Custom workwear for trades companies in Canada is one of the highest-value decorated apparel programs a decorator can build — and one of the most underserved. Plumbers, electricians, landscapers, HVAC technicians, contractors, and construction crews across Canada need durable, branded workwear that holds up on the job site, looks professional in front of clients, and reorders consistently year after year.
This guide covers everything trades companies need to know about ordering custom workwear in Canada — the right garments, the right decoration methods, and how to build a uniform program that actually works. We also highlight ATC WeRK — a Canadian workwear line built specifically for trades professionals — available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing.
Why Branded Workwear Matters for Trades Companies
A trades crew showing up to a job site in branded workwear communicates three things immediately — professionalism, reliability, and pride in their work. That first impression matters whether you’re a one-person plumbing operation or a 50-person landscaping company.
Branded workwear does four things for your trades business:
Builds client trust A crew in matching branded gear looks established and professional. It signals that you run a real business — not a side operation. For trades companies competing for residential and commercial contracts, that visual credibility matters.
Improves job site safety Branded workwear programs often incorporate hi-vis options, moisture-wicking performance fabrics, and durable construction — keeping your crew safe and comfortable through long working days.
Creates free marketing Every crew member wearing your brand in the community is a moving billboard. A landscaping crew of 10 in matching branded hoodies generates brand awareness in every neighbourhood they work in.
Simplifies uniform management A documented workwear program with saved specs makes reordering simple — no more hunting for the right size or trying to remember what colour the last batch was.
ATC WeRK — Premium Canadian Workwear at Wholesale Pricing
ATC (Authentic T-Shirt Company) is a Canadian wholesale blank brand with distribution across Canada through Fabrik Apparel.
Their WeRK collection is purpose-built for trades and workwear applications — combining durable construction with a professional look at wholesale pricing that makes branded crew programs cost-effective at any scale.
ATC WeRK key styles:
WeRK250 — Heavyweight Ring Spun Cotton Tee A heavyweight ring-spun cotton tee built for the job site. Durable construction that holds decoration exceptionally well — perfect for screen printing and DTF printing with bold company logos and trade branding.
WeRK420 — Heavyweight Fleece Pullover Hoodie A heavyweight fleece hoodie built for outdoor work — substantial construction that holds up through seasons of job site use. Ideal for landscaping crews, contractors, and outdoor trades who need warmth and durability in one garment.
WeRK421 — Heavyweight Fleece Crewneck A heavyweight crewneck for trades crews who prefer the clean look of a crewneck over a hoodie. Same durable construction as the WeRK420 — built to handle the job site.
WeRK1207 — Fleece Lined Knit Cuff Beanie A fleece-lined beanie for cold weather job sites — branded with your company logo for a complete head-to-toe uniform look.
WeRK1331 / WeRK1332 / WeRK1333 — Canvas Snapback Caps Structured canvas caps available in snapback and trucker styles — ideal for embroidered company logos on landscaping crews, construction teams, and any outdoor trades operation.
Why ATC WeRK is the right choice for Canadian trades workwear:
- Canadian brand — ATC is distributed through Fabrik Apparel, with distribution centres in Vancouver, Calgary, and Mississauga — ensuring fast, reliable delivery across Canada
- Built for work — heavyweight construction designed for durability on the job site
- Decoration-ready — specifically engineered for screen printing, DTF printing, and embroidery
- Wholesale pricing — professional quality at prices that make crew programs cost-effective
- Available through Fabrik — Fabrik Apparel carries ATC blanks at wholesale pricing with domestic Canadian shipping
Other Top Workwear Brands Available in Canada
Beyond ATC WeRK, Fabrik Apparel carries a strong selection of workwear-ready blanks for trades programs:
Carhartt The most recognized workwear brand in North America. Carhartt blanks carry instant brand credibility with trades professionals — their heavyweight duck canvas and fleece products are built for serious job site conditions. Available through Fabrik Apparel.
CX2 Hi-Vis Hi-visibility workwear specifically designed for trades applications — CSA-compliant hi-vis options for construction, road work, and any application where high-visibility safety requirements apply.
Coal Harbour Performance workwear with a professional appearance — popular for trades companies that need a polished look for client-facing work alongside durable construction for job site use.
Core 365 Performance polos, jackets, and outerwear at competitive wholesale pricing — popular for trades companies that want a professional corporate look alongside practical workwear.
Best Decoration Methods for Trades Workwear
Embroidery — best for professional trades branding
Custom embroidery is the most popular decoration method for trades workwear — and for good reason. Embroidered logos on polos, jackets, and caps produce a raised, dimensional finish that looks professional and holds up through years of washing and job site use. Unlike printed decoration, embroidery won’t crack, fade, or peel — it looks as good after 100 washes as it did on day one.
Embroidery is ideal for:
- Left-chest logo on polos and work shirts
- Cap and hat decoration
- Jacket chest and sleeve logos
- Any application where a professional, durable finish matters
DTF printing — best for complex logos and hi-vis applications
DTF printing is the right choice for trades workwear applications where embroidery isn’t practical — polyester hi-vis vests, performance technical fabrics, and any garment where the fabric weight or construction makes embroidery difficult.
