SCOPE: The logos are often placed on jacket pockets, sleeves or back pockets. When is the limit of design freedom reached?

Krause: Exactly when it comes to the comfort, function or safety of employees. Accordingly, logos and emblems do not belong on pleats or in stretch zones of workwear. We have to be even stricter with many functional textiles. If you embellish your softshell jacket or even your GoreTex weather protection with direct embroidery, you will quickly damage the protective membrane. The result would be moisture or cold bridges. Soft emblems are suitable for patching here. Protective clothing is even more complicated.

SCOPE: Does that mean that protective clothing generally cannot be finished?

Krause: Yes - in principle, all finishing techniques are also available for protective clothing. But be careful: protective clothing is certified and marked with a standard. Under no circumstances may finishing lead to the loss of the type examination and a reduction in the protective effect. The finishing must therefore exactly match the requirements of the protective clothing in terms of material, format and processing.

SCOPE: What mistakes are being made here?

Krause: Some. Let's take heat and flame protective clothing as an example. Here we see time and again that the material or process used for finishing has a negative impact on the tested protective effect specified in the standard. Examples include emblems that can burn. A thread that melts prematurely when exposed to heat. Or thickly applied seams that prevent sparks from "flowing off". In the case of high-visibility clothing, emblems often reduce the prescribed minimum area of 0.8 m² of the high-visibility outer fabric. For liability reasons alone, it is therefore advisable to always have the embellishment carried out by specialist companies with the relevant experience. With our service, we ensure that the protective clothing used complies with the prescribed standard - even after many cycles of use and washes.