Clothing labels seem like they should be easy to choose, but once you start looking at options there are a lot of factors to consider. From sew-on labels to iron-on labels, printed labels to stick-on labels, they all have uses but not all labels are appropriate for every fabric surface.
Garments stretch, fold, get dirty, and go through the washing machine again and again. Something that looks great and works well on paper or a hard surface may not necessarily work as well on clothing.
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best washable clothing labels for fabric surfaces.
Start With Your Fabric Surface
When you look at clothing labels, the first place to start is usually with the fabric you’re planning to use them on.
Clothes come in many types and fabrics like cotton, polyester, nylon, and blends are all common for daily wear. However, they can react differently to adhesive labels. Some fabrics are very smooth while others are fuzzy, stretchy, or made with special coatings.
That’s why there is no universal “best” clothing label option. Different labels are better suited to different situations.
For standard clothes and fabric surfaces, washable stick-on labels can be a great choice. They don’t require sewing or heat to apply and the application process is simple.
Delicate or heavily textured materials may need spot testing before applying an adhesive label directly to the material.
Stick-On vs. Iron-On vs. Sew-On Labels
Clothing labels fall into four general categories based on how they’re applied.
Sew-on labels are tried-and-true and will create a very permanent attachment, but take a long time to apply. Sewing on dozens of individual labels quickly becomes tedious.
Iron-on labels remove the sewing step, but require you to apply heat. You’ll need an iron or heat press and the fabric needs to be able to withstand the required temperature.
Stick-on labels take a completely different approach. All you have to do is peel the paper backing off and stick the label onto the garment or clothing tag.
This saves a lot of time for quick-turn projects.
Test Washing Performance
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing washable clothing labels is how they hold up in the wash.
Clothing labels are exposed to water, detergent, rubbing, and heat when they go through washing and drying cycles. A label that starts falling apart after 5 washes does you no good, even if it looks good on day one.
Great K2’s washable clothing label material is built for repeat washing. It features a waterproof adhesive, and Great K2 claims their washable labels can last over 30 wash cycles.
Of course, real-world performance will vary depending on the fabric, how it was applied, washing method, and follow-up care. It’s always best to test out a sample material on a garment before running a large print job.
Printable Labels Let You Customize
There are other areas where washable clothing labels can vary as well. For example, how much can you customize them?
Some retail labels are available as finished products with names or designs already printed on them. They can be great if you only need one or two labels, but what about if you need hundreds or more?
That’s where printable materials become a better choice. Businesses, schools, sports teams, and label makers can all benefit from being able to customize their own labels.
Great K2’s washable label material is printable and uses a self adhesive backing. It supports Solvent, Eco- Solvent, UV, and Latex printing methods. The material comes in a large format width of 1.37 m so you can customize your own labels.
Instead of ordering new finished label designs each time you need something different, manufacturers can print their own names, numbers, logos, and graphics.
Great K2 vs Consumer Brands
When considering Great K2 versus consumer brands like Avery or Mabel’s Labels, it’s not necessarily a matter of who makes the “best” overall product. Both brands make great labels, but they target slightly different users.
Consumer brands tend to cater towards parents and residential users. One of the benefits of a no-ready-made label is convenience. You don’t have to buy, print, and cut your own labels when you need them.
Avery makes laundry-safe fabric labels that are specifically designed for households. They’re designed to not require ironing so they’re very convenient for everyday use.
Great K2, on the other hand, specializes in the label material itself.
While Great K2 offers a few finished materials, their main focus is on customers who want to customize their own labels. That gives them much more flexibility when different styles, logos, or quantities are required.
It ultimately comes down to what you need.
Do you need a dozen labels for your son’s soccer team? Custom printing your own might be overkill. Need to print your own clothing labels at home? Pre-made labels aren’t going to cut it.
Look at the Fabric
Adhesive labels work best on fabric surfaces that are smooth and don’t change shape much. Extremely fuzzy blankets, thick towels, stretchy jerseys, and delicate fabrics can be tricky because the adhesive might not make full contact with the material.
With very delicate fabrics, you may want to apply the label onto the existing care tag instead of directly on the fabric. Otherwise, you can try sticking a label onto a hidden part of the garment to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric or get ruined in the wash.
Choose the Label Type That Meets Your Needs
When you pick out washable clothing labels, think about more than just the labels themselves. Consider what you’re putting them on.
The type of fabric as well as washing method, how you apply them, and if you need to customize your labels matter. Not every label is perfect for every situation, but with so many options on the market you’re bound to find something that works.
Need labels that stick directly to fabric surfaces? Washable stick-on labels might be right for you. Stick-on labels don’t require any heat or sewing making them easy to apply.
Prefers sewing? Sew-on labels are still widely used and can create a very durable attachment. But if you need customizable, printable materials for garment labels then check out Great K2.
Great K2’s washable clothing label material is flexible, durable, and designed to go through countless wash cycles. Plus, it comes in large rolls so you only have to restock once.
