When it comes to producing quality products, it is required to ensure the best finishing touches. For clothing brands, that finish is usually a professional clothing label. A clothing label is the last element that makes clothing a branded item. Getting clothing labels that are made from a printer is the most effective way of increasing your brand.
The content of this guide is everything you need to know. We will discuss the materials we will be using and give you design tips. We will also compare different labels and help you find the right one. Let us create the best label for your company.
Reasons Why Your Brand Should Have More
More than just fabric, a label is a big part of your product and brand story. Good looking and durable labels provide you with extra advantages.
- Brand Recognition: Remember that a label is your personal signature. Clothes carry them long after the hang tag is gone. This will help promote your brand through customer loyalty.
- Trust and Quality: The label being perfect is one way of showing that you care about details. This is the way to make your customers trust you. It indicates that they are indeed buying a quality product.
- Important Info: Labels provide product info such as size, materials, and washing instructions. This enables customers to keep your products looking fresh.
- Higher Value: Labels that are customized give customers a feeling that the product is more valuable. This is one way of separating the product from normal clothing and increasing your brand’s strength.
Printed vs. Woven Labels
One of the initial decisions you have to make is the choice of either printed or woven labels. Both of these are excellent alternatives, but they serve divergent requirements. The term “printed labels” refers to those that have ink applied directly to the surface of a material while “woven labels” means the design that is woven into the fabric with the help of threads.
The best choice depends on your design, budget, and brand style. Many clothing lines use both types for different purposes. For example, some brands provide a great range of both printed and woven options for almost any clothing item.
To provide you with help, we have prepared a simple table.
| Feature | Printed Labels | Woven Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Detail & Complexity | Perfect for pictures, gradients, and very fine text. | Best for bold logos and combo designs with 1-8 solid colors only. |
| Durability | High-quality prints are very durable and wash well. | Very durable and long-lasting; design won’t fade. |
| Feel & Comfort | Super soft, especially on satin. Great for items that are close to the skin. | Very soft, although some types can be a bit stiff. |
| Cost | Usually the cheapest option, especially for small orders and complicated colors. | Usually higher, especially for complicated designs or if the quantity is low. |
| Best For | T-shirts, baby clothes, care labels, and logos with lots of detail. | Denim, premium branding, windbreakers, and simple logos. |
Going Deeper into Materials
Your choice of printed clothing labels custom made can be based on the material you will select. It plays a major role in determining the labels’ attractiveness, comfort, and pricing. Therefore, the material must communicate the brand you want to portray. A selection of the most commonly used materials for custom clothing tags is provided below.
Satin Polyester
Satin polyester is the most frequently chosen material for printed labels. It is because it stands out. This amazing fabric has a flat and shiny look, so the print will be clearly visible.
- Best For: Fabric labels from T-shirts, care instructions, and almost any clothing such as a swimsuit, dresses, and more.
- Pros: It is super soft against the skin, shows colors bright, and is very durable.
- Cons: The edges can fray if not properly cut and sealed with heat or ultrasonic cutting.
Natural Cotton
Cotton is a soft, natural, and eco-friendly fabric that gives the label a rustic and fresh appeal. So it is an excellent material for brands with that feel.
- Best For: Organic clothing lines, handmade items, and children’s clothes.
- Pros: Comfortable, breathable, and has a soft, high-end, natural texture.
- Cons: Printing may be less sharp as compared to satin, and colors may appear muted.
Tyvek
Tyvek is a paper-like material made from plastic fibers. It’s very strong and can’t be torn, but it can be cut with scissors.
- Best For: Please label these products as law labels on beds or furniture or for outside branding like on the sleeve of jackets.
- Pros: Very durable, waterproof, and very lightweight.
- Cons: It feels like paper and isn’t comfortable against skin, so it’s not used for neck labels.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
TPU is a clear, soft, and flexible rubber-like material. It offers a very modern and unique look for your brand.
- Best For: Swimwear, activewear, and lingerie. It’s also used for external branding.
- Pros: Completely waterproof, durable, and has a trendy, high-tech appearance.
- Cons: It’s a specialty material and can cost more than satin or cotton.
Crafting Your Printed Label
An exquisite label is born from a brilliant design. Our experience in making thousands of labels has taught us what works best. Here are the primary design principles to follow for your custom labels.
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Keep Your Logo Simple. Cramped elements and thin lines can easily fade away when you reduce a logo to a size of one inch. Choose a bold, clean version of your logo for the best results.
