Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Non-woven labels are made from a material in which the fibres are not woven but bonded together thermally, chemically or mechanically. They are soft, light, matt and economical, take print well and are used mainly for care labels, home textile labels, accessories and products that are not washed very often. Under intensive washing they usually fall behind taffeta and satin in durability.
What non-woven fabric is
Non-woven fabric is produced directly from fibres, without weaving or knitting. The fibres are laid in a web, which is then compacted and bonded. The result is a material without warp and weft that does not fray when cut. We know it from many everyday products – from bags to hygiene products. For labels, denser and smoother types are used, often polyester or polypropylene, sometimes with a coating that improves printing.
Non-woven labels: advantages
- Softness. The material is flexible and does not rustle like standard taffeta.
- It does not fray. The ends can be cut without special sealing.
- A matt surface, convenient for legible printing of text and symbols.
- Economy in large series and for labels with a lot of information.
- Lightness – suitable for delicate products, where every gram and every bit of thickness is felt.
Limitations
- Lower resistance to abrasion and repeated washing than woven tapes. Over time the surface may become fuzzy.
- It does not look luxurious – it suits functional rather than brand labels.
- Some types do not tolerate high ironing temperatures.
- Not suitable for weaving a logo – used with printing only.
Comparison with other bases
| Base | Softness | Wash durability | Look | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-woven | High | Moderate | Matt, functional | Care labels, home textiles, accessories |
| Polyester taffeta | Medium | High | Matt, technical | Care labels in mass-market clothing |
| Satin | Very high | High | Glossy, elegant | Brand label, lingerie, childrenswear |
| Cotton | High | Good (may shrink) | Natural | Eco and children's collections |
Which products it suits
Home textiles
Duvets, pillows, lightweight blankets and covers often carry large labels with a lot of information – filling and cover composition, dimensions, care instructions. A non-woven label is soft and economical for that amount of text, and these products are washed less often than clothing.
Accessories and footwear
Scarves, gloves, hats, fabric bags, insoles and the inner parts of shoes – where the label carries information but is not exposed to frequent washing.
Temporary and internal labels
Labels for batches, quality control, marking pattern pieces and samples in the factory.
Clothing with limited washing
Outerwear that is rarely cleaned, dry-clean suits, seasonal products. For T-shirts, lingerie and sportswear washed every week, taffeta and satin are more suitable.
Printing on non-woven fabric
Non-woven labels are printed with methods suited to labels, most often thermal transfer. This allows variable data – sizes, codes, batches – and quick switching between variants. It is important that the printing ribbon is chosen for the specific base. With a new material, always test a sample for rubbing and washing. Find out more about the technologies in our printed labels.
Mandatory information
Whatever the material, if the label is a composition label it must contain the fibre names and percentages under Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 and be durably attached and legible. Care symbols follow ISO 3758. If you are unsure whether a non-woven base will stay legible throughout the product's life, choose taffeta. You will find details on the content in our care and composition labels section.
How to decide
- How often will the product be washed? Weekly – taffeta or satin. Rarely – non-woven is a sensible choice.
- Does the label carry the brand? If so – satin or a woven label.
- How much text is there? A lot of text on a large label – non-woven is soft and economical.
- Does it touch the skin? Non-woven is soft, but check the edges of the sample.
How to test a sample
Ask for several samples on different bases with your actual text. Sew them onto a piece of the product's fabric and wash them several times at the temperature you will state on the label. Then rub them with your finger, check that the text is legible, that the edges have stayed smooth and that the surface has not become fuzzy. This simple test answers the question of which material suits your product better than any table.
Sewing non-woven labels
A non-woven label is easy to sew, because it does not slip or fray. There is one particularity, however: the material has no threads to "hold" the stitch, and its fibres simply move apart from the needle. If the stitch is very short, the perforation can weaken the label along the seam line and it may tear when pulled. So use a moderate stitch length and leave enough margin from the edge to the seam. With large home textile labels hanging from a seam, there should be at least a few millimetres of material in the seam itself, so they do not tear off during washing or when putting on the cover.
Textile labels from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of custom textile labels. We will help you choose between non-woven, taffeta, satin and cotton according to the product and how it is cared for, make a sample and deliver throughout the EU. Send a description and the label text via our Contact page.
