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Apron and Tabard Guide

  • Aprons

    THE COMPLETE BUYERS GUIDE TO APRONS

    Aprons are an incredibly versatile and useful garment. They’re used in practically every industry, from food and beverage to hospitality to healthcare to even manufacturing.They provide coverage from spills, accidents, messes and stains – keeping your staff’s clothes clean and neat. Your business will benefit from the added level of professionalism that a quality apron provides. Your staff will look like a​team, united and whole, with a uniform dress code. A great apron will not only be functional, but it will also help inject some of your brand and business’ personality into your crew. There are many different apron types and styles to choose from. What you’ll need boils down to what your business requires, and, of course, personal taste.

WHO WEARS APRONS?

Bib Aprons

Bib aprons are perhaps the most popular style, and what immediately comes to mind when you think of aprons. It’s characterized by full body protection from the chest to the knees. It comes with a neck strap and waist ties to make sure the apron is secure.
This style sacrifices a little bit of mobility for more coverage. It’s best for staff who come into contact with dirt and germs on a regular basis, especially to avoid cross-contamination. Bib aprons work well for chefs, bussers, and cleaning staff.

Waist Aprons

Also known as half-aprons, waist aprons only provide coverage for the lower half of the body, from the waist down to mid-thigh or the knees. You can get waist aprons with pockets for more functionality.
Waist aprons are a great choice for waiters and front of house staff that need to move around a lot for their work. It provides the right amount of safety and coverage, with significantly less restriction than bib-type aprons. Since there’s less fabric, it’s also usually much cooler and more comfortable.

Tabards

You probably associate tabards with healthcare, cleaning, and school staff, since these have a higher level of protection and coverage on the chest. However, these are becoming more and more popular with catering staff as well.
Tabards can end at hip level or go all the way down to the knees. They cover both the front​and​ the back, unlike traditional aprons. They are a multi-functional apron that can be used in any industry or trade.

APRON FABRICS

After style, fabric or material is the next most important thing to consider when choosing the right apron for your business. You need to choose something that is comfortable, durable, and fits your needs and budget.

Cotton

An affordable and popular option for many aprons, cotton provides the wearer with more mobility while keeping them cool and on-the-go. They’re easy to clean and highly breathable, perfect for workers in the kitchen.

Pros​: Cheap, natural, machine-washable, breathable, comfortable, versatile, hypoallergenic, lightweight

Cons​: Not water resistant, wrinkles easily, prone to shrinking, not as durable

Cost:As low as £4.97 per apron

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric material that is incredibly tough and durable. It dries quickly, which means that it’s great for workers who find themselves in wet conditions often, like dishwashers. Polyester aprons are machine-washable, hypoallergenic, and don’t shrink or warp over time.

Pros​: Inexpensive, durable, dries quickly, flexible, wrinkle and shrink-resistant, professional-looking

Cons:​ Not as breathable, temperature sensitive, colours are prone to fading

Cost:As low as £4.46 per apron

Polycotton

Combining the best of both worlds, polycotton is a mixture of polyester and cotton. It’s very popular to see polycotton blends not just in aprons but for many clothes in general because it’s stronger and more versatile than either cotton or polyester.

Pros​: strong, long-lasting, soft, affordable, breathable, maintains colours well, shrink and wrinkle-resistant

Cons​: less breathable than cotton, not ideal for hot weather, more casual than polished

Cost:As low as £3.92 per apron

Denim

Denim aprons are an increasingly popular choice for today’s modern and practical-minded millennial business owners. Originally created for workers, denim is tough, trendy, and the right amount of casual.

Pros​: unique, tough and thick material, always in style, modern, edgy, matches any style of clothing

Cons​: heavy when wet, not breathable nor flexible, more expensive than other apron fabrics, could be too casual, colour prone to fading.

Cost:As low as £6.26 per apron

APRON STYLES AND TRENDS

Aprons used to be very traditional and plain, since they mostly served a functional purpose. Today’s business owners, however, are starting to see how aprons can promote their business and their brand. You can add a personal stylistic touch to your business by choosing more trendy or stylish aprons.
Denim aprons are all the rage recently since they have a more casual and friendly vibe. Waitstaff decked out in denim aprons look more down to earth and approachable, while still looking polished and professional.
Aprons can come in different colours and patterns.
You can stick to a universally flattering neutral like black or white, or you can inject some of your brand’s personality into it with bright shades and interesting textures.

POPULAR APRON BRANDS AND MANUFACTURERS

There are many manufacturers of workers clothing and uniform garments. Banksford carries only vetted and high-quality brands for our aprons. We are official distributors of the following apron brands:

Dennys ​- Dennys has over 175 years of experience in manufacturing garments for the workforce. Thousands of customers around the world love Dennys’ wide range of styles and choices.

Chef Works​- If modern and edgy are words you would use to describe your brand, Chef Works is the right supplier for you. Their casual, street-inspired collections are the epitome of fashionable and functional workwear.

Alexandra​ – One of the most popular industry names, Alexandra has been designing and manufacturing workwear since 1854. They have a huge range of off-the-shelf aprons for every type of profession. They are also part of the Ethical Trading Initiative, and put a premium on their workers’ rights.

Kustom Kit – Kustom Kit is Europe’s largest supplier of quality workwear. They make high-quality, high-performance uniforms for the hospitality sector. As their name implies, their aprons are fully customizable with your company branding.

Premier Workwear – With an unparalleled range, Premier Workwear has been a leader of workwear design and manufacturing for 18 years. Their specialist aprons are trendy, smart, and stylish – and come in up to 60 different colours to boot. They also boast ethical office and production processes.

PERSONALISE YOUR APRONS

No matter what style or fabric you choose, make your aprons your own. You can personalise it with your company logo or name to promote your business and set you apart from the rest.

Banksford offers apron customisation in just a few simple steps. For a smart touch that adds great texture, embroidery is the way to go. A quality embroidered logo shows off your company’s professionalism and class. They’re usually a little more expensive than other options, but you get unique, long-lasting, and high-quality branding. Embroidery won’t fade due to wear or washing, and is durable even in hot working environments.

If you’re looking for a beautiful but budget-friendly option, we can print your business name or logo at an affordable price. You can choose the size, colours, and details that match your brand’s personality. Our printed designs are a cost-effective way to deliver a message to your customers and make a lasting impression.