Author: Stuart Astley

Starting kindergarten is a big step for little ones, and with that step comes the need for organisation—specifically in the form of name labels. For parents in Australia, selecting the right type of label for your child’s belongings is crucial, not only to keep track of items but also to instil a sense of ownership and responsibility in your kids. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of name labels for kindergarten, focusing on the preferred options: sew-in and iron-on woven labels.

Contents:

• The Importance of Labeling Your Child’s Belongings
• Woven Labels: The Durable Choice for Busy Families
• Sew-In Woven Labels: The Permanent Solution
• How to Sew-In Woven Labels
• Iron-On Woven Labels: The Convenient Alternative
• Creative and Fun: Customising Your Child’s Labels
• Labeling Strategies for the Organised Parent
• Best Practices for Label Maintenance
• The Investment in Quality Labels
• Why Use Woven Labels for Kindergarten

The Importance of Labeling Your Child’s Belongings

When your child walks into their new kindergarten classroom, they’re not just carrying their own little backpack—they’re walking into a sea of identical hats, coats, water bottles, and lunch boxes. Name Labels for Kindergarten are the unsung heroes that can prevent mix-ups and losses, saving you time and money. And beyond the practical, labels help teachers and caregivers ensure each child has their own belongings, which is especially important for items like drink bottles and hats for health and hygiene reasons.

When it comes to your child attending school or daycare, name labels stickers are an essential purchase to keep track of their belongings and ensure that they return home at the end of the school day. – Buggybuddys.com.au

Woven Labels: The Durable Choice for Busy Families

Why Choose Woven Labels?

When it comes to durability, woven labels stand out. They are crafted to withstand the rigors of daily use, frequent washing, and the playground’s rough and tumble. As a professional navigating the bustling world of parenthood, I’ve come to appreciate the resilience of woven labels. They retain their shape, color, and legibility for a remarkably long time, making them a wise investment for kindergarteners’ gear.

Sew-In Woven Labels: The Permanent Solution

The Benefits of Sew-In Options

Sew-in woven labels are the stalwarts of the label world. You sew them directly into your child’s clothing or fabric items, which means they are as permanent as it gets. Here’s why they’re a top pick:

• Durability: They don’t peel, crack, or fade, regardless of how many times the item is washed.
• Security: Sew-in labels stay put. You sew them once, and they remain secure, ensuring your child’s items always have identification.
• Comfort: Modern woven labels are designed with comfort in mind, with soft edges that don’t irritate the skin.

As a parent, one of the daily challenges we face is keeping track of our child’s belongings, especially when they’re at school. – Labelbubble

How to Sew-In Woven Labels

For those who haven’t threaded a needle in a while, fear not. Sewing in labels is simpler than it seems:

1. Place the label where you want it on the garment.
2. Use a fine needle and thread that matches the garment or label border.
3. Sew around the edges of the label, securing it in place.

It might take a bit of time, especially if you have a full kindergarten kit to label, but the peace of mind is worth every stitch.

Iron-On Woven Labels: The Convenient Alternative

Quick and Easy Application

For those of us balancing work, parenting, and the chaos of life, iron-on woven labels are a godsend. You can apply them in seconds, and they bond firmly to the fabric with just a little heat.

School uniforms are expensive and are at the top of my to-label-list as I can’t afford to be replacing them when they forget to put them in their school bag after sport training. – Theorganisedhousewife

Making Iron-On Labels Last

• Use the right heat: Make sure your iron is set to the correct temperature for the fabric you’re attaching the label to.
• Apply pressure: Press down firmly to ensure the entire label bonds with the fabric.
• Wait before washing: Give the adhesive time to set by waiting at least 24 hours before washing the item.

Iron-on woven labels offer a nearly permanent solution with less work, though they may eventually need to be re-applied or reinforced with a few stitches if they start to peel after numerous washes.

Creative and Fun: Customising Your Child’s Labels

Personalise for Your Child

With a range of fonts, colours, and icons, labels can be as unique as your child. Personalisation also serves a practical purpose, helping younger children who may not be able to read yet identify their items through a familiar symbol or color.

Involve Your Child in the Process

One of the joys of parenting is watching your child’s personality shine. Let them pick their label design. This small act of agency can make them more excited about their belongings and more vigilant about keeping track of them.

Labeling Strategies for the Organised Parent

Be Systematic in Your Approach

Think about all the items your child takes to kindergarten. Each one needs to be labeled. Create a checklist, and as you label each item, tick it off. This method ensures nothing is forgotten and makes re-labeling the following year more straightforward.

