Fabric label basics are a vital part of any clothing designer's or company's required supplies. Clothing labels display the company's name and designer's information, linking the brand with the product as a type of on-product advertising. Because the customer views the fabric label every time they wear or wash the garment, all clothing manufacturers and designers need to understand what an important asset fabric labels are.

The bare bones fabric labels basics consist of woven labels, iron-on labels, and size and care labels. Woven labels are the traditional labels sewn on the fabric. Iron-on labels are fabric or paper-backed labels that adhere directly to the fabric. Size and care labels contain the size of the garment and the care instructions needed to maintain the garment.

1. Sew woven fabric labels to your company's garments.

2. Try iron-on clothing labels to display your company logo.

3. Utilize size and care fabric labels to help inform the customer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create woven cloth labels to feature a uniform label for your clothing

Woven fabric labels are the most common labels used in the industry. These labels are sewn onto the garment and stand up to frequent washes. A woven fabric label is often designed specifically for the company and features the company's specific logo, color scheme or font.

I recommend: Create woven custom garment labels and review other designs at WovenLabelsPlus. ClothingLabels4U.com supplies stock and personalized fabric labels for clothing and other fabrics. Purchase custom fabric labels from one of the leading clothing label makers through the Name Maker website.

Purchase iron-on clothing labels to display your company's name or logo

Iron-on labels are growing in popularity because they cost less than sewn labels while being equally effective. Iron-on labels are available in woven and linen paper materials. Much like woven cloth labels, iron-on labels stay put despite many washings. They are also simple to apply to fabrics.

I recommend: Find personalized industrial iron-on clothing labels and wholesale fabric labels at Texmark. It's Mine! USA creates custom iron-on labels for clothing. Design your own custom clothing labels at American Label Company.

Display care and size information on your fabric label

The size and the care of a garment is information that is needed to not only keep the garment in good condition, but also to help the customer decide which size and fabric is best for her. Size and care fabric labels are generally sewn into the garment, but stick-on labels are often used on the outside of folded clothing to display the size with ease.

I recommend: Visit clothing label makers who create size and care labels for clothing at General Label Mfg. Raynor & Associates specializes in size and care tags for all clothing sizes and styles. Locate stick-on fabric labels for all sizes at Mark Bric.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Review design restrictions and be sure to request samples from any fabric label company you consider hiring before you place an order.

Your consumer services business may be sewing clothes for the public from your home. Or, you may operate a retail store, selling garments that you want to distinguish from the pack. Cloth labels add a touch of individuality to the clothing look you create.

There are a variety of clothing label makers to choose from, and a wide range of price tags for their services. Custom fabric labels often cost a bit more, but add that extra creative flair. Custom garment labels often cause people to remember a brand name.

Look for clothing labels created by a clothing label maker who offers such options as:

1: Colorfast cloth labels that are machine washable and won’t run or fade.

2: Woven polyester or a type of cloth label that won’t fray or unravel at the edges.

3: Custom garment labels that you can order by package deal with a variety of designs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Fabulous fabric labels form lasting impressions

When you add the touch of fabric labels to your finished garments, customers have your image at their fingertips and will more than likely remember your services and call again.

I recommend: Request a brochure that shows a variety of custom-printed fabric labels that are pressure sensitive. Heirloomlabels.com offers low minimum numbers for orders, making their services great for the small, start-up business watching their budget. Small quantities and fast shipping are great service options.

Fabric label suppliers design designer looks

Create a label that's distinctively different when you order from clothing label makers who specialize in creating for your company a distinct look that promotes brand recognition.

I recommend: Get custom fabric labels designed just for your business image by sending an image for quotation from LuckyLabel.com. WovenPatches.com offers different folds for their clothing labels such as center fold, loop fold, end fold or a simple straight cut. Ask for a quote.

Clothing care content fabric labels add a nice touch

Instructing your customers in how to care for their newly-purchased garments is a nice touch of personal customer service.

I recommend: Get clothing care content labels from a clothing label maker who offers fast turnaround service and download their catalog. Order online fabric labels from a clothing label maker with over 69 years of manufacturing experience in personalized fabric labels with logo and design.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for the word 'woven' when you want a fabric label that is durable, washable and won't unravel over time. Some woven material labels are manufactured in polyester blends, nylon and cotton blends. Woven fabric labels add a soft finishing touch to a garment.
• •  Made-to-order custom garment labels for children's clothing and toys (such as stuffed animals) add a delightful feature for personalization and create memorable keepsakes.

