Custom squad jackets are the one piece of unit gear people keep for years. A good one gets worn to every detail, every retirement party and every softball game. A bad one sits in a locker because the crest is fuzzy, the fit is off or half the squad never got their size.

This guide walks through how to get squad jackets right the first time, from picking the jacket to collecting sizes from the whole unit.

Start with how the jacket will actually be worn

Before anyone looks at colors, figure out where the jacket lives. A jacket worn over a vest on a cold overnight needs room in the chest and a longer cut. A jacket worn to events and around the office can be trimmer and dressier.

The most common styles units order are:

Quilted squad jackets. Warm, clean-looking and a solid surface for a large back crest.
Bomber and commander jackets. A classic look that holds embroidery well on the chest and back.
Softshells. Lighter, flexible and good for most of the year in New York.
Tactical raid-style jackets. Built for movement, with room for a name tape and sleeve patch.

If the unit can’t agree, pick one main jacket and offer one lighter option. Two choices keep everyone happy without turning the order into a catalog.

Get the crest ready before you pick colors

The crest is the reason anyone wants the jacket, so it deserves the most attention. Send the cleanest version of the logo you have. A vector file (AI, EPS or PDF) is best, but a high-resolution PNG works too. If all you have is a photo of an old shirt or a patch, that’s fine. We can redraw it into clean art before it gets stitched.

Your logo gets digitized for embroidery, which means it’s rebuilt stitch by stitch so small lettering and fine lines stay sharp. Digitizing is included on orders of 15 pieces or more. For smaller orders it’s a one-time charge, and the file stays on hand for reorders.

For more on getting a design ready, see how to prepare logo files for printing.

Where the crest and lettering go

Most squad jackets use some combination of:

Left chest crest. The standard spot. Clean, readable and works on every jacket style.
Large back crest. The statement piece. Leave room above or below for the unit name.
Name tape. Personalizes each jacket and helps it come back to the right owner.
Flag on the sleeve. A simple finishing touch that most units add.

Keep the back crest big enough to read from across a room. Tiny back logos are the most common regret we hear about.

Collect sizes the easy way

The hardest part of a unit order is never the jacket. It’s getting 20 people to send their size. A few things help:

Set one person as the point of contact and give a hard deadline.
Share a size chart so nobody guesses. Jackets run differently than t-shirts.
Ask about bigger sizes up front so they don’t hold up the order later.

If the unit wants everyone to order and pay on their own, a private online store works well. Each person picks their size and pays, and the whole order is made in one run. Read more on our team and department stores page.

Plan for time

Embroidered jackets aren’t a same-week item. Plan for about two weeks from proof approval, and longer if you want it in hand before a specific event. You’ll see a proof of the crest on the jacket before anything is stitched, and nothing gets made until you approve it.

If the date is tight, say so at the start. It’s easier to plan around a deadline than to chase one. Our team ordering guide covers how to work backward from an event date.

Pair the jacket with the rest of the gear

Once the crest is digitized, adding more pieces is simple. Units that order squad jackets usually come back for:

Tactical and job-shirt polos for everyday wear
Precinct hoodies and tees for the gym and off-duty
Hats with the crest on the front panel
Custom embroidered hoodies for colder months

Ready to outfit the squad?

See jackets, polos and job shirts with starting prices on our police apparel page, or send us your crest for a free quote. We’ll come back within one business day with pricing for the whole unit.