What’s included in Corporate Merch for HoReCa in 2025
In 2025, corporate merch for HoReCa turned from simple work clothes into a full-fledged tool of the brand’s communication. Institutions strive to create a holistic atmosphere – from the interior to the appearance of staff. That is why corporate merch includes not only clothes, but also accessories, textiles and individual elements that shape the emotional experience of the guest.
Most cafes, restaurants and bakeries order:
- Apron with logo as a basic element of the work form;
- T-shirts and basic shirts with branding;
- caps, baseball caps or bandanas for chefs;
- eco-bags with identity;
- towels and napkins for the bar station;
- fleece or knitted sweaters for staff on terraces;
The 2025 approach is not just to dress a team, but to create a visual story. Guests associate the brand with details: the color of the form, the aesthetics of the aprons, the type of shirts, the accuracy of the logo. That is why corporate merch has become a continuation of marketing: it enhances the atmosphere, consolidates identity, creates recognizability and even affects the level of trust of guests.
For businesses that are just launching or updating the style, corporate merch is an opportunity to stand out from competitors, form a first impression and create a visual standard in the institution. Therefore, in 2025, institutions invest not just in clothing, but in stylish, high-quality and durable merch, which is adapted to the conditions of intensive work of HoReCa.
Apron with a logo as a base of staff form
The apron with the logo has long been the main element of the working form in HoReCa. In 2025, this position remains key, because the apron combines three important functions: protects clothes, structures the image of staff and acts as a carrier of the brand. Due to this, it plays the role of both practical and marketing tools.
The apron with the logo is the first thing a guest pays attention to when he sees a barista, a waiter or a baker. It helps to quickly identify the employee and creates a sense of organization. In addition, the apron enhances the branded atmosphere: color, cut, fabric type and logo style form the visual mood of the institution. For example, a linen apron emphasizes the naturalness and environmental friendliness of the bakery, and denim – a modern and casual style of the cafe.
Another important advantage is versatility. The apron is suitable for any position: barista, waiter, cook, administrator, cashier. Due to this, the institution can create a holistic image of the staff, regardless of the roles in the team. This is especially important for brands who want a guest to see a single style – even if there are different elements in the form.
In 2025, popular models — Denim aprons, flax aprons, oxford, gabardine, twill, as well as combined options with leather straps. But regardless of the material, the main component is the right branding, which makes the apron with the logo part of the corporate identity of the institution.
How to Choose Fabrics for Corporate Merch Who Stand Daily Jobs
HoReCa is one of the most intense areas. The staff is constantly subjected to washing, pollution, mechanical influences and high temperatures. Therefore, the choice of fabric for corporate merch is critical: it depends on the durability, appearance and practicality of clothing.
The main fabrics that work best in HoReCa:
Oxford and Twill – Dense, durable, do not lose shape and tolerate frequent washing. Suitable for aprons and work shirts. Twilling is resistant to abrasions, and oxford – to stains and splashes.
Jute and flax – Popular in bakeries and cafes, which emphasize naturalness. They create an aesthetic “manual” image, but require delicate care.
Gabardine – One of the best fabrics for aprons with a logo. It is dense, smooth, easy to clean, does not fade and can withstand intensive work. Gabardine is the best option for cafes and restaurants with high workload.
Polycoton – universal mixture fabric used for T-shirts and shirts. It combines the strength of polyester and the comfort of cotton, which is ideal for long-term change.
It is important to consider not only the type of fabric, but also the density. The denser the material, the better it will hold in HoReCa. But excessive density can be uncomfortable for hot kitchens, so the balance between wear resistance and comfort is mandatory.
High-quality fabric selection is an investment in corporate merch that will serve for years, not months.
T-shirts and shirts: their role in creating a holistic image of the brand
T-shirts and shirts are an integral part of corporate merch for HoReCa. Even if the main emphasis is on the apron with the logo, it is the base – the T-shirt or shirt – that determines how neat the staff looks and how comfortable the employee is during the shift.
T-shirts – Ideal for cafes, youth cafes, bakeries and street-food formats. They are comfortable, do not restrict movement and are easily combined with any apron. T-shirts made of polycotton or 100% cotton with high density are most often ordered – such models can withstand frequent washing and retain their shape.
Shirts – Choice for restaurants with a classic or premium style. They create a more formal image and emphasize the level of the institution. Shirts with a logo go well with linen, gabardine and denim aprons, creating a stylish contrast of materials.
