Category Archives: Bespoke Aprons

Aprons as Uniform

We have noticed that aprons have become uniform for so much more than just hospitality businesses.

Lots of customers who order aprons from us are from other industries such as homeware shops, flour mills, museums, nurseries, and potters.

Aprons have become an easy way to give staff a uniform and brand identity because it’s one item of clothing and one size fits all.  An apron can be made completely bespoke to match a Pantone colour as well as to fit a brand design. 

Examples of customers

Homesense are a well known high street chain, part of the TK Maxx brand. We have supplied them with bespoke aprons for their staff for many years HOMESENSE

Shipton Mill supplies flour and so much more, anything you need to baking including aprons and couche cloths supplied by us  SHIPTON MILL

Organic cotton apron with Shipton Mill embroidered on the front
Organic cotton apron

The Waterside Inn is a 3 star Michelin Restaurant opened by Michele Roux.  It gained it first star in 1974 and is the only restaurant in the work outside France to have retained 3 stars since 1985.  Michel’s son Alain has been running the restaurant since 2002, we have been supplying their bespoke aprons and cookery school bags for many years  WATERSIDE INN

The Voung V&A came to us after seeing some aprons we had made for Pasta Evangelists for their restaurant in Harrods, they loved what they saw and wanted the same. YOUNG V&A

Valvona and Crolla are an incredible delicatessen, restaurant, bar, wine merchant and outside caterers in Edinburgh established in 1934.  We supply them with bespoke aprons made here in the UK  VALVONA AND CROLLA

A few years ago we worked with the fabulous coffee bean shop to develop and make aprons, tote bags and Christmas stockings.  You can see them and even buy them here. COFFEE BEAN SHOP

The Benefits of a Customised Apron

A customised apron serves as a distinctive and practical choice for your business, highlighting your brand and your team while providing comfort and functionality. At Impact Trading, we offer an extensive range of styles and fabrics to cater to the unique needs of hospitality and various other industries.

The Advantages of a Customised Apron

The key advantage of using a customised apron for your business is branding and professionalism. Customised aprons serve as a walking advertisement for your brand, as they can feature your company logo, colours or specific designs. They can also create a professional and cohesive image for your company as they promote a polished and professional image and standardise the appearance of your staff.

Employee Morale and Identity

Providing customised aprons for your team fosters a sense of belonging and unity among employees, and it can also instil a shared identity and pride in representing the company. In terms of employee morale, wearing a customised apron can make employees feel valued and appreciated, and it adds a personal touch to the workwear, contributing to overall job satisfaction.

Promotional Opportunities

Customised aprons can be used as promotional items during special events or trade shows. This can attract attention, engage potential customers and create a positive association with your brand. You could also use a customised apron for special occasions or seasonal events.

Functional Design and Comfort

Customisation allows you to design aprons that cater to specific job requirements. Whether it’s extra pockets for tools or adjustable straps for comfort, tailored designs enhance functionality. This also benefits your employees as aprons made from comfortable and breathable materials ensure that your employees can work with ease, contributing to overall job satisfaction and productivity.

Customised Aprons at Impact Trading

At Impact Trading, we understand that one size does not fit all. Choose from our selection of beautifully crafted apron styles tailored to meet the specific demands of your profession. Whether it’s the classic bib apron, the functional half apron or the sophisticated bistro apron, each style is designed to offer both aesthetic appeal and practicality. Selecting the right fabric is crucial for comfort and durability, so you can opt for 60-degree wash fabric, polyester/cotton blends, 100% cotton for a soft touch or denim for a rugged, authentic look. For those with a commitment to sustainability, there is also an option for organic and Fairtrade-certified aprons, showcasing our dedication to ethical manufacturing.

Bespoke Aprons

At Impact Trading, we go above and beyond by offering made-to-order aprons, ensuring that each piece meets the unique requirements of your business. The diverse range of fabrics includes half Panama, bull denim, denim, organic denim, recycled coffee sacks, coated cotton and Pantone-dyed half Panama aprons. We can also dye all our aprons in the UK to your specific Pantone colour, and each apron, regardless of the chosen fabric or style, is superbly stitched and finished at our UK factory.

We feel that the benefits of customised aprons extend beyond design and aesthetics. They can also play a pivotal role in shaping your business’s brand identity, enhancing employee morale and creating a positive impression on customers. Our commitment to excellence, ethical practices and unmatched customisation options makes our aprons an indispensable choice for businesses looking to elevate their professional image.

