Red Kap SP24 - Industrial Short Sleeve Work Shirt - Light Tan
Selected Color: Light Tan11 colors
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Description
The Red Kap SP24 is a 4.25 oz short-sleeve industrial work shirt built on a 65% polyester / 35% cotton poplin with Touchtex technology. Touchtex is Red Kap's proprietary finish that combines soil release, moisture wicking, and colorfast dye bonding in a single treatment applied to the poplin weave. The result is a shirt that holds its color through repeated industrial laundering, releases grease and grime during wash, and wicks perspiration away from the skin during shifts. The 65/35 poly-cotton poplin is lighter than the twill used on heavier duty work shirts, which makes the SP24 the standard choice for operations that need a full-day-wear uniform rather than a heavy-trade garment. Two hex-style button-thru chest pockets include angled bartacks at the corners and a bartacked pencil stall on the left pocket. The collar is a two-piece lined construction with sewn-in collar stays and a metal gripper at the neck that secures the shirt closed without a top button pulling open. Six-button front closure and stitched-down placket keep the shirt presentable through the shift.
For decorators, the Red Kap SP24 is an embroidery-first substrate. The 4.25 oz poplin is firm enough to carry a left-chest logo cleanly, and the hex pocket provides a natural frame for a company name or logo badge. Use a cut-away stabiliser behind dense logo fills because the poplin weave is tighter than fleece but still tracks under high-stitch fills without proper backing. Left-chest placement (above or clear of the pocket) and sleeve embroidery are the cleanest positions. DTF transfer is the most practical decoration method for the button-front body: apply to the upper chest clear of the button placket and pocket edges so the transfer film does not bridge structural seams. The 65% polyester content is a dye migration factor for any plastisol screen print on coloured SP24s: a full poly-blocking underbase is required on navy, charcoal, royal, and other saturated grounds. Vinyl HTV presses cleanly on the flat poplin surface at standard shirt settings, and works well for name and number programs on the back or sleeves. DTG is not a practical route on the SP24: the button-front placket prevents flat platen loading, and the poplin weave absorbs pre-treatment unevenly compared to a jersey knit. Route all full-color artwork to DTF instead.
- Brand: Red Kap
- Style: SP24 (also listed as Red Kap SP24 Industrial, Red Kap short-sleeve work shirt)
- Fabric: 65% polyester / 35% cotton poplin
- Weight: 4.25 oz/yd2
- Technology: Touchtex (soil release, moisture wicking, color retention through industrial laundering)
- Construction: Button-front, six buttons plus metal collar gripper. Two-piece lined collar with sewn-in collar stays. Two hex-style button-thru chest pockets with angled bartacks. Bartacked pencil stall on left pocket. Stitched-down front placket.
- Fit: Men's traditional industrial work shirt fit
- Sizes: S-6XL
- Colors available: 11 colors including White, Light Gray, Grey, Navy, Petrol Blue, Light Tan, and others
- Case quantity: sold by the piece or per case; confirm current units per case with TheClothingSpace for your color and size run
- Care: Machine wash warm. Tumble dry medium. Industrially launderable. Do not bleach.
The SP24 holds consistent sizing across production runs, which is the critical factor for uniform programs adding headcount or reordering mid-season. The Touchtex finish maintains color through repeated industrial wash cycles, so the shirt looks presentable at week 50 of a uniform program as well as week one. For programs that need matched long-sleeve coverage in cooler months or for roles requiring more skin protection, the Red Kap SP14 uses the same 4.25 oz 65/35 poplin body and Touchtex finish in a long-sleeve cut, keeping the uniform consistent across sleeve lengths and laundering protocols. TheClothingSpace stocks the Red Kap SP24 at wholesale pricing with bulk discounts that increase with case and unit quantities, among the lowest prices online for this style, with fast US shipping on stocked colors.
Building a full uniform kit? See our wholesale work shirts for coordinated uniform options across brands and styles.
