Name stamp or name labels: what stays on clothing?
A name stamp for clothes is the quickest and cheapest way to label each garment, but the print fades: sellers report anything from around 10 washes at 90°C to at least 60 at 30°C, and the stamp doesn't show up on dark fabrics. Self-adhesive name labels on the care label show up on all colors and also work on shoes and bottles, but cost more per garment and don't stick to socks. The stamp is best for large quantities of light-colored cotton clothes; name labels are better for dark, synthetic and hard-surfaced items.
Here we compare the two based on what manufacturers and stores themselves report (checked October 27, 2026). We haven't done our own wash tests, so these are their figures, not ours. Lappu only sells name labels, not stamps, and we'll explain when a stamp is the better choice.
Clothing Name Stamps: How They Work
A name stamp, sometimes called a clothing stamp, is a rubber stamp with the child's name that you press onto fabric using textile ink. The ink is absorbed into the fibers and dries in place. There are two main types:
- Stamp with fixed text. You order the name once and get a stamp that always prints the same text. Ikast Etikett sells one with up to 3 lines and 25 characters per line, with a print area of up to 36 x 12 mm. The Wanapix stamp has a print area of 5.1 x 1.8 cm.
- Stamp with a letter set. You assemble the name yourself using loose letters and tweezers, and can change the text later. The Marky name stamp at BabySam is one such option, with 12 symbols in the set.
The ink is black for Stämpelfabriken, Wanapix and Marky. How long it lasts varies a lot: Ikast says its ink pad lasts around 1,000 impressions or about a year, while Wanapix says its ink lasts for 10,000 impressions. Some sets also include stickers for bottles and lunch boxes, such as Marky's (20 labels).
| Stamp (store) | Price | Type | Washes according to seller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name Stamp (Ikast Etikett) | SEK 475 | Fixed text, ink pad for approx. 1,000 impressions | At least 60 at 30°C, at least 30 at 60°C, approx. 10 at 90°C |
| Textile Stamp (Wanapix) | See store | Fixed text, ink for 10,000 impressions | 25 to 40 in cold water, maximum 40° |
| Name Stamp (Marky, BabySam) | SEK 269 | Letter set, black ink pad, iron-on tape and 20 labels included | Not specified |
| Textile Name Stamp (Stämpelfabriken) | from SEK 356 | Fixed text, black | Not specified |
| DIY Name Stamp (Fyndiq) | SEK 242 + SEK 39 shipping | Plastic stamp | Not specified |
Prices and details checked on each store's website on October 27, 2026. Prices change, so check before you buy.
How many washes does a name stamp last?
The answer depends on who you ask, and the sellers contradict each other. Ikast Etikett states that the print withstands at least 60 washes at 30°C, at least 30 at 60°C and around 10 at 90°C. Wanapix, on the other hand, says that garments shouldn't be washed above 40° and that the print lasts 25 to 40 washes in cold water with neutral detergent. Other shops don't give any figures at all.
The difference is probably due to different inks, but we can't determine that: neither seller refers to an independent test. So check the washing information for the specific stamp you're considering, and expect the print to fade gradually, not disappear one day.
Example calculation (illustrative): a preschool sweater washed once a week goes through about 52 washes in a year. At 25 to 40 washes, the print will last about six to nine months. With at least 30 washes at 60°C, that's around seven months, and with at least 60 washes at 30°C, just over a year. Expect to re-stamp some garments during the season.
Where the stamp doesn't work
Both sellers that provide detailed advice set the same limits:
- Dark fabrics. Black ink isn't visible on navy, black or dark green. Marky solves this with iron-on tape that you stamp and then iron on, but in practice, that's an iron-on label.
- Synthetic and performance garments. Wanapix advises against technical fabrics that don't contain cotton. Fleece, rainwear and sportswear often fall into this category.
- Thin fabrics. The ink can bleed through and show on the outside.
- Hard, shiny surfaces. The ink is made for absorbent fabric. An Ikast customer writes that the stamp doesn't work on rubber boots, and the same goes for bottles, lunch boxes and shoes.
Name labels: what they can withstand and where they fall short
Self-adhesive name labels don't stick to fabric, but to care labels, as well as plastic, metal, glass and leather. Lappus name labels are machine-washable up to 60°C and dishwasher-safe up to 60°C, and they don't need an iron. The text is printed, so it's just as visible on a black jacket as on a white bodysuit. More about washing and tumble-drying is on the page about what name labels can withstand.
The limits, just as honestly as for the stamp:
- Not for washing above 60°C. An iron-on label is better for that.
- For garments without a care label, such as hand-knitted and homemade clothes, an iron-on label stays put better.
