Types of clothing labels, and how to choose the most ...

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.

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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 .

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.

The photographs of the inside and outside labels were taken in the following

apparel&#;s establishmentsFootnote 4 (Table 1):

Full size table

By inside label it refers to that stuck to the clothing permanently&#;as its lifespan has to coincide with that of the garment&#;which is found inside it and tends to contain the most technical information such as: pictograms of preservation, composition and information of the maker, among others.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit functions and requirements of clothing labels factory.

On the other hand, the outside label&#;considered as being attached to the garment temporally&#;gives the consumer information about the product, such as: size, price, brand and a bar code whose function is to expedite the shopping process, among other information, such as the material used in its fabrication. This label, which is more commercial, is also used to reflect a brand ranking.

For the study of the outside labelling it has been analyzed the information, attractiveness, form, price, material and color:

Information

This factor means to examine if the information which is given to the consumer is appropriate. To do so, it has been established a scale which goes from scant information, to average and to complete information. The first is that the label only contains either the price or the size, the second that it has the price and the size and the last that it includes the price, the size and additional information.

Attractiveness

In this case, it was analyzed the appearance and originality of the label, centering ourselves on the design chosen by the brand as its presentation card. For considering a label to be attractive it must has both a nice appearance and original elements which, differentiating it from the labels of the competition, make it exclusive. To apply this criterion, it has been established a numerical scale from 1 to 5, where one corresponds to a not very attractive label and five is a very attractive label.

Form

Here it has been studied the figure chosen for the presentation of the label, either circular, rectangular or any other geometric figure.

Price

It has been compiled the price marked for the garment by the different shops visited.

Material

Here it has been focused on the material used for the manufacturing of the label as well as the durability it presents.

Color

To complete the analysis of the label it has been noted what color is used by the different brands to make it. This is often connected with the color the consumers identify the brand by, or else it is the compositions of colours which, being most eye-catching, attracts the consumer&#;s attention.

For the study of the inside label, it has been analyzed the information, material, clarity, appearance and language:

Information

In this factor it has been analyzed if it complies with the guidelines set out in the Royal Decree 928/ () which refers to the label&#;s obligatory content. To do so, it has been established a scale which goes from null information, to scant, average and complete information. The first means that the garment lacks an inside label, the second that it complies with at least two requirements, the third that it complies with more than three requirements and the last that it complies with all the requirements.

Material

Applying what is established by the law mentioned, it was here studied if the label is permanently sown or stuck to the garment and if the material used in its making has the same lifespan as the garment. The classification according to this criterion was between low resistance, average or high. Having low resistance meant that the print easily disappears and that the material is not difficult to destroy, average that either the ink or the material is of low quality, and high that both the ink and the material have a great durability.

Clarity

With this factor the study analyze if the contents of the label are precise and easily understandable by users. In this case, the classification is between, high, average and low, according to our own criterion as users.

Appearance

It is noted if the presentation of the information on the label follows an order and enables it to be perfectly legible. A classification has been established between and an acceptable and a good appearance. Acceptable is when it complies with only one of the two aspects considered and good is when it complies with both.

Language

In this factor and according to what the Royal Decree 928/ () establishes, it has been analyze if the label complies with the requirement that it is compulsory for the label&#;s content to be in Spanish.

Having complied all the information, the results shown in the following Table 2 are a comparison of each of the labels found in the shops selected and see the photos of each one in the annex.

Full size table

Regarding the textile labels, as to the information that the consumer receives from the outside labels, the majority of them are incomplete and insufficient. Nonetheless, it is to be mentioned that the information contained is scanter and less clear is in small businesses. This result is in the line of Staden et al. (), in their research take female consumers&#; use of clothing labels, &#;Although respondents indicated that they read and understand clothing labels, results revealed problems experienced when attempting to use the information provided&#; (p. 79) (Table 2).

Referring to the label&#;s degree of attractiveness, it was found a broad diversity as this is a very subjective factor, depending on the perception which each person has of it. The factors form and material used in the making of the label are those which present more homogeneity in the sector, as the labels found were mostly rectangular and made of cardboard. The same cannot be said of the price factor, which is quite varied, ranging from 3.50&#; to 32.00&#;. The combination of white and black or white with other tonalities are the mixtures most used for the presentation of the outside label.

As to the general results obtained about the inside label, referring to the information depicted in it and which enables the consumer to know about the garment (producer, distributor, preservation, etc.) mainly it is presented completely. Regarding the material used for making it, most comply with what is established in the current regulation about the label, the material being highly resistant. On the other hand, the information which appears on most labels is completely comprehensible. Chiefly, the appearance of the content can be qualified as acceptable, but the order followed hinders some aspects of its legibility. Last, the language used on the label is Spanish, so it complies with one of the obligatory requirements established in the Royal Decree 928/ ().

However, it needs to be mentioned the fact that during the elaboration of this field work it was found garments which lacked an inside label. This is a tendency in the small businesses of the center of the city through which they wish to remove the identification of the distributor. According to the sales assistants who were asked about this, in this way they avoid the consumer knowing the distributor and being able to carry out a direct online purchase. This causes, as well as the non-compliance with the current regulation, a total lack of consumer knowledge about the product which they are acquiring. This is because if the garment does not have an inside label it lacks the information about the maker and distributors, and the pictograms of preservation. The main consequence which derives from this is the consumer&#;s defenselessness, as well as the clear lack of supervision of these products and the need for an organism which ensures that this does not happen and provides this sector of the market with more security.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of reflective woven label for sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.