For construction crews, a shirt isn’t just merch — it’s a uniform. It has to survive sun, sweat, sawdust, and a full Friday on the job. Picking the right blank up front means fewer reorders, happier crews, and a logo that still looks good months in. Here’s how to think about choosing shirts for a construction company.

What to Look For in a Construction Tee

• Heavyweight fabric — 6–7 oz cotton stands up to abrasion and repeated washing.

• Pre-shrunk so sizing stays consistent after a few cycles.

• Reinforced shoulder seams and double-needle stitching.

• Color-fast dyes that don’t fade after a summer in the sun.

• Generous cut — crews need to move, kneel, and reach without binding.

Cotton, Polyester, or a Blend?

100% cotton is the most comfortable on a long shift, breathes well in heat, and takes screen printing beautifully — the trade-off is some shrinkage and slower drying. 100% polyester wicks moisture and dries fast, which is great for hot, sweaty work, but feels less natural and can show ink differently. Many construction crews land on a 50/50 or 60/40 cotton-poly blend: durable, less shrink, fast-drying, and still comfortable.

Top Brands Worth Knowing

• Carhartt — the gold standard for workwear durability. Higher price point, but earns it. The Carhartt K87 Workwear Pocket T-Shirt is a long-time crew favorite.

• Bayside — made in USA, heavyweight, decoration-friendly. The Bayside 5070 pocket tee is a workhorse.

• Berne — a strong alternative to Carhartt at a friendlier price, especially for cold-weather long sleeves and outerwear.

• Dickies — classic American work shirt brand, broad sizing range, durable button-ups and tees.

• Red Kap — the industrial uniform staple. Wrinkle-resistant, color-locked button-ups built for daily laundering.

• Gildan G5000 Heavy Cotton — the budget-friendly workhorse blank. Great for big crews where unit cost matters.

• Bulwark — for crews that need flame-resistant (FR) gear on electrical, oil & gas, or welding work.

Don’t Forget Hi-Vis

If any of your crew works around traffic, heavy equipment, or low-light conditions, ANSI-rated hi-vis tees (Class 2 or Class 3 in safety yellow or orange) are a smart add to the lineup. They’re often required by general contractors and DOT projects, and they keep your brand on the crew while meeting code.

Long Sleeves and Sun Protection

A lot of crews — framers, roofers, concrete — prefer long sleeves to protect from sun, brush, and sparks. The Carhartt Force® Sun Defender™ Long Sleeve T-Shirt is a popular pick. For hotter climates, a lighter polyester performance long sleeve gives sun coverage without overheating.

Decoration Considerations

How you decorate the shirt matters as much as which shirt you pick. Big chest logos and back prints look great on heavy cotton tees — screen printing is built for that. For uniform polos and button-ups, embroidery on the left chest gives a more professional look and survives industrial laundering. Hi-vis tees are best decorated with screen print; embroidery on hi-vis fabric can poke through the safety color and lower visibility.

A common construction setup: left-chest company logo on the front, large block company name on the back so your crew is visible (and your brand is, too) on the jobsite.

How to Choose for Your Crew

• Hot climate, high turnover: Gildan G5000 or a 50/50 blend.

• Mid-size crew, brand-conscious: Bayside 5070

• Uniform program with industrial laundering: Red Kap button-ups.

• Cold weather and outerwear: Berne or Carhartt heavyweight long sleeves and jackets.

• FR-required work: Bulwark FR tees and shirts.

• Road-side or traffic exposure vests.

We're Here to Help

Does your company need custom apparel, hats, embroidered uniforms, or screen printed merch? We specialize in custom decoration for businesses big and small. Use the form to Get a Quote, browse some of our custom products, or get in touch — we’re based in Chico, CA and ship nationwide.