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There are 21 different types of labels in garments, which we can distinguish from 4 aspects: materials, functions, sewing ways, and manufacturing processes.

  • Metal labels
  • Leather labels
  • PVC labels
  • Fabric labels
  • TPU labels
  • Main label
  • Care(wash) labels
  • Size labels
  • Hang tags
  • Flag labels
  • Iron-on labels
  • Heat transfer labels
  • Sewing labels
  • Metal labels
  • Woven labels
  • Printed labels
  • Hot-stamped leather labels
  • Casting metal & PVC labels
  • Embroidered labels
  • High-frequency labels

Why are clothing labels so important?

As we all know, clothing labels are an important part of clothing trimmings. They are more than just a piece of cloth or tags. They can clearly record the brand logo, clothing size, and ingredient list, place of origin, manufacturer, care information, etc. Many customers will decide whether to buy clothing based on the label. Therefore, labels are very important for product sales. This article also introduces various types of clothing labels from four perspectives.

Classified by materials

According to materials, we can divide clothing labels into metal labels, leather labels, PVC(rubber, silicone) labels, fabric labels, and TPU labels.

What are the metal labels? Metal labels are metal tags & accessories for clothing, hats, or bags, which can be engraved with brand logos. 

Metal labels have many types like aluminum labels, stainless steel labels, silver labels, copper labels, brass labels, zinc alloy labels, etc. Then, metal labels have wide usage and processes involve stamping, printing, laser cutting, etc. 

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What are the leather labels? Leather labels are one of the types of labels with leather material. we can also call them leather tags or leather patches. They have types of artificial(PU), genuine(real), or suede(microfiber) leather labels.

It is ideal for clothing jackets, denim, caps, bags, etc. And all the leather labels can use printing, embossing, or gold/silver hot stamping way to add personalized logos and metal tags.  And then adding ways include stitching on, ironed on, stuck on, or using Velcro.

What are the PVC labels? PVC labels are made of soft PVC rubber material. Its full name is Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC labels and silicone labels belong to rubber labels. And they are special tag & patch sewing for clothing like jackets, bags, hats, canvas, and outdoor products.

Most PVC labels can highlight the brand image by adding a company logo or brand name. So, you can use them by sewing, velcro, self-adhesive, soft magnet backings. But anyway, just attach them in your own personalized way.

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What are the fabric labels? Fabric labels are made of cloth fabric material including woven and printed fabric labels, which are durable and soft.

And materials include satin, nylon, taffeta, polyester, tape, ribbon, non-woven fabric, cotton fabric. Thus, they are ideal for t-shirts, coats, shirts, pants, child clothing, etc.

What are the TPU labels? TPU labels, also called clear clothing labels, are soft thin labels with logos printed on rubber-like materials. Their main material is TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) material. So, it is more eco-friendly than silicone and PVC.

In addition, we use screen printing, matte, frosted, bronzing, etc to make the labels. Above all, it shows a clear, transparent, or translucent effect. In conclusion, they are suitable for swimwear, underwear, etc.

TPU labels

Classified by fuctions

According to the function of labels, we divide them into the main label, care labels, size labels, hang tags, and flag labels.

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What is the main label? The main label is a type of clothing label woven, printed, heat transfer, or a leather way to add the brand logo & name on the fabric. It is usually under the inner and back collar of the top, or at the inner and back middle seam of the bottom. In general, a piece of clothing must have the main label when using labels.

What are the care labels? Care labels are garment wash labels and care symbols, which mark the fabric composition, care information of the clothes, and the correct washing method.

We attach the symbols to clothing or textiles. Such as washing, dry cleaning, drying, and ironing clothing. In general, factories or brands will use washing instructions and print the company’s logo, and the size on the labels.

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What are the size labels? Size labels are clothing labels that print or weave a specific size on clothing. Such as S, M, L, and XL sizes for garments, bedding, shoes, and bags.

Size labels include printed size labels and woven size labels. And they use laser-cut or hot-cut way. Its material includes polyester and cotton, satin, nylon, etc. When people shop, the first thing when they catch one clothing is to see its size. So as to judge whether it fits them or not.

What are the hang tags? Hang tags are clothing tags that use paper, plastic, metal, leather, and fabric material to print brand logos or product information. Such as price, care symbols, contact info, social links or website, brand stories, etc.

Apart from this, we hang it on the products by string, rope and metal chains, etc. On the string tags, there print a brief description and design of the products. While some certificate is hanging on the products as a hangtag.

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flag labels

What are the flag labels? Flag labels are small clothing labels attached at the outside bottom of fabrics, clothing, beddings, etc.

In general, it will print or weave a brand logo, and company name to specify its belongs. So, we can make the labels as brand labels or name labels to show the brand image.

