Name labels for schoolbooks, binders, and notebooks
The easiest way to label schoolbooks is to put the name label on the book's plastic cover, not on the book itself. The schoolbooks usually belong to the school and must be returned, while the cover is yours. The same labels then work on binders, notebooks with plastic covers, pencil cases, and rulers.
Here you will learn where the label stays put, which size suits what, when a handwritten book label is the better choice, and a checklist for the entire schoolbag.
Label schoolbooks without damaging the book
By labeling books, we mean showing who the book belongs to, not underlining the text or adding the library's own labels. In primary school, students generally borrow their textbooks. Under Chapter 10, Section 10 of the Education Act, students must have access to textbooks and other teaching materials free of charge. This means the book will be passed on to a new student next year, and the school does not want your child's name stuck on the cover.
- Put on a book cover. A plastic cover protects the book and gives you a surface you are allowed to label.
- Attach the name label to the front of the cover. Choose a flat surface some distance from the edges and spine, where the cover does not fold.
- Press firmly. Wipe the surface so it is clean and dry, peel off the label, and press for about 10 seconds, especially in the corners.
- Write in the book's name box if the school wants you to. Many textbooks have a box on the inside of the cover where each student writes their name. The school's rules apply there, so ask the teacher if you are unsure.
If the book belongs to the family, for example a dictionary or a book from a flea market, the label can go directly on the cover. Just read the box about paper further down first.
Which label size for what
Lappu has three formats. All labels in a set have the same text, usually the child's first name. Add the surname or class if several children in the same class have the same name.
| Item in the schoolbag | Format | Where the label goes |
|---|---|---|
| Schoolbook with a plastic cover | Large name labels | In the middle of the front cover |
| Binder with a plastic surface | Large name labels | Front, and a standard label on the spine if it is flat |
| Notebooks and writing pads with plastic covers | Large or standard | Front, not over the spiral binding |
| Pencil cases and plastic or metal pen holders | Standard name labels | The cover or side |
| Pens, ruler, eraser, compass | Small name labels | The flat part, some distance from the end you hold |
| Calculator | Small name labels | Back, not over buttons or battery covers |
The standard name labels cost from SEK 139 for 124 labels, approximately SEK 1.12 per label. The large ones cost SEK 139 for 30, and the small ones SEK 129. More ideas for small items can be found in the guide on labelling pacifiers, AirPods and pencils.
Handwritten book label or printed name label?
In stores, you can find classic paper book labels, such as gold-edged labels or Herma labels with a coloured border, where you write the name, class and subject by hand. They are large, around 8 x 5.5 cm, and are often sold twelve to a pack.
| Handwritten paper book label | Printed name label from Lappu | |
|---|---|---|
| Text | You write it yourself, different text on each label | The same printed text on all labels in the set |
| Space for subject and class | Yes, large writing area | No, one name and possibly one additional line |
| Surface | Paper and book covers | Plastic, metal, glass, leather and fabric via the care label |
| Durability | Permanent adhesive according to the manufacturer | Dishwasher- and washing-machine-safe up to 60°C |
| Also used for | Books and exercise books | Lunch box, bottle, backpack, clothes and shoes |
Example calculation (illustrative): a child in middle school has six textbooks and five notebooks or exercise books. With paper labels costing SEK 39.90 for twelve (Herma at Kreatima, checked October 2026), that works out to about SEK 3.33 per label, and one pack is enough for the term. A set of large name labels, 30 for SEK 139, costs about SEK 4.63 per label, and the 19 labels left over can be used for the backpack, gym bag, lunch box and bottle. If you mainly need to write the subject on each book, the paper label is cheaper. If you want a name that lasts on everything in the bag, the printed label is easier.
Honestly about paper: Lappu name labels are made for plastic, metal, glass, leather and fabric via the care label. Paper and cardboard are not among the surfaces we guarantee. Therefore, put the label on a plastic cover or plastic binder. If the book or notebook only has a paper cover, a paper book label or a pen is the safer choice.
Binders, notebooks, pencil cases and the rest of the school bag
What most often gets left in the classroom is not the books but the small items: the ruler, pencil, eraser, calculator and gym bag. Books often have a name box, but small items rarely have anything written on them at all.
On notebooks and exercise books with plastic covers, the label sticks best to the flat surface, a little way from the spiral binding. For binders, a large label works on the front. The spines of many binders are narrow and curved, so a label does not stick as well there.
Checklist: everything in the school bag that should be labelled
Go through the list when the books arrive home in August and after the Christmas holiday, when new exercise books are handed out.
- Textbooks: plastic cover with a name label, name in the book's name box if the school wants it
- Binders and folders with a plastic surface
- Notebooks, exercise books, and spiral notebooks with a plastic front
- Pencil case and everything in it: pens, eraser, sharpener, ruler, compass, protractor
- Calculator
- Headphones and their case
- Water bottle and lunch box
- Backpack and gym bag
- Gym clothes and athletic shoes (the label on the care label and inside the shoe, respectively)
- Jacket, hat, and mittens
For clothes and leisure activities, see more on the page about name labels for preschool and school.
Why the label comes loose, and what to do instead
| Problem | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The label comes loose at the corners | Dust or grease on the surface, pressing for too short a time | Wipe the surface, let it dry, press for 10 seconds, and run your thumb over the corners |
| The label creases | It is on the spine or over a fold | Move it to a flat part of the front |
| The label does not stick at all | Paper or cardboard surface | Use a plastic cover or a paper label |
| Wrong name on the book | The cover was moved to another book | Leave the cover on all school year and replace it only when the book is handed in |
| The label remains in place when the book is returned | It was put on the book cover | Put it on the cover from the beginning, and it will come home with the cover |
Frequently asked questions
Are you allowed to stick name labels on school books?
Textbooks usually belong to the school and are lent to the next student. Therefore, put the label on a book cover that you own, and write the name in the book's name box only if the school asks you to. Ask the teacher if you are unsure.
Which name labels are suitable for school books?
Large name labels fit on the front of a plastic cover and are clearly visible in a pile of identical books. The small name labels are sufficient for pens and rulers.
Do name labels stick to paper?
Paper and cardboard are not among the surfaces Lappu promises. The labels are made for plastic, metal, glass, leather, and fabric via the care label. On a clean paper surface, a paper book label or a pen is safer.
How many name labels are needed for the start of school?
Count one label per book, binder, and notebook, plus the pencil case, bottle, lunch box, and backpack. In the example above, that makes eleven books and notebooks plus four additional items, so one set of 30 large name labels is more than enough.
What do you do with old school books?
School books are returned to the school when requested, often at the end of the school year. Remove the cover first so the name label comes home with you. You can give your own books to a younger sibling, a friend, or a second-hand shop.