Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Clothing label manufacturing uses different technologies depending on the label type: woven labels are made on jacquard looms; printed labels are created by printing on satin or polyester ribbons; leather labels are stamped or laser engraved; and cardboard labels are printed offset or digitally and die-cut. Almost all textile labels then go through cutting and folding. Understanding the process helps you choose the right label and prepare a better design.
Clothing Label Manufacturing: Main Technologies
| Technology | Output | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Jacquard weaving | Woven label | Durability, texture, premium look |
| Ribbon printing | Printed or care label | Fine text, lots of information |
| Stamping, foil, laser | Leather label | Distinctive brand mark |
| Cardboard printing and die-cutting | Hang tag | Large surface, premium finishing |
How Woven Labels Are Made
Woven labels are produced on jacquard machines. The design is first converted into a weaving program – each pixel of the logo is “translated” into interlacing of warp and weft threads. The warp is usually a single colour forming the background, while the logo is created from coloured weft threads.
Types of weaving
- Taffeta – less dense weaving, lower detail, economical for simple text.
- Damask – dense weaving with fine polyester threads, allowing small letters and clear details. The most common choice for brand labels.
- Satin weave – smooth, shiny surface and soft touch.
Weaving is done on wide fabric with many labels side by side, which are then cut apart. More details are available in woven labels.
How Printed Textile Labels Are Made
For printed labels, the base is a ready-made ribbon – satin, polyester taffeta, cotton or nonwoven material. The design is applied using various methods such as thermal transfer printing, flexo or screen printing. The choice depends on the run length, number of colours and wash durability requirements. The inks must be textile-compatible to avoid fading. Printing is preferred for care labels because it allows small text, multiple languages and care symbols.
Cutting and Folding
After weaving or printing, labels are separated. Hot cutting melts the synthetic ribbon edge to prevent fraying. Ultrasonic cutting produces a softer, smoother edge – important for labels touching skin. Woven labels on wide fabric can also be cut with folded side edges.
Next is folding. Common options include:
- straight label without folding, sewn on all four sides;
- folded at edges, sewn on two sides;
- folded in half, caught in a seam;
- “envelope” or angled fold – for loop hanging.
How Leather Labels Are Made
Leather – natural or eco – is cut into label shapes using dies or laser. The logo is applied by hot stamping with a metal die (embossed or debossed), foil in gold, silver or other colours, or laser engraving. Sometimes perforations are added for sewing. The finish includes edge and colour inspection.
How Cardboard Labels Are Made
Hang tags are printed on cardboard sheets using offset or digital printing. They can be enhanced with lamination, varnish, embossing or hot foil stamping. Finally, they are die-cut into shape and holes are punched for hanging. Often they are supplied with string or plastic fastener.
Materials and Raw Materials
Label quality starts with raw materials. Woven labels mainly use polyester yarn for strength, shrink resistance and colourfastness. Cotton threads give a natural look but are less fade resistant. Printed labels use ribbons chosen for feel: satin is smooth and shiny, polyester taffeta is stiffer and very durable, cotton ribbon is soft and matte, and nonwoven materials are economical for temporary info. Leather labels use natural or eco leather of various thickness and finishes. Cardboard labels are printed on paperboard of different weights, including kraft paper with recycled content. Raw material choice directly affects label type, comfort and cost.
Supporting materials are equally important: sewing threads for leather labels, inks for ribbon printing, hot stamping foils and adhesives for some cardboard labels. These must be compatible with the main material and garment care to avoid premature label damage.
Quality Control
A good manufacturer checks labels at every stage:
- colour match to approved sample;
- cut size and angle;
- legibility of smallest text;
- correct folding and no frayed edges;
- quantity and packaging by SKU and size.
What This Means for Your Design
Knowing the technology helps you design better. For woven labels, avoid very thin lines and tiny text. For printed labels, consider ink-to-ribbon contrast. For leather labels, keep logos simple enough for clear stamping. All types are available in the clothing labels category.
Label Manufacturer – Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We produce custom labels with your logo – woven, printed, leather and cardboard – offer fast samples and deliver across the EU. Send your design via the contact form and we will recommend the best technology.