Classified by sewing ways

According to the sewing ways of labels, we divide them into the iron-on label, heat transfer labels, sewing labels, metal labels & tags attached by rivets, and bendable legs.

What are the Iron-on labels? Iron-on labels are made of heat adhesive backing by peeling off to be ironed on fabrics with an iron. Then you will get perfect iron-on labels with water-proof, durable, and skin-good effects.

Thus, they are ideal for tees, shirts, t-shirts, trousers, pants, uniforms, etc. From this, it can print the personalized brand logo and name, contact info, websites or care symbols, etc.

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What are the heat transfer labels? Heat transfer labels are clothing main labels and heat press the logo or design onto the special transfer paper, synthetic film, or plastic film. Then, peel off the film and apply them to the clothing fabrics. Thus, we can also call them tagless tags or thermal transfer labels. Of course, it is perfect for T-shirts.

What are the sewing labels? Sewing labels are a kind of clothing label used in any fabric by a sewing machine. But, its edges usually leave grooves, holes that can be sewn. Any type of sewing label that can sew belongs to sewing labels. Such as woven labels, printed labels, leather, fabric, PVC, or metal labels.

PVC sewing labels

The way to attach metal tags & labels have main 2 types. That is attached by rivets or use the bendable leg. When customizing metal labels, customers usually choose two ways to attach the label on clothing, hats, bags, etc. And they are easy to add to the items.

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Classified by manufacturing processes

According to the manufacturing processes of labels, we divide them into the woven label, printed labels, hot-stamped leather labels, casting metal & PVC labels, embroidered labels, high-frequency labels.

Woven labels are a kind of the main label for clothing brands, which are weaved from fabrics including damasks, polyester, satins, taffetas, and cotton. And there are many types of labels. Such as cotton woven labels, selvage woven labels, damask woven labels, satin woven labels, crochet woven labels, iron-on woven labels.

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Printed labels are often inside clothing labels use printing ways to print logos, product info, company name, contact, or site links to improve brand image. And their materials include TPU, ribbons, cotton, satin, nylon, polyester, taffeta, canvas, tape, leather. In general, they have many types like the care or wash label, size label, etc.

Hot-stamped leather labels are generally used on the back waist of jeans, but of course, they are also used on bags, handbags, shoes, and hats. The craftsmanship of leather labels is generally hot pressing (high temperature and timed ironing). There are also voltage (high frequency), silkscreen, laser, sewing, embroidery, hardware… etc.

Product materials include first-layer leather, second-layer leather, microfiber leather, and artificial(PU and PVC) leather, synthetic leather. The leather label can be added to items by adding back 3M glue, adding Velcro, punching, piercing, etc. Thus, they are suitable for clothing, home furnishings, etc.

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Casting metal labels

Metal labels and some PVC labels often use the process of stamping, die-casting. They are a good way to manufacture the labels. Because the finished products will be durable and have a smooth surface. At the same time, we can inlay the metal labels with diamonds, paint, punch, and dripped. Plating and sealing glaze can ensure that each product will not be oxidized and will not fade.

What are the embroidered labels? An embroidered label is a type of clothing design created by overlapping thread stitches. The types of embroidery labels mainly include flat, 3D, towel, sequins, cloth, toothbrush, hand-beaded, mixed embroidery labels, etc. Embroidered labels can use the following 3 ways backing added to items:

  • Iron-on backing: for bags, hats, jackets, etc;
  • Sewing: sewing by machine to garments for long time use;
  • Adhesive backing: for short-time uses of clothing;
  • Velcro(hook and loop) backing: for easy on-off down jackets, coats, etc.
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What is the high-frequency label? The high-frequency label is a label that takes silicone/PVC material fusion welding on the felt fabric by high-frequency skill. It is also called the felt label. High frequency refers to the electromagnetic wave frequency of more than 100 kHz. Further, there are many applications for the label. Such as for clothing, gifts, toys, shoes, bows, decorating ribbons, etc.

4 thoughts on “21 different types of labels in garments”

    1. Dear Devaraj,

      Our Product Expert Kylan ([email protected]) replied to you via your email, thanks for your inquiry.

      We are supplier of woven and flag labels, we can do many kinds of labels, such as damask woven labels, main labels, size labels, care labels and so on.
      Can you please let Kylan know the size, color, and quantity?
      Can you provide your design if possible? or logo?

      Looking forward to your reply.

      Best regards
      Pinli Limited

    1. Dear Marvin,

      Thank you for your inquiry,
      Our Product Expert Kylan ([email protected]) has replied to you by Email.Please check it.

      Our production lead time is about 15 to 20 days after you confirm the design.
      MOQ is 100pcs.

      Can you tell us the size, color and quantity? so he can calculate the price for you.
      Looking forward to your reply.

      Best regards
      Pinli Limited

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