You approve it first
No bulk polos are made until you have washed and worn the sample. That approved shirt is then the standard for colour, collar, crest placement and fit across every size.
Custom School Polo Shirts
Request a quoteCustom school polo shirts built to last
The polo shirt is the hardest working piece in most school uniforms. It is worn to lessons, to lunch and to the playground, then washed and worn again, often several times a week. Benjima makes school polo shirts for schools, academies and uniform retailers, in your colours and with your crest.
We look after the whole order: the knit, the colour match, the collar, the embroidery, sampling, production, checks and delivery. You talk to one person throughout, and you get photos as your polos move through production. Nothing that changes the finished shirt goes ahead until you have approved it, from collar stripes to label wording.
Most complaints about school polos come later in the year: collars that curl, colours that fade, shirts that shrink a size. We test for those problems on the sample, before bulk starts, so parents are not the ones who find them.
Custom school polo samples tested before bulk cutting
Each order begins with a sample polo made to your specification, in your colour, with your collar tipping and your embroidered crest. Wash it at home, put it on a pupil, and compare it with the shirt you use now. Any change you want is made on the sample.
When you approve the sample, it becomes the reference for the whole run. Every dye lot is checked against your approved shade before cutting, and every crest is checked for size, position and thread colour. The polos that reach your shop or school match the one you already said yes to.
See how a school polo is knitted and finished
The video shows a school polo order from yarn to finished shirt: the pique being knitted, the fabric dyed and set, the panels cut and sewn, the collar attached, the crest embroidered and every shirt checked before folding. Your polos follow the same steps, and we send photos along the way.
It is a simple way to show your uniform committee or your shop team what goes into a good polo before you order. Use it to agree on the details that matter most to your school, whether that is the softness of the cotton, the stripes on the collar, the colour of the crest or the way the shirts are packed.
Prefer to ask questions directly? Send us a short message with what you need and we will walk you through the options on a call.
Why schools choose our custom polo shirts
Samples you can wash first, plain answers on fabric and price, and one person handling everything.
Colour that matches
Shades are matched to your Pantone reference and checked on every new dye lot, so this year's polos match last year's and the shirts in your shop.
Sizes from toddler to adult
One order can cover sizes from toddler 2T to adult 3XL, with the size ratio adjusted to suit your school or store rather than a fixed pack.
Quick top-ups during the term
When enrolment rises or a size sells out mid-term, you can place a smaller top-up order. It runs on a replenishment line, so you are not waiting behind large jobs or ordering far more than you need.
Made for daily wear and hot washes
School polos are washed far more often than most clothes, sometimes at high temperatures and with strong detergents. Our knits are heat-set and compacted after dyeing so they hold their size, and colours are locked into the yarn so a navy polo stays navy rather than turning grey.
Shoulder seams are double-stitched, necklines are taped and hems are topstitched, so the shirt keeps its shape. Buttons are cross-stitched so they stay on through rough play. Each of these is tested on your sample first.
Request a quoteRecent school polo orders
Collar stripes, crests and colours from recent polo orders for schools, academies and uniform shops.
Polo styles for every school uniform
Choose the polo that suits your pupils and your climate. Each style can carry your crest, colours and own labels.
Classic pique polo
The everyday two-button school polo in durable pique, easy to wash and quick to dry overnight.
Tipped collar
Knitted stripes on the collar and cuffs in your school or house colours, for a smart, finished look.
Long sleeve
A heavier long sleeve polo for winter terms, so pupils stay warm without needing an extra layer.
Cotton
Pure combed cotton pique that feels soft on the skin and suits younger children and warmer climates.
Performance polo
A moisture-wicking poly-cotton polo that stays comfortable through busy breaks and active lessons.
Fitted
A contoured cut for older girls that looks neat without being tight, in the same colour and collar.
Your crest and colours on every school polo
A school polo should be easy to recognise across a busy playground. We embroider your crest with fine detail and up to 15 thread colours, so small lettering and thin lines stay clear. A soft backing covers the reverse of the stitching, so it does not rub against young skin.
You can add knitted collar tipping in one, two or several stripes, a woven tape inside the neck printed with your motto, and contrast cuffs. Every detail is sampled first, so you can check the size of the crest and the colours together. We can also redraw your crest for stitching if needed.
For uniform retailers, polos can carry your own labels and be packed singly for the shelf or in packs of ten for bulk issue. Care labels can include a write-in panel for names, which parents and teachers will thank you for on busy mornings.
What makes a good school polo shirt for daily wear?
A good school polo is one that looks just as tidy in the summer term as it did on the first day. Before you order, it is worth thinking about three things: the fabric, the collar, and how your school identity will appear on the shirt.