How to create an apron with a logo and promote your brand.

The service we provide.

One of our most popular products is our apron with a logo. We take great pride in supplying top-quality, branded aprons. We understand that as well as being practical your apron with a logo needs to perfectly reflect your brand image. A well-designed apron can be the perfect walking advertisement for your company. Our dedicated team will work closely with you to produce an apron that will look great, feel comfortable, be easy to care for and create a sense of unity with your staff.

Our stock range of aprons with a logo

 We have a wide range of aprons available in our stock range and the beauty of this route is the quick turnaround. The whole process can take two weeks from placing your order to delivery.

We can supply colourful polyester cotton twill aprons that are robust and retain their colour after multiple washes, right through to 100% Fairtrade and Organic for a sustainable apron that looks great and is kind to the environment.

Our bespoke apron service.

Our design team are ready and waiting to work with you on something more unique. The fabric is our starting point. We work closely with our mills to select the right fabric for your brief. We will send you swatches to approve along with any other details such as eyelets and metal neck adjusters. Once you are happy, the next stage will be to produce an initial sample. The sample stage is very important. It is an opportunity to see the design, review all the details and make any amendments.

Customising your apron

Adding your logo is the final touch. It serves as a visual representation of your brand and can leave a lasting impression on your customers. We have a talented team of embroiderers and printers who will advise on the best method to achieve an image that stands out and conveys quality and professionalism. Whether it is embroidery or print, the details create a sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

If you would like to speak to a member of our team about a future order, please click this link.

Customised Printed Apron.

An excellent way for you to stand out from the crowd and promote your brand is with our customised printed apron. You can create a strong, unique and vibrant look with an all-over print. Our team can help you to produce the perfect apron that will develop a sense of unity amongst your employees.

Stunning vibrancy of print.

A customised printed apron is the perfect solution for creating an apron with a large, detailed image. Your apron literally becomes a customised piece of artwork. There is no limit to the size or the number of colours in your logo or image. The results are stunning and far beyond anything that we can achieve with a traditional screen print.

Embed your logo as part of the image.

The beauty of this process is the flexibility to add your logo into the image, rather than having to add it afterwards at an extra cost.

It all starts with a high-resolution image.

Your artwork is reproduced using a library of hundreds of colours into a high-quality photographic image with excellent colour consistency. We achieve this by using reactive inks that have an excellent wash and rub fastness for durability.

Fabric

We carefully source all our fabric and use high-quality durable 300 gsm half Panama cotton. Ideal for aprons, this fabric quality comes in both regular and 100% organic cotton, for a more sustainable product.

Fast turnaround

Once the artwork has been agreed and you are happy with the print proof, the printing process is fast and very efficient. A pre-production sample is produced for you to review the completed design.

Low minimums.

The minimum for a customised printed apron is 32. The technology allows us to produce short print runs. We print out each apron as an entire pattern piece and cut it out by hand.

Flexibility

Adjustments are easy. We review the all aspects of the design, adjust them accordingly and re-print the apron.

Carry the design through to other customised products.

Once you are happy with your customised printed apron, we are able to reproduce the same design on to tea towels, oven gloves, tote bags, cushions and even washbags. All these products will make perfect customised gifts.

If you would like to discuss a future order with one of our team please click the link.

Design Your Brand’s Signature With Aprons Made to Order

Are you in search of the perfect apron design that aligns seamlessly with your brand’s identity? Then look no further – at Impact Trading, we specialise in crafting bespoke aprons made to order which are tailored to your unique specifications and brand requirements. Our customisation options extend across various design elements, allowing you to create aprons that truly stand out.

Fabric Choices

From organically constructed cotton twill and Fairtrade cotton to denim, polyester/cotton twill, and even coated fabric, we offer a diverse range of high-quality materials to suit your preferences.

Pocket Configuration

Choose not only the number of pockets but also their strategic placement, ensuring functionality and convenience for your specific work environment.

Size Customisation

Tailor the apron’s dimensions to your liking, adjusting both length and width for the perfect fit.

Fastening Options

Personalise your aprons further with a choice of fastenings, including metal or plastic options, buckles, d-rings or Velcro closures.

Tie Details

Select the tie length, colour, fabric and even leather to add the finishing touch to your branded aprons.

