Workwear Glossary: Key Terms Every Buyer Should Know

Buying branded workwear for the first time — or dealing with a new supplier — involves navigating a lot of technical terminology that’s rarely explained. This glossary covers the most important terms you’ll encounter when ordering, specifying, and caring for workwear in the UK, so you can make informed decisions and communicate clearly with your supplier.

TL;DR: Key workwear terms include gsm (fabric weight), EN ISO 20471 (hi-vis standard), DWR (water-repellent treatment), piqué (polo shirt weave), polycotton (fabric blend), DTF printing, and digitising (converting logos for embroidery). All explained in detail below.

Fabric and Material Terms

GSM (grams per square metre): The standard measurement of fabric weight. Higher gsm = heavier, warmer, more durable fabric. A lightweight polo shirt might be 180–200gsm; a heavy fleece jacket 300–340gsm. GSM is the single most useful specification for comparing garment quality and warmth.

Polycotton: A blend of polyester and cotton fibres. The most common workwear fabric. A 65/35 polycotton (65% polyester, 35% cotton) balances durability, easy-care, colour retention, and comfort. Higher polyester content dries faster; higher cotton content is softer and more breathable.

Piqué: A distinctive woven fabric structure used in polo shirts, characterised by a raised, textured surface (often described as a “waffle” or “honeycomb” pattern). Piqué provides better ventilation and is more durable than a smooth jersey knit. See our detailed guide at what is piqué fabric?

Ripstop: A fabric weave technique that incorporates reinforcing threads at regular intervals, forming a grid pattern that prevents small tears from spreading. Used in construction and outdoor work trousers. See our work trousers guide.

DWR (Durable Water Repellent): A chemical treatment applied to softshell and outer shell garments that causes water to bead and run off rather than soaking in. DWR degrades with washing (especially with fabric conditioner) and can be restored with reproofing spray. See our softshell washing guide.

FR (Flame Resistant): Fabric treated or manufactured to resist ignition and self-extinguish when the ignition source is removed. Required for electrical work with arc flash risk and some chemical processing environments. FR garments must meet relevant EN standards.

Branding and Decoration Terms

Digitising: The process of converting your logo artwork into an embroidery stitch file. A digitiser uses specialist software to define every stitch position, direction, colour, and density. Poor digitising is the most common cause of poor embroidery results. See our embroidered workwear guide.

DTF (Direct to Film): A printing method where artwork is printed onto a film, then heat-transferred onto the garment. Reproduces full-colour artwork including gradients. No minimum order. See our DTF printing guide.

Pantone (PMS): The international colour matching system used for print, embroidery thread, and manufactured goods. Providing Pantone references with your artwork ensures accurate colour matching from screen to garment. Essential for brand colour accuracy.

Stitch count: The total number of stitches in an embroidery design. A simple chest logo might be 5,000 stitches; a detailed multi-colour design 15,000+. Stitch count affects embroidery cost and production time.

Safety and Compliance Terms

EN ISO 20471: The international standard for high-visibility clothing, defining three classes based on the area of fluorescent and retroreflective material. Class 2 is the standard for most UK site work; Class 3 for roadside and high-risk environments. See our full EN ISO 20471 guide.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Equipment provided to workers to protect against health and safety risks. Hi-vis clothing, safety footwear, gloves, and helmets are all PPE. Employers must provide appropriate PPE free of charge under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

CE marking: A marking indicating conformity with European standards. Many workwear and PPE products carry CE marks confirming compliance with relevant standards (e.g. EN 388 for gloves, EN 20471 for hi-vis).

Auto 5% off orders over £100 · 10% off over £199 · FREE UK delivery from £199

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

• Embroidered workwear complete guide
• Polo shirt fabric guide
• EN ISO 20471 hi-vis standards explained
• How to brief a workwear supplier

Written by the WorkwearLab Editorial Team — Burnley, Lancashire