Beyond the whites, decorators need kit for sanding dust, outdoor painting in sun and wind, and long days on ladders and steps. They also need kit that can be cleaned easily or replaced without fuss.
Why whites still work
Emulsion splashes on white barely show, and a white bib and brace or painter's trousers look professional even after a few days on the job. Many decorators also like grey or stone for a modern look. Dark colours show every drip.
White polycotton can be washed hot and comes back bright, but dried gloss and oil-based paint may not come out at all. Keep a set for best and a set for messy jobs.
Prep is the dirty part
Sanding filler and old paint produces fine dust. On older properties, old paint may contain lead; dry sanding it is dangerous and needs special controls. Disposable coveralls, dust masks suited to the job and dust sheets protect you and the client's home. Your risk assessment should set the controls. Wash prep clothing separately from household laundry, and change before eating or getting back in the van.
Outside work
Painting windows, fascias and render puts decorators on ladders and scaffolds in the sun. A cap and long sleeves reduce sun exposure. A softshell or gilet cuts the wind on cool spring days without being too warm. Overspray and drips are less noticeable on white, but grime from old timber is more noticeable. Choose safety footwear with a sole that grips ladder rungs.
Where to put your logo
On white kit, a dark or colour logo gives strong contrast. Embroider the left chest of sweatshirts and polos, and consider the bib of a bib and brace, which is visible even without a jacket. Print your business name and phone number large across the back of T-shirts for exterior jobs, where passers-by see you on the ladder. Embroidery copes better than print with hot washes and scrubbing out paint.
Ordering for painters and decorators
Most painters and decorators start with coveralls and bib and brace, cotton T-shirts and disposable coveralls and overshoes. You can order from one garment and add more as you take people on. The logo price drops at 9 and again at 25 garments, and every garment with a small logo counts towards it, so mixing styles and colours still gets the better price. Before anything is made, we embroider an actual sample of your logo and email you a photo to approve, or you can pop in to our Hull workshop to see it.
