Sewn goods labels have multiple purposes. They are an opportunity for you to market your brand through a quality representation of your logo. They tell your customers important information about the item such as size, fabric content and how to launder. If they are attractive and positioned well, they add a design element to your product. And they are a federal requirement, which means including certain information is the law, and the information your present must be truthful.
If you are new to labels, here are the basics:
You need to have at least one label on your sewn product. You can compile all the information onto that singular label, or you can have a multitude of labels in different locations. It’s 100% your choice, but be sure to plan for at least one.
That label should contain at the very least your logo or company name, the size of the garment if applicable, the fiber content of the garment, the laundering instruction of the garment, and the country of origin (COI) of the garment.
Labels prices change dramatically as your volume increases. You can pay $1.50 a label for 10 and $.10 a label for 5,000. Know your quantity discounts so you can plan your budget accordingly.
There are a wide variety of labels. They can be woven, printed, heat transfers, pad print and more. They can be any size, any style, any color. If you are doing your own sourcing, most labels companies will send you a package of different types of labels so you can see and feel exactly what you like. Once you narrow it down you can get pricing, along with quantity discounts.
Just because your manufacturer is in the U.S. does not give you the right to simply say Made in U.S.A. You have to disclose where your fabric comes from, even if you only use the verbiage “imported fabrics”. There are heavy fines attached to dishonest labeling.
If you are making children's wear, you have the strictest of rules when it comes to fabrics, choking hazards and labeling. You need to go even deeper into your research to make sure you are not breaking any laws.
If you are importing garments, it is crucial for you to ensure that those labels are attached to the items and have all the necessary information, otherwise customs is going to hold that shipment until you find a company that can drive their sewing machines to the holding location and add all of the necessary labels on your behalf. There is a steep daily fee for your shipment to be held, you will have to pay to expedite new labels and then pay the sewing company for quick turnaround and moving their machinery for your job. It’s an extremely expensive endeavor that we have done for clients. You don’t want to be in this situation.
We regularly source, set up and order labels on behalf of our clients based on their aesthetic and budget. However, just because your factory is doing the work for you, it is imperative that you understand what is required on your labels. If you don’t include necessary information or do not fully disclose your content or COI, you can’t blame the company that made your labels. It’s your responsibility as the owner of those garments. Therefore, it’s essential that you click on the following links and learn everything you need to know about your type of product and how it must be labeled.
MUST READS
U.S. Labeling Requirements for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods
Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts
Clothing and Textiles
How to comply with requirements for labeling products made of cashmere, cotton, down, feather, fur, wool, rayon made from bamboo or other materials; attaching care instructions to garments; making truthful “Made in the USA” claims, and more.