Find Your Perfect Custom Safety Shirt

Why Custom Safety Shirts Are Essential for Your Business

Custom safety shirts combine workplace safety with professional branding, creating high-visibility apparel that protects workers while promoting your business. These specialized garments meet safety standards while displaying your company logo and information.

Quick Overview: Custom Safety Shirts

• Safety Standards: ANSI Class 2 and Class 3 options for different work environments
• Customization: Screen printing, embroidery, and heat transfer available
• Minimum Orders: Typically 24 pieces for screen printing, lower minimums for other methods
• Turnaround: 7-14 business days for standard orders, rush options available
• Benefits: Reduce accident risk by 20-30% while building brand recognition

High-visibility clothing can reduce the risk of being struck by a vehicle by 20% to 30%, making these shirts a critical safety investment. Beyond protection, custom safety shirts serve as mobile advertising – promoting your company’s professional image on every job site.

Whether you’re outfitting construction crews, road maintenance teams, or landscaping professionals, the right custom safety shirts improve visibility while building team unity. They show clients and the public that your business prioritizes both safety and professionalism.

Popular customization options include:

• Company logos and names
• Employee names and job titles
• Safety messages and reminders
• Reflective materials for improved visibility

I’m Luke Sanders, CEO of RiverCity Screenprinting & Embroidery, where I’ve spent 15+ years helping Texas businesses create high-quality promotional products including custom safety shirts for construction, transportation, and industrial companies. Our team understands the unique requirements of safety apparel and works with businesses to create compliant, professional-looking workwear that protects employees while promoting their brand.

Why Invest in Custom Safety Shirts? More Than Just Compliance

When you’re considering custom safety shirts for your team, you’re looking at much more than just another business expense. You’re making a smart investment that protects your workers, builds your brand, and can even save you money in the long run.

Think about it this way: every time your crew heads out to a job site, they’re representing your company. Custom safety shirts ensure they’re doing it safely while looking professional. These aren’t just compliance tools – they’re working hard for your business in ways you might not have considered.

The benefits go way beyond keeping OSHA happy. You’re talking about improved safety for your people, OSHA compliance that protects your business, a professional image that wins you more work, team unity that keeps employees happy, and brand promotion that works 24/7. Plus, your crew becomes mobile advertising for your company wherever they go. For a deeper dive into how custom apparel can transform your business, check out our Custom Clothing services.

Boost On-Site Safety and Visibility

Here’s a number that should grab your attention: high-visibility clothing can reduce struck-by-vehicle risk by 20-30%. That’s not just a statistic – that’s potentially saving lives and preventing the kind of workplace accidents that can devastate families and businesses.

Picture your team working near busy roads, operating in low-light conditions, handling roadside work, managing construction sites, or running landscaping crews. In every one of these situations, worker visibility means everything. When drivers can see your workers from a distance, accident reduction becomes a reality instead of just a hope.

Custom safety shirts make your team stand out when it matters most. Whether it’s dawn, dusk, or the middle of a cloudy day, proper high-visibility apparel ensures your workers are seen. That peace of mind? It’s priceless.

Lift Your Brand and Professionalism

Now here’s where things get interesting. While you’re protecting your workers, you’re also building your business. Company branding on safety shirts creates a unified look that screams professionalism to every client, customer, and potential customer who sees your team.

When your crew shows up in matching, branded custom safety shirts, it instantly boosts customer trust. People see an organized, professional operation that takes care of its people. That uniform appearance tells clients they’ve made the right choice.

Don’t underestimate the team morale factor either. When employees feel like they’re part of a professional team, they take more pride in their work. They represent your company better because they feel better about being part of it.

Every job site becomes a marketing opportunity. Your branded safety shirts work as advertising that goes wherever your team goes – no billboards or radio ads required. To learn more about why working with experts makes all the difference in custom apparel, read our guide on Custom T-Shirts: Why Working With Experts Matters.

Decoding Safety Standards: ANSI/ISEA 107 Explained

When you’re shopping for custom safety shirts, understanding safety standards isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Think of ANSI/ISEA 107 as your roadmap to keeping your team safe and compliant. This standard is the gold standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (HVSA) in the United States, and it’s what separates a proper safety shirt from just a bright-colored t-shirt.

The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard isn’t complicated once you break it down. It simply tells us how much fluorescent background material and reflective tape a garment needs to keep workers visible. More importantly, it helps you choose the right protection level for your specific job site. Whether your team is working roadside construction or off-road landscaping, this standard ensures you’re getting the right gear.

Understanding compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines (though that’s important too). It’s about making sure your team comes home safe every day. The standard breaks safety apparel into Performance Classes and different types for Roadway and Off-Road work, making it easier to choose exactly what your job site needs.

