Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Blank fabric labels are cut pieces of satin, taffeta, cotton or non-woven tape without printed text. They are used in ateliers, for samples and small runs, and in factories with a label printer that print the data themselves. Label tape is also available on a roll, from which labels are cut to the required length.
What blank fabric labels are used for
- Samples and prototypes – marking the style, size and fabric during collection development.
- Made-to-order ateliers – writing the customer's name, date or order number.
- In-house printing – factories with a thermal transfer printer print sizes, composition and batches themselves.
- Repairs and alterations – replacing a torn or cut-out label.
- Marking personal belongings – with a fabric marker or hand embroidery.
- Training – in sewing schools and courses.
Materials
Satin label tape
Smooth and soft, suitable for printing and for writing on with a marker. Note that decorative satin ribbon for packaging is not the same as label tape – the latter has a density and surface designed for printing.
Taffeta
Matt and dense, excellent for in-house thermal transfer printing of care labels with a lot of text.
Cotton tape
Absorbs ink from fabric markers and stamps well. Convenient for handwriting and for an artisan look.
Non-woven fabric
An inexpensive, soft base that does not fray – suitable for inner and temporary labels.
Blank fabric labels: on a roll or cut
| Format | Advantages | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Tape on a roll | Flexible length, works with a printer | Factories with in-house printing |
| Cut labels | Ready for sewing or writing on | Ateliers, samples, small runs |
| Cut and folded | Sewn directly into the seam | Garment factories |
How to write on a blank label
- Fabric marker – the easiest. Write on a stretched label and let the ink dry. Some markers require fixing with an iron.
- Rubber stamp and textile ink – for repeated information in small quantities.
- Thermal transfer printer – for professional, even printing. Requires a suitable ribbon and settings for the material.
- Embroidery – with an embroidery machine for initials or a short name.
With every method, test wash resistance before marking a whole run.
In-house printing: what to bear in mind
Factories with many styles and sizes sometimes prefer to print care and size labels themselves. This gives flexibility but requires:
- a printer suitable for textile tapes and the correct tape width;
- a printing ribbon compatible with the label material;
- templates with correctly laid-out mandatory information;
- wash resistance tests;
- a person responsible for settings and quality.
You will find more about printing technologies in our printed labels section.
Finishing the edges
If you cut synthetic tape yourself, the edges must be sealed – with a hot knife or carefully with a flame – otherwise they will fray. Sealing by hand often leaves hard, sharp edges that scratch. Factory-cut labels are finished with a hot knife or ultrasound, which gives a more even and softer edge. Cotton tape cannot be heat-sealed – it is folded at the ends or overlocked.
When it is time to switch to logo labels
Blank labels are convenient at the start, but they have limitations. Handwriting looks unprofessional in a shop, and in-house printing takes time and people. Consider custom labels when:
- you sell under your own brand in shops or online;
- you sew runs with recurring styles and sizes;
- the time spent marking by hand starts to slow down production;
- customers ask about your brand.
A good intermediate solution is to order a label with your logo and a blank field, in which you add the size or number by hand or with a printer.
Width and length of blank labels
The tape width is chosen according to the amount of text and the placement. Narrow tapes are used for size labels and initials, medium ones for the atelier name and brief information, and wide ones for care labels with several lines. The length of cut labels depends on the fold: a centre-fold label is twice as long as its visible part plus the seam allowance, while an end-fold label loses a few millimetres on each side for the fold. Before ordering a large quantity, cut and sew on a few labels of different lengths to see which size suits your products best.
Mistakes when working with blank labels
- Writing with an ordinary pen or marker that disappears in the first wash.
- Cutting synthetic tape with scissors without sealing – the ends fray.
- Using decorative ribbon on which print does not hold.
- Different handwritten labels within the same run – the products look inconsistent.
- Missing mandatory composition information when the products are sold.
Storage
Keep tapes in a dry, dark place, away from direct sunlight and dust. Light satin tapes are less likely to yellow if kept in a closed box. Store rolls lying flat or on a spindle so that the edges do not deform.
Labels from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer and wholesaler of garment accessories, including custom textile labels. If you have been using blank labels so far and want to switch to a label with your logo – or a combination of a logo and a blank data field – we will help you with the material, size and sample. Contact us via our contact page.
