For any business that needs to kit out a team, bulk ordering is almost always the smartest financial decision. Here's how it works and what you need to know before placing a large order.

How bulk pricing works

Garment manufacturers and suppliers price workwear on a sliding scale — the more units you order, the lower the cost per item. This is because setup costs (for embroidery, screen printing or simply picking and packing) are spread across a larger number of units. The savings can be substantial: ordering 50 polo shirts instead of 10 can reduce the per-unit cost by 20–40%.

Planning your bulk order

Before placing a large order, take the time to:

• Audit your current uniform stock — what needs replacing now, and what will need replacing within 12 months?
• Collect sizing data — get accurate sizes from every team member, allowing for the fact that workwear sizing varies by brand
• Consider future hires — ordering a small quantity of the most common sizes (M, L, XL) as spares saves paying full price for individual items later
• Plan your customisation — agree on your logo, colour and placement before the order goes in

Quality vs price

The cheapest garment is rarely the best value. A low-cost polo shirt that lasts one season costs more in the long run than a quality garment that lasts three years. When evaluating workwear, consider cost-per-wash rather than purchase price.

Working with a supplier

A good workwear supplier will help you plan your order, advise on garment selection and manage the customisation process from artwork to delivery. Look for a supplier who offers:

• Pre-production proofs for embroidery and print
• Named account management for large orders
• Reorder capability to match previous orders exactly
• Stock management or call-off order options for ongoing supply

At WrapandCover.co.uk, we handle bulk orders of all sizes for businesses, schools and organisations across the UK. Find out more about our bulk order service or book a free consultation.