Shirts
Short-sleeve T-shirts can be designed for Class 2. Long-sleeve shirts with reflective bands on the sleeves can be designed for Class 3. Breathable knit fabric suits hot climates where crews will not keep a vest on.
Workwear · Los Angeles factory
Custom Hi Vis Clothing for Work Crews
Hi vis clothing combines fluorescent background fabric, which stands out in daylight, with retroreflective tape, which shines back in headlights, so workers are seen near traffic and moving equipment. In the US, these garments are designed to ANSI/ISEA 107, which sorts them into Types O, R and P and Performance Classes 1, 2 and 3. Custom Uniform Factory cuts and sews custom high-visibility workwear in its Los Angeles factory from imported fabric, branded for your company, from about 50 pieces per style.
- Minimum order
- About 50 pieces per style
- Production
- Cut & sewn in Los Angeles, imported fabric
- Garments
- Vests, T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, jackets, pants
- Design standard
- ANSI/ISEA 107 (type and class confirmed per style)
High Visibility Wear by style
16 styles in 4 families · each made to order in your fabric, color and branding from 50 pieces.
Short-sleeve high visibility T-shirts
A short-sleeve hi vis T-shirt in breathable knit is the coolest way to keep crews visible in summer heat. We design hi vis shirts around the class your risk assessment calls for, and compliance is confirmed from the fabric and tape test data, not assumed.
Long-sleeve hi vis work shirts
Adding reflective bands around the sleeves is how long-sleeve shirts can be designed for Class 3 visibility, which highway and night crews often need. Long sleeves also protect arms from sun and scrapes on outdoor sites.
Hi vis jackets and outer layers
For cold and wet work, a hi vis jacket has to fit over other clothing and keep its reflective tape visible when worn. Bomber, soft shell, rain and parka styles are all possible, each sized for layering and quoted on the fabric you choose.
Hi vis pants and bib overalls
Pants and bibs with reflective bands at the lower legs are designed as Class E supplemental items, which raise a vest or shirt to Class 3 for night and high-speed work. We make them in solid fluorescent fabrics or dark work fabrics with reflective banding.
Customize your safety vests
Pick the style, fabric and colors, add your logo and names, then attach the design to your quote. We cut and sew it in Los Angeles from 50 pieces per style.
How does high visibility clothing work?
High visibility clothing works by pairing two materials: fluorescent fabric that looks brighter than its surroundings in daylight and dusk, and retroreflective tape that returns headlight beams to the driver at night. Placement matters as much as quantity, because bands around the torso, arms and legs outline a human shape drivers recognize.
- Fluorescent background material converts invisible ultraviolet light into visible light, so the fabric looks brighter than its surroundings in daylight, dusk and fog. The standard allows three background colors: fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent red.
- Retroreflective material (reflective tape or combined-performance material) returns light from headlights straight back to the driver, so the wearer stands out at night.
Types and classes of hi vis workwear
Hi vis workwear is sorted by ANSI/ISEA 107 into three types by where it is worn and three performance classes by how much visible material it carries. Type O is off-road, Type R is roadway and Type P is public safety; Class 3 carries the most material and always includes sleeves.
ANSI/ISEA 107-2020, the American National Standard for high-visibility safety apparel from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), is the current published edition at the time of writing; check for a newer edition before you specify.
| Type and class | Typical use | Minimum background | Minimum retroreflective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type O, Class 1 | Off-road: warehouses, parking lots, oil fields | 217 sq in | 155 sq in |
| Type R, Class 2 | Roadway and right-of-way work | 775 sq in | 201 sq in |
| Type R, Class 3 | Roadway work with faster traffic, night work, poor visibility | 1,240 sq in | 310 sq in |
| Type P, Class 2 | Public safety: police, fire, EMS (emergency medical services) | 450 sq in | 201 sq in |
| Type P, Class 3 | Public safety with higher exposure | 775 sq in | 310 sq in |
The standard also allows smaller background minimums for the smallest size offered in some classes, and defines Class E for supplemental pants, shorts and bibs that create a Class 3 ensemble when worn with a Class 2 top. Our ANSI 107 hi-vis classes guide explains each type, class and material test in plain language.
Hi vis shirts, jackets, pants and vests
Hi vis shirts, jackets, pants and vests each solve a different visibility problem, and most crew programs combine two or three of them. Shirts suit hot weather, jackets cover cold and wet work, Class E pants complete a Class 3 ensemble at night, and vests add visibility over an existing uniform.
Jackets
Jackets and outer layers for cold and wet work are sized to fit over other clothing, so the reflective bands sit where they should and are not hidden under a sweatshirt.
Pants and bibs
Pants, shorts and bibs are designed as Class E supplemental items. On their own they are not compliant; with a Class 2 top they make a Class 3 ensemble for night and high-speed work.
Vests
A vest is the lightest way to add visibility over existing uniforms. For plain vests in crew quantities, see safety vests by class and style; if branding is the priority, see our custom safety vests.
Which background color should you choose?
