Name labels for lunch boxes that are dishwasher-safe
Name labels for the lunchbox should be dishwasher-safe and applied to a flat surface, and they should be placed on both the lid and the container itself. Lappus self-adhesive name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C, adhere to plastic, metal, and glass, and do not require an iron. Wash and dry the container, press the label firmly into place, and wait a day before washing it for the first time.
Here we explain where on the lunchbox the label holds best, which size is suitable, what happens in the microwave and freezer, how much it costs to label an entire lunchbox set, and why a label sometimes comes loose.
Why lunchboxes (and lids) go missing
A lunchbox rarely disappears as a single piece. It is the lid that goes missing. The container and lid are washed, dried in separate places, and put back together by someone who does not know who owns what. If two children in the group have the same model, the lids change owners without anyone noticing.
That is why marking only the lid is not enough. Put one label on the lid and one on the base. Then a teacher, an after-school program leader, or a colleague in the break room can match the right lid with the right container, and both parts can find their way home.
These are the items that usually go missing from a lunchbox set:
- The lid of the lunchbox, especially if it has its own silicone lid or a separate sealing ring.
- Small snack containers and fruit containers, which are easy to forget in a refrigerator.
- The cutlery case and the spoon inside it.
- The cooler bag, which is often identical to a friend's.
When does the child need a lunchbox?
In Sweden, preschools and primary schools must serve nutritious meals, according to Skolverket. Lunchboxes therefore usually come along on special occasions: excursions and outdoor days, snacks at the after-school program or an activity after school, sports days, and camps. In upper secondary school, there is no legal requirement to provide school meals, so some students bring their own lunch.
What all these occasions have in common is that many lunchboxes are in the same place at the same time: in a cooler bag on the bus, in the after-school program's refrigerator, or on a table after lunch. That is where they get mixed up. The same applies to your own lunchbox in the office refrigerator.
If you need ideas for what to put in the lunchbox, we have collected easy snack ideas for children.
What the labels can withstand on a lunchbox
Lappus name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C, and the same labels are washing-machine-safe up to 60°C and dryer-safe. The adhesive needs about 24 hours to cure, so wait a day before putting the container in the dishwasher for the first time. The full specifications are on the page about what name labels can withstand.
Check the temperature of the program you are running. The labels are made for up to 60°C, and some intensive programs run hotter. The temperature is usually stated in the dishwasher manual or shown on the display.
Microwave and freezer: we guarantee dishwasher use up to 60°C. We do not state anything about microwave or freezer use, so we do not guarantee that either. Place the label on the outside of the lunch box, never on the inside where the food is. Only heat the lunch box itself in a microwave if it is marked as microwave-safe; these are the Swedish Food Agency's recommendations for plastic containers.
Where should the label be placed on the lunch box?
The label holds best on a flat, smooth surface that does not rub against anything. On most lunch boxes, this means the middle of the top of the lid and one of the long sides of the base.
- Lid: in the middle of the flat surface, not near the edge where the lid is gripped and opened.
- Base: on a straight side, slightly below the edge where the lid closes tightly.
- Avoid: snap clasps, hinges, rubber or silicone seals, sharply rounded corners, and embossing in the plastic.
- Not on the inside: the label should be placed where it is visible when the lunch box is closed, not where it comes into contact with the food.
If the lunch box has a silicone lid or a silicone cover around it, place the label on the hard part instead. Labels do not hold well on silicone.
Material: what the label adheres to
| Lunch box material | Does the label hold? | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Hard plastic | Yes | The most common type of lunch box. Choose a smooth surface without embossing. |
| Stainless steel and other metal | Yes | Wipe away fingerprints and grease before applying the label. |
| Glass | Yes | Place the label on the side, not on the bottom where the lunch box is set down. |
| Silicone (lids, seals, entire lunch boxes) | No, does not hold well | Label the hard part, or the cooler bag that the lunch box is carried in. |
| Wood and bamboo | Not covered by our guarantee | We indicate plastic, metal, glass, leather, and fabric on the care label. Preferably label a plastic or metal part. |
How to attach the name label to the lunch box
- Wash and dry the lunch box. The surface must be clean, completely dry, and free of grease. If the lunch box has just come out of the dishwasher, let it cool and dry first.
- Choose a flat surface. In the middle of the lid and on a straight side of the base, not over edges or clasps.
- Press firmly for about ten seconds. Press over the entire label, paying extra attention to the corners, where the dish first makes contact.
- Wait one day. The adhesive needs approximately 24 hours to cure before the lunch box is washed.
