Custom Jackets: Everything You Need to Know About Jacket Design
Whether you’re creating branded merchandise, kitting out your team or launching your own clothing brand, custom jackets are one of the most versatile garments you can invest in.
Unlike t-shirts or hoodies, jackets are often worn for years, making them an excellent choice for businesses that want lasting visibility and high-quality branded clothing. They’re also more complex to customise, so choosing the right garment, decoration method and artwork from the beginning makes a huge difference.
This guide explains how to design a jacket, the best options for jacket printing, how embroidery compares to print, and the key things to consider before placing an order. Whether you’re ordering some samples or a large batch for your business, you’ll know exactly where to start.
Why Choose Custom Jackets?
A great jacket becomes part of someone’s everyday wardrobe. Unlike promotional t-shirts that might only be worn occasionally, a well-made jacket is something people reach for repeatedly, giving your brand visibility throughout the year. Custom jackets also create a professional image for teams and can even strengthen commercial relationships with clients.
That’s why custom jackets are popular for company uniforms, branded merchandise, staff clothing, sports teams, clothing brands, and even event giveaways.
They’re also perceived as a more premium garment. A quality jacket with a professionally embroidered company logo or printed design often creates a stronger impression than cheaper promotional items.
How to Design a Jacket That People Actually Want to Wear
The best jacket designs start long before the artwork.
Ask yourself:
- Who will wear it?
- What’s the occasion?
- Should it feel subtle or make a statement?
- Will it be worn every day or only at events?
If you’re designing jackets for employees, comfort and durability are just as important as branding. If you’re creating merchandise, style becomes equally important.
The strongest designs usually keep branding clean and understated. A small chest logo, sleeve detail or embroidered back design often looks more premium than covering every available space. Think of the jacket as clothing first and advertising second.
Choosing the Right Jacket
Not every jacket is suitable for every decoration method. The right choice depends on how the garment will be used.
Popular jacket styles include bomber jackets, varsity jackets, softshell jackets, padded jackets, and lightweight jackets. A lightweight softshell may suit staff working outdoors, while a bomber jacket might be the better option for retail merchandise. If sustainability matters to your business, many garments are now available in recycled polyester and organic materials without compromising quality.
You’ll also want to consider available colours, men’s, women’s and unisex fits, sizing and whether the garment is designed specifically for customisation.
Jacket Printing vs Embroidery
One of the biggest decisions is choosing between jacket printing and embroidery.
Custom Embroidered Jackets
Custom embroidered jackets are ideal when you want a premium finish.
Embroidery offers:
- exceptional durability
- professional appearance
- textured finish
- excellent longevity
It’s particularly popular for company uniforms, workwear and corporate branding.
Custom Printed Jackets
Printing on jackets works well for larger graphics, colourful artwork and more detailed designs.
Depending on the garment, suitable methods include:
Some jackets aren’t suitable for every printing method because of certain fabrics, seams, pockets, waterproof coatings or internal linings. We can always can recommend the best method based on both the garment and your artwork.
Preparing Your Artwork
Even a fantastic idea can produce disappointing results if the artwork isn’t production ready. Whenever possible, provide vector artwork such as AI, EPS or PDF files. These allow logos and graphics to be scaled without losing quality.
If you’re planning custom embroidery, your design will also need digitising before production.
Artwork should also take into account:
- logo placement
- colour contrast
- garment material
- zip and pocket positions
- printed labels if required
At ICON, every order receives a visual PDF proof before production begins, giving you the opportunity to approve everything before printing starts. If file formats are new to you, head over to our blog “File facts: a beginners guide to file formats for custom t-shirt designs” for more tips and tricks on choosing the best file format for for your design.
Can I Use My Own Jacket?
Absolutely. Many of our customers choose to supply their brand’s own jacket, particularly when they’ve already selected a specific style to go with their design. However, not every jacket is suitable for customisation.
Internal linings, waterproof fabrics, pockets and construction details can affect where designs can be printed or embroidered. We’ll always check your garment first and recommend the best approach.
Alternatively, you can choose from our carefully selected range of garments specifically chosen for custom decoration, helping ensure the highest possible finish.
Why Work With ICON Printing?
Creating outstanding custom printed jackets isn’t simply about adding a logo to a garment. It’s about selecting the right jacket, choosing the most suitable decoration method and making sure every detail works together.
Our team will help you:
- choose the right garment
- recommend the best printing or embroidery method
- check your artwork before production
- advise on placement and sizing
- deliver high-quality branded clothing built to last
Whether you’re creating uniforms, launching merchandise or looking to sell custom jackets, we’re here to help you create something people will genuinely want to wear.
Ready to Create Your Own Custom Jackets?
Whether you’re ordering branded uniforms, promotional merchandise or clothing for your own brand, the right design and decoration method make all the difference.
At ICON Printing, we help businesses, creators and organisations produce premium custom jackets with professional printing, embroidery and expert advice from start to finish. However, we don’t just produce jackets. We also offer custom clothing printing across a wide range of garments, from t-shirts and hoodies to workwear and other promotional apparel.
Get in touch today at sales@iconprinting.com or Get a Quick Quote online and let’s create jackets your team or customers will actually want to wear.
Frequently Asked Questions about Personalised Jackets and Custom Jacket Design
How do I add a company logo to a jacket?
The most common methods are embroidery, screen printing, transfer printing and DTF printing. The best option depends on the jacket material, logo size and the finish you’re looking for.
How much does it cost to embroider a logo on a jacket?
The cost depends on factors such as stitch count, garment choice, order quantity and logo size. Larger orders generally reduce the cost per jacket.
How can I design my own jacket?
Start by choosing the right jacket style and deciding where your branding should appear. Then prepare high-quality artwork and work with a professional printer to choose the most suitable decoration method.
What are the most popular jacket design styles?
Some of the most popular options include bomber jackets, varsity jackets, softshell jackets, padded jackets and waterproof jackets. The right choice depends on your audience, brand and intended use.