Fabric name labels
Textile name labels is a collective term for fabric name labels. An honest guide to sewing on, ironing on or sticking on - we help you choose the right option and tell you when a self-adhesive name label is enough.
For those who want the answer right away
Does the garment have a sewn-in care label? Then a self-adhesive name label is enough and can be applied in seconds without a needle or iron. Is the garment a uniform, scout shirt or handmade item that needs to last for years, or does it lack a care label? Then a woven or sewn-on textile label from a textile supplier is a better choice.
What are textile name labels?
Textile name labels are fabric labels attached to a garment. There are two main types:
- Woven name tapes (to sew on): labels with the name woven into a fabric tape, often made of polyester or cotton. They are sewn into the garment and stay in place for a very long time. They are common on uniforms, scout clothing, handmade garments and clothes intended to be passed down.
- Iron-on textile labels: fabric labels with heat-activated adhesive that are ironed directly onto the fabric. They hold firmly without sewing, but require an iron.
Lappu manufactures none of these. We make self-adhesive name labels. But since many people search for “textile name labels” without knowing what they need, we explain the differences here so that you can choose correctly.
When is a woven or sewn-on textile label the right choice?
- Uniforms and workwear that need to last for years and be washed frequently.
- Scout clothing and club clothing requiring permanent, visible labelling.
- Handmade and home-sewn garments, where a sewn-in label also becomes a signature.
- Garments without a care label, where a self-adhesive label has little to stick to.
In these cases, a textile label to sew or iron on is a better choice. Lappu does not sell one, but we think it is more important that you find the right solution than that we pretend to have a product we do not have. Textile suppliers that weave name tapes often state that the tapes withstand 60°C and are OEKO-TEX certified.
When is a self-adhesive name label enough - without sewing?
Many people think clothes must be labelled with a label that is sewn or ironed on. For most shop-bought clothes, that is not true. If the garment has a sewn-in care label, a self-adhesive name label is enough: peel it off, press it onto the care label and you're done in seconds. No needle, no thread, no iron.
Lappu self-adhesive name labels stick to fabric, plastic, metal, glass and leather, withstand washing at 60°C, tumble drying and dishwashing, and normally last an entire school year when applied to the care label and left to set for 24 hours. The same set is also enough for shoes, bottles and lunch boxes.
Do your clothes have care labels? Design your self-adhesive name labels. Want to learn more about how they work? See self-adhesive name labels.
Sew on vs iron on vs stick on - comparison
The most important question is not which method is “best,” but which one suits your garment and how much time you want to spend.
| Woven / sew-on | Iron-on | Self-adhesive (Lappu) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attached with | Needle and thread | Iron and heat | Press on by hand |
| Time | Slow, one at a time | Medium, requires an iron | Seconds per label |
| Requires a care label | No | No, attaches to the fabric | Yes, attaches to the care label |
| Durability | Permanent, lasts for years | Lasts a long time | Normally lasts a school year, withstands 60°C |
| Best suited for | Uniforms, handmade garments, garments without a care label | Garments without a care label | Purchased clothes with a care label, plus shoes, bottles, lunch boxes |
Need iron-on labels instead? Read the guide to iron-on name labels.
Why parents trust Lappu
We would rather guide you to the right choice than sell you the wrong product. Lappu's self-adhesive name labels have a rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on approximately 44 reviews, are printed in the EU, and come with a satisfaction guarantee with your money back. If you need a textile label to sew on, we say so directly. Read our reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lappu sell fabric name labels to sew on?
No. Lappu sells self-adhesive name labels. For woven or sew-on textile labels, we refer you to a textile supplier, and we say so openly.
Do I have to sew name labels onto clothes?
No, not on purchased clothes with a care label. A self-adhesive name label that you press on by hand is enough. Sewing is mainly needed for uniforms, handmade garments, and garments without a care label.
What is the difference between woven name tapes and self-adhesive name labels?
Woven name tapes are sewn into the fabric and stay permanently in place. Self-adhesive name labels are stuck onto the care label without tools and are enough for most purchased clothes.
When should I choose a sew-on textile label?
When the garment needs to last for years, has no care label, or is a uniform or handmade garment where a sewn-in label is an advantage.
Do self-adhesive name labels withstand washing as well?
They withstand washing at 60°C, tumble drying, and dishwashing, and normally last a whole school year on a care label. A sewn-in textile label lasts longer but requires sewing.
Can I label fabric without a care label using a self-adhesive label?
Not as well. Without a smooth label to stick to, the fabric moves too much. An iron-on or sew-on textile label is a better fit in that case.
Do self-adhesive name labels work on materials other than fabric?
Yes. They stick to plastic, metal, glass, and leather, so the same set covers clothes, shoes, bottles, and lunch boxes.
How much do self-adhesive name labels cost?
A set of 124 labels costs from SEK 139, approximately SEK 1.12 per label.
Choose the right name label for your garment
If the garment has a care label, one self-adhesive name label is enough, and you can skip both the needle and the iron. If the garment is a uniform or handmade, a woven or sew-on textile label is a better fit.
Design self-adhesive name labelsCompare iron-on name labels