Colour Choices

We understand the importance of colour in brand representation, so we offer over 100 different stock fabric colours. Provide us with your colour preferences using references such as Pantone colours, colour samples or item examples, and we’ll precisely match them. For those seeking a truly exclusive colour match, we offer Pantone dyeing for aprons, which ensures a seamless integration with your brand’s colour palette.

Our ability to match paint colour charts, CMYK references or even paintwork colours underscore our commitment to delivering a customised branding solution. We request a minimum apron order of just 50 items so we can cater to businesses of all sizes. Take inspiration from our past projects, such as supplying aprons to the Handmade Bakery, where we precisely dyed their aprons to match their Farrow and Ball painted walls. You will receive a sample of the fabric for you to approve before we proceed with the entire order, ensuring satisfaction with the colour match.

Aprons Made in Britain

At Impact Trading, we pride ourselves on manufacturing aprons entirely in Britain and offer transparency in our supply chain. Whether you opt for our ‘Panama’ canvas or choose a polyester/cotton twill fabric option, we guarantee quality and authenticity in every apron. If you are concerned with ethical sourcing, our Fairtrade and organic cotton aprons are created with a commitment to traceability, supporting cotton farmers and upholding the highest standards of ethical certification.

Choose Impact Trading to transform your brand’s identity with aprons made to order that reflect your unique style and values. Please note that our delivery timeline is between 8-9 weeks so we can guarantee that you will receive an individually crafted product that meets and exceeds your expectations. Please contact us today to explore the multiple possibilities of creating aprons uniquely designed for your business.

Premier Aprons

Premier workwear is an established company who have been supplying to trade suppliers for many years.  One of their key products is aprons, they have a huge range of styles, colours, and ethical certifications. 

Our customers

Although we manufacturer and supply bespoke made to order aprons, some of our customers choose stock options because it fits in with their deadline, budget or requirements.  These are quite often premier aprons as they have a range that caters for many requirements.

Ethical

Premier aprons have several styles which have ethical credentials such as Fairtrade, organic or recycled. This is an area that we specialise in, particularly on our other site Cotton Roots.

Premium

If you are looking for something that is more of a premium look, premier aprons have a selection that may suit the style you need such as an artisan, industrial or bistro.

Colours

One of the big advantages of premier aprons is their huge colour range. They have over 60 colours accross all their styles which makes it perfect for someone who needs a small quantity or has a short lead time but needs a Pantone matched colour. 

Apron specialists

If you need to source aprons for your business, we can help you with stock and bespoke options. We supply restaurants, outside caterers, street food chains, hotels, food brands, nurseries and many other business’s . We can help you find the best style and colour for your branding. Contact the design team today on 01908 290482

We supply Aprons in Bulk

Where is started

Traditionally aprons are a piece of clothing that covers the front half of the body to protect the clothing underneath. The word originates from the French word napron, which was a small tablecloth that covered the main table cloth to protect it from food spills.

Aprons today

Today aprons have become about much more than just the protection of clothing, they have become a huge part of the brand identity for businesses, especially in the hospitality and catering sector. Companies order aprons in bulk and then brand them with their logos, they make up part or all of their staff’s uniform.

Bespoke Aprons

At Impact Trading we supply aprons in bulk, these can either be made to order such as Pantone dyed, bespoke style or with specific pockets. By making bespoke you can have branding which is not possible on stock aprons, such as an all over print or an embroidery on a small pocket. Our design team sample the apron before the order goes ahead so we can make sure it is exactly what the customer wants.

Stock Aprons

Impact Trading have a large range of stock aprons in a wide range of styles and colours, there is often a style which suits our customers.  We can arrange samples to be sent out so the customer can check the size, colour and quality.  These can then have branding added such as an embroidered logo or a printed slogan.

How can we help you

If you are looking for a supplier of aprons in bulk, please get in touch with us. We can talk through your requirements and arrange samples, print proofs and embroidery samples before we go into production so you can be completely confident in the product you will be receiving. Call the team on 01908 290482 or email [email protected]

Bespoke half apron with pockets.

The classic half apron with pockets is one of our core products. It has been part of our aim to create something unique for our customers. Half aprons are an essential part of any hospitality uniform and can be both a perfect blank canvas for promoting your brand and an essential key garment for front of house catering.

We design our bespoke half apron with pockets individually to meet all our customer’s needs. Our design team carefully source and test all the materials and components.

We only work with quality fabric mills and suppliers, and take great care when choosing fabrics.

