Stanley/Stella Custom Apparel Guide for Small Retail Teams

Shops and small brands that care about what their garments are made of usually ask the same question before anything else: can I get a small, decorated run of staff polos without being pushed into a bulk order? At Arklavo the answer on quantity is yes, since there is no minimum. This guide covers how to pick a polo for a small retail team, how to decorate it so the finished piece fits your brand, and what to check on a Stanley/Stella product page. It describes no particular customer.

Read the product page before you read the brand name

A brand name is a starting point, not a specification. If sustainability is part of your own story, check the listing for the fiber content, any certification the page mentions, and the care instructions, then decide whether those details match what you tell your own customers. This page does not state fabric details for any Arklavo product, so the listing is the place to confirm them. If a detail you need is missing, ask in your quote request and wait for the answer before you order.

Be careful about repeating a brand's claims in your own signage or social posts unless the product page supports them in the same words. A customer who asks about your polo should get a straight answer.

Choosing a polo for a small retail team

A retail floor asks different things of a polo than a warehouse or a clinic does. Staff stand, reach, lift boxes, and talk to people at close range all day. If your floor runs cool, browse custom long sleeve shirts and compare these points.

Collar. A collar that holds its shape looks smart for a day on the floor. A soft collar feels easier but can curl. Look at the photos of the collar on the style you are considering.

Cut. Retail teams vary a lot in build. A relaxed cut forgives more than a fitted one. If your team includes people who dislike close-fitting shirts, avoid a fitted style, because they will leave it in the closet.

Buttons. Placket and button choices affect how the polo looks when it is worn open or closed. Decide whether your team will button up and check that the style works either way.

Color. The best color is the one your logo reads on. Hold your logo colors up against each garment color before deciding.

Pocket. Some polos have a chest pocket, which affects where a left-chest logo can go. Check the product photos so the logo does not land on a seam.

Small runs and the rest of the uniform

Retail teams are rarely uniform in the strict sense. One shop may want a polo for the floor, another piece for the stockroom and something different for an outdoor event. The custom uniforms collection shows the other pieces a team might add. Because there is no minimum order, you can start with the polo and add the rest as the season demands it.

Mixed ordering also helps with a common problem. Small shops tend to hire in waves around holidays and pop-up events, so the team in October is not the team in April. Arklavo has no setup fees, and volume discounts of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% start at 10, 24, 50 and 100 pieces.

Decoration: what suits a polo

Embroidery is the usual choice for a polo. A small stitched logo on the left chest looks neat on a collared shirt and suits a wordmark or a simple symbol. Because the logo is small, fine detail will not survive, so simplify before you send the art. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, heat press and, on select items, DTF are also available and make more sense for a design with many colors. Arklavo does not offer screen printing.

Left chest is the standard placement and is easy to get right. Other choices include the right chest, the sleeve, or the back just below the collar. A small mark on the sleeve plus a left-chest logo can make a plain polo feel more finished. Whatever you choose, look at the free digital proof closely, because a logo that looks balanced on a screen can feel small or large once you picture it on a person.

Artwork tips

• Vector files (SVG, PDF, AI, EPS) give the sharpest result. PNG and JPG are accepted too, if they are large and clear.
• Use a logo version designed for small sizes. A full lockup with a tagline often needs a stripped-down version for a chest mark.
• Keep the color count low and make sure each color contrasts with the garment.
• Send the file you actually use in your store signage, so that the polo matches everything else you put out.

How ordering works at Arklavo

• No minimum order and no setup fees.
• You get a free digital proof and nothing is produced until you approve it.
• Production takes about 2 business days after approval.
• US shipping takes 3 to 5 business days, and orders over $150 ship free.
• Any defect reported within 30 days is remade, repaired or refunded.
• A reply comes within 1 business hour, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm ET.

Sizing and reordering

Check the size chart on the product page and compare it against a polo your people already wear. Polos differ from brand to brand, and a size chart is more reliable than a guess based on a t-shirt. Once your design is approved it stays on file, and reorders have no minimum, so replacing a single worn polo or adding one for a new hire is straightforward.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order just a few polos?

Yes. There is no minimum order, and you can order a single piece.

Does Arklavo list the fabric details for each polo?

Fabric and care details belong on the product page of the specific style. Check there, and ask in your quote request if something is missing.

Is there a setup fee for embroidery?

No. There are no setup fees.

Can I mix polos with other pieces in one look?

Yes. There is no minimum order, so you can order a polo and other pieces in whatever quantities you need.

What artwork files do you accept?

PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, AI and EPS. Vector files are the sharpest.

How long does it take?

About 2 business days of production after you approve the proof, then 3 to 5 business days of US shipping.

Are there discounts on larger orders?

Yes. Volume discounts are 5% at 10 to 23 pieces, 10% at 24 to 49, 15% at 50 to 99 and 20% at 100 or more.

What if a polo arrives with a defect?

Report it within 30 days and it will be remade, repaired or refunded.

Ready to plan polos for your own team? Request a quote and get a free digital proof before anything is produced.