Do Stick-on Clothing Labels Stay?

No. At least not permanently.

There you have it. Question answered. Blog post over.

Just kidding! That simple question has a lot more nuance to it—a lot of sub questions that need answering too:

• Is there any use for stick-on labels?
• What are the alternatives?
• How can you get the best labels for your clothing?

We’ll answer these questions and more. So let’s dive in!

Contents:

• Why do stick-on labels fall off?
• Are stick-on labels ever worth it?
• What are the best alternatives to stick-on clothing labels?
• Why are my iron-on labels not sticking?
• When should I use a sew-in label instead?
• Shop Woven Labels Direct for high quality woven labels, delivered Australia-wide

Why do stick-on labels fall off?

Stick-on labels rely on adhesive. They are basically like stickers for clothing. Although the glue might be of a different nature than a typical sticker, it’s still glue.

Over time, it is going to wear off. The biggest culprit is washing. Every wash is going to dissolve the adhesive a little bit more. The exact lifetime of your stick-on clothing label will depend on the quality of the product, the clothing material and the temperature you are washing at, among other factors.

But the fact remains that they are only a semi-permanent solution. Eventually, they will fall off.

Are stick-on labels ever worth it?

Yes! Just because stick-on labels fall off doesn’t mean they are worthless. Woven Labels Direct wouldn’t carry them if they didn’t have viable uses. Here are some of the situations in which stick-on labels are a good option for you.

• You only need the label temporarily. Obviously, you don’t need a permanent label for short term labeling. Maybe your child is going to camp for the summer and you need to label their clothing for a few weeks and no more, for example.
• You will pass the clothes on. If you have multiple children or are planning to pass clothes on to a friend or sibling with kids, you probably don’t want to permanently label them. Stick-on labels are ideal for future hand-me-downs
• You are labeling on a budget. Stick-on labels are about half the cost of permanent alternatives, like iron-ons. Sometimes, your budget is the biggest factor for you, and stick-on labels win in this case. Just make sure that you aren’t going to need to replace them so often that it actually ends up costing you way more than expected.
• Your material doesn’t support other alternatives. Some alternatives we’ll discuss below, such as iron-on labels, just don’t work for certain uses. If you need to label a water bottle or plastic lunch box, for example, a stick-on label is ideal.

Once you have the name tags in place, people you don’t even know will leave your son’s things on your doorstep, which will be a whole lot cheaper than replacing his wardrobe, bit by bit – Marguerite Kelly.

What are the best Quality Woven Labels alternatives to stick-on clothing labels?

If you aren’t in any of those situations, your best bet is to opt for a permanent solution. Specifically, you want woven clothing labels, which are available in iron-on, sew-in or rivvit-fastened.

• Iron-on labels are applied directly to your clothing using a hot iron.
• Sew-in labels are sewn in with needle and thread, or a sewing machine.
• Rivvit-fastened labels are an alternative for people who don’t want to sew. Simply attach any sew-in label using one of our rivvit name tag fasteners.

When ironing on children’s name tags, you want to have high heat. On most irons, you can select three dots or a Linen/Cotton setting, or just turn the dial to maximum, before applying the iron. – Mynametags

What is a woven label?

Quality Woven Labels are created on a loom by weaving different colours of thread together. Stick-on labels, on the other hand, are typically printed directly onto paper or a plastic polymer.

Woven labels are simply the highest quality of clothing label available. They are more durable than printed labels and come with a more luxurious texture. Woven Labels Direct even manufactures custom woven labels that can be highly personalised for your