One of our tried and tested fabrics is the 100% cotton canvas half panama. The weave has a distinctive 2 weft threads to one warp, giving the fabric a unique look and adding to its durability. It really is the perfect fabric for hard wearing aprons.

We have a wide range of colours to choose from and can also Pantone dye fabric to match your company’s brand colour.

Half Apron with Pockets

The Design Process

The design process for our half aprons starts with the customer’s brief. You can choose the length and width, the size, position and number of pockets you want. You can add details such brass eyelets, studs and a variety of straps.

The ultimate detail to add quality and exclusivity to an apron is leather. This can be incorporated into the straps, which can then be removed for laundering. Brass eyelets and poppers are the perfect features for attaching the leather straps. We can reinforce the apron corners to give extra strength where the eyelets are attached.

The leather is carefully selected to look beautiful and feel soft to wear.  One of our most popular straps are a combination of leather and webbing. This way you get the beauty of leather but the practicality and ease of webbing.

On the half apron with pockets, the pockets are the key feature and are carefully considered and are determined by the wearer’s role. The pocket needs to accommodate all the items that the wearer will need to carry and have access to. The pockets need to be deep enough to safely hold items such has iPad or phones but also separated if items need to be kept in different places.

Final Details

The final stage in the design process of our half aprons is to add our customers branding. We will carefully consider how best to achieve this whilst working alongside our customers brief. This may involve a detailed embroidery, print or a bespoke woven label. All of which can either be large and very visible or subtle and understated.

All our half aprons are hand cut in our production room. The customer’s pattern and design details are carefully recorded and stored for future orders.

We will always produce an initial sample half apron for our customer to approve. This is a key stage in the design process and gives us an opportunity review and amend any details.

The sample stage is also an important point for our customer to receive and get a glimpse of their new design.

It is always great to see the finished results being worn in their new environment!

Leather Straps on Aprons

 

We are often asked for artisan style aprons and one feature that is always of interest is the straps. Customers who are looking for something unique and special often love leather, as it’s a great way of adding quality.

The main stumbling block with leather is it cannot easily be cleaned.  You can’t put the leather straps in a washing machine with the aprons, so we wanted to find a way for the straps to be easily removed for laundering.

The flexibility to remove the straps means that they become interchangeable.  As well as solving the laundering issue, it means that you change the look of the apron depending on which straps are attached.

The easiest way to achieve this flexibility is to attach the straps though metal eyelets, using heavy duty metal snap fasteners. At the point where the eyelets and straps are attached, an extra piece of fabric is sewn to reinforce the corner for extra strength. These can also be made into a feature with contrast stitching or fabric. The most popular choice of eyelet and popper is Antique Brass or Nickel.  Buckles can also easily be matched.

When cared for correctly, leather can last much longer than fabric and so this method means that one leather strap can be used for several aprons, therefore making it very economical.

A good intermediate design is to combine leather and webbing. The leather is used for the most visible part of the strap, that attaches to the apron. The webbing is attached to leather to make tying the straps easy and flexible, without the need for buckles. This option can also be less expensive.

Leather and Webbing Straps

We carefully source the best leather, that is both soft to wear against the skin, easy to adjust but very durable. Different colours can be sourced, we certainly don’t have to stick to the traditional browns and blacks.

Our customers love their bespoke aprons with leather straps and frequently return for repeat orders.

All the Small Things…

Something that we have learnt over the years at Impact Trading and Cotton Roots is that the tiniest of details can make the biggest impact.

One garment that can be brimming with tiny details is our bespoke, made to order aprons. From metal accents and bold colours to tiny stitches and delicate prints, these are the some of the options our design team can offer, to help you find the best way to make your ideas really pop.  

Some of our Antique Brass Eyelets

If an industrial or vintage feel is what you have in mind for your brand, adding rivets, eyelets, poppers or leather could help you achieve this look.

Webbing and fabric straps with metal adjusters. A central line of red top stitching can really change the way denim looks.

Small accents of colour can be added to your designs from bar tacks or contrast stitching. Another way of adding colour to a simple apron could be to have your logo or signature printed onto your webbing straps like Michel and Alain Roux. A striped webbing or printed strap can add a flash of colour to a simple denim apron and adding different fastening such as toggles, poppers or dungaree clips can really make an impact.

One of our most colourful, fully printed aprons.

If plain isn’t really your thing then maybe a pantone dyed apron, or digitally printed apron might be more to your taste like the example above.