Label rainwear: name labels in rain jackets and waterproof trousers
The easiest way to label rainwear is with a self-adhesive name label on the sewn-in care label, not on the PU fabric itself. On a rain jacket, the care label is usually at the back of the neck or in a side seam; on PU trousers and dungarees, it is usually at the back of the waist. Apply the label to a completely dry garment and let the adhesive cure for 24 hours before washing the garment.
Here we explain where the label sits best on different rain garments, what it withstands when rainwear is washed and re-impregnated, what makes it come loose, and when another type of labelling is more suitable.
Why rainwear needs names
Rainwear all looks the same. At preschool, half the group has the same brand in the same blue or green colour, and everyone takes their rainwear off at the same time when they come inside wet. The trousers are hung up to dry, the jacket ends up on the wrong hook, and the next morning someone else takes the wrong size home.
That is why many preschools specifically mention rainwear. Östersund Municipality writes, for example that parents should label their children's clothes, especially items that are easily mixed up, and lists socks, mittens, shoes and boots, and rainwear. A name inside the garment allows staff to return it without asking around.
Labelling rainwear: where the name label should go
PU is a smooth, soft plastic layer that bends and creases constantly. The sewn-in care label moves less and is the place where a self-adhesive name label is most likely to stay on through washing. Find out more about why in the guide to where to put the name label.
| Garment | Best place | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Rain jacket | The care label at the back of the neck or in a side seam | The outside of the PU fabric, reflective strips and taped seams |
| PU trousers | The care label at the back of the waist or in a side seam | Knees and the seat, which rub against the ground |
| Dungarees | The care label at the waist or on the bib | The elastic in the suspenders, which stretches |
| Lined rain set | The care label in the outer garment, plus another label on a removable lining | The fleece itself, which is soft and stretchy |
| PU mittens and rain hat | The care label, if there is one | Fingers and edges that bend constantly |
If the care label is far inside a seam, choose small name labels. They fit on a narrow label without sticking out over the edge.
If the rainwear has no care label
Some Galon garments have the care instructions printed directly on the inside, or the label has been cut off. Lappu name labels adhere to plastic, but Galon bends more than a water bottle, and labels hold less well on soft, stretchy materials. In that case, put it on the flattest part of the inside, such as the back beneath the collar, and expect it to last for less time than on a care label. Check it after a few washes.
How to attach the name label to rainwear
- Let the garment dry completely. Rainwear is often damp on the inside even when it looks dry. Bring it inside the night before.
- Wipe the care label. The surface should be clean and dry, without mud or sand.
- Press firmly for approximately 10 seconds. Go over the entire label, especially the corners.
- Wait one day before washing. The adhesive needs approximately 24 hours to cure. Ideally, apply the label before the garment goes out in the rain next time.
No ironing is needed, which suits Galon well. Read the garment's own care instructions before putting an iron on it.
Washing, waterproofing and materials: what matters for the label
Rainwear is rarely washed at high temperatures. Gore-Tex, for example, states in its care instructions for outerwear that it should be machine-washed at 40°C with a small amount of liquid detergent and without fabric softener, and that the garment should be tumble-dried for an additional 20 minutes to reactivate the water-repellent surface. This is within what the labels are designed for.
| Step | The garment (always follow the care label) | Lappu name label |
|---|---|---|
| Machine washing | Often 40°C or lower | Withstands up to 60°C |
| Tumble-drying | Some shell garments are tumble-dried to reactivate the surface, while others must not be tumble-dried | Tumble-dryer safe |
| First wash | As usual | Wait approximately 24 hours after applying the label |
Read more about what name labels can withstand in the wash.
Galon or shell: the difference and what it means for the label
Galon is fabric with a dense polyurethane coating. It does not let water through, but it does not breathe either. Shell clothing has a membrane between the fabrics that lets moisture escape from the body, and it requires more care. Both stay waterproof longer if the seams are taped or welded. For the label, the difference is minor: in both cases, it goes on the care label inside.
