Length, fabric and branding set most of the lab coat cost per piece, followed by quantity, closures and packing. A full-length coat uses more fabric than a short one, a crest or name on every coat adds work per piece, and a larger run spreads setup across more coats. We quote each lab coat by style, fabric, quantity and branding, so this post explains what moves the figure rather than giving one.
The coat
Length and style
Our four styles each have a different fabric use and construction.
| Style | What affects the price |
|---|---|
| Full-length | Falls to around the knee, so it uses the most fabric |
| Short | Sits at the hip; less fabric, similar construction |
| Women’s fit | Shaped through the body, which adds pattern pieces or shaping seams |
| Student lab coat | A simple, practical cut, often with fewer details |
The student lab coat is the most straightforward and is designed for colleges that need many coats in one order. A full-length women’s fit coat with several pockets sits at the other end.
Fabric
We cut lab coats in poly-cotton twill or cotton. Poly-cotton twill holds its shape, creases less and keeps its colour through regular washing. Cotton feels softer and breathes well. The two differ in fibre, weight and finish, which is reflected in the quotation.
Colour is a smaller factor. White is the standard lab coat colour, and we also make coats in solid colours from the fabric options. A shade outside those options has to be checked separately, so send a reference if you have one.
Closures, pockets and details
Small details add up across a run:
- Closure: buttons or press studs. Each has its own trims and finishing steps.
- Pockets: a coat with two lower pockets and a chest pocket is quicker to make than one with extra internal or sleeve pockets.
- Pen pocket: a divided chest pocket or pen slot adds a step.
- Back details: a back belt or vent, if you ask for one, is confirmed at quotation and adds work.
Decide which details your buyers use. A college may want a plain coat with two pockets; a doctor buying for themselves may want a pen pocket and a chest pocket.
Quantity
The minimum is 50 pieces per style, and sizes can be mixed within it. Full-length and short coats are separate styles, each with its own minimum. Above the minimum, a larger quantity per style and colour usually lowers the per-piece price, because cutting, setup and branding preparation are shared across more coats.
If you are unsure about volume, ask for a quotation on two quantities. Seeing both side by side shows how much the run size matters for your order.
Branding
Branding is where lab coat quotations vary most, because so many lab coats carry a crest or a name.
| Branding | What changes the price |
|---|---|
| Chest logo or crest | Embroidery size, stitch detail and number of thread colours |
| Name on the pocket | Each name is set up separately, so a name list adds work per coat |
| Back print | Screen print size and number of colours |
| Neck label | Woven or printed, size, colours |
| Wash-care label | Content and size |
| Hang tag | Card, printing and attachment |
A college crest often has fine detail, such as small lettering or a shield outline. Simplifying it for embroidery can reduce both stitch count and cost. We suggest a size and show it on your sample.
Names are a common request for doctors and students. We can embroider names where a list is supplied with the order. Supply the list in a clear format, one name per line with the size of each coat, so names and sizes match.
Packing and shipping
Bulk packing in cartons, sorted by size, is the simplest. Retail packing adds steps: folding, an individual polybag, size or barcode stickers and inserts. For named coats, packing each coat with its name visible on the bag makes distribution easier for a college or hospital department, and you can ask for this in your enquiry.
We take enquiries from buyers worldwide. Shipping method, terms and documents are confirmed in the quotation, and the destination and terms change the landed cost.
Ways to manage the price
- Choose the length your buyers need, not both by default.
- Keep pocket details to what wearers use.
- Simplify a crest for embroidery.
- Use names only where buyers want them, and supply a clean list.
- Keep one hang tag design across all styles.
- Compare two quantities in the same quotation.
Sizes also affect how much stock you hold. Our post on lab coat size charts and first order ratios covers how to split a run.
To get a quotation, send us the style, fabric, colour, quantity per size, closure and pocket details, branding and packing needs and the destination. You can see every style on our white label lab coats page.