Manufacturer · Fashion Accessories
For textile labels with a logo, it is best to send the logo as a vector file (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG), with the colours specified in Pantone and the desired label size. If you only have a PNG or JPG, it must be high resolution. Small elements and text must be large enough for the chosen technology – printing allows finer details than weaving.
Why the logo on the label looks different from the screen
Textile is not paper. The threads of the tape and the structure of satin or taffeta "absorb" some of the details. On a woven label the image is built up from threads, much like pixels, while with printing the ink spreads slightly into the fibres. That is why a logo that looks good on a business card sometimes needs to be simplified for a label. This is not a compromise on the brand but an adaptation to the material.
Files for textile labels with a logo
- Vector (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) – the ideal option. Lines stay sharp at any scale, and colours can be separated.
- Raster (PNG, JPG) – acceptable at high resolution and with clear contrast. A blurred logo will have to be redrawn, which takes time.
- Fonts – convert the text to outlines or send the font so it is not substituted.
- Colours – give Pantone codes or send a physical fabric sample if the label has to match it.
Minimum size of text and lines
The exact limits depend on the machine and material, but the general rule is simple: the smaller the detail, the more suitable printing is compared with weaving.
| Element | Printing on satin/taffeta | Weaving |
|---|---|---|
| Very small text (composition, address) | Suitable | Risk of merging |
| Thin lines and outlines | Good | Must be thickened |
| Fades and gradients | Limited, depends on the method | Not recommended |
| Relief and texture | Flat result | Excellent relief |
| Many colours | Limited number | Limited number of threads |
If the logo has a thin slogan below the main mark, consider leaving it off the small labels and keeping it only on the hang tags, where there is more space.
How many colours can the label have
Printed textile labels usually work with one to several colours on a coloured base. Every additional colour complicates preparation, so a one-colour logo on a contrasting tape is the most economical and most legible solution. On woven labels, the colours are determined by the number of threads in the warp and weft. You will find details of the weaving technology under woven labels.
Label size and margin around the logo
The logo should not touch the edge. Leave a free margin of at least 2–3 mm from cut edges and 3–5 mm from edges that are sewn. On a centre-fold label, the logo must be in the upper visible half, while the lower half stays in the seam or is used for other information. If the label will sit at the neck, choose a width that does not show above the neckline.
Choosing the colours
- Choose the tape colour – white, black, natural or a custom colour.
- Choose a logo colour with enough contrast. A grey logo on beige tape is rarely legible.
- Think about the fabric – a dark label on a thin white T-shirt shows through on the front.
- For a collection in many colours, you can have one label for all products or versions on 2–3 bases.
What the process looks like
Once we receive the logo and requirements, we prepare an actual-size mock-up. You approve it, and then we make a sample for you to see and touch. Series production starts only after the sample is approved. At this stage it is easiest to correct the colour, size or line thickness.
Mistakes that add cost and delay
- Sending a low-resolution logo cut from a website.
- No Pantone reference or physical sample for the colour.
- Too much information in a small area.
- An unspecified sewing method – the logo ends up under the seam.
- A final design changed after an approved sample.
Logo versions for different labels
Most brands have several versions of their logo – full (mark and name), mark only and wordmark only. For textile labels this is very useful. The full version works well on a larger label in jackets and coats. The wordmark alone suits a narrow neck label on a T-shirt. The mark alone can be used on a small flag label in the side seam or on the hem. If you do not yet have such versions, ask your designer to prepare them before you order the labels.
Negative and positive
A logo can be printed dark on a light tape or light on a dark one. The negative version (a light logo on black or navy tape) often looks more luxurious, but needs slightly thicker lines, because light details look thinner. The positive version is more legible with small text.
Additional information next to the logo
A website, a social media handle, "Made in Bulgaria" or a short slogan can be added next to the logo. Add only what genuinely helps the customer. Every line reduces the size of the logo and makes the label busier. Composition and care information is better kept on a separate care label.
Order textile labels with your logo from Polkom
Polkom manufactures custom textile labels with your brand logo – on satin, taffeta, cotton or as a woven label, in the size and colour of your choice. We help adapt the logo, make a sample before the series order and deliver across the EU. Send your logo file and a short description of the product via our contact page.
