Workwear & decoration glossary
Short definitions of the terms you’ll meet when ordering branded workwear and PPE. For deeper answers, see our workwear guides.
- Artwork proof
- A digital mock-up showing logo, size and position that the customer approves before production.
- Class 3 hi-vis
- The highest visibility class under EN ISO 20471 — at least 0.80 m² fluorescent background and 0.20 m² reflective tape. Read more
- Digitising
- Converting a logo into a stitch file that an embroidery machine can read. Usually a one-off step per logo. Read more
- DTF (direct-to-film)
- A full-colour transfer printed onto film, coated with adhesive powder and heat-pressed onto a garment. Suits detailed logos and technical fabrics. Read more
- Embroidery
- Decoration stitched into the garment with thread. Raised, premium and very durable. Read more
- EN ISO 20345
- The standard for safety footwear with a 200-joule protective toe cap, using codes such as SB, S1, S1P and S3. Read more
- EN ISO 20471
- The international standard for high-visibility clothing, defining Class 1, 2 and 3 by minimum fluorescent and reflective area. Read more
- GSM
- Grams per square metre — a measure of fabric weight. Higher GSM usually means a thicker, more durable garment.
- Left chest
- The most common logo position on polos, shirts and jackets, typically 70–100 mm wide. Read more
- Pantone (PMS)
- A standard colour-matching reference used to keep brand colours consistent across suppliers. Read more
- Poly-cotton
- A polyester and cotton blend (often 65/35) that is hard-wearing, quick-drying and tolerates frequent washing. Read more
- PPE
- Personal protective equipment — clothing and equipment worn to protect against workplace hazards.
- Retroreflective tape
- Tape that reflects light back towards its source, such as vehicle headlights, making the wearer visible in the dark. Read more
- S3 safety boot
- Safety footwear with toe cap, antistatic heel, water resistance, penetration-resistant midsole and cleated outsole. Read more
- Screen print
- Ink pushed through a mesh stencil, one screen per colour. Economical for large runs of simple designs. Read more
- Size-request link
- A shared link where each team member submits their own size before an order is placed. Read more
- Softshell
- A stretchy, wind- and shower-resistant jacket fabric with a fleece-backed inner — popular for branded outerwear.
- SR slip rating
- Slip resistance tested on ceramic tile with glycerine under EN ISO 20345. Read more
- Unisex fit
- A cut designed to fit all wearers, simplifying team ordering compared with separate men's and ladies' styles. Read more
- Vector artwork
- A logo file (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) made of paths rather than pixels, so it scales without losing quality. Read more