What are the types of clothing labels and how to choose clothing labels?
With so many labels to choose from, you might be a little confused, do you need a brand label, a laundry label, or a country of origin label? Let us demystify the different types of labels you see on clothing and help you choose your own.
Choosing clothing labels can be tricky. Maybe you’re not sure exactly what all the different labels are for, or what label you need for your item, and that’s okay. The term “clothing label” encompasses many different types of labels you’ll find on clothing or textiles, so bear with me, read on, and let us clear up some of the questions you might have.
If we were to start with the basics, these are what you should know. There are about five different types of labels you’ll find on any piece of clothing, and they are as follows: Brand, Care (including warning labels), Contents, Size, and Country of Origin. This information is passed on to the customer (or end user of the product you’re labeling) so they can get the most out of the product. Now, you might decide that your product doesn’t need certain information, or you might want to combine some of this information onto fewer labels – it’s all possible! Below we’ll discuss these different labels to help inspire you to come up with a combination that’s right for your brand.
Brand Labels
Brand labels are where you can let your creativity shine. These labels reflect your brand style and identity through name, logo, colors, and sometimes contact information. They can be large or small, hidden or integrated into the design of the item. We recommend choosing woven labels for your brand and focusing on just a few things, such as your brand name and logo. Keeping these labels simple in content (but rich in design!) is the key to having eye-catching and memorable brand labels without the need for extra information.
Care and Contents Labels
Care and contents labels are information labels found on any clothing or textile item you purchase. These labels inform the owner of the item what materials the item is made of, and may also include specific washing or laundering instructions. This label may display both symbols and multiple lines of text, and using printed labels is great for this purpose. Many care and contents labels also display the country of origin, which you may want to consider adding if you want to reduce the number of labels on your entire product. If you sell items to the public, make sure to check local laws and guidelines before ordering. Many places have specific regulations regarding care labels within textiles, so you will need to comply with these regulations.
Size Labels
It is a good idea to include size labels on your clothing, especially if you plan to make similar items in multiple sizes or plan to sell them. Size tags can be placed anywhere on a garment, but are often located next to the "Care & Contents" tag or attached to a brand tag. You can also choose to add sizing information directly to the care or brand tags you already plan to order, but this means you may need to order a series of tags if you plan to offer multiple sizes.
Country of Origin Tags
The country of origin or "Made in" tag represents the origin of the product. In most countries, this is a legal requirement. Sometimes the country of origin is on the "Care & Contents" tag, but if you want to showcase the heritage of your item, creating a separate tag is a great way to do so.
Hang Tags
In a busy retail environment, hang tags draw attention to your brand and merchandise. They are often made from thick card and displayed in a visible location on the item to provide information shoppers want to know immediately, such as price and size. They are designed to be removed once the item has been purchased, so many designers use their hang tags as a place to tell their brand's story. This is a great way to give new customers a better idea of why your product is special as they browse the racks.
