Name labels for clothing: A complete guide
Name labels make it easier to keep track of clothing and belongings at nursery, school, sports activities and on outings. But which type of name label should you choose, where should you attach it, and how can you make sure it stays in place? This guide covers the essentials of name labels for clothing and belongings, from choosing the right label and placement to washing, durability and common mistakes.
Name labels are used to mark clothing and belongings with a name and, optionally, a phone number. They are especially useful at nursery and school, where many children have similar clothes, shoes, lunch boxes and water bottles. There are several types of name labels. Some need to be ironed or sewn on, while self-adhesive labels can be attached without an iron. Our name labels are self-adhesive and made from durable, flexible vinyl.
Self-adhesive name labels should be attached to a smooth care label or another label inside the garment. They should not be attached directly to the fabric. For the best adhesion, the surface should be clean, dry and have as little stretch as possible. Press the name label firmly into place and make sure the entire label, including the edges, makes good contact with the surface. Wait at least 24 hours after attaching the label before washing the garment. This gives the adhesive time to bond properly.
Choose a smooth care label or another label with minimal stretch. Avoid attaching self-adhesive name labels directly to the fabric.
| Garment or item | Recommended placement |
|---|---|
| Jumpers and T-shirts | On the care label or another smooth label inside the garment |
| Trousers | On the care label or garment label |
| Jackets and outerwear | On a suitable care label or another label inside the garment |
| Wool clothing | On the care label or garment label, not directly on the wool fabric |
| Shoes | On a clean, smooth surface. Avoid placing the label directly under the heel |
Self-adhesive name labels are designed to withstand everyday use on both clothing and belongings. When attached correctly, our labels can withstand:
- - Machine washing at temperatures up to 60 °C
- - Tumble drying
- - Dishwasher washing
- - Microwave use
This means the same type of name label can be used on clothing and on many of the items your child takes to nursery or school.
Yes. Self-adhesive name labels can also be used on many belongings with a clean, smooth surface. This makes them useful for labelling items that can easily get lost or mixed up with someone else’s. For example, you can use name labels on lunch boxes, water bottles, shoes, boots, backpacks, toys and other equipment.
Both self-adhesive and iron-on name labels work well for labelling clothing, but they suit different surfaces. If the garment has a smooth care label or garment label, self-adhesive name labels are the easiest option. They attach in seconds without an iron. The smoother and less stretchy the surface, the better the self-adhesive label will stick. If you want to attach the name label directly to the fabric, use an iron-on label or another solution designed for textiles. This is particularly relevant for very soft or stretchy materials, such as wool. A self-adhesive name label will not stick well when attached directly to wool fabric. You can still use a self-adhesive label on wool clothing if the garment has a suitable care label or garment label. To attach the name directly to the wool, choose iron-on labels.
If a self-adhesive name label comes off a garment, it may have been attached to an unsuitable surface or not given enough time to bond before the first wash. For the best adhesion:
- - Attach the name label to a clean, dry surface
- - Choose a smooth care label or garment label
- - Avoid attaching the label directly to soft or stretchy fabric
- - Press the entire label firmly into place, including the edges
- - Avoid folding or damaging the label when attaching it
- - Wait at least 24 hours before washing the garment
The most important thing is that the name label makes it easy to identify the owner if the garment or item gets lost. A common choice is the child’s first and last name. A phone number can also be useful, especially on belongings used outside nursery or school. For example, you can put the first name on the first line, the last name on the second line and a phone number on the third line. How much information you want to display on the name label is entirely up to you.
The number of name labels you need depends on your child’s age, how much clothing and equipment needs labelling, and how often their wardrobe is replaced. For nursery, there are often plenty of things to label: outerwear, spare clothes, shoes, boots, a lunch box, a water bottle, a backpack and other equipment. The same applies when starting school and taking part in activities outside school.
One set of our name labels contains 120 labels.
Yes. Our name labels are machine washable at temperatures up to 60 °C when attached correctly.
Can name labels be used on wool clothing?Yes, if the wool garment has a suitable care label or garment label to attach the name label to. Self-adhesive name labels should not be attached directly to wool fabric, as the soft, stretchy surface provides poor adhesion. To attach the name label directly to the wool, we recommend using an iron-on label.
Can name labels be used inside shoes?Yes. Attach the name label to a clean, smooth surface inside the shoe. Avoid placing it directly under the heel, where it will be exposed to heavy wear.
Can name labels be used on lunch boxes and water bottles?Yes. The name labels can be attached to clean, smooth surfaces and are dishwasher safe.
Do self-adhesive name labels need to be ironed on?No. Self-adhesive name labels attach without an iron. Simply press them firmly onto a suitable care label or garment label.
How long should I wait before washing the garment?Wait at least 24 hours after attaching the name label before washing the garment.
Can the name labels go in the tumble dryer?Yes. Our name labels can withstand tumble drying when attached correctly.
Can the name labels go in the dishwasher?Yes. They can be used on items such as lunch boxes and water bottles with a suitable, smooth surface and are dishwasher safe.
Self-adhesive name labels are an easy way to label clothing, shoes and other belongings without an iron. On clothing, correct placement matters: attach the name label to a clean, smooth care label or garment label, press it firmly into place and wait at least 24 hours before the first wash. When attached correctly, the same type of name label can be used on everything from clothing and outerwear to lunch boxes, water bottles and other belongings that need to find their way home.