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Carefully Select Fonts. Make your selection of fonts easy to read and clear. Fonts that do not have a serif, like Arial or Helvetica are much easier to read than serif fonts at small sizes. Don’t forget to make your text large enough to be readable.
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Color & Contrast Proficiency. The primary requirement for a good label is high contention between the background and the ink. For instance, dark text on light label is the easiest to read. We employ cmYK color model for printing, which is the standard one for full-color printing. If it is essential to you to have an exact color, use Pantone (PMS) color code.
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Consider the Fold. A label can be flat or folded, that’s the first thing to note. A centerfold label has two sides only for design space. This is just right for a logo at the front and care info at the back. An end-fold label is a label with two small flaps on each end for sewing. Your design has to be for the space that is visible.
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Technical File Prep. You need a good quote file for the sharpest print, so you need to provide that. The best type of files to use are high-resolution vector files, which include Adobe Illustrator (.ai), .eps, or .pdf file types. They can be resized without losing any quality.
The Life Cycle of Your Label
Having an understanding of the whole sequence of events of making your label is a great way of planning. Below is a step-by-step process that you will encounter while ordering custom printed clothing labels.
The Ordering & Production Workflow
- Decide on Design: After you have submitted the final version of your artwork and information.
- Choose Material & Quantity: Choose your material, size, fold, and how many labels you need.
- Digital Proof Approval: We create a digital mock-up, or proof, of your label. You must approve this before we start production.
- Production: The labels are printed, cut, and finished.
- Shipping: The labels will be packed and then shipped to you.
Application Methods: Sew-In vs. Iron-On
Sew-In: The classic and most durable way of attaching a label. It presents a professional high-end finish which lasts the lifespan of the garment.
Iron-On (Heat Seal): This method uses a heat-activated adhesive on the back of the label. It’s a faster and easier option if you don’t have sewing skills. However, it may not be as permanent as a sew-in label after many washes.
Beyond Labels: A Cohesive Brand
Your brand identity not only consists of labels but also has to do with the other marketing aspects. The branding elements are to be looked at as one functional unit. The vision is to offer your consumer a cohesive and unforgettable experience.
Direct printing on clothing using methods like screen printing or even specialized textures that complement your product can also be included in this complete approach. These are just examples.
Picking the Right Partner
Finding a trustworthy supplier is what your brand needs if you want to be successful. Your manufacturer should be your partner and help you achieve the best results with your printed clothing labels.
Here is a checklist that can be easily used to choose the right supplier.
- Material Quality & Variety: Is there a good mix of high-quality materials? Can they send you samples?
- Low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Suppliers with low MOQs are what you should be looking for. This is critically important for startups and small businesses that do not need thousands of labels at one go.
- Transparent Proofing Process: A no-cost digital proof should be an integral part of their service. This makes sure that you have the final approval on the design before printing.
- Straightforward Pricing: Pricing should be transparent and upfront. There should be no hidden fees for design help or setup.
- Customer Support & Expertise: Do they provide answers to your questions and useful suggestions? A good partner always wants you to be successful.
Partners are good in that they are like an extra person in your team. By us, I mean Clothing Manufacturer Ltd, we take pride in being your companion and guiding you through every step of the journey.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Below are responses to some of the frequently asked queries concerning custom printed clothing labels.
What is the best file format for my custom label design?
The best formats are those that are vector files like Adobe Illustrator (.ai), .eps, or .pdf. You could also use high-resolution (300 DPI) .png or .jpeg files but vector files are preferred by manufacturers because they give the best results.
How durable are printed clothing labels? Will they fade?
If labels are made with the correct ink, then they are highly durable. Strings made from satin polyester are suitable for dozens of wash cycles at home with modern printing technology. The ink actually binds to the fabric and during normal wear and care, it should not crack or fade easily.
What is a typical minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
That varies a lot between suppliers. The largest may ask for 1,000 labels or more. Several of the companies that deal with small businesses offer MOQs as low as 50 or 100. It is achievable for new brands to get a custom printed clothing label because of this.
Can I get a sample of my label before a full order?
Most suppliers should be able to provide a free digital proof for you to check. You get to see what the exact label will look like. Buying a single physical sample of your own design can be costly. However, many suppliers will provide you with sample packs that contain their various types of materials, allowing you to physically assess the quality before your purchase.
Regarding price, how do printed labels compare with other branding methods?
For the most part, printed labels are one of the cheapest ways to brand your product. As a matter of fact, the direct print from a puff print hoodie manufacturer is done one piece at a time. On the other hand, the labels are made in bulk and then attached, thus, in most cases, the label per unit cost lesser. The total cost will depend on the design of both the label and the direct print used.