Which size should you use for the lunchbox?
| Label | Price | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Name labels (regular) | 124 labels from SEK 139, approximately SEK 1.12 per label | Lunchbox lid and base, snack containers, fruit containers. The rest of the sheet is enough for clothes and shoes. |
| Large name labels | 30 for SEK 139 | Large lunchboxes where the name should be visible from a distance, insulated lunch bags and lunch bags. |
| Small name labels | SEK 129 | Small containers and items where a regular label does not fit. |
For most people, regular name labels are enough. The large ones are most useful on the insulated lunch bag, which is often the item that sits among ten identical ones on an outing.
Calculation example: this is how much it costs to label a lunchbox kit
Calculation example using Lappus prices in October 2026. A child who brings a lunchbox, a snack container and a fruit container, all with lids, plus an insulated lunch bag:
- Lunchbox, lid and base: 2 regular labels.
- Snack container, lid and container: 2 regular labels.
- Fruit container, lid and container: 2 regular labels.
- Insulated lunch bag: 1 large label.
Six regular labels at approximately SEK 1.12 each come to about SEK 6.70. A large label costs approximately SEK 4.60 (SEK 139 divided by 30). The entire kit is labeled for just over SEK 11 in labels. Of a set of 124 regular labels, 118 then remain for clothes, shoes and other items that also need labeling.
All labels in a set have the same text. Therefore, the same sheet can be used on the lunchbox and on the clothes, as in the picture.
What should be on the label?
On a lunchbox, the child's first name is usually enough. If the child is in a group where two children have the same name, add the surname or an initial. A telephone number on the second line is most useful on the insulated lunch bag, which may be left behind after an outing and needs to find its way home without passing through preschool.
For children who cannot read yet, an image helps. A child who knows that their labels have a fox or a heart can find their box in a pile of identical ones. Choose an image the child recognizes and keep the text short so the letters become larger.
Marker, tape or name label?
The cheapest way to label a lunchbox is to write directly on it with a marker. It works for a while, but writing on a box that is washed every week usually wears off, and tape comes loose at the edges when it gets wet. That's why many people switch to labels after one term.
A lunchbox with the child's name printed on it looks nice, but the lids and containers that go with it have no name. With labels, you can mark every part, and the same set is enough for the rest of the child's belongings. If you want to compare brands, we have made a comparison of five common brands.
If the label comes off: common causes
| What happens | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A corner lifts after the first wash | The box was washed before the adhesive had time to cure | Wait 24 hours after applying the label before washing it. |
| The label comes off immediately | The box was damp, warm, or greasy when the label was applied | Wash, let cool, and dry completely, then apply a new label. |
| The edge wears away | The label is positioned at the edge of the lid or over a clasp | Move it to the center of the lid or to a straight side. |
| The label bubbles or comes loose on a rounded surface | The surface is too curved or embossed | Choose a flat area, or a smaller label that fits on it. |
| The label does not stick at all | The surface is silicone or rubber | Label the hard part of the box or cooler bag. |
| Several labels come off after a while | The dishwasher program runs hotter than 60°C | Wash the lunch boxes on a program that stays at or below 60°C. |
If you have followed the steps and a label still does not hold, our satisfaction guarantee applies for 60 days from delivery: you will receive new labels or a refund.
Order name labels for a lunch box
You design the labels online: choose a motif, color, and font, and see the result immediately. The labels are printed in the EU and arrive in your mailbox within a few business days. If you are labeling more items before preschool starts, learn more about name labels for preschool.
Frequently asked questions
Are the name labels dishwasher-safe?
Yes, Lappu's name labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C. Wait 24 hours after applying the label before washing the box for the first time, so the adhesive has time to cure.
What should you write on the name label for a lunch box?
The child's first name is usually enough. Add the surname or an initial if two children in the group have the same name, and a phone number on the second line for items that leave the preschool, such as the cooler bag.
Where can I buy name stickers for a lunch box?
You can order self-adhesive name labels online from Lappu. 124 regular labels cost from SEK 139 and are enough for the lunch box, jars, and the child's clothes.
How do I make my own name labels for a lunch box?
The easiest way is to design them online: choose a motif, color, and font, and enter the child's name. If you write on the box yourself with a permanent marker, the text will usually wear off in the dishwasher over time.
Are there small name labels for small jars?
Yes, Lappu has small name labels for SEK 129. The rule of thumb is simple: if a regular name label does not fit, you need a small one.
What are the best name labels for lunch boxes?
Choose labels that are dishwasher-safe and stick to plastic, metal, and glass. We compared five common brands in our own review, where you can see the differences for yourself.