Hotel uniforms: 85 embroidered polo shirts and sweatshirts

In late 2025 we put together hotel uniforms for a hotel in Riga city centre: 60 polo shirts for reception and restaurant staff, and 25 zip-up sweatshirts for the technical team and the morning shift. Printing method — embroidery on the left chest (70 mm wide logo, 3 colours) plus a small embroidered text on the sleeve; the whole order was completed in 8 business days. Indicative pricing at this volume: polo shirts from EUR 18/pc, sweatshirt from EUR 32/pc excl. VAT, including embroidery in one position.

We only publish the client's name and photos with written consent; in this case the hotel asked us not to name them, so we describe only the process, materials and figures.

The brief and constraints

The hotel had three different staff groups with different needs: reception (needs to look representable, light colour), restaurant (frequent washing, dark colour so stains don't show) and housekeeping/technical staff (warm layer, pockets, durable fabric).

The main requirements we received at the start of the project:

• one logo across all groups, only the garment colour differs;
• printing that withstands at least 40–50 washes at 40°C;
• the option to reorder the same models and sizes after 2–3 months;
• a budget of up to EUR 2,500 excl. VAT for the whole set.

That third point in particular determined our choice of models — we chose items from our catalogue that are regularly in stock, rather than seasonal models.

Choosing materials: why 200 g/m² polo and cotton-polyester

In a hotel environment garments are washed frequently, so a thin 160 g/m² polo shirt starts looking worn after a couple of months — the collar stretches, the fabric becomes see-through. We offered a 200–220 g/m² piqué-knit polo in a 65/35 or 50/50 cotton-polyester blend: the polyester holds its shape and creases less, while the cotton keeps it comfortable during a shift.

For the sweatshirts we chose a 280–300 g/m² cotton-polyester fabric with a full-length zip and side pockets. Dark grey turned out to be the most practical colour — dust and fluff show up very clearly on black fabric, while stains show up on light fabric.

Size breakdown

Before placing the order, the hotel's administrator collected sizes from all staff, and we added size samples (S, M, L, XL) for a two-day trial. This is a step we recommend not skipping: around 15–20% of staff change their initially stated size after trying on the samples. We also ordered 6 spare shirts (2×M, 2×L, 2×XL) for new employees.

Order breakdown and indicative prices

Prices are indicative, excl. VAT, and depend on quantity, model and the number of print positions. At 100+ units, the price per shirt usually drops by 10–15%, as the embroidery setup cost is spread over a larger volume. You can browse current models and materials in our clothing printing and sweatshirts and jackets sections.

Embroidery, DTF or screen printing — how we decided

For hotel uniforms we almost always recommend embroidery: it looks representable, withstands industrial washing and doesn't lose colour. DTF and screen printing are cheaper and better suited to large, colourful graphics, for example on event T-shirts.

In this project the logo had three colours with a thin text line under the mark. We don't recommend embroidering text smaller than 4 mm, as the letters blur together. So we adapted the logo: the mark was embroidered at 70 mm wide, but we dropped the slim, thin tagline and moved the text to the sleeve at a larger size.

Files and timelines

We received the logo as a vector file (.ai), which is the best option — embroidery digitising needs clean outlines and Pantone or CMYK colour references. If a logo is only available as JPG or PNG, we redraw it first; this usually takes 1–2 business days.

The project timeline was as follows:

• Day 1 — quote and model list; client confirms the budget;
• Days 2–3 — size samples at the hotel, files sent for approval;
• Day 4 — embroidery sample on the same fabric, client approves the colours;
• Days 5–8 — embroidery for the full order, packing by group and size.

The standard lead time for garment printing is 5–10 business days after artwork approval, depending on quantity and model availability. We take on urgent jobs by agreement — 60 polo shirts with one embroidery position can realistically be ready in 5 business days if the model is in stock.

What to add to uniform orders

Hotels often also need small extras that get ordered separately and end up costing more in the end. In this project we additionally made name badges and stickers for doors and the lift area; the next round is planned to include towels for the spa area and mugs for the breakfast area. It's more cost-effective to combine such items into a single order — see promotional products with logo and stickers.

Frequently asked questions

What's the minimum quantity for hotel uniform orders?

We also work with single pieces, for example when a new employee needs to be outfitted. For small quantities of embroidery, you need to factor in a one-off digitising fee (around EUR 20–30), but if we've already digitised the logo before, there's no extra charge.

Can we order the same shirts again in six months?

Yes, provided the models chosen are from our catalogue and are regularly supplied. We keep the order specification on file: model, colour code, size breakdown and embroidery file, so a repeat order only needs a single email.

Does embroidery withstand industrial washing at 60°C?

Embroidery itself holds up well, but the limiting factor is usually the fabric and colour fastness. If the garment will be washed at 60°C or dry-cleaned, we recommend at least 50% polyester content and a test wash on one sample beforehand.

What file format should the logo be sent in?

Vector graphics are preferred — .ai, .eps or .pdf with fonts converted to outlines, in CMYK or Pantone colours. We accept raster files (JPG, PNG), but we redraw them before embroidery.

How long does it take from order to delivery?

Usually 5–10 business days after artwork approval. An order of 60–90 units with one embroidery position realistically takes 7–8 business days, including size samples and sample approval.

Can you also print caps and aprons?

Yes, we use the same embroidery file to decorate caps, aprons and towels. Combining them into a single order reduces setup costs.

If you're planning hotel uniforms for this season, send us your logo and an approximate size breakdown at info@attaprint.lv or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699 — we'll prepare a quote with specific models and prices within one business day.