For a general overview of how hi-vis apparel works and why it improves safety, see High-visibility clothing.

ANSI Performance Classes: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where things get practical. The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard uses Performance Classes to tell you how visible a garment will be. For most custom safety shirts, you’ll be choosing between Class 2 and Class 3—and the difference matters more than you might think.

Feature	ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2	ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 3
Minimum Background Material	775 square inches (e.g., lime green or orange fluorescent fabric)	1240 square inches (more coverage, often a long-sleeve shirt or jacket)
Minimum Reflective Material	201 square inches (retroreflective tape, typically 2-inch wide)	310 square inches (more retroreflective tape, wider strips)
Typical Work Environments	Roadway work, utility work, construction, survey crews, airport ground crews, sanitation workers. Environments where speeds are generally below 50 mph.	Roadway work, emergency response, flagging, utility work, construction in high-traffic areas. Environments where speeds exceed 50 mph or where workers need to be highly visible over long distances.
Visibility Level	Improved daytime and low-light visibility.	Superior daytime and low-light visibility, full body outline.
Garment Type	Often short-sleeve vests or t-shirts.	Often long-sleeve shirts, jackets, or pant/shirt ensembles.

Class 2 works great for most construction sites, utility work, and areas where traffic moves at moderate speeds. Your team gets excellent visibility without the bulk of heavier garments. Class 3 steps things up for high-risk environments—think highway work, emergency response, or anywhere vehicles are moving fast and workers need maximum visibility.

The key is matching the class to your work environment. If your crew is working near busy highways or in areas where drivers have limited time to react, Class 3 provides that extra margin of safety. For most other applications, Class 2 offers excellent protection while keeping your team comfortable.

Key Features for the Best Custom Safety Shirts

Not all safety shirts are created equal, even when they meet the same ANSI class. The best custom safety shirts include specific features that make them more effective and longer-lasting.

Reflective tape is what makes your team visible when the sun goes down or in dim conditions. The tape is retroreflective, meaning it bounces light directly back to its source—like a driver’s headlights. You’ll find two main types: segmented tape uses small, breathable sections that flex with movement and stay cooler (perfect for Texas summers), while solid tape provides continuous strips of reflection.

Background material handles daytime visibility, and color matters here. Safety Orange and Safety Green (that bright lime color) aren’t just fashion choices—they’re scientifically selected to stand out against natural and urban backgrounds. These fluorescent colors practically glow in daylight, making your team impossible to miss.

Durability separates good safety shirts from great ones. Look for double-needle stitching on seams and reinforced stress points. The shirt needs to survive tough work conditions, frequent washing, and whatever weather Texas throws at it. Quality construction means your investment lasts longer and keeps performing when your team needs it most.

At RiverCity Sportswear, we make sure every custom safety shirts order meets these standards while giving you the comfort and durability your team deserves. For more information about how custom apparel can transform your business image, check out our Promotional Products page.

Choosing Your Shirt: Key Features and Styles

Once you understand the safety standards, the next step is selecting the right type of custom safety shirts for your team. This decision goes beyond just picking a color – you’ll want to consider fabric choices, fit, and functional features that match your work environment and keep your employees comfortable throughout their shifts.

At RiverCity Sportswear, we’ve seen how the right shirt choice can make the difference between a team that’s comfortable and productive versus one that’s constantly adjusting their gear. Let me walk you through the key decisions you’ll need to make.

Fabric and Material Matters

The fabric of your safety shirt isn’t just about comfort – though that’s certainly important when your team is wearing these shirts for 8+ hour shifts. Different materials offer distinct advantages depending on your work environment and climate.

100% polyester has become increasingly popular for custom safety shirts, and for good reason. This fabric excels at moisture-wicking, pulling sweat away from the body to keep workers dry and comfortable. Here in Central and South Texas, where summer temperatures can be brutal, this feature is invaluable. Polyester is also incredibly durable, resisting shrinking, stretching, and fading even after countless wash cycles. Many polyester options come in Birdseye Mesh Knit or standard mesh construction, which provides superior breathability for hot weather work.

Cotton/poly blends, particularly the popular 50/50 mix, offer a middle ground that many teams love. The cotton component provides that soft, familiar feel against the skin, while the polyester adds strength and some moisture-wicking capability. These blends are often preshrunk, so you don’t have to worry about fit changes after the first wash.

For premium options, look for air-jet yarn construction, especially in safety sweatshirts. This process creates a softer feel and significantly reduces pilling, keeping your shirts looking professional longer. Ripstop fabrics, typically made from nylon or polyester, resist tearing and are perfect for demanding environments where durability is crucial. Poplin weaves offer a smooth surface and strong construction, ideal for a more polished appearance.

