, digitizing free | $270 |
| A team of 12, two pieces each | 12 polos and 12 hoodies, embroidered | $1,200 |
| A field crew of 30 | 30 embroidered hoodies at $55, 5% discount | $1,567.50 |
| An event for 80 people | 80 printed T-shirts at $23, 10% discount | $1,656 |
Totals before taxes and shipping, at Maison Brody’s posted prices. For the team of 12: one more piece brings the order to 25 pieces and the 5% discount applies to everything.
Frequently asked questions
How many pieces per employee?
For everyday wear, at least two pieces per person, so there’s always a clean one. For an event, one is enough.
Should we ask every employee for their size?
Yes, for teams under thirty. Beyond that, the 10% S, 25% M, 30% L, 20% XL and 15% 2XL split is a reliable base, corrected with the sizes you know.
Can we reorder the same pieces later?
Yes. At Maison Brody, a replacement piece for a new hire can be ordered on its own, like any other order. There’s no minimum.
Is corporate apparel a deductible expense?
Garments bearing the company logo are generally treated as a business expense. Check your case with your accountant.
How much time should we plan?
At Maison Brody, production takes 5 to 7 business days from proof approval. For a launch or an event, plan three weeks in total.
A team to dress, several pieces, several logos? Tell us about the project and we’ll answer within the business day with a priced proposal.
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