Choose the background color that contrasts most with what your crew works against. Fluorescent yellow-green suits most urban and roadway settings, orange-red stands out against greenery, snow and yellow equipment, and fluorescent red is usually an employer or agency choice. Some companies assign one color to supervisors or one trade.
| Color | Where it stands out | Common choices |
|---|---|---|
| Fluorescent yellow-green | Most urban and roadway settings, dawn and dusk | Road crews, construction, warehouses |
| Fluorescent orange-red | Green and wooded backgrounds, snow, against yellow equipment | Landscaping, forestry, rail, utilities |
| Fluorescent red | Settings where red is the agency or site color | Less common; usually specified by the employer |
Tip: Roadway work zones are stricter than the standard. The federal traffic-control manual allows only fluorescent orange-red, yellow-green or a combination of the two there, so keep fluorescent red for off-road sites.
Who needs high visibility safety wear?
High visibility safety wear is required by federal traffic-control rules for roadway work zones, by OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) for certain construction work near traffic, and by your own hazard assessment everywhere else. The type and class always come from the employer’s assessment of the actual work.
Roadway work zones
Section 6C.05 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition requires workers within the right-of-way in a temporary traffic control zone to wear Performance Class 2 or 3 apparel, day and night.Flaggers
OSHA’s construction signaling rule, 29 CFR 1926.201, requires flaggers’ warning garments to conform to Part 6 of the MUTCD.Excavation near traffic
OSHA’s excavation rule, 29 CFR 1926.651(d), requires employees exposed to public vehicular traffic to wear warning vests or other garments made of or marked with high-visibility or reflectorized material.Your workplace
OSHA’s general PPE rule, 29 CFR 1910.132, requires employers to assess hazards and select PPE (personal protective equipment), which is why warehouses, ports, parking operations, utilities and landscaping crews often specify hi vis.
See how we approach construction uniforms and warehouse uniforms for complete crew programs.
What does ANSI compliance depend on?
ANSI compliance depends on three things: certified materials, a garment design that meets its type and class, and a label with documentation. High visibility garments are not compliant just because they are bright yellow; every one of these three has to be in place before a garment can be called compliant.
Read more
- Certified materials. Background and retroreflective materials must be tested by an accredited laboratory for color, luminance and retroreflective performance, including after exposure to light and laundering.
- Garment design. The finished garment must carry enough visible material in the right places for its type and class, measured across the size range.
- Labeling and documentation. Compliant garments carry a label stating the type and class, and the manufacturer documents conformity.
Custom Uniform Factory tells you, before you order, which certified materials are used in each style and what documentation comes with it, and never describes a garment as compliant without that documentation.
Adding your logo to high visibility clothes
High visibility clothes can carry your logo, names and crew numbers, as long as the decoration does not cover material the garment needs to meet its class. A large logo over fluorescent fabric or tape can drop a garment below its minimums, so placement is planned with the class in mind.
Read more
- Place logos on areas not needed to meet the minimums, or size the garment so the minimums are met with the logo applied.
- Print rather than stitch on fluorescent fabric, and never stitch through reflective tape, which can damage it.
- Approve placement on a sample before production.
Our custom embroidery and printing service covers decoration methods for all workwear.
What determines the cost of custom hi vis clothing?
The cost of custom hi vis clothing depends on the garment type, the class it is built to, the fabric, any FR (flame-resistant) requirement, the quantity per style and the decoration. No prices appear here, because every order is quoted on its actual garments, materials and quantity. The table shows the usual direction of each factor.
| Cost driver | How it moves the unit price | How to keep it in check |
|---|---|---|
| Garment type | Jackets and sleeved shirts use more fabric and tape than vests and T-shirts | Match the garment to the climate and the class needed |
| Class | Class 3 needs more fluorescent fabric and reflective tape than Class 2 | Buy the class your hazard assessment sets |
| Fabric | Breathable performance knits and weatherproof shells cost more than basic polyester | Choose fabric by season and duty |
| FR or arc rating | Flame-resistant fabric, tape and thread cost more than standard materials | Specify FR only where the hazard exists |
| Quantity per style | Larger runs spread setup and sampling across more pieces, so unit cost tends to fall | Standardize on fewer styles and colors |
| Decoration | More print locations and colors add time per garment | One chest mark plus one back print |
Can hi vis clothing also be flame resistant?
Hi vis clothing can also be flame-resistant or arc-rated, which utility, electrical and oil and gas crews often need. In that case every material, including the fluorescent fabric, reflective tape and thread, must meet the FR requirements as well as the visibility ones, or the garment can melt or ignite in a flash fire or arc.
Read more
See our FR clothing page before you specify a combined garment.
