Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Name labels for clothes are small textile labels with the child’s name that are sewn on or ironed on so that clothes do not get lost at nursery, school or camp. The most practical option is a soft satin or cotton label with a clear first name and surname, placed in the same spot in every garment. Sewn-on labels last the longest, while iron-on labels are the quickest to apply.
Why clothes need a name label
In a group of twenty children, at least a few have identical jackets, leggings or slippers. Teachers and carers have no way of telling what belongs to whom, and lost clothes pile up in the lost property box. A name label solves the problem with minimal effort. Many nurseries and camps even require clothes and bedding to be marked.
Name labels for clothes: types
| Type | Application | Durability | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed satin sew-on label | Thread | Very high | All clothes, underwear, uniforms |
| Woven name label | Thread | Highest | Uniforms, sports kits, boarding schools |
| Iron-on label | Iron | Good if applied correctly | T-shirts, trousers, cotton clothes |
| Self-adhesive sticker | By hand | Does not survive washing | Backpacks, boxes, bottles, shoes |
What to write on the label
- First name and surname – the first name alone is not enough if there are two children with the same name in the group.
- Surname initial – a compromise if you do not want the full name.
- Group or class – optional, but it changes every year.
- Phone number – more suitable for backpacks and personal belongings than for clothes. Think about personal data before placing it somewhere visible.
- A small symbol – a star, an animal or a flower helps children who cannot read yet to recognise their own things.
Material: softness above all
Children wear their clothes all day, run around and take afternoon naps. The label must not scratch. The softest options are satin and cotton tape with ultrasonically cut or folded edges. Avoid large, stiff labels – it is better for the label to be small and carry only the name.
Where to place the label
Choose one position and use it for all clothes – that way carers know where to look:
- T-shirts, tops, jumpers – at the back of the neck, next to the brand label;
- trousers, leggings, skirts – on the inside of the waistband at the back;
- jackets – on the neck lining or in the pocket;
- socks – on the cuff, with a small iron-on label;
- hats and gloves – on the inside of the cuff;
- pyjamas and bedding – in the corner or on the seam.
Sew-on or iron-on
Sewing takes more time, but the label stays until the garment is outgrown – and can then be unpicked and replaced for a younger sibling. Ironing is quick, but it requires a suitable fabric, the right temperature and pressure. Iron-on labels are not suitable for synthetic jackets, membranes and wool. A practical solution is to iron the label on and secure it with a few stitches at the corners.
How many labels you need
Count the main garments in the wardrobe for one year – T-shirts, tops, trousers, pyjamas, jackets, hats, gloves – and add a reserve for new purchases during the season. You will easily reach several dozen labels per child. Ordering them all at once is more convenient than writing with a marker on every new item.
Labels for nurseries, camps and schools
Some institutions order labels for all children in a group or for camp participants – for example for uniforms, sports kits or bedding. In that case the label can carry a shared logo of the nursery, school or club and an individual name. This is an order with variable data – one design, many variants. Prepare the list of names in a spreadsheet and check the spelling before sending it. Such labels are usually printed, and the technologies are described in printed labels.
Name labels for uniforms and kits
School uniforms, ballet leotards, club kits and boarding school clothes are washed often and sometimes centrally. Woven or printed sew-on labels that do not peel off are suitable for them. The label can also carry a list number instead of a full name – convenient when the clothes are passed on to the next intake of children.
How to sew on a name label quickly
If you need to mark a whole wardrobe, organise the work like a small production line. First sort the clothes by type. Then pin all the labels in place with one pin each. Finally sew them all at once without changing the thread – white or light grey polyester thread suits most clothes. A label folded at the ends can be sewn on by machine with two short seams in seconds. By hand, use a few stitches in each corner. This way marking dozens of garments takes one relaxed afternoon, not a whole week.
Mistakes to avoid
- Writing with an ordinary ballpoint pen – it disappears in the first wash.
- A label with only the first name.
- A stiff label that the child wants to cut out.
- An iron-on label on a jacket with a membrane.
- A different position in every garment.
- A mistake in the list of names for a group order.
How to order name labels from Polkom
Polkom manufactures custom textile labels, including name and number labels for nurseries, schools, clubs and camps, as well as for children’s clothing brands. Send the list of names, the desired size and method of application via Contact and we will suggest a suitable material, a sample and a quote. Minimum quantities depend on the item.
