How To Choose the Right Custom Embroidered Polo Shirts

You need to purchase custom embroidered polo shirts for your business.  The embroidered shirts from your last shirt order didn't wear well so you're unsure about what style to get.  How do you choose the right polo style, a great polo that your employees will wear and that fits your budget?

Special Requirements For Your Polo Shirts

Before  considering specific shirt styles let your embroiderer know what color you want, if you need a ladies companion style and if extended or tall sizes are required.  Also have a general idea of what quality you need and your shirt budget.  Knowing these specific needs will help you narrow your styles choices.

Polo Shirt Fabrics

One of the primary decisions when choosing a polo shirt style is whether you want 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend fabric.  Cotton is cooler, a blend will be more wrinkle, fade and shrink resistant.  Consider that although some people prefer a blend fabric, many of the better quality 100% cotton polos are preshrunk and wrinkle resistant.  Also check out the look and feel of the fabric's texture.  Polo style fabrics range from jersey knit, a T-shirt-like fabric, to textured fabrics such as pique and honeycomb pique. 

Narrow Your Polo Style Choices

Narrow your choices to two or three polo shirt styles at different price points.  Even if you are on a strict budget, the least expensive shirt may not be the best buy.  Consider who will wear the polo shirts and who will see them.  Are they long term employees or seasonal workers; sales people or kitchen staff?  A quality polo is a good choice for long-term workers but a less-expensive shirt might be better for summer employees.  Also remember that employees will be more likely to wear a quality polo that looks and feels good.

Ladies Companion Polo Styles

If you need a ladies companion style, consider getting feedback about possible styles choices from the women.  While all ladies companion styles are sized for women with shorter sleeve and hem lengths and a trimmer body, ladies necklines can vary from a standard reversed placket to a V- neck button placket or a johnny collar.  Some women feel more comfortable wearing a men's polo shirt so its good to give them that option.

Special Features For Polo Shirts

Once you've reviewed your needs you might want to consider  polo shirt styles with special features such as moisture-wicking or stain resistant fabric.  These fabrics help employees  present a professional image under all working conditions.  Also consider polo shirts with trim detailing.  A trim detail color will help emphasize your logo.  For example, if your business name is in white, choosing a polo with a white accent on the collar will add emphasis to your logo.

Choosing Polo Shirt Sizing

When collecting sizing information make sure employees are clear about what sizes they want.  If they need tall/long sizes have them write out tall or long, for example, 2X long rather than 2XL.  For women, make sure they note if they want a ladies or a men's size so its clear what they need.

J. DeRosa, 2/9/08

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