The More, The Better

When it comes to labels, more is more. Have backups for when new items are purchased or when something needs a re-label. Remember, it’s not just clothes that need labels—think about water bottles, backpacks, and even the inside of shoes.

Best Practices for Label Maintenance

Regular Checks

Make it a habit to check the labels every few weeks to ensure they’re still secure and legible. This is especially important for iron-on labels, which might peel over time.

Gentle Washing

Although woven labels are durable, treating the labeled items with care can extend their lifespan. Gentle washing cycles and avoiding direct heat (like tumble dryers) can prevent wear and tear.

The Investment in Quality Labels

Cost Versus Benefit

While woven labels may have a higher upfront cost than some alternatives like stickers or marker pens, their longevity means you won’t have to replace them as often. This makes them a more cost-effective option in the long run.

The Environmental Angle

By using durable labels, you’re not just saving money; you’re also being kind to the environment. Less frequent replacement means less waste, and woven labels, being made of fabric, are a more sustainable option than plastic labels.

Why Use Woven Labels for Kindergarten

As you send your child off to the adventure of kindergarten, do so with the assurance that their belongings are clearly marked with durable, personalised woven labels. Whether you choose the tradition of sew-in labels or the convenience of iron-on, you are investing in peace of mind and setting the stage for a more organised and smooth kindergarten experience.

Selecting the right name labels for your child’s items is a small but significant step in your parenting journey. It teaches your child the importance of responsibility and taking care of their belongings, while also easing the potential for lost items and the associated costs and frustrations.

I invite you to embrace the process, involve your little one, and feel confident in your choice of woven labels as a reliable solution for this new chapter. After all, it’s these small details that make the big picture of kindergarten life a little less hectic and a lot more enjoyable.

With the right Name Labels for Kindergarten in place, you’re not just marking a belonging. You’re helping to craft your child’s independence, one item at a time. Happy labeling!

Whether you have already purchased some iron-on labels or are trying to decide if they are right for your needs, this article is for you. Not only will we cover the many benefits of iron-on clothing labels, but we’ll also go into detail about how to apply them correctly.

Contents:

• Why use iron-on clothing labels?
• Tips for applying iron-on labels
• How to apply iron-on name labels
• What’s the difference between woven, satin and printed labels?
• Need more help? Get in touch!

Woven Labels Direct has been in the business for more than 30 years. We’ve got the experience to offer you the most important dos and don’ts, the best tips for applying iron-on labels and the answers to important questions about fabrics, washes and more.

Let’s get started!

Why use iron-on clothing labels?

There are lots of reasons to use our printed iron-on name labels and similar products. Whether you are identifying your child’s school uniform, camp wear, PE kits or more, iron-on labels are an affordable, easy way to get the job done right.

The most important benefits include…

Affordable

With iron-on labels, you are definitely getting some good bang for your buck. And, if you order in large quantities, you’ll get an even better price and be set for labels for a good long time.

Boil Washable

All of our iron-on labels are machine washable. When applied correctly to the proper fabrics, the labels will not peel or wear away in the wash. They are even boil washable, so you can push your wash temperature to the limit without risking the integrity of your name labels.

Durable

Iron-on labels don’t just stand up in the wash. The process that fuses them to your clothing makes them become one with the fabric. This means that your label should last just as long as your clothes do.

Convenient

The primary competitor for iron-on applications are sew-in name labels. While sew-in labels have their uses, iron-on definitely wins when it comes to convenience. You don’t need any skill with a needle and thread, and you can apply a lot of labels very quickly. Perfect if you have lots of kids or are sending one away to camp with a whole summer’s worth of clothes.

Tips for applying iron-on labels

Once you’ve got your labels in hand, you need to know how to apply them. First we’ll walk you through the basic steps, then we’ll cover some niche cases and offer tips for optimum application.

How to apply iron-on name labels

The following process is the same no matter what type of our three iron-on labels you are using: woven, satin or printed.

Ensure that your clothing is bone dry. If you can, toss it through the dryer immediately before application to remove any humidity that may have been absorbed from the environment.

Heat up your iron. You want your iron somewhere between very warm and hot. Every iron is a little bit different, so you may have to experiment with different temperature settings. If your iron has fabric settings, you probably want to start with “cotton”. If it has numbered settings, start somewhere near the highest setting. If your labels aren’t adhering, you can try slowly increasing the temperature.

Turn steam off. Don’t use steam during the ironing process, as extra moisture will ruin the adhesion of the label. Even if it looks good at first, it will likely peel after a little use. If your iron only functions with steam, you’ll want to find another one to work with.