Fabric and how it feels
Poly-cotton pique is the hard-wearing choice. It dries quickly, resists shrinking and keeps its colour through frequent washing. Pure cotton feels softer and suits younger children and children with sensitive skin. Both are knitted dense enough to stay neat, yet light enough for warm classrooms.
- Choose poly-cotton for durability, quick drying and polos washed several times a week.
- Choose pure cotton for younger pupils and sensitive skin.
- Ask for a long sleeve version if your winter term is cold.
Collars that last
The collar is usually the first thing to look tired. Our flat-knit collars are built to stay flat through repeated washing, without rolling at the tips, and can carry stripes in your colours to make the shirt instantly yours.
Ask how the collar will look after a term of washing. The answer tells you most of what matters.
Branding that stays
Embroidery is the usual choice for a school crest because it lasts through hot washes and looks smart. For houses, colour-coded polos or a small house badge work well. Woven neck tape and tipped collars add detail without extra cost per wash. Your sample shows exactly how it looks.
From yarn to finished polo
Watch a school polo order being made, from knitting to the final check.
Comfort pupils notice from the first wear
Children notice when a shirt is scratchy, tight or hot. These are the four things we get right on every polo.
Soft on the skin
Ring-spun cotton yarns give a smooth, soft feel, and dyes are free of formaldehyde, which matters for children with sensitive skin.
Holds its size after washing
Fabric is set and compacted before cutting, so the size on the label stays the size that fits, even after many hot washes.
Breathes in class
The pique knit lets air through, keeping pupils comfortable in warm classrooms and during active play at break.
No scratchy labels
Tagless neck labels can be used instead of sewn tags, so nothing rubs the back of the neck.
Polos for every pupil in your school
One supplier for the full polo range, so colours, collars and crests match from nursery right up to sixth form.
- Nursery and reception
- Primary school polos
- Secondary school polos
- House colours
- Staff polos
- Sports day shirts
How to order school polos from Benjima
Five simple steps from your first message to polos delivered to school. You approve each step first.
Start your orderTell us more
Send your crest, colours, preferred style and rough quantities by size, with the date you need them, and we come back with options and a price.
Pick fabric and collar
We send fabric options, colour references and collar stripe ideas so you can decide before anything is made.
Approve the sample
A sample polo is made with your colour, collar and embroidered crest, and posted to you to check.
Production and checks
Bulk knitting and sewing begin, with every lot checked against your sample and photographed.
Packed and delivered to you
Polos are packed singly or in tens, cartons are labelled by size, and the shipment is tracked to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for school polo shirts?
The minimum is 100 polos per colour. You can spread that quantity across toddler, junior and adult sizes, so even a first order can cover your whole school. Size ratios can be set to suit your pupils rather than a standard pack. Tell us the colours and sizes you need, and we will confirm a quote and timeline for your order.
How do you stop polo collars from curling?
Our collars are knitted flat with stabilising yarns that are heat-set, so the tips do not roll or curl after washing. We test the collar on your sample through repeated washes, so you can see how it holds up before you approve bulk.
Which fabrics can you offer for school polo shirts?
We offer a hard-wearing poly-cotton double pique and a soft pure cotton pique for warmer climates. Both resist pilling and are dyed for strong, lasting colour. We send swatches so you can feel each one before deciding.
How long do samples and bulk orders take?
Lab dips and an embroidered sample polo are usually ready within 5 to 7 business days. Bulk orders are typically completed within 15 to 20 business days after you approve the sample, and we give you dates for each stage.
Can you add house stripes to collars?
Yes. Collars and sleeve cuffs can be knitted with one, two or several stripes in your school or house colours. We can also add a woven placket tape with your motto. Every stripe and colour is shown on your sample, so you can check them before any bulk shirts are knitted.
Are your dyes safe and colour fast?
Yes. Our dyes are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and are free from formaldehyde. Colours are tested to resist fading and bleeding through frequent washing, so a navy or bottle green polo stays the right shade all year.
Can polo shirts include name labels for pupils?
Yes. We can use tagless heat-sealed neck labels for comfort, and sew in care labels with a blank write-in panel for the pupil's name and class. It is a small detail, but it saves parents and teachers a lot of time when shirts go missing.
How are bulk polo orders packed for schools?
Polos can be folded singly in vented polybags or bundled in packs of ten by size. Master cartons are labelled with size breakdowns and can carry barcodes or department tags, so your shop or school office can check stock in quickly and get shirts out to pupils.
Custom school polos at a single glance
| Your school colours | Matched to your Pantone reference |
|---|---|
| Collar choice | Plain or tipped in your own colours |
| Every size | Toddler 2T to adult 3XL |
| Fabric options | Hard-wearing poly-cotton or soft cotton |
| Sample before bulk | Wash it, wear it, approve |
Ready to order your school polo shirts?
Share your colours, crest and sizes, and we will come back with a price and sample date.