Washington crews need custom hi-vis shirts and vests that meet jobsite requirements, hold up through hard use, and carry your company logo without compromising visibility.
Northwest Custom Apparel has been family-owned in Milton, WA, since 1977. We produce your gear in-house and review logo placement against ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 compliance requirements before production. That gives your crew a local partner who understands workwear, decoration, and the Washington jobsites where it will be worn.
We apply company logos and custom safety stripes to hi-vis apparel using in-house screen printing and embroidery.
Whether you’re outfitting 12 field technicians or reordering for a 50-person crew, we’ll help you choose the right garment, decoration method, and visibility class.
Safety apparel has to work in the real world. That means rain, dirt, repeated washing, cold mornings, and logos that still need to look professional months later.
Northwest Custom Apparel reviews the garment and proposed logo placement before production. The goal is simple: don't let a branding decision interfere with the visibility features the garment was designed to provide. Current WSDOT specifications require high-visibility garments to meet ANSI/ISEA 107 requirements and to remain the outermost garment. Washington L&I rules also address high-visibility apparel for workers near moving vehicles.
Your order stays with our team. We're located at 2025 Freeman Road East, Milton, WA 98354, serving contractors throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our 48+ years in business, 125,000+ completed projects, and 99.8% on-time delivery rate reflect the kind of reliability busy crews need. We also provide proofs before production, so you can see exactly what we're making before the full order starts.
The right shirt depends on the job, visibility conditions, weather, and how your crew works. Here are the common starting points.
Short-sleeve Class 2 shirts are a practical choice for warm-weather crews working around vehicle traffic. Polyester birdseye mesh provides airflow while fluorescent yellow-green or orange-red fabric keeps the shirt highly visible.
For larger crews, we can screen print company logos and crew information directly onto suitable hi-vis garments.
Long-sleeve shirts provide more coverage for cooler weather and jobs that require greater visibility. They’re especially useful for highway, utility, transportation, and other crews working around traffic.
Moisture-wicking polyester options can help keep workers more comfortable during long shifts.
A hi-vis polo gives supervisors and foremen a more polished look while keeping the team visually identifiable.
Two-tone styles are also practical. A darker lower section can hide dirt and grease while the fluorescent upper section maintains visibility.
Example: A Tacoma electrical contractor could use two-tone Class 2 polos for field technicians. The darker lower section helps hide grime from equipment bays while the fluorescent upper section remains visible during street calls.
| Garment | Best for | Key advantage | Decoration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-sleeve shirt | Warm-weather crews | Breathability | Screen print, transfer |
| Long-sleeve shirt | Cooler jobsites | More coverage | Screen print, transfer |
| Hi-vis polo | Supervisors | Professional appearance | Embroidery, transfer |
| Two-tone shirt | Dirty jobsites | Hides lower-body grime | Screen print, transfer |
For broader construction safety apparel, we can help you build a consistent workwear program across shirts, jackets, vests, and other
Safety vests are popular because they’re easy to layer over existing workwear. They’re also easy to issue to visitors, subcontractors, supervisors, and temporary crews.
Class 2 garments are commonly used where workers need greater visibility around traffic or moving equipment. Washington’s L&I rules specify minimum Class 2 characteristics for certain work around moving vehicles during hours of darkness, including 775 square inches of background material and 201 square inches of retroreflective material when relying on the garment’s construction rather than its ANSI label.
Don’t choose a garment based on the word “Class 3” alone. Jobsite requirements can call for a complete ensemble.
For example, current WSDOT specifications use an ANSI Type R Class 2 or 3 upper garment and add an ANSI Class E lower garment for nighttime or other low-visibility conditions. Project specifications can also impose requirements above the state minimum.
Color coding can help supervisors identify roles quickly.
You might use different colors for:
Logo decoration requires more care on a safety vest because reflective tape and fluorescent background areas matter.
Can you put your logo on a safety vest and stay compliant? Yes, when the placement is appropriate for the specific garment. We review placement before production rather than assuming every blank area is safe for decoration.