Iron the clothing before applying the label. The purpose is twofold. First, labels stick better to smooth surfaces, so a little pre-ironing helps remove any excess creasing. Second, warming up the clothes a little will remove any remaining moisture and help improve adhesion. You don’t have to iron the entire item, just the area where you are going to apply the label.

Position the label and iron properly. Once you have your label where you want it, lay the center of the iron flat on top of it. Leave it there for 10 seconds and then carefully move it around with light downward pressure for a count of 5. If the label is not fully adhered, apply the iron again for another few seconds at a time until the job is done.

Avoid washing for 24 hours. Although the labels should be permanent, they need time to set. You should wait at least one full day before putting labeled garments in the wash.

Here is a video on how to apply iron on name labels by Stickerscape, a company based in the UK.

How long should I iron the labels?

It’s best to start off with a total ironing time of 15 seconds. That’s not a magic number though. The heat of your iron and the type of fabric can affect how long it takes to adhere the label. A little bit of experimentation will help you find the timing right for you. Just add a few seconds at a time to avoid overheating your garment.

What do I do if my iron is too hot?

Some irons run really hot. Or you may be working with a fabric that you are worried about exposing to too much heat. In these cases, you can protect the garment by placing a barrier such as parchment paper or a tea towel between the iron and the label. Try not to use anything too thick, or else there won’t be enough heat transfer to actually activate the adhesive.

Depending on the temperature of your iron and the thickness of your barrier, you may need to adjust the total ironing time. Start with the 15 second standard, but be prepared to iron a bit longer than expected if your labels aren’t sticking.

Why have my labels lifted after a few washes?

There are three primary causes for peeling labels.

The first cause is low temperature. If your iron wasn’t quite hot enough when you ironed on the label, it might stick for a while but won’t adhere permanently. You can try reapplying a new label at higher heat.

The second cause is moisture. If your garment isn’t completely dry when you are ironing the label, then the label won’t fuse to the fabric. Even if it looks like you have a good stick, the label will slowly fall off over time.

The third cause of peeling labels is the fabric. Specifically, garments that are pilling and those with a high ridge content (such as thick wools) are going to struggle to bond with an iron-on label.

If there’s an ironed-on label on your clothes you’d like to remove, you can quickly remove it using a couple of different methods – reheating the label or applying a vinyl letter removing solvent – Wikihow

Will iron-on labels stick to all fabrics?

Iron-on labels will stick to most fabrics that can handle the high heat of the iron. You may want to check the care labels of your garment before attempting if you are working with something like nylon that has low heat resistance.

One fabric that our iron-on labels don’t work well with is wool due to the high ridge content. Finer wools aren’t usually a problem, however. When you are working with a fabric that isn’t compatible, you have a few different options:

• Apply the label elsewhere. The most typical spot is the garment care tag.
• Use a sew-on label. If you don’t mind a little needle and thread work, sew-on labels are a great alternative to iron on.
• Use a rivvit. Our rivvit name tag fasteners allow you to attach a woven label without sewing or ironing!

What if my iron is really old?

Irons that are made recently have a coating of teflon or similar material that makes them glide more easily. Older irons might not have this (or the teflon may have worn away from years of use). You may find it hard to keep the label in place as you move the iron around.

In this case, you just want to use a barrier like parchment paper. Place it between the iron and the label so that you can glide the iron around without making direct contact to the label.

Mummahack.com has instructions on how to iron iron-on labels without an iron, although they state it works, we do not recommend doing it that way, as it may result in the labels lifting up overtime.

What’s the difference between woven, satin and printed labels?

When it comes to iron-on applications, there is no difference. All of the tips on this page apply equally to all three types. The different label types are simply meant to appeal to a variety of needs and tastes:

• Printed iron-on labels are a great no-nonsense choice. If you need plain text labels in large quantities, they are the perfect choice for you.
• Satin iron-on labels are a little more customisable in that you can choose your font, colour and motif. They are also soft to the touch and ideal for skin that is easily irritated.
• Woven iron-on labels provide the most luxurious look and feel of the three options. In addition to iron application, they can also be sewn in or attached with rivvits, so woven labels are the most versatile of the three.

Need more help? Get in touch!

At Woven Labels Direct, we want every customer to be satisfied with their purchase. We haven’t remained in business for decades by abandoning our customers.

So if you have any questions when it comes to applying your iron-on labels, protecting your garments, finding suitable alternative labels or more, don’t hesitate to contact us today!