Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Good woven labels for knitwear are soft, light and do not restrict the stretch of the fabric. The most suitable are damask or satin with ultrasonic cutting or a woven selvedge, in a smaller size, centre-folded and sewn into a seam. On knitted jumpers and scarves the label is sewn on by hand or with a stretch stitch so that it does not pucker the knit.
Why woven labels for knitwear need a special approach
Knitwear – knitted fabrics such as jersey, rib, interlock and jumper knits – stretches, whereas a woven label hardly stretches at all. If the label is large and sewn around its entire perimeter, it creates a "rigid window" in the elastic fabric. The result is puckering, a distorted seam and discomfort. In addition, knitted garments are often worn directly against the skin, so the label edges are felt more.
Which label for which knitted product
| Product | Weave | Fold | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey T-shirts and tops | damask or satin | centre fold | in the neck seam |
| Sweatshirts, hoodies | damask | centre fold or end fold | neck or side seam |
| Leggings, sportswear | soft satin, small size | centre fold or Manhattan fold | side seam or waistband |
| Knitted jumpers and cardigans | damask | end fold or straight cut | back yoke, hand-sewn |
| Knitted hats and scarves | damask or taffeta | centre fold or straight cut | in the seam or on the outside |
| Baby knitwear | satin | centre fold | side seam |
Size: smaller is better
On knitwear the label should be as small as possible without losing legibility. A narrow centre-fold label sewn into a seam has practically no effect on stretch, because it is held at only one point. A wide label sewn on all four sides already restricts the fabric. If you want a large brand label, place it where the fabric does not stretch much – for example the back yoke below the neck on a jumper with a reinforcing tape.
Edges and comfort
Knitted garments are worn directly against the skin and move with the body. The label edge must be soft:
- Woven selvedge – the softest option, with no cut edge.
- Ultrasonic cut – a thin, flexible sealed edge.
- Hot knife – harder; best avoided at the neck and on underwear.
How to sew a label onto knitwear
In an overlock or coverstitch seam
The fastest and most trouble-free method: the centre-folded label is placed between the two fabric layers and caught when sewing the neck seam or side seam. This means there are no extra seams on the stretch fabric.
Sewing onto the fabric
If the label needs to lie flat, sew only along the two short sides, not around the whole perimeter. Use a ballpoint jersey needle so you do not break the loops, and a stretch or narrow zigzag stitch. The thread should be polyester, in the colour of the label.
Hand-sewing onto knits
On knitted jumpers, especially hand-knitted ones, the label is sewn on by hand with a few loose stitches at the corners and the middle of the short sides. The thread passes through the loops, not through the yarn strands, so it does not split them. This way the label moves with the knit.
Heat-seal labels on knitwear
Labels with heat-seal adhesive can be applied to some knitted fabrics, but the adhesive stiffens the area and reduces stretch. On very elastic fabrics and knits this option is not recommended without a prior test. If you still want to avoid a seam, run a trial with the press, temperature and fabric you will use in production.
External label on knitwear
Many knitwear brands place a small woven label on the outside – on the hem, the cuff or the corner of a scarf. Here the label is a branding element and must be sewn securely on both sides so it does not snag. An alternative for heavier knits is leather labels, which look good on a coarse knit.
Size label and care label
Knitwear usually has three labels: brand, size and care. If they are all sewn in different places, the garment is "burdened" with rigid areas. A better solution is to group them: the brand label and size label side by side in the neck seam, and the care label in the side seam, where the fabric stretches less. Another option is to weave the size directly into the brand label if the collection is small and there are few variants.
Washing and care
Knitwear is often washed at low temperatures and on delicate programmes. A polyester woven label tolerates these conditions without problems and does not shrink significantly, unlike some natural knits. If the product is wool and shrinks when washed incorrectly, the label will keep its size and may "stick out" slightly – one more reason for it to be small and held in just one seam. Put the care information on a separate care label; more options are available in the textile labels section.
Common mistakes
- A large label sewn around the perimeter on stretch fabric.
- A hard hot-knife-cut edge at the neck of a T-shirt.
- A regular needle that breaks the loops.
- Heat-seal adhesive on a very elastic knit without a test.
Woven labels for knitwear from Polkom
Polkom makes woven labels in sizes, weaves and folds suitable for knitwear and knits. With over 30 years of experience as a manufacturer, we will advise you on the most comfortable option for your styles. Send an inquiry with a description of your products.