Hi vis by role
Hi vis by role starts from where each person works and what moves around them. The class always comes from your hazard assessment; this table shows common starting points that safety managers then confirm, from warehouse pickers on Class 1 to flaggers and utility crews on Class 2 or 3.
| Role | Common garment | Starting point to check |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse picker, dock worker | Vest or T-shirt | Type O Class 1 or Type R Class 2, depending on forklift and truck traffic |
| Parking attendant | Vest or T-shirt | Type R Class 2 |
| Road construction laborer, surveyor | Vest, T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt | Type R Class 2; Class 3 for faster traffic or night work |
| Flagger | Sleeved shirt or jacket, often with Class E pants | Type R Class 2 or 3; check your state DOT’s (department of transportation) rules, especially for night work |
| Utility lineman | Arc-rated hi-vis shirt or jacket | Type R class from the hazard assessment, plus the required arc rating |
| Police, fire, EMS at incident scenes | Breakaway vest or jacket | Type P Class 2 or 3 |
How do you care for high visibility clothing?
Care for high visibility clothing by following the care label, avoiding chlorine bleach and fabric softener, washing inside out, drying on low heat and storing garments out of sunlight. Fluorescent dyes fade with ultraviolet light and reflective tape wears with laundering and abrasion, so care decides how long a garment stays visible.
Follow the care label
, including water temperature and any maximum number of wash cycles printed on it.Avoid chlorine bleach and fabric softener
, which can damage fluorescent fabric and reflective coatings.Wash inside out and line or low-heat dry
to protect the tape.Store out of sunlight
when not in use.Inspect regularly
and retire garments that are faded, soiled, torn or have cracked or peeling tape. A dirty hi-vis garment is less visible than a clean one.
Ready to order
What to send us for a quote
A complete hi vis quote needs the garments, the type and class, the color, any FR requirement, the climate, the artwork and the headcount. Send as much of this list as you can with your first message, and we can confirm materials, design and documentation for each style.
- Garments and quantities. vests, shirts, jackets, pants.
- Type and class. your safety program requires, or a description of the work and traffic so we can discuss options.
- Background color. and whether different roles need different colors.
- FR or arc-rating requirements. , if any.
- Climate. heat, cold, rain, which drives fabric weight and whether you need mesh or solid fabric.
- Logo files and text. (company name, role titles, numbers) and where you want them.
- Size spread and headcount. , and your deadline.
Common hi vis mistakes
The most common hi vis mistakes are buying on color alone, oversized logos, using a Class 2 vest where Class 3 is required, putting polyester hi-vis over FR clothing and keeping worn garments in service. Each one leaves a worker less visible or less protected than the job demands.
Buying on color alone
A bright garment without tested materials and a type and class label is not compliant.Oversized logos
Covering background or tape can drop a garment below its class minimums.Class 2 vests where Class 3 is required
A sleeveless vest cannot be Class 3 on its own: switch to a sleeved Class 3 shirt or jacket, or add Class E pants to make a Class 3 ensemble.Polyester hi-vis over FR clothing
Standard hi-vis can melt and ignite; use FR or arc-rated hi-vis where those hazards exist.Keeping worn garments in service
Faded, dirty or damaged hi-vis loses much of its visibility.
Ordering custom hi vis clothing
Ordering custom hi vis clothing takes four steps: describe the job, confirm materials and design, approve a sample with your logo placed, then production. The sample is where logo placement and fit are checked against the class before the full run is cut and sewn.
- 01
Tell us the job
where crews work, the type and class your safety program requires, climate and headcount. - 02
Confirm materials and design
for that type and class, and the documentation available. - 03
Approve a sample
with your logo placed. - 04
Production
in our Los Angeles factory from about 50 pieces per style.
Ask us for current lead times when you request your quote.
Questions about high visibility wear
Need something not covered here? Ask our Los Angeles team and we’ll answer with options for your order.
Ask our Los Angeles teamWhat is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi vis clothing?
Class 3 requires more fluorescent background and retroreflective material than Class 2 and must include sleeves with reflective bands, so the wearer's outline is visible from farther away. It is used where traffic is faster or visibility is poorer. Your safety program's hazard assessment decides which class applies.
Is your hi vis clothing ANSI certified?
ANSI/ISEA 107 compliance depends on the fabric and reflective materials being tested by an accredited laboratory and on the finished garment meeting the area and design rules for its type and class. We confirm, style by style, which certified materials we use and what documentation comes with your order before we describe a garment as compliant.
What do Class E hi vis pants do?
Class E covers supplemental items such as pants, shorts and bib overalls. They are not compliant on their own. Worn with a Class 2 top, a Class E item makes a Class 3 ensemble, which is useful for night work and high-speed roadways.
Is a hi vis T-shirt cooler than a vest?
Often, yes. A breathable knit hi vis T-shirt replaces the shirt-plus-vest combination, so crews wear one layer instead of two in hot weather and are less tempted to take the vest off. A short-sleeve shirt can be designed for Class 2; for Class 3, the sleeves must carry reflective bands, so a long-sleeve shirt is the usual route.
How long does hi vis workwear last?
Fluorescent color fades with sunlight and washing, and reflective tape wears with laundering and abrasion. Replace garments that look faded, soiled, torn or have damaged tape, and follow the care label, including any maximum number of wash cycles printed on it. Heavy daily use shortens service life considerably.
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