Types of clothing labels, and how to choose the most suitable one

Clothing labels provide consumers with useful information. As manufacturers, they are essential for product traceability. However, this is only a small part of the usefulness of labels.

In fact, in the 18th and 19th centuries, there is evidence of brands sewing their names or logos on the garments they made to identify their origin, as a seal of quality. In the 19th century, with the rise of mass production, advice on how to wash, dry and iron clothes began to be included on labels. Over time, the information on labels has become more comprehensive and complex.

What exactly is a clothing label and why are they important?

When we talk about clothing labels, we are referring to those small pieces of fabric, plastic or other material – as we will see in the next point, nowadays they are manufactured in a wide variety of materials -, and which contain relevant information about the clothing, such as brand identification, composition, size, origin, washing and care instructions or even information about the sustainable origin of raw materials or safety. They are usually hung, sewn or attached to the clothing. What information can be found on clothing labels?

• Brand identification. Many consumers use brands as a guide to purchase: they trust the quality of the clothing, the design, the style… In fact, branding is a key part of winning and maintaining consumer loyalty.
• Composition. The materials used are important to consumers, not only because of their preferences for wool, cotton, polyester, etc., but also because many may have allergies.
• Care instructions on how to wash, dry, iron and keep the garment in good condition, which prolongs the life of the garment.
• Size, which makes it easier for the consumer to find the size they need.

Displaying this information allows brands to comply with regulations in the countries where they distribute their clothing, as many countries regulate the information that must appear on product labels. In addition, more and more labels include security elements, such as holograms or QR codes, so that consumers can verify the authenticity of the clothing and avoid counterfeits.

Another type of information that more and more companies are including on their labels is environmental information, such as sustainable practices in the production of the clothing, sustainable or 0 km origin of raw materials, use of recycled or environmentally friendly materials… Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of their purchasing decisions on the environment, so communicating this type of information on their labels is becoming more and more necessary for companies at a strategic level.

Types of clothing labels

Over the years, clothing labels have not only become more informative, but their designs and materials have also become more and more varied. Nowadays, clothing labels can be classified according to three main criteria: according to the material they are made of, according to their main function or according to the way they are sewn on.

Types of clothing labels according to their material

The materials used to make labels are becoming increasingly varied, and may depend on the manufacturer’s preferences, branding and the purpose of the label. The most common are:

• Woven fabric labels: These are soft, flexible fabric labels that are often sewn inside of the clothing. They are durable and may be printed or woven with the brand name, material composition and care instructions.
• Printed fabric labels: These are common on low-cost garments and are often sewn or glued onto the clothing.
• Leather labels: These are typically used on high quality garments and often have the brand logo embossed or debossed on them.
• Metallic labels: These are a less common option, but serve as a branding element, similar to leather labels.
• Plastic labels: These are made from plastic materials such as PVC or TPU, and are often used on sports and outdoor clothing due to their water resistance. It is an option that is less and less used due to sustainability issues.
• Paper labels: Although less durable than other materials, paper labels are often used on temporary or low-cost garments.
• Recycled labels: These are made from recycled paper or plastic to reduce their environmental impact and to convey the brand’s sustainable practices.

Fabric labels, in turn, can be made from different types of fabric, such as cotton, wool or satin.

Types of clothing labels according to their functions

As the name suggests, they are classified according to their main function. The main types are:

• Brand labels or logos. Their main function is to communicate and enhance the brand identity, and to facilitate its identification by consumers.
• Product information labels: In addition to the brand name, these labels provide additional details about the garment, such as season, product name, style number and any special features.
• Care labels. The oldest and most common, these provide instructions on how to wash, dry, iron and care for the clothing.

• Composition labels. These show information about the materials used in the clothing, such as the proportion of cotton, polyester, wool, etc.
• Size labels: These labels indicate the size of the garment, making it easier for consumers to find clothes that fit properly.
• Sustainability labels: In response to growing environmental awareness, some brands use labels to highlight sustainable practices, such as the use of recycled materials, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes or sustainability certifications.
• Sustainability labels: In response to growing environmental awareness, some brands use labels to highlight sustainable practices, such as the use of recycled materials, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes or sustainability certifications.
• Promotional labels: Sometimes labels may include information about special promotions, discounts or brand events.
• Environmental care labels: Some brands use labels to highlight their commitment to sustainability and provide information on how the product is sustainably made or how it can be recycled or reused.

A special chapter is dedicated to traceability labels. They differ in that they incorporate RFID technology and are used to track garments from the origin to the final point of sale. In itself, this technology can be incorporated regardless of the material or function of the label, i.e., it is a cross-cutting feature.

Types of clothing labels according to their sewing way

Brand labels can be sewn or attached to clothing in a variety of ways, and the choice of sewing method may depend on factors such as label design and manufacturer preference.

• Labels sewn into the side seam: These are discreet and are not visible from the outside of the clothing.
• Labels sewn on the back of the collar. This location is convenient for the wearer and allows easy identification of the brand.
• Labels sewn on the bottom of the hem: This is also a discreet location, although it may be more visible when the garment is folded or rolled up.
• Labels sewn on the edge of the sleeves. This can be useful for clothing where the back of the collar is occupied by another label or design.
• Labels sewn on the outside: Some brands choose to sew their labels in a visible but unobtrusive location, as a distinctive feature.
• Adhesive labels. These are adhesive labels that are temporarily attached to the clothing, for example to show price, size or discount, and are easily removed.
• Thermo-adhesive labels. These are attached by heat and pressure, and are especially useful when it is not desired or possible to sew the labels onto the garment.
• Hang tags. In this case, they are not sewn onto the clothing, but hang from a thread, string or plastic.

How to choose the right type of clothing label?

There are several factors that will condition the choice of label for our clothing. What should we take into account?

1. Purpose of the label, i.e. what we want it for and what type of information we are going to include on it. For example, if it is a brand label for a new collection, for a promotion or stock clearance, if we are going to export and to which countries…
2. Brand image. Even if we design specific labels for different collections or pieces, all the labels must follow the line of our brand image, to reinforce our branding.
3. Method of attachment. We must also decide how the label will be attached to the garment. At this point we can apply practical criteria, such as what type of fastening will be cheaper or easier, or image criteria, i.e. use a more elaborate fastening, but one that increases the perception of the clothing’s value.
4. Legibility. The type of label you choose should allow for all the necessary information to be clearly readable. This is especially important if the label includes care and composition information.
5. Durability: Do we need the label to last, or is it for a one-off promotion?
6. Cost. Cost is often a decisive factor, ideally finding a balance between a label that does not cost too much, but still allows us to communicate all the necessary information and reinforce the brand image.
7. Applicable regulations. Consider whether there are regulations that may affect the choice of label.

In addition, it should be noted that in Europe, the European Commission wants to implement the digital passport for clothing, which will require garments to carry a QR code, NFC tag or RFID label to improve the traceability and transparency of fashion, and to achieve the goal that all textiles should be “durable and recyclable, made largely from recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced with respect for social rights and the environment” by 2030.

The best option is to have an expert label design team to advise us on the choice of the best material and type of label, and to advise us on the design.