More than just a label

Garment or clothing labels are something we see on a daily basis without giving them too much thought. It’s that little patch which is sewn onto your garment to tell you what brand you are wearing, and if you search a bit further, it tells you how to take care of your garment.

What are garment labels used for

As a child most of us used the label so that we could put our clothes on the right way round. However, useful as it may be, it is not the main purpose. Name labels are used so that companies that are producing the garment can help you identify the product with their brand and at the same time they are subtly advertising themselves every time you look at the label. These labels can appear inside or outside the garment.

Care labels are generally hidden inside the garment and are used to aid you in the care of the garment. Clothing producers use the International Textile Care Labelling Code system to best advise the end user. This is based on the type of fabric and trimmings that are used to put the garment together.

Who uses these labels

Label companies supply a huge range of different types of labels to anyone that produces an item of clothing, accessories like scarves and bags, and you will even find them in homeware goods. If a label can be fixed onto the item, or sewn into a seam, a company will most likely take the opportunity to do so.

Different types of labels

The main difference in labels is whether they are printed or woven. Differences also come in the shapes, sizes and colours, how they are folded for attachment and how you attach them to the garment.

Printed satin labels

These are normally done on a stock colour ribbon. Obviously, the widths can vary and the colours will depend on what the label manufacturer keeps as stock. One or two colours are used to print text and logos. These labels can be pre-cut into loops or folded at the ends. Care labels are also generally printed. They have all the care instructions, fabric and trim composition information as well as where the garment was produced. You will often find that the label sewn into your seam is also translated into more than one language.

Woven damask, satin and taffeta

Companies such as https://www.xpresalabels.com/apparel-labels/ can offer up to eight colours when you choose to use woven labels. They are more durable than their printed counterparts and are therefore used on garments that are delicate or that undergo extreme wear. The finished look is also a lot more professional. A sensible choice for clothing garments is woven damask. These labels can be smoothly and thinly woven because of the fineness of the damask thread.

Woven labels are made to the client’s unique requirements and as with all labels, the price varies depending on the size, intricacy of the design, number of colours used and the quantity ordered. These labels are also cut according to the client’s attaching requirements.

A fair amount of thought and time is put into the garment labels of your clothing. Just bear in mind that someone chose those colours, that design and shape with that specific item in mind.