Where should decorators go to look for workwear clientele?

Breaking into the workwear and safety gear market is sometimes as simple as looking for companies in your area that need decorated garments of these types. Construction companies are often on the lookout for someone to decorate their vests or screen print names on hard hats. Local businesses like restaurants, salons, or hotels have employees in the front of the house and in the back that can use decorated chef coats, monogrammed styling capes, and polos or dress shirts with the company name on them. Police and fire departments are often on the lookout for people to create shirts for the department events or name tapes and patches with rank or department insignia. Be alert when attending events in your town, always wear your work, and don’t be afraid to ask if a company or department is looking for decorated items.

Keep in mind that specializing can also be a great way to break into this market. There are companies, often situated near military bases or academies that must make regulation name tapes for the military units in the area. There are also companies that specialize in decorating certain types of safety gear, sometimes specializing to the point where they only decorate items for a particular industry. While there may be more hoops to jump through, and more of a learning curve when it comes to mastering rules and regulations, the benefits of being a specialist can be huge. Companies that must meet certain regulatory standards may be much more willing to pay a higher price to be assured that their gear will comply.

—EnMart