- Socks, silicone, and very stretchy materials: labels do not hold well on these. Learn more about labeling socks and mittens.
- The adhesive needs about a day before the first wash.
Lappu does not specify how many washes its labels can withstand and has not published any lab tests. What it does offer is a satisfaction guarantee with a replacement shipment or your money back within 60 days of delivery; see the quality guarantee.
How much does it cost per labeled garment?
A stamp costs more upfront but almost nothing per print. A standard name label from Lappu costs around SEK 1.12 each (124 labels for SEK 139).
Example calculation (illustrative): you need to label 40 garments before preschool starts.
| Name stamp SEK 475 | Name labels SEK 139 | |
|---|---|---|
| First labeling, 40 garments | SEK 475 (40 of about 1,000 impressions) | SEK 139 (40 of 124 labels) |
| Per garment at first labeling | about SEK 11.90 | about SEK 3.50, or SEK 1.12 per label actually used |
| If you re-stamp 40 garments twice | 120 impressions, about SEK 0.48 per impression based on 1,000 | No need to re-stamp, and 84 labels left for shoes and bottles |
The stamp becomes cheaper the more garments you label and the longer you use it, especially with several children who can share the same surname. For a smaller wardrobe, or if you also want to label shoes and lunch boxes, labels are often cheaper overall. More price comparisons are available in cheapest name labels.
Stamp or name label: garment by garment
| Garment or situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Light-colored cotton bodysuits, T-shirts, and pajamas in large quantities | Stamp | Quick, inexpensive per garment; the ink is absorbed into the cotton |
| Light-colored cotton socks | Stamp | Name labels do not adhere well to socks |
| Towels, sheets, and handmade cotton garments without a care label | Stamp or iron-on label | No care label to attach an adhesive label to |
| Dark garments: jackets, fleece, dark pants | Name label | Black ink is not visible, and Wanapix advises against synthetic fabrics without cotton |
| Rainwear and performance clothing | Name label on the care label | Synthetic fabric without cotton |
| Shoes, boots, water bottles, lunch boxes | Name label | Textile ink does not adhere to rubber or plastic |
| Thin garments where ink can bleed through | Name label | No ink on the fabric |
| Washing at 90°C, for example in a care home | Iron-on label or woven name tape | According to Ikast, the stamp lasts for about 10 washes like these; adhesive labels withstand temperatures up to 60°C. See name labels for care homes |
| Siblings and hand-me-down clothes | Both, with a surname | A stamp with fixed text always prints the same name; a letter set can be changed. Name labels with a surname or initials work for several children |
Many families do both: stamps on bodysuits and socks, name labels on outerwear, shoes, and bottles. If you’d like to compare more labeling methods, such as iron-on versus self-adhesive labels, read about iron-on name labels.
How to stamp correctly
The advice below comes from Wanapix and Ikast, not from us:
- Wash new garments first to remove the factory sizing.
- Practice on an old piece of fabric, such as a tea towel, to find the right pressure.
- Place the garment on a flat, hard surface.
- Stamp the care label, hem, or a hidden spot, using a steady hand but not pressing too hard.
- Let the garment dry for a day without putting other clothes on top.
- Store the stamp with the cap on, or keep the stamp and pad in an airtight plastic bag.
How to put a name label on the care label
Wipe the care label so it’s clean and dry, peel off the label, place it on the care label, and press firmly for about 10 seconds, especially at the corners. Wait a day before the first wash. Our guide where to put the name label explains where the care label is usually found on a garment.
We’ve gathered all the ways to label children’s clothes, from preschool to after-school activities, on our page about clothing labels.
Frequently asked questions
Are name stamps or name labels better for children’s clothes?
It depends on the garment. A name stamp is quick and inexpensive for light-colored cotton garments and socks, but it doesn’t show up on dark fabrics and fades after a number of washes that sellers report differently. Name labels on the care label show up on all colors and also work on shoes and bottles.
Can a name stamp withstand 60 degrees?
It varies by brand. Ikast Etikett says it lasts for at least 30 washes at 60°C, while Wanapix advises against washing at over 40°. Check the washing instructions for the stamp you buy.
Does a name stamp work on dark clothes?
No, not directly. The ink is black and won’t show up on dark fabric. Some sets, such as Marky, include iron-on tape that you stamp and then iron onto dark garments.
Can you make your own name stamp?
Yes. Most stores have a design tool where you enter the name, choose a font, and sometimes a symbol. With a letter-set stamp, you put the name together yourself and can change it later, for example to a sibling’s name.
How long does the ink in the stamp last?
Ikast says the stamp pad lasts for about 1,000 impressions or roughly a year, while Wanapix says the ink lasts for 10,000 impressions. Keep the stamp closed so the ink does not dry out prematurely.