Whether you’re running a restaurant, a cafe, a coffee shop, or something in between, one thing remains true above all else—your patrons are the lifeblood of your business, and every effort needs to go towards ensuring they have a positive experience. One frequently overlooked cornerstone of that experience is employee apparel—specifically, aprons.
Think about it. You may not remember how the employees at a particular spot were dressed after you leave, but you most certainly noticed while you were there. Perhaps more importantly, the right uniform can promote a sense of pride, collaboration, and solidarity in your staff.
So with all that in mind, let’s talk about a few tips around how your business can use custom-printed aprons.
Start With the Right Style
Always remember that aprons are, first and foremost, meant to be practical. It’s crucial that you account for the needs and responsibilities of each employee before placing your order. Per B2B eCommerce retailer Web Restaurant Store, you’ll be choosing from the following:
- Waist. Short length for more comfort when walking. Usually have pockets, and provide no upper body coverage. Intended for bussers, servers, and other front-of-house staff.
- 4-way. Multiple interchangeable layers. Intended for kitchen staff.
- Bistro. Extra-long waist aprons. For front-of-house staff.
- Bib. Traditionally-styled apron. Ideal for kitchen staff.
- Tuxedo. Upscale bib aprons. A more elegant option for front-of-house staff.
- Cobbler. Full front and back coverage. For housekeepers, bakery staff, staff in school cafeterias, and some hospital staff.
- Dishwasher. Self-explanatory. Waterproof bib aprons for dishwashers.
Comfort Comes First
It doesn’t matter how good your aprons look if they’re so uncomfortable that your employees are miserable wearing them. Make sure each apron is properly sized to the person wearing it, and don’t be afraid to put in extra for premium materials. Better to buy a slightly higher-end apron now than have to replace the same apron five times.
Follow Basic Best Practices for Apparel Design
We’ve discussed best practices for custom t-shirt design in the past. The same general advice applies to your aprons. Pay attention to contrast and proximity, and don’t go overboard with embroidery or embroidery patches. Simple is the way to go here.
Always Order Backups
If there’s one thing anyone who’s worked in a restaurant will tell you, it’s that their job gets downright hectic. From kitchen mishaps to spills and stains, there are plenty of ways an apron can wind up damaged, maybe even unusable. Therefore, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep at least one extra apron per employee in reserve.
Let Employees Add Their Own Personal Touch
Last but not least, if you’re getting your aprons custom-printed anyway, why not let the people who’ll actually wear them participate in their design? Something as simple as letting someone get their name embroidered on their apron can make a huge difference in morale. Plus, if you order from BlueCotton, that level of personalization is as simple as hopping into our award-winning design studio.
Why not give it a try now? You might be surprised at what you’re able to come up with.