Water column indicates how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before it leaks, so a higher figure means a more waterproof fabric. Whether 10,000 mm is enough depends on how long you are outside and how wet you get. Retailers' own scales vary, so refer to the manufacturer's description of the garment.
Waterproofing
Yes, rainwear can be waterproofed, with a spray or a product that is worked into the fabric during washing. Water-repellent textiles may have been treated with PFAS, and the Swedish Chemicals Agency advises you to ask for PFAS-free alternatives. We have not tested any waterproofing products, either Biltema's or others, and cannot say how a particular product affects the adhesive. Therefore, spray the outside and keep the spray away from the care label with the name.
This makes the label come loose
- The label was applied to a damp garment. The adhesive does not stick to a wet surface. Remove the label, let the garment dry completely and apply a new one.
- The label is attached to the outside of the galon fabric. It creases there, gets scraped against the ground and covered in mud. Move it inside to the care label.
- The label is attached to a reflective strip or seam tape. Both are thin and often bend, and a label over the reflective strip also obscures it.
- Only the removable liner is labeled. The liner is removed to dry and ends up in the wrong jacket. Label both the liner and the outer garment.
- The garment was inherited with an old name. Put the new label next to it and write the surname or initials, so the same set works for all siblings.
- The label was washed the same evening. Wait one day before the first wash next time.
Example calculation: how many labels are needed for the rainwear
Example calculation for a preschool child; your child's clothes may look different:
- Rain jacket and rain trousers at home: 2 labels
- Extra rainwear kept at preschool: 2 labels
- Removable liner in one of the items: 1 label
- Galon mittens: 2 labels
- Rain hat: 1 label
- Rubber boots: 2 labels
That makes 10 labels. With standard name labels costing SEK 139 for 124 labels, or about SEK 1.12 per label, the rainwear costs around SEK 11. The rest of the set is enough for jackets, hats and changes of clothes. Compare prices per label on the page about the cheapest name labels.
Gloves and other small items have their own tricks; see labeling socks, gloves and small items. We cover the entire wardrobe on the page about name labels for clothing.
Rainwear at work
In workplaces with shared drying rooms, many identical rain suits hang next to each other. A name on the care label makes it easy to pick the right one; see name labels for adults. If you want the company's logo on the garment, what you are looking for is printing, and Lappu does not sell that. A name label shows who the garment belongs to, not which company.
Rule of thumb: attach the name label to the care label inside the rainwear, never to the coated fabric on the outside. If work clothes are washed in an industrial laundry at 90 to 95°C, or if the garment has no care label and can withstand ironing, an iron-on label is a safer choice. Lappu only sells self-adhesive labels.
Frequently asked questions
How do you label rainwear?
Attach a self-adhesive name label to the care label inside the jacket and trousers. The garment must be completely dry, and you should press firmly for about 10 seconds. Wait one day before the first wash.
What should I do if the coated-fabric trousers do not have a care label?
Attach the label to the flattest part of the inside, for example at the back below the waist. It will not last as long there as on a care label, because coated fabric bends a lot. Check it after a few washes and replace it if necessary.
Can rainwear with a name label be waterproofed?
Yes, rainwear can be waterproofed with a spray or a wash-in product. Spray the outside and keep the spray away from the care label with the name on it. We have not tested how different waterproofing products affect the adhesive.
What is the difference between rainwear and shell garments?
Rainwear made of coated fabric has a tight polyurethane layer that keeps water out but does not breathe. Shell garments have a membrane that lets moisture out and are better suited when you move around a lot. In both cases, attach the name label to the care label.
How do I reactivate Gore-Tex?
Gore-Tex states that the garment should be washed at 40°C and then tumble-dried for an additional 20 minutes to reactivate the water-repellent surface. Without a tumble dryer, you can iron the garment on low heat without steam. Lappu name labels are suitable for tumble drying, but do not iron directly over the label.
Can the name labels withstand tumble-drying rainwear?
Yes. Lappu name labels are suitable for tumble drying and machine washing at up to 60°C. Still, follow the garment's own care label, as not all rainwear can be tumble-dried.