Jan 04, 2026

Printed Scrubs: How to Add Personality to Your Uniform

Printed scrubs bring warmth and personality into healthcare workwear, and can make healthcare environments feel more approachable and less intimidating for patients. Just look at the colourful tops inside the Printed Pattern Scrub Tops collection or the vibrant Aussie Natives Scrubs range, and you'll realise how many options exist beyond the usual basic scrubs.

Whether it's an Aussie Natives Scrub Top or a crowd-favourite Border Kollies Top, printed scrubs add visual interest to your workday without compromising your professional appearance.

This guide breaks down how to choose prints that fit your role, how to mix and match without overdoing it and why high-quality printed scrubs feel different from the novelty versions you might have worn years ago.

Why Printed Scrubs Are More Than "Just Fun"

On some days, adding a bit of colour to your uniform is the quickest way to break up the monotony of back-to-back shifts. Other days, it's what makes a nervous patient smile before you even introduce yourself.

Printed scrubs help soften the edges of clinical environments. They feel less sterile and more human, which matters when you're meeting people on their hardest days or caring for little ones who don't yet have the words for their fear.

People naturally respond to colour and pattern. Bright tones feel energetic, blues and greens read calm, while animal prints create an instant sense of warmth in settings that often need it most.

The Power of Personality in Healthcare

Healthcare settings are full of unknowns for patients, from unfamiliar rooms with strange noises to procedures they've never heard of. Anything that softens and brightens that experience matters. This can be a warm tone of voice, a calm presence, and yes...the friendly scrub covered in wombats.

Printed scrubs create an immediate point of connection:

In paediatrics, a bright pattern like Cherry Milkshake can turn fear into curiosity;
In dental rooms, styles like If I Fit I Sit help shift the focus from the tools on the tray;
In aged care, designs like

My Feelings Matter start conversations with residents who might otherwise stay quiet;
In vet clinics, pet owners love seeing staff in designs like Lazy Cats that celebrate the animals they adore.

How to Choose the Right Printed Scrubs

A good scrub should perform well during your shift, move with you and look fresh after countless washes. Here's what actually matters.

1. Start with a breathable fabric that supports you on long shifts

Printed scrubs need to feel as good at hour ten as they did at hour one. That means the fabric should be doing the heavy lifting, not you.

The best medical scrubs should offer:

Breathability so you stay cool under PPE or layers
Moisture-wicking fibres to manage sweat
4-way stretch for bending, lifting, and leaning
Soft material that won't irritate your neck or arms after a full shift
Durable prints that stay crisp

2. Choose scrubs with a fit that lets you move naturally

If the print is fun but the fit isn't comfortable, then the whole uniform feels off.

A good scrub fit should:

Move with your body
Offer enough space across the shoulders and upper back
Sit comfortably at the hips without pulling
Include practical pockets (preferably multiple and deep)
Maintain a professional silhouette without feeling boxy

3. Select colours or prints that suit your personality

Printed scrubs should make you approachable while keeping you professional. And most importantly, they should feel like something you genuinely enjoy wearing.

For example:

Paediatrics: Anything that sparks curiosity, like the Parisian Pups, Aussie Treats and Christmas Chaos.
Dental and GP: Gentle prints, soft colours, and botanicals like Wild Meadow.
Vet clinics: Wildlife and pet prints like Yummy Bunny, Loafing Corgi and Wild Savanna.
Aged care: Florals, warm colours, and conversation-starter prints like The GP Life.
Hospitals and specialist clinics: Subtle patterns, modern geometric prints or calming tones like Blue-tiful Blooms.

4. Check the quality of the print

Low-quality prints can fade, crack or turn fuzzy around the details, making the entire uniform look untidy over time.

Look for:

High-density printing with clean lines
Rich colour saturation that doesn't wash out quickly
Colour-fast dyes to prevent fading
Even distribution of the print (no alignment issues or warped designs)

5. Prioritise ease of care

Nothing kills the joy of a great print faster than realising it needs ironing at 6 a.m.

Ideally, your printed scrubs should be:

Wrinkle resistant
Quick-drying
Low-maintenance
Machine washable
Able to withstand frequent laundering without losing shape or colour

Matching Printed Scrubs With Solid Colours

Printed scrubs already carry personality, so the trick is to keep that personality looking intentional (not like your uniform wandered into a costume party).

