Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Brand labels for clothing are the whole system of labels with which a brand signs its products: a main label with the logo, a size label, a care label, an external mark (flag or leather label) and a cardboard hang tag. When they are designed together – with the same colours, font and proportions – they turn even a small collection into a recognisable brand. Here is how to build such a package step by step.
Brand labels for clothing: the elements of the package
| Element | Role | Typical execution |
|---|---|---|
| Main label | Signs the product | Woven damask or print on satin |
| Size label | Shows the size | Small woven or printed label |
| Care and composition label | Composition, care, manufacturer | Print on satin or taffeta |
| External mark | Visibility when worn | Flag label, leather label, metal plate |
| Hang tag | Sales and brand story | Printed card with finishing |
| Additional | Special messages | "Made in…" label, limited edition, number |
The main label – the heart of the system
Everything starts with the main label. It defines the colours, font and proportions that the other elements follow. It is most often woven, because it lasts longest and looks most solid. Choose a size that works for most products in the collection – one main label for all styles reduces costs and makes the brand consistent. You will find more on the technology under woven labels.
The size label
A separate size label allows the main label to be the same for all sizes, so it can be ordered in a larger run. It is sewn below or next to the main label. Its design should repeat the background colour and font of the main label. Some brands put the size in a small square, others as a continuation of the main label with a centre fold.
The care label as part of the brand
The care label is often seen merely as an obligation, but it too is part of how the brand is perceived. Use the same font, the logo in a small size at the top and the brand colour for the background or text. Well-organised, legible information shows attention to detail. Do not forget the mandatory elements – fibre composition in the language of the country of sale (in Bulgaria, Bulgarian), the manufacturer's details and a style identifier.
External marks
An external mark makes the brand visible while the garment is worn. The options are:
- Flag label – a small folded label in the side seam or hem, woven or printed.
- Leather label – on the waistband of jeans, the pocket of a jacket or the brim of a cap.
- Woven label on the outside – on a pocket, sleeve or back, sewn around its outline.
- Metal plate – for bags, outerwear and accessories.
Choose one external mark for the collection – too many visible labels on one garment look intrusive.
The hang tag
The hang tag is the first thing the buyer touches in the shop. On the front – the logo; on the back – style, size, price, barcode or QR code. Here you can briefly tell the brand story, state the material or origin. The finishing – embossing, foil, kraft card – should match the level of the brand. You will find options under hang tags.
How to coordinate the style
- One font. Use the brand font everywhere, with a simplified version for small labels.
- One palette. Two or three colours repeated on all labels, in Pantone.
- One layout logic. The logo always in the same position on the label.
- The same materials within a group. If the main label is satin, the size label should be satin too.
- A combined sample. Order samples of all elements at once and view them together on the product.
Packages by brand level
Basic package
Main label, care label with size, simple hang tag. Suitable for new brands and small runs.
Standard package
Woven main label, separate size label, care label, hang tag with finishing. The most common option.
Premium package
Finely woven main label with a Manhattan fold, size label, multilingual care label, external leather or flag label, hang tag with embossing and foil, and a string in the brand colour.
When to update the package
A label package is not forever. Update it when rebranding, when entering a new market with another language, when the manufacturer's details change or when buyers complain about comfort. Changing the main label is a good occasion to review all the other elements at once.
Budget and run
A label package does not have to be expensive. The key is standardisation: one main label for all styles, a separate size label, a limited number of colours. Order the elements that do not change in larger runs, and the care labels per article. The price depends on the type, size, material and quantity – send a request for a quote. You will find the whole range in the clothing labels category.
Common mistakes
- Labels ordered from different suppliers at different times, with no common look.
- A different font on the main label and the care label.
- Too many external marks on one garment.
- A luxury hang tag and a cheap, stiff neck label – a mismatch the buyer notices.
A complete label package from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of sewing accessories based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We make all the elements of the package to order – woven, printed, care, leather and cardboard labels – coordinated in colour and style, with fast samples and delivery across the EU. Send your logo and list of products via our inquiry form and we will propose a package. Minimum quantities depend on the article.