Washington weather changes fast. Your crew may start a shift in dry conditions and finish it in cold rain.
A waterproof ANSI-rated shell gives your crew an outer layer that keeps visibility features on the outside.
This matters because WSDOT requires high-visibility garments to be worn as the outermost layer. Putting a regular rain jacket over compliant hi-vis gear can defeat the visibility requirement.
For winter crews, insulated hi-vis parkas provide warmth while maintaining visibility. Hi-vis sweatshirts and hoodies can also work when the garment itself meets the applicable requirements and is worn as the outer layer.
For colder jobs, think in terms of the complete system, not just the shirt underneath.
If your crew needs heavier workwear, see our custom embroidered work jackets for options from brands such as Carhartt, Dri Duck, and CornerStone.
The decoration method should match the garment, logo, quantity, and intended use.
Screen printing works well for larger crew orders with bold logos. Northwest Custom Apparel’s current service information lists a 24-piece minimum for Screen Printing and a standard 10-day turnaround.
For hi-vis shirts, we use the appropriate process and garment combination rather than treating safety apparel like an ordinary cotton T-shirt.
Learn more about our screen printing services.
Embroidery creates a durable, professional logo that’s especially well suited to polos and work jackets.
Our minimum for garment embroidery is 6 pieces. We provide proofs before production and offer free digitizing on embroidery reorders.
See our custom embroidery services if you’re considering embroidered polos, jackets, or other workwear.
Heat transfer can make sense when you need a smaller run or a detailed full-color logo.
The decoration method itself doesn’t determine the garment’s ANSI classification. Placement and the garment’s certified construction matter. That’s why our team reviews the design before production.
Ready to see your logo on hi-vis gear? Request a free quote and we’ll reply in one business day.
A logo can look great and still create a problem if it covers the wrong part of a safety garment.
The exact safe area depends on the garment’s construction, reflective tape layout, manufacturer instructions, and applicable standard. As a general production rule, we look for decoration areas that don’t interfere with reflective elements or required background material.
Common placement options include:
We flag the issue during the proof stage.
We won’t simply print a large logo across reflective tape because that’s where you requested it. We’ll recommend a different placement that preserves the garment’s visibility features.
That proof-before-production step is one reason to work with a shop that understands both decoration and safety workwear.
Washington requirements matter when your crew works around traffic, vehicles, and construction equipment.
Washington’s WAC 296-155-200 includes requirements for high-visibility garments when employees work in close proximity to moving vehicles. During daylight, the rule calls for a fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, or fluorescent red high-visibility vest, shirt, or jacket worn as an outer garment. During hours of darkness, the rule specifies minimum Class 2 characteristics and 360-degree visibility.
Read our detailed hi-vis workwear requirements in Washington before placing a large crew order.
WSDOT projects can have specifications that go beyond a general understanding of “wear a safety vest.” Current WSDOT specifications require high-visibility garments to meet ANSI/ISEA 107 requirements and be worn as the outermost layer. Some traffic-control and low-visibility situations also call for Type R Class 2 or 3 garments and Class E lower garments.
Always check the specifications for your particular project.
OSHA’s construction PPE rule became effective January 13, 2025. It explicitly requires employers to select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. OSHA explains that poor fit can reduce protection and create additional hazards.
That makes sizing more than a comfort issue. When ordering crew gear, collect accurate sizes and make sure each worker receives properly fitting PPE.
Class 2 hi-vis T-shirts and polos with left-chest company logo and back company name. Ordered quarterly or annually as crew size changes. Yellow-green for general site work; orange for road and traffic-adjacent projects.
Class 2 hi-vis shirts with company logo for crews working near Washington streets and roads. Two-tone styles are popular for HVAC and electrical crews who need compliance but spend much of the day in equipment bays or mechanical rooms where dirt accumulates quickly.
Class 3 long-sleeve shirts and hoodies for crews working Washington interstates and state routes. WSDOT contract specifications frequently exceed the federal OSHA minimums, and NW Custom Apparel confirms garment compliance against project specs before production.