Here's how to strike a balanced look:

1. Pair prints with solid colours

Pick pants with colours that already exist somewhere inside the printed scrub, even in a tiny leaf or micro-pattern. That little trick ties everything together without anyone noticing why it looks so polished.

2. Keep accessories simple

If your printed scrubs have a strong design, your accessories don't need to be over the top.

Choose:

Solid-colour scrub caps
Simple headbands
Neutral scrunchies
Minimal utility belts or bags

3. Matching compression socks

Matching printed scrubs with patterned compression socks in the same colour or theme creates a look that feels pulled together without being loud.

For example:

A Long Boi scrub paired with Long Boi socks
A Down Under scrub paired with Paws Up socks

4. A note on men's scrubs

Women often approach printed scrubs like fashion. Men, on the other hand, are chasing personality without losing professionalism.

Men's printed scrubs often lean towards:

Darker
More geometric
More subtle
Less whimsical (but still fun)

Good patterns for men include small-scale botanicals, natives, monochrome animals, structured shapes, and anything with depth rather than brightness.

Sustainability: The Hidden Bonus of Printed Scrubs

For a long time, scrubs were made of heavy polyester, stiff blends and colours that faded faster than a night shift coffee.

That's changed!

Today, brands use recycled fibres that give plastic bottles a second life instead of sending them to a landfill, while others focus on sustainable dyeing methods. Choose fabrics that resist shrinking and pulling, so you're not replacing your uniform every month.

Consider:

Scrubs with better colourfastness and stronger construction don't end up in the bin as quickly
Stretch fabrics hold their shape longer
Durable prints don't crack, peel, or fade after a handful of washes

All of this means fewer replacements, which is better for your wallet and the planet.

Why Dr. Woof Printed Scrubs Stand Out

There's no shortage of printed scrubs in Australia. But not all of them feel good the moment you put them on or survive the rostered life of real healthcare work.

Dr. Woof scrubs are different because they're built by people who actually work in hospitals, clinics and practices. People who know what it's like to chase a vein, kneel on the floor, spring down a corridor, or sit through extended consultations without a minute to breathe.

And that shows in the details:

Printed scrubs are made from 92% recycled GRS-certified fabric with 8% spandex, giving you softness, stretch, and breathability without the usual "polyester stiffness" older scrubs are known for.
The fabric is moisture-wicking, quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant, and designed to feel good for your entire shift.
The classic mid-depth V-neck looks polished.
Subtle tailoring without feeling tight.
Two roomy front pockets plus an internal pocket for keys, rings, or anything else you need to keep close by.
A variety of prints coloured with eco-friendly, low water dyes, so they hold up wash after wash without fading.

Dr. Woof's printed scrubs are fun, but they're functional, ethical and made to last, too.

FAQs

Can I customise my printed scrubs?

Dr. Woof offers embroidery so you can add your name or clinic logo for a professional touch. Just email the team before purchase to discuss your design and select colour options.

How do I unlock free shipping in Australia?

Shopping orders over $145 automatically unlock free shipping across Australia, so you can add your favourite prints without extra cost.

What if the scrubs don’t fit?

You can return unworn items within 60 days, making it easy to find the comfortable, breathable pattern you'll actually love wearing on shift.

Are printed scrubs still professional?

Absolutely. Dr. Woof's collection balances fun, Aussie-inspired patterns with polished tailoring for all-day comfort.

Do printed scrubs hold up during long shifts?

Yes, they do. The fabric is soft, breathable, and built for real shift life, combining style, personality, and reliable work functionality.

Final Thoughts

It's no surprise that printed scrubs have become a favourite among Aussie nurses, vets, med students, GPs, physios, dental teams, radiographers and aged-care workers. A subtle floral print or cute animal pattern is often enough to brighten a clinical room, put patients at ease and remind you that you’re still you underneath the layers of routine, PPE and responsibility.

With Dr. Woof's soft, breathable, recycled-fabric apparel, finding a scrub feels easier than ever. A small pattern can get you through a long shift, so why not choose one that feels like you?