When choosing fabric, think about your team’s daily reality. Are they working in Texas heat and humidity? Go with moisture-wicking polyester. Need something for cooler weather or indoor work? A cotton blend might be more comfortable.

Popular Styles for Every Job

Custom safety shirts come in several styles, each designed for specific needs and preferences. Short-sleeve t-shirts remain the classic choice, offering excellent freedom of movement and comfort in warm weather while easily meeting Class 2 compliance requirements. They’re versatile, cost-effective, and work well for most construction and maintenance teams.

Long-sleeve shirts provide added sun protection and warmth during cooler months. Many Class 3 garments are long-sleeve by necessity – they need that extra fabric to meet the larger background material requirements. If your team works outdoors year-round, having both short and long-sleeve options ensures comfort in all seasons.

Polo shirts bring a more professional appearance while maintaining high visibility standards. They’re perfect for supervisors, teams that interact with clients, or any business wanting to project a polished image. The collar adds a touch of formality without sacrificing safety or comfort.

Sleeveless shirts and vests work well as outer layers over existing clothing or in extremely hot conditions where minimal coverage is preferred while still meeting visibility requirements. They’re particularly popular with utility workers and flaggers.

One practical feature worth highlighting is black-bottom designs. These shirts feature safety colors on top with black or dark-colored fabric around the waist area. This isn’t just a style choice – it’s brilliantly practical. The dark bottom section hides dirt, grease, and grime that naturally accumulates around the waist, keeping the shirt looking cleaner longer. For construction crews, landscapers, or waste management teams, this feature can significantly extend the professional appearance of their uniforms between washes.

We’re here to help you steer these choices and find the perfect combination of safety, comfort, and style for your specific team and work environment.

The Ultimate Guide to Customization Options

Here’s where the magic happens – changing your custom safety shirts from standard workwear into powerful brand ambassadors. At RiverCity Sportswear, we’ve helped countless Texas businesses turn their safety requirements into marketing opportunities, and we’re excited to help you do the same.

The customization process is where your brand personality shines through. Whether you want a bold company logo across the back or subtle embroidered details on the chest, we’ll help you create custom safety shirts that your team will wear with pride.

Popular Customization Methods for Custom Safety Shirts

Choosing the right decoration method can make or break your final product. Each technique has its sweet spot, and we’ll help you find yours.

Screen printing remains our most popular choice for custom safety shirts, and for good reason. This method pushes ink through a mesh screen directly onto your shirt, creating vibrant, durable designs that can withstand the toughest work environments. The colors pop beautifully against hi-vis backgrounds, and we can even use reflective ink to boost visibility while showcasing your brand. It’s incredibly cost-effective for our standard 24-piece minimum orders, making it perfect when you’re outfitting entire crews.

Embroidery brings a touch of class to safety wear. Using specialized needles and thread, we stitch your design directly into the fabric, creating a textured, professional finish that screams quality. This method is practically indestructible – perfect for supervisors’ polo shirts or when you want your brand to look sophisticated on job sites. We can even use reflective thread for a subtle safety boost that doesn’t compromise style. The best part? Embroidery works beautifully for smaller orders too.

Heat transfer is our go-to for detailed, full-color designs that would be challenging with other methods. We print your design onto special transfer material, then use heat and pressure to apply it to your shirt. This technique shines when you need intricate graphics, photo-realistic images, or want to personalize individual shirts with employee names. It’s also budget-friendly for smaller batches.

Want to dive deeper into the pros and cons of each method? Check out our detailed comparison: Screen Printing vs. Embroidery: Which One is Right for Your Project?.

Preparing Your Design for Printing

Getting your artwork ready doesn’t have to be stressful. We’ve streamlined this process to make it as smooth as possible for you.

File formats matter, but don’t worry if you’re not a design expert. We work best with vector files like AI or EPS because they stay crisp at any size – from a small chest logo to a full-back design. If you don’t have vector files, high-resolution PDF, JPG, or PNG files work too. Just aim for at least 300 DPI to ensure your logo looks sharp on your custom safety shirts.

Before we start production, we’ll send you a free digital proof via email. This shows exactly how your design will look on the actual shirt – size, placement, colors, everything. It’s your chance to make tweaks or adjustments. We never start printing until you give us the thumbs up.

Logo placement depends on your shirt style and safety requirements. Popular spots include the front chest area, full back, or sleeves. For ANSI-compliant shirts, we’re careful to position your logo where it won’t interfere with required reflective materials or background fabric. Our team knows these requirements inside and out, so you don’t have to worry about compliance issues.

Need help getting your design print-ready? Our team is here to assist. For technical details on preparing artwork, our guide How to Create and Prepare a Design for Screen Printing covers everything you need to know.

How to Order Your Custom Safety Shirts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting your hands on quality custom safety shirts doesn’t have to be complicated. At RiverCity Sportswear, we’ve spent years perfecting our ordering process to make it as smooth as possible for businesses across Texas. Whether you’re outfitting a small crew in San Marcos or a large team in Austin, we’ll walk you through every step.

The beauty of working with us is that you’re never left guessing what happens next. We believe in clear communication and keeping you informed throughout the entire process, from that first conversation about your needs all the way to your team wearing their new gear on the job site.

From Quote to Delivery

Let’s walk through exactly what happens when you decide to order custom safety shirts from us. It’s simpler than you might think, and we’re here to help at every step.

First, you’ll choose your apparel. This is where we help you steer all those options we’ve discussed – the ANSI classes, fabric types, and styles. Maybe you need Class 2 short-sleeve shirts for your landscaping crew, or perhaps Class 3 long-sleeve polos for your road construction team. We’ll talk through your specific work environment and help you find the perfect match for both safety and comfort.

Next, you’ll submit your logo and design requirements. Send us your company logo and tell us your vision. Want your logo on the front chest? How about your company name across the back? We work with all file types, though we love those crisp AI or EPS vector files that make everything look sharp and professional.

Then comes the approval of your digital proof. This is one of our favorite steps because it’s where everything comes together. Our design team creates a digital mockup showing exactly how your custom safety shirts will look. We email this proof to you, and here’s the important part – we don’t start production until you give us the thumbs up. This ensures you get exactly what you’re expecting.

Finally, production and shipping. Once you approve the proof, our skilled team gets to work. Whether we’re screen printing, embroidering, or heat transferring your design, we take pride in every shirt that comes through our shop. After thorough quality checks, your custom safety shirts are carefully packed and shipped straight to your door.

Ready to see how this works for your business? Request a Quote and let’s get started.

Understanding Timelines and Minimums

We know you need straight answers about timing and quantities, so let’s break it down clearly.

Our minimum order quantity for screen printing is 24 pieces. This might seem like a lot if you’re a smaller operation, but it allows us to set up our equipment efficiently and pass those cost savings on to you. Don’t worry if you need fewer shirts or want individual names added – we can often handle smaller runs using heat transfer or embroidery methods. Just give us a call, and we’ll figure out the best approach for your specific situation.

Standard turnaround time is 7-14 business days for most orders once everything is approved. This timeline works well for repeat customers who know exactly what they want. If you’re a first-time customer with a new design, we might need a few extra days for the initial setup and proofing process, but we’ll always give you a realistic timeline upfront.

Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you need those custom safety shirts yesterday. We get it. Rush orders and expedited shipping are available for an additional fee. The key is letting us know about your tight deadline when you first reach out. Our team is pretty good at working miracles when we know what we’re up against.

The bottom line? We’re committed to getting your team the professional, compliant custom safety shirts they need, when they need them. Fast turnaround times and exceptional customer service aren’t just promises we make – they’re how we’ve built our reputation across Central and South Texas.

Conclusion

When you invest in custom safety shirts, you’re making a decision that goes far beyond just checking off a compliance box. You’re choosing to protect your most valuable asset – your people – while building a brand that stands out in a crowded marketplace.

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked through the essential elements that make custom safety shirts such a powerful investment. From the life-saving visibility improvements that can reduce accident risks by 20-30%, to the professional image that builds customer trust and team pride, these garments deliver value that extends far beyond their initial cost.

Understanding ANSI/ISEA 107 safety standards ensures your team stays compliant and protected, whether they’re working in Class 2 or Class 3 environments. Choosing the right fabric, style, and customization method means your team will be comfortable, professional, and proudly representing your brand on every job site.

The beauty of working with the right partner is that all these decisions become straightforward. When you have expert guidance on everything from fabric selection to logo placement, creating the perfect custom safety shirts for your team becomes an exciting opportunity rather than a daunting task.

At RiverCity Sportswear, we’ve been helping Texas businesses make these important decisions for over 15 years. We understand that every company has unique needs, whether you’re outfitting a construction crew in Austin or a landscaping team in San Marcos. Our commitment to exceptional customer service means we’re with you every step of the way, from initial quote to final delivery.

Your team deserves safety apparel that protects them and represents your company with pride. Quality custom safety shirts are an investment in both safety and success – and making that investment is simpler than you might think.

Ready to get started? Get started on your custom safety shirt order with our expert screen printing services today, and let’s create something great together.