DTF is ideal for:
- Hi-vis vests and safety shirts
- Performance and moisture-wicking fabrics
- Full-colour company logos with multiple colours or gradients
- Back printing and large format decoration
Screen printing — best for bulk uniform runs
Screen printing is the most cost-effective method for large uniform runs with simple artwork — company name, logo, and trade identifier in 1 to 3 colours. For a landscaping company ordering 50+ identical work shirts, screen printing delivers the lowest per-unit cost.
Screen printing is ideal for:
- Large bulk orders — 50 pieces and up
- Simple 1 to 3 colour logos
- Cotton and cotton-blend work shirts
- Event shirts, safety shirts, and promotional workwear
Building a Trades Workwear Program — Step by Step
Step 1 — Define your uniform components
A complete trades workwear program typically includes:
- Work tees — for warm weather and layering
- Polos — for client-facing work and a more professional appearance
- Hoodies or crewnecks — for cooler weather and outdoor work
- Jackets or outerwear — for cold weather and outdoor trades
- Caps or beanies — for sun protection and cold weather
Start with the pieces your crew actually needs — you don’t need all of these at once. A good starting point is a work tee, a hoodie, and a cap.
Step 2 — Choose your garments
Match garment to application:
- Outdoor trades (landscaping, construction) — durable cotton or cotton-blend tees, heavyweight fleece, hi-vis options for safety requirements
- Indoor trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) — performance polos, moisture-wicking tees, lightweight fleece
- Client-facing trades (renovation, property services) — embroidered polos, professional fleece, clean professional appearance
Step 3 — Choose your decoration method
- Left-chest logo on polos and shirts → embroidery
- Back printing on tees and hoodies → DTF or screen printing
- Cap decoration → embroidery
- Hi-vis vests → DTF printing
- Large bulk runs with simple logo → screen printing
Step 4 — Standardize your placement
Document exact placement measurements — left chest 3 to 4 inches from the left shoulder seam, 3 to 4 inches below the collar. Consistent placement makes every piece in your crew look like they came from the same program — because they did.
Step 5 — Build a reorder system
Save your garment specs, decoration method, placement measurements, thread colours, and sizing breakdown after your first order. Reordering should be as simple as “same as last time, add 5 mediums.”
At Kode Garment we save all your specs after your first order — so every reorder matches the original without the back and forth.
Sizing Trades Workwear — What to Know
Trades crews skew larger than the general population in sizing. A typical trades crew size distribution:
- S: 5%
- M: 20%
- L: 30%
- XL: 25%
- 2XL: 15%
- 3XL: 5%
This is a general guide — collect individual size preferences from your crew before placing your first order. Always order a few extra units in your most popular sizes (typically L and XL) to account for new hires and replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions — Custom Workwear for Trades Canada
What is the best decoration method for trades workwear? Embroidery for polos, caps, and professional client-facing apparel. DTF printing for hi-vis, performance fabrics, and complex full-colour logos. Screen printing for large bulk runs with simple artwork. Most trades programs use a combination of embroidery and DTF.
What workwear blanks are best for Canadian trades companies? ATC WeRK is purpose-built for Canadian trades applications — heavyweight construction, decoration-ready, and available at wholesale pricing through Fabrik Apparel. Carhartt is the premium option for serious job site conditions. CX2 Hi-Vis is the right choice for safety-critical applications.
Do you offer hi-vis workwear decoration? Yes. Kode Garment decorates hi-vis vests, shirts, and safety apparel using DTF printing — the preferred method for hi-vis fabrics. Contact us to discuss your hi-vis requirements.
What’s the minimum order for custom trades workwear? DTF printing has no minimums — you can order a single decorated piece. Screen printing becomes cost-effective at 24 to 72 pieces. Embroidery has a minimum order quantity of 12 pieces and a $60.00 DST fee to create the embroidery file. Contact us with your design and crew size for a quote.
Can you set up a reorder system for our crew? Yes. After your first order we save your garment specs, decoration method, placement measurements, and sizing breakdown — making reorders fast and consistent. Many of our trades clients reorder seasonally with a simple email.
How long does custom trades workwear production take? Standard production is 7 to 10 business days from proof approval. We confirm your timeline at the quote stage and stick to it — because we know your crew has jobs to get to.
Do you ship custom workwear across Canada? Yes. Kode Garment ships finished orders Canada-wide — from Vancouver to Nunavut to Halifax. Local pickup is available from our Newmarket, Ontario showroom by appointment.
Ready to Build Your Trades Workwear Program?
At Kode Garment we work with trades companies, landscaping crews, contractors, and construction teams across Canada — producing custom workwear that looks professional, holds up on the job site, and reorders without the chaos.
Send us your logo, your crew size, and your garment preferences. We’ll recommend the right blanks from our catalogue of 50 brands and 1,800+ styles — including the ATC WeRK line — and send you a clear quote within one business day.
📍 Based in Newmarket, Ontario · Shipping Canada-wide 📞 905-235-9444 · Toll free 1-877-788-5633 ✉️ info@kodegarment.com