The "Cost of the Drawer" Metric: How to Ensure Your Workwear Budget Actually Works

ROI First: Why We Refuse to Just “Sell You a T-Shirt”

At The Logo Emporium, we start every conversation with a single goal: ensuring your investment produces a result.

Many suppliers will happily take an order for the cheapest garment in the catalogue, print a logo on it, and send it out the door. But we believe that approach is a disservice to your business. If the clothing isn’t comfortable, durable, and stylish, it won’t be worn. And if it isn’t worn, it isn’t marketing — it’s just a waste of money.

Our focus is on producing long-term value. We lead with the best options first because we want your brand to be seen, not stored.

The “Cost of the Drawer” Metric

Think about the branded clothing your business has produced in the past. Where is it now? If your team or your customers have tucked those items into the back of a drawer, your marketing budget has hit a dead end.

We call this the “Cost of the Drawer.” To understand the true value of your branded apparel, you have to look past the initial price tag and instead consider the cost per wear.

The Math of Visibility (Illustrative Example)

To show you how this works, here’s a simple example. While every project is different, the logic remains the same.

Note: These figures are used as simple examples to illustrate the point.

The Logic

A £10.00 branded t-shirt might seem like a bargain. But if the fabric is scratchy or the fit is poor, it may only be worn twice before being retired to the “painting clothes” pile. That means every time someone saw your brand, it cost you £5.00.

Now compare that to a £30.00 high-quality hoodie. Because it’s comfortable and looks great, your employee wears it on the commute, at the gym, and on the weekend. Over the course of a year, they wear it 100 times — bringing the cost per impression down to just £0.30.

The so-called “expensive” option is actually over 15 times cheaper in real marketing value.

Avoiding the Trap of “Cheap”

When businesses make decisions based solely on the lowest unit price, they lose out on long-term brand awareness. A poor-quality garment doesn’t just stay in the drawer — it can also send the wrong message about your brand’s standards.

At The Logo Emporium, we act as consultants to help you avoid these pitfalls. We help you choose the right materials and the most durable branding methods to ensure:

• Maximum Comfort — If they love wearing it, your brand gets seen every day
• High Durability — Garments that survive the wash and the workday, keeping your logo sharp for years
• Professional Image — Quality apparel reflects a quality business

Get an ROI, Not Just an Invoice

We don’t just sell branded clothing — we help you grow your brand. By investing in the right items from the start, you stop wasting money on “invisibility” and start building a walking billboard for your business.

Before you place your next order, ask yourself:

“Am I buying a garment, or am I buying 100 impressions?”

Ready to stop filling drawers and start building brand awareness? Contact The Logo Emporium today for a consultation. We’ll help you choose options that deliver a real return on investment.