Custom Safety Vests with Your Logo: A Guide to Classes, Pockets and Printing

Class 1

The lowest visibility level, meant for work areas away from traffic, like parking lots, warehouses and loading docks. Class 1 is not meant for roadway work.

Class 2

The most common safety vest. Class 2 is used for work on or near roads and for jobs where traffic moves faster or visibility is lower. Many construction, utility and survey crews wear Class 2 vests every day.

Class 3

The highest visibility level, used for high-speed traffic areas and low-light conditions. Class 3 garments cover more of the body, so they include sleeves. A standard sleeveless vest on its own does not reach Class 3. The class you need is set by your employer, your general contractor or the agency in charge of the job. If you are not sure, check the project’s safety plan before ordering. Federal rules, for example, call for Class 2 or Class 3 apparel for workers on federal-aid highways.

Picking A Color

Hi-vis garments come in fluorescent yellow-green (often called lime) and fluorescent orange-red. Both are recognized under the standard. Some companies choose based on what the job site requires, and others pick the one that best matches their brand. Whichever you choose, keep it consistent across the crew so your team is easy to spot as a unit.

How To Add Your Logo Without Breaking Compliance

This is the part most people get wrong. A logo is fine on a safety vest, but where and how big it goes matters.

• Never print over the reflective stripes. The reflective tape is what makes your crew visible in headlights, and covering it defeats the purpose.

• Keep the logo on the fluorescent background fabric, usually the left chest or the back panel between the stripes.

• Keep it reasonably sized. Every square inch of logo replaces fluorescent fabric, and a rated vest has to keep a minimum amount of that background to meet its class.

• Start with a vest from a manufacturer that allows decoration, and check the label for any printing guidance.

When you order from us, we plan the placement around the stripes so your logo is visible and the vest still does its job.

Best Printing Methods For Vests

Screen printing is the most affordable option for larger vest orders with a one or two color logo. DTF works well for multi-color logos and smaller runs. Embroidery is usually not a good fit for mesh vests, because the open mesh cannot hold dense stitching cleanly. For a deeper look at each method, see our guide to screen printing vs. DTF vs. DTG vs. embroidery.

Mesh Or Solid Fabric In Miami Heat

Mesh vests let air move through, which makes a real difference in a Miami August. They are the most comfortable choice for all-day outdoor work. Solid polyester vests give a smoother surface, so larger logos and fine detail print more cleanly on them. Many companies split the difference with a mesh body and a solid panel where the logo goes.

Pockets And Features Worth Paying For

A safety vest with pockets saves your crew trips back to the truck. Popular features include a radio or mic tab on the shoulder, pen slots, a clear ID badge pocket and a large inside pocket that fits a tablet or plans. Zipper closures look clean and stay put. Breakaway vests, which pull apart at several points, are a smart pick for crews working around moving machinery, since the vest releases if it gets caught.

Getting The Size Right

Safety vests are worn over other clothing, so size for what your crew wears underneath. A vest that is too tight rides up and exposes less fluorescent fabric, while one that is too loose can snag on equipment. Many vest styles come in combined sizes like medium/large or 2XL/3XL, which makes ordering for a whole crew simpler. Collect sizes before you order and add a few extras for new hires and visitors to the site.

Caring For Hi-Vis Vests

Fluorescent fabric and reflective tape both wear out over time. Sun, sweat and hot dryers speed that up. Wash vests in cold water on a gentle cycle, skip bleach and fabric softener and let them air dry. Check the care label, since some reflective materials are only rated for a certain number of washes.

Replace a vest when the fluorescent color has faded, the reflective stripes are cracked or peeling or the vest is torn. A faded vest may look fine to the person wearing it, but it no longer does the job it was bought for. In a Miami summer, busy crews often need new vests more than once a year, so plan for reorders.

Going Beyond The Vest

Many crews pair vests with hi-vis long sleeve shirts, which add sun protection and can reach higher visibility classes when they are rated for it. Branded hats and dri-fit tees for under the vest round out the look. Read our guide to the best long sleeve shirts for construction workers for more on that.