Print name labels yourself or order them: what's more worthwhile?
Printable name labels are worth it for items that aren't washed or put in the dishwasher: binders, storage boxes, freezer containers, shelves, and name signs for parties or classrooms. For clothes, lunch boxes, and water bottles, ordered name labels are usually the safer choice, since standard sheets for home printers don't promise to withstand washing machines or dishwashers. The cost per label is lower with sheets, but only if you use the whole package.
Here you'll see what the sheets cost and can withstand according to the retailer, a cost example with real prices, what happens in the wash and dishwasher, and how to print for a good result.
Short answer: when should you print, and when should you order?
What matters isn't the price, but what the label will be exposed to. Water, heat, and rubbing are what distinguish paper with adhesive from a label made for washing.
| What you're labeling | Print yourself | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Binders, books, storage boxes | Works well | Unnecessary |
| Freezer containers and lunch boxes in the freezer | Works with freezer labels | Also works |
| Name signs for classrooms, shelves, parties, conferences | Works well, paper is enough | Unnecessary |
| Clothes that are washed | No standard sheet promises to withstand washing | Better choice |
| Lunch boxes and bottles that go in the dishwasher | No standard sheet promises to withstand dishwashing | Better choice |
| Pens, rulers, chargers | It works, but wears out quickly | A better choice if it needs to last |
For clothes, there are really three ways to label them: a self-adhesive name label on the care label, a fabric marker, or an iron-on label. A label printed at home is none of these.
Printable name labels: what the sheets cost and can withstand
We haven't tested any sheets ourselves. The table is based on information listed by Office Depot on its product pages, checked on October 27, 2026. Prices are for consumers, including VAT, and change often.
| Sheets | Size | Quantity | Price | Per label | Printer | What the retailer says it can withstand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery L7651, white | 38,1 x 21,2 mm | 1 625 | SEK 528.75 | approx. SEK 0.33 | Inkjet and laser | No mention of water or washing |
| Avery freezer label | 38,1 x 21,2 mm | 1 625 | SEK 532.50 | approx. SEK 0.33 | Inkjet and laser | From -50 to +70 °C, no mention of dishwashing |
| Avery L6009, extra durable, silver | 45,7 x 21,2 mm | 960 | SEK 837.50 | approx. SEK 0.87 | Laser only | Oil, dirt, water, moisture, UV, -40 to 150 °C, no mention of washing or dishwashing |
Three things stand out. None of the sheets mention washing machines or dishwashers. The most durable sheet requires a laser printer, which many homes don't have. And the packages are large: you buy hundreds of labels even if you only need a couple dozen.
Cost example: 60 name labels for preschool
This is a calculation based on the prices above, not a measurement. Say you need 60 labels for clothes, shoes, a lunchbox, and a bottle before preschool starts.
- Printing them yourself: the cheapest sheet in the table costs SEK 528.75 for 1,625 labels. If you use 60, that's about SEK 8.81 per label you actually stick on something. Ink, test prints, and misprinted sheets add to the cost, and we haven't included them here.
- Ordering: a set from Lappu costs from SEK 139 for 124 labels, about SEK 1.12 per label. With SEK 25 shipping (free shipping over SEK 199), that's SEK 164, or about SEK 1.32 per label in the set. You'll have 64 labels left for things that come up during the year.
Only if you really use the entire pack does printing become cheaper per label, at around SEK 0.33. This suits anyone labeling a whole storage room, a classroom, or lots of freezer containers. For a family labeling one child's belongings, the large pack matters more than the low unit price. To compare the price per label across different brands of ordered name labels, see the cheapest name labels page.
The biggest cost doesn't show up at checkout: a label that comes off in the first wash. Then it's the garment or bottle you risk, not the price of the label.
What happens in the wash and dishwasher
A regular printer sheet is made to stay put on dry surfaces. In the washing machine, the label gets wet and warm and rubs against other laundry throughout the cycle. Those are three things the sheet isn't designed for. Typical problems:
- The paper softens. A paper label absorbs water, its edges lift, and it comes off with the laundry.
- The print isn't made for water. If the packaging says nothing about water resistance, assume the text may become blurry. In our example, a water-resistant sheet requires a laser printer.