In 2025, a popular approach is to combine different types of clothing for different positions: barist T-shirts, administrators’ shirts, and an apron with a logo for the whole team. This approach allows you to achieve both stylistic unity and functional division.
T-shirts and shirts are the base of corporate Merch, which determines the first impression of the institution. They should be both practical, comfortable and stylish, because the staff is a part of the brand that communicates with the guest every day.
Branding methods: how to apply the logo on the apron and work clothes (machine embroidery; silk-screen; sublimation; thermal printing flex and flock)
In HoReCa, the logo on the form is not just a detail. This is a way to make the brand recognizable, emphasize the concept of the institution and create a feeling of order in guests. Therefore, the choice of branding method is a key stage in creating a corporate Merch. Especially when it comes to Apron with logo, which the staff wears daily and subjected to high loads.
Machine embroidery – The most prestigious and reliable way to apply a logo. It creates a three-dimensional, textured, durable sign that does not wear off, does not burn out and looks solid even after years of use. The embroidery is ideal for aprons made of gabardine, denim and twill, where the fabric can withstand dense stitching. If a business wants to make corporate merch as premium as possible, this is the best solution.
Silkscreen – a classic printing method that provides rich, stable colors and clear contours. It is well suited for T-shirts, shirts, light aprons and large batches of merch. The stencil allows you to apply the logo in several colors and can withstand many washing cycles without losing saturation.
Sublimation – a method in which the paint penetrates into the structure of the fabric. This method allows you to create a full-color image with photographic detail. Especially popular in 2025 for modern aprons, where the whole product can be sealed in a corporate pattern or image print. Sublimation is ideal for synthetic fabrics such as polyester and oxford.
Thermal printing (flex and flock) – an option for small orders or complex small elements. Flex creates a smooth, clear film, flock – a soft velvety effect. This is an inexpensive and fast way to branding, but less resistant to very intensive washing, so it is recommended for positions with moderate loads.
The choice of branding method depends on the type of corporate Merch, fabric and working conditions of staff. For everyday aprons with a logo, it is important to choose the most durable methods: embroidery, silk-screen or sublimation.
How to combine corporate merch with each other for different positions in the institution
The right combination of corporate merch is a way to create the perfect image structure, where each position looks according to its responsibilities, but at the same time preserves the integrity of the brand. The most common model in HoReCa is the use of different elements of the form for different roles, but with a single color palette and a common logo.
For example:
- baristas or waiters – T-shirt or shirt + apron with logo;
- administrator – shirt, vest or light sweater + apron or without it;
- Chefs – special jackets, caps or bandanas, often with small branding;
- Bartenders – T-shirt / shirt + denim or tarpaulin apron with reliable straps;
- Terrace staff – Warm sweaters, fleece or skinny in corporate colors.
The apron with the logo often becomes a common detail that unites the team visually. It is easy to combine with different types of basic clothing – from strict shirts to casual T-shirts. This allows you to adapt the form to the functional needs of each position, while maintaining the corporate identity.
Another important element is colors. Even if different clothes are chosen for different roles, it should be made in a common palette: black, graphite, milk, mustard, burgundy – popular options in 2025. The only color scheme makes corporate merch stylish, modern and professional.
It is also important to take into account seasonality: T-shirts – for summer, light shirts and aprons – for the off-season, sweaters and skinny – for winter or work on the terrace. This approach allows staff to work comfortably in any conditions without losing their branded appearance.
Cost and terms of production of aprons with logo and other merch
The price of corporate merch is formed of several key factors: fabric, model complexity, type of branding, circulation and production timing. The most expensive are aprons made of premium materials (jeans, tarpaulin, linen), as well as models with complex design and leather elements. However, such products create the most stylish and durable result.
The apron with the logo, depending on the branding, has different price categories:
- Machine embroidery – more expensive, but as durable as possible;
- Silkscreen – optimal balance of price and stability;
- sublimation – more expensive than a stencil, but allows you to create full-color designs;
- Flex / flock thermal printing – budget option for small circulations.
To get the best price, establishments often order corporate merch in bulk and plan purchases in advance. This allows you to optimize production and reduce the cost of the unit.
In 2025, investments in merch are a contribution not only to the form of staff, but also to brand awareness, the atmosphere of the institution and the experience of guests.
