Name labels for twins and siblings
Name labels for twins work best when each child gets their own set with their first name and their own colour or motif. This allows both preschool staff and the children themselves to tell apart two identical jumpers in the same size. Label things the children share with their surname.
Here we explain what is most often confused between twins and siblings close in age, what should be written on the labels, where they should be placed and what it costs for two children. We sell self-adhesive name labels and also explain when they are not the right choice.
That is why twins need their own name labels
With one child, it is enough to label the clothes. With two children of the same age, the problem is different: the garments are often identical, the same size and bought at the same time. Two blue all-in-ones in size 98 on the same row of hooks cannot be told apart without a label. According to SCB, just over 3,000 twins are born in Sweden every year, so many preschools have at least one set of twins.
A label with only the surname does not help here, because both children have the same surname. What distinguishes them is their first name, and for children who cannot read yet: the colour and picture.
One set per child or one shared set?
All labels in a set have the same text. Therefore, twins generally need two sets, one with each child's name. A shared set with the surname is only suitable for things the children actually share.
| Item | What to include | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes, outerwear, hats | The child's first name, with a different colour for each child | Standard name labels on the care label |
| Shoes and boots | The child's first name | Standard name labels |
| Water bottle, lunch box, backpack | The child's first name, preferably the surname on the second line | Standard or large name labels |
| Dummy, pens, small items | The child's first name | Small name labels |
| Shared items: pushchair, footmuff, toys, suitcase | The surname and preferably a phone number | Large name labels |
Give each child their own colour and motif
In the design tool, you choose a motif, colour and font for each set and see the result immediately. Make it a rule at home: one child is always green with a fox, the other always yellow with an owl. This has three benefits.
- Children can find their own things long before they can read their name.
- Staff can tell them apart from a distance, in the cloakroom and drying cabinet.
- You sort the laundry faster, because you do not need to read every label.
Choose colours that are easy to tell apart, such as blue and yellow rather than two shades of pink. Keep the same colour for each child when ordering new labels, so the system remains useful for years.
What gets mixed up between twins
It's not just the clothes. Here are the things that most often change owners when two children of the same age have identical items, and where the label should go:
- Sweaters, trousers and bodysuits in the same size. Place the label on the care label, not directly on the fabric. See where to place the name label.
- One-piece suits, rainwear and jackets. On the care label at the neck or waist, where it is visible when the garment hangs on the hook.
- Shoes and boots. Inside the shoe, on the insole or inside the shaft.
- Water bottles and lunch boxes. On a smooth surface that does not rub against anything. The labels are dishwasher-safe up to 60°C.
- Pacifiers. A small label on the pacifier's shield, since two identical pacifiers are the first things to get mixed up.
- Hats and mittens. On the care label. The outside of factory-knitted mittens works, but the label stays on for less time there than on a care label.
How much does it cost for two children?
Example calculation using prices from October 3, 2026: a pack of standard name labels has 124 labels and costs from SEK 139, or approximately SEK 1.12 per label. Two packs, one per child, cost from SEK 278 for 248 labels. Shipping is SEK 25 but free for orders over SEK 199, so two packs exceed the threshold. If you add a pack of large name labels (30 labels, SEK 139) with the surname for shared items, the total starts at SEK 417. How many labels each child needs depends on their wardrobe, so count the garments before ordering. More information about prices per label is available on the page about the cheapest name labels.
Siblings close in age and hand-me-down clothes
For siblings one or two years apart, the issue is different: the clothes are handed down. There are two ways to handle this.
- Use the first name and attach a new label when the garment is handed down. Place the new label with the younger sibling's name on the care label. This provides the clearest identification at preschool.
- Use the surname or initials on garments you know will be handed down, and the first name on personal items. This saves labels but requires the children to attend different groups.
If the siblings attend the same group, or are twins, the clothes should always have their first names.
How to attach the labels
- Wipe the surface. The care label or surface should be clean and dry.
- Peel off the name label. Take it from the sheet and place it on the care label.
- Press firmly for about 10 seconds. Pay particular attention to the corners.
- Wait 24 hours before washing. The adhesive needs about 24 hours to cure.
With two children, it is faster to label one pile at a time: all of one child's garments first, then the other's, so the sets do not get mixed up. Information about what the labels can withstand in the washing machine and tumble dryer is provided on the page about wash-resistant name labels.
Rule of thumb: self-adhesive name labels work on clothes with a care label, shoes, bottles, and lunch boxes, and withstand washing up to 60°C. They do not adhere well to socks, silicone, or very stretchy materials. For garments without a care label, such as hand-knitted or homemade items, and for washing above 60°C, an iron-on label is a safer choice. Socks and mittens have their own guide: label socks, mittens, and small items.
Frequently asked questions
Do twins need two different sets of name labels?
Yes, for clothes and personal belongings. All labels in a set have the same text, so each child needs a set with their own first name. A third set with the family name is suitable for items they share.
Are family names or initials enough for twins?
No, twins have the same family name and often identical clothes, so the family name does not distinguish them. Initials only work if the children's first names begin with different letters. The first name together with a unique color is clearest.
How do you tell twins' clothes apart before they can read?
Give each child their own color and motif on their name labels, and stick with them. Children quickly learn to recognize their color and animal. Staff can also tell them apart without having to read the label.
How do you label clothes that will be passed on to a sibling?
Use the family name from the start if the garment will be passed on and the siblings attend different groups. Otherwise, add a new label with the younger sibling's name to the care label. It must be clean and dry, and the garment should sit for about 24 hours before washing.
Are iron-on labels better than self-adhesive name labels for twins?
It depends on the garment, not on whether the children are twins. Self-adhesive labels require no iron and withstand washing up to 60°C. Iron-on labels are more secure on garments without a care label and when washing above 60°C.