- The label is too large. The sheets above are 38 to 46 mm wide. If the label doesn't fit on the care tag, part of it ends up on the fabric, where no adhesive label will stay for long.
- Dishwashing is tougher on adhesive than laundry. Heat and dish soap dissolve adhesive that isn't made for it. None of the sheets we looked at mention dishwashers.
Ordered adhesive name labels are made for exactly these conditions. Lappu labels withstand washing machines up to 60 °C, tumble dryers, and dishwashers up to 60 °C. The adhesive needs about a day to cure, so wait 24 hours before the first wash or dishwashing cycle. Read more on the wash-resistant name labels page.
Labels to write on by hand
A third option is blank adhesive labels that you write on with a marker. It’s quick when you need to label a few things the same evening, and you don’t need a printer. The downside is that handwriting wears off. On a care label, the ink fades with every wash, and on a bottle, it gets rubbed off by the dish sponge.
If you choose this option: use a permanent marker, let the ink dry thoroughly before the label gets wet, and check the text after a few washes. If the package states what temperature the labels can withstand, stay below it.
Free templates: what’s actually free
Searches for free printable name labels mostly turn up templates. The template may be free, but the sheet, ink, and printer cost money. Label manufacturers often offer free Word templates or their own online tool, where you select the product number for your sheet so the text lines up correctly on each label.
If you’re actually looking for name signs - signs for a school desk, the hallway shelf, a conference, or a children’s party - plain paper is enough. There are plenty of ready-made templates from teacher websites and school supply stores, some free and some for a small fee. If the children want to color them in themselves, print the template in black and white. A sign that will be used for a long time will last longer in a clear plastic sleeve or holder.
How to print name labels yourself
- Choose sheets for the task. Plain paper for binders and boxes, freezer labels for the freezer, and a water-resistant sheet if the label might get damp.
- Get the right template. Search for the product number printed on the package (for example, L7651) on the manufacturer’s website or in Word, to get the margins right.
- Write clearly. First and last name, or first name and a phone number on the second line. Choose a simple font and dark text on a light background.
- Test print on plain paper. Hold the test print against the label sheet up to the light and check that the text is centered in each box. Print at 100% size, not “fit to page.”
- Print and let dry. Do not touch the print until it is dry, especially when using an inkjet printer.
- Attach to a clean, dry surface and press down firmly, especially at the corners.
When ordered name labels are worth the money
When the label needs to stay on something that gets washed, tumble-dried, or run through the dishwasher. You design Lappus name labels online with a motif, color, and font, and see the result right away. All the labels in a set have the same text. They stick to clothes via the care label without an iron, and to plastic, metal, glass, and leather, and arrive in your mailbox within a few business days. Read more about the format on the page about self-adhesive name labels, and about where to place the label on a garment on the care label.
There are limits, too. If clothes are washed above 60 °C, as in some nursing homes, an iron-on name label is better. The same applies to garments without a care label, such as hand-knit items. Self-adhesive labels don’t stick well to socks, silicone, or very stretchy materials. For pens, pacifiers, and headphone cases, there are small name labels.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free name labels?
Templates are available for free from label manufacturers, in Word, and on teacher websites, but the sheets themselves cost money. For binders, boxes, and name tags, regular paper and a template are enough. For clothes and dishes, you need labels made for washing, and they aren’t free.
Can you print name labels that can withstand washing?
None of the standard label sheets we reviewed at Office Depot mention washing machines or dishwashers. The most durable sheet specifies water and moisture resistance but requires a laser printer and says nothing about washing. For clothes, ordered name labels, iron-on labels, or a fabric pen are safer.
How do I make my own name labels?
Choose a label sheet, download the template for the sheet’s item number, enter the name, and test-print on regular paper before printing on the sheet. Let the ink dry and attach the label to a clean, dry surface.
How do I make my own name tag?
Print a template on regular paper or thicker cardstock, write or print the name in large, clear letters, and cut it out. If the sign will be used for a long time, it will last longer in a clear plastic holder.
Which are the best name labels?
It depends on what you need to label and how hot you wash. We compared five brands on price, size, and durability in best name labels 2026.