Features
- 100% preshrunk cotton
- Made with sustainably and fairly grown USA cotton
- Seamless rib at neck
- Taped shoulder-to-shoulder
- Double-needle stitching throughout
- Tear-away label
- Quarter-turned to eliminate center crease
- 7/8" collar
- Classic fit
Shipping & Returns
All Blank orders of $59 or more are shipped FREE same day via UPS Ground. Blank orders under $59 will qualify for the following shipping options:
- USPS Blank Apparel Shipping (2-4 Business Days): $4.99
- UPS Ground (1-2 Business Days): $8.99
Read our Shipping Policy for more information.
Fill out the Blank Apparel Return Form within 30 days of the order date to be eligible for a refund or return.
Note: All blank orders shipped outside of the continental US are not eligible for return, exchange, or refund.
Decoration Method Compatibility
How this blank performs across popular decoration methods.
| Method | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | ✓ | Primary method. 4.25 oz poplin carries left-chest logos without distortion. Use cut-away stabiliser for dense fills. Left-chest above/clear of pocket and sleeve placements are cleanest. |
| DTF Transfer | ✓ | Most practical print method for the button-front body. Apply to upper chest clear of button placket and pocket edges so transfer film does not bridge structural seams. |
| Vinyl / HTV | ✓ | Presses cleanly on flat poplin surface at standard shirt settings. Effective for name and number programs on back or sleeves. |
| Screen Print (Plastisol) | ✓ | 65% polyester requires a full poly-blocking underbase on coloured grounds to prevent dye migration. Button-front placket limits full-front print area. Platening required around placket. |
| Heat Transfer | ✓ | Standard heat transfers apply well to the flat poplin body. Keep placement clear of button placket and pocket seams. |
| Screen Print (Water-based) | ✗ | 65% polyester content limits water-based ink penetration and soil-release finish reduces ink adhesion. Not recommended. |
| DTG | ✗ | Button-front placket prevents flat platen loading and poplin weave absorbs pre-treatment unevenly vs jersey knit. Route full-color artwork to DTF instead. |
| Sublimation | ✗ | 35% cotton content prevents full sublimation dye transfer. Not suitable for this blend. |
Red Kap SP24 vs Comparable Wholesale Work Shirts
| Spec | Red Kap SP24 | Red Kap SP14 | Dickies 574 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting At | $18.63 | $21.49 | $34.90 |
| Weight | 4.25 oz | 4.25 oz | 5.25 oz |
| Yarn / Fabric | 65/35 poly-cotton poplin | 65/35 poly-cotton poplin | 65/35 poly-cotton twill |
| Fit | Men's traditional industrial work shirt | Men's traditional industrial work shirt | Unisex traditional work shirt |
| Construction | Button-front, hex pockets, Touchtex soil-release, metal collar gripper | Button-front, hex pockets, same Touchtex poplin as SP24, long sleeve | Button-front, dual chest pockets, doghouse sleeve plackets, stain-release twill |
| Best For | Industrial uniform programs, embroidered company logos, industrial laundry environments | Long-sleeve pairing with SP24 to keep uniform consistent across sleeve lengths | Heavier-duty programs where a thicker twill body is preferred over poplin |
Fabric Blend by Color Group
Not all colorways share the same fabric composition. Check the blend before ordering for decoration jobs where substrate matters.
| Color Group | Blend | Print Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| White | 65/35 poly-cotton poplin | Cleanest base for DTF and plastisol screen print. No poly-block underbase required for light or dark artwork. Embroidery carries cleanly without dye migration concerns. |
| Light grounds (Light Gray, Grey, Light Tan) | 65/35 poly-cotton poplin | Light underbase sufficient for dark inks on DTF and plastisol. Embroidery carries well. Touchtex soil-release finish does not interfere with heat transfer adhesion. |
| Dark and saturated grounds (Navy, Petrol Blue, and other deep colours) | 65/35 poly-cotton poplin | 65% poly content means dye migration is a real risk for any plastisol screen print. Full poly-blocking underbase required at controlled cure temperature. Embroidery and DTF are the lower-risk decoration routes for dark SP24 colours. |