Clothing labels are perfect for displaying information for the customer. To attach the label to clothing with thread or adhesive, you need supplies. Fabric labels are a vital part of the clothing business. These labels display the name of the clothing line, care instructions and the size of the garment. Fabric labels are a form of constant advertising; every time a person wears the garment, they see the designer's name or fashion line. No matter what type of clothing label your company uses, supplies for fabric labels are a must.

Different types of labels require different supplies. Cloth and fabric labels need to be sewn on the fabric with a new or used sewing machine. If you use iron-on labels, use a commercial iron to adhere the labels properly.

1. Find a new sewing machine to sew on fabric labels.

2. Purchase a used sewing machine for clothing labels.

3. Locate commercial irons to secure iron-on clothing labels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate new sewing machines to attach custom fabric labels

These sewing machines are designed to withstand heavy use and can attach labels to even the heaviest fabrics. New machines often provide more features than older, used and refurbished machines. New machines also come with warranties and financing options unlike used machines.

I recommend: Find a wide selection of industrial sewing machines for fabric labels at SewingMachinesPlus.com. Browse the list of industrial sewing machines for sale at Ultimate Sewing and Vac. Acesewing.com carries many new brands of sewing machines for cloth labels.

Purchase a used sewing machine to meet your fabric label needs

Used and refurbished machines save your company money. Small and new companies often buy used or refurbished equipment to lower overhead and increase profit. Many machines offer features and options, but only concern yourself with a machine's bells and whistles if they are features your company requires.

I recommend: Visit Dema Sales International for a variety of used sewing machines that help attach custom garment labels. Industrial Sewing Machine provides machines for clothing label makers and as well as personalized fabric labels. Find an used industrial strength sewing machine at Westchester Sewing Machine Company.

Find a commercial iron to secure iron-on clothing labels

Commercial irons are more expensive than household irons because they are designed to withstand high volumes of work along with extreme wear and tear. These irons heat up faster and get hotter than regular irons.

I recommend: Sewing Machines Mart supplies industrial irons for iron-on clothing labels. Visit Hammacher Schlemmer for all types of industrial irons. Visit the Gold Coast Sew & Vac Center to find commercial irons for fabric labels.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with a clothing label maker to inquire about what type of sewing machine or iron works best with their labels.

Custom fabric labels provide an effective way to market your textiles, clothes, crafts and much more. In the textiles and apparel industry, fabric labels are a valuable piece of the marketing strategy because they help identify the brand, and as a result, increase product recognition. Printed, woven and adhesive fabric label types tend to be the most compatible for identifying products ranging from jeans to quilts to stuffed animals. Make your clothing and textile products stand out and gain sales by using fabric labels of different colors, styles and designs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Center fold

Center fold means that the label folds in half, forming a 'loop.' Then, it is sewn into the back or side seam of some pants or shirts. Center fold fabric labels usually feature a woven or a printed logo on one side, and care instructions on the opposite side.

I recommend: Artco Textiles and BCI Labels provide further information as well as displays of center fold fabric labels.

Mitre fold

Mitre fold fabric labels come with 45-degree angles at their bottom corners. These types of labels are usually found inside men's shirt collars. The mitre fabric labels are designed to hang onto hooks.

I recommend: Read online brochures about mitre fold fabric labels and other designs at Avery Dennison.

Damask

Damask needle loom labels leave a uniform, high-end trim finish to garments. Damask fabric labels are soft, yet sturdy, and they are suitable to apply to products such as baby clothing and formal wear.

I recommend: Learn about damask fabric label applications, colors, sizes and manufacturing methods at Cruz Woven Label. Find examples of damask fabric labels at Sienna Pacific.

Die/laser cut

Label makers use laser cutting machines to create die, or laser cut, fabric labels styles. These are cut into distinctive shapes that you choose to identify your business and product brands.

I recommend: GPA Specialty Substrate Solutions gives examples and suggested applications for die-cut fabric labels. Cad Cut also explains its laser cutting processes for fabrics and materials.

Fuse cut

Fuse cut, or straight cut, four-sided fabric labels are sewn into products such as handbags. Manufacturers sew fuse cut fabric labels on all four sides of a garment.

I recommend: Liberty Labels features information on colors, sizes and finishes for fabric labels, including fuse cut.

PVC embossed

PVC embossed fabric labels involve the use of injection molding to create logos or artwork that represents the company brand.

I recommend: Data Graphics gives more details about PVC embossed labeling, including materials compatibility and fabric label specifications.