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If you’re a business owner looking to purchase workwear for your employees, you mostly have two main options:
- White label workwear
- Custom workwear manufacturing
But which route should you take?
Both have their pros and cons and the right choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.
In this post, we’ll compare white-label workwear and custom workwear manufacturing to help you decide which is the best fit for your company and budget.
White Label Workwear
White label workwear refers to generic, pre-made apparel that wholesalers sell to businesses to put their own branding on.
Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of going the white-label route:
Advantages
Convenience —
White-label workwear is ready to purchase off the shelf and can be branded quickly and easily with your logos and designs. This enables you to outfit your staff faster.
Affordability —
White-label workwear is usually produced in bulk at wholesale prices, which makes it far more budget-friendly than paying for custom manufacturing.
Low Minimum Order Threshold —
Suppliers will often allow you to order small quantities of white-label items. This is ideal if you have a smaller staff and only need to buy a few pieces.
Disadvantages
Lack of Customization —
Since white-label workwear is pre-made, you have no input into the design, color, fabric, sizing, or features. You can only add branding.
Limited Sizing —
White label workwear uses generic sizing like S, M, and L. This one-size-fits-all approach may mean the apparel won't fit your staff well.
Generic Look —
White-label workwear usually has an off-the-rack look. It won't stand out or align with your company's branding and image.
Custom Workwear Manufacturing
Custom workwear manufacturing, on the other hand, is a workwear that is specially made for your company.
Here are the main upsides and downsides of ordering custom:
Advantages
Unique & Branded Look —
You can fully customize the design with your logos, color scheme, and style. This gives your staff a signature look aligned with your brand.
Ideal Fit —
The custom workwear will be patterned and sized to fit your employees perfectly for maximum comfort.
Durability —
You can select higher quality, durable, long-lasting fabrics and features to suit your workplace needs.
Disadvantages
Higher Cost —
Compared to white-label workwear, developing and manufacturing fully custom clothing and minimum order quantities is more expensive.
Longer Lead Times —
It takes a significant amount of time to design, sample, tweak, and mass-produce custom workwear. The entire process can stretch for weeks or a month or two.
High Minimum Order Threshold -
You'll likely have to order large quantities to make custom workwear cost-effective. That means custom workwear may not suit smaller businesses.
How to Decide Between White Label Workwear and Custom Workwear Manufacturing?
When choosing between white-label and custom workwear manufacturing, you must consider the following important factors:
- Budget —
Custom workwear allows full branding but comes at a premium price point. White label, on the other hand, is more affordable while still allowing your logo.
- Company Image —
Custom workwear can fully align with your branding, identity, and style. White-label workwear will be more generic.
- Employee Fit —
Custom workwear can be patterned specifically for your staff for optimal comfort and movement. White-label workwear sizing may not suit all employees.
- Speed to Market —
White-label workwear can be purchased and branded faster to outfit your team quickly if needed. Custom workwear manufacturing takes more time.
- Minimum Order Quantities —
White-label workwear often has lower minimum orders suitable for small businesses. Custom workwear manufacturing requires large bulk orders.
- Quality and Durability -
Custom workwear manufacturing allows you to select thicker, longer-lasting materials if your workplace requires it. White-label workwear doesn’t give you that option and its material is usually thinner in comparison.
- Expected Lifespan —
Ordering custom is a strong investment if you plan to use the uniforms for many years. On the other hand, white-label workwear generally has a shorter shelf life.
Conclusion
Before choosing between generic white-label workwear versus custom manufacturing, you need to carefully weigh your specific priorities.
The general rule of thumb is, white-label workwear suits startup budgets, smaller staff, and shorter-term workwear needs. Custom workwear manufacturing is ideal for large companies wanting to invest in quality, branded, long-lasting uniforms aligned with their image.
That said, if you’re looking for a custom workwear manufacturer that is affordable and provides high-quality clothing, look no further than ACI Workwear.
We're a leading workwear supplier specializing in making customized, durable uniforms and corporate apparel at reasonable prices.
Contact us today to get a quote on our corporate workwear manufacturing services.