Class 2 short-sleeve and long-sleeve styles for Washington utility workers and survey crews working near traffic. Logo programs typically include shirts plus matching hi-vis caps and occasionally embroidered jackets for field supervisors.
For complete crew uniform programs that include hi-vis shirts alongside embroidered polos, work shirts, and outerwear, see custom corporate workwear and uniform programs for Washington businesses.
Ordering doesn’t need to become another project on your desk.
Tell us what type of job your crew performs and where they'll wear the gear.
If you don't have a production-ready file, ask us about artwork and digitizing help.
We'll review the proposed decoration and identify placement concerns before production.
Once you approve the proof, production begins in our Milton facility.
Standard turnaround is typically about 10 business days from sample approval, with rush service available when your deadline requires it.
Most contractors don’t place one giant order and forget about it. Crew sizes change, new projects start, and worn gear needs replacing. We make reordering straightforward.
Local pickup: Available Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM at 2025 Freeman Rd E
Hear from our satisfied clients who have made us their go-to provider for hi-vis apparel and have seen the difference quality makes.
It depends on the jobsite, traffic exposure, visibility conditions, and project specifications. Washington L&I rules establish minimum high-visibility requirements for employees working close to moving vehicles, while WSDOT projects can specify Type R Class 2 or 3 garments and additional Class E lower garments in low-visibility conditions.
If you’re unsure, send us your job requirements before ordering. We’ll help you identify the garment specifications to review with your safety professional or project requirements.
Yes, provided the decoration doesn’t interfere with the garment’s required visibility features. We review logo placement before production and can recommend a different location if the requested placement crosses reflective tape or otherwise creates a concern.
Screen printing is generally a strong choice for larger shirt orders and bold graphics. Embroidery is durable and professional for compatible polos and jackets. The garment and its safety construction determine what decoration placement works.
Segmented retroreflective tape is rated for 75 wash cycles. Solid silver tape is rated for 50 home wash cycles. For a crew washing shirts twice weekly, this equates to roughly 6–9 months of usable life. Always inspect tape reflectivity before use — faded or peeling tape means the garment is no longer ANSI compliant.
Hi-vis apparel should be inspected regularly. If the fluorescent color has faded or the reflective tape is cracked, peeling, or no longer reflects light effectively, it’s time for a replacement.
Our standard production target is about 10 business days from sample approval, according to our current production guidelines. Rush service is also available for qualifying deadlines.
Yes. Rush service is available when production capacity allows. Tell us your required delivery date when requesting a quote so we can check the timeline before you commit.
We carry XS through 6XL on most standard hi-vis shirt styles. Available sizing depends on the specific garment and brand. We can help you select appropriate styles for your crew and account for the individual fit requirements that OSHA’s construction PPE rule emphasizes.
Yes. NW Custom Apparel applies custom safety stripes through screen printing to shirts, hoodies, and jackets. This includes crew-colored stripe configurations and ANSI-compliant reflective stripe patterns. See custom safety stripe screen printing for standalone stripe application services.
Yes. Our curated workwear selection includes established brands used for construction and other demanding jobsites. The exact garment must be checked for decoration compatibility and safety requirements before production.
Yes. Our Milton facility serves contractors throughout the South Sound, Tacoma, Seattle, and Western Washington. Our service-area inventory includes locations such as Tacoma, Puyallup, Bellevue, Federal Way, Olympia, Redmond, Kent, and Milton.
Your crew deserves workwear that holds up, looks professional, and fits the requirements of the job.
Northwest Custom Apparel has served the Pacific Northwest since 1977, with 10,000+ businesses served, 125,000+ projects completed, and a 99.8% on-time delivery rate.
We’ve produced custom safety apparel construction companies, contractors, and field crews since 1977. All production is in-house at our Milton, WA facility, no outsourcing.
Tell us your ANSI class requirement, garment style, logo details, quantity, and timeline. We will confirm compliance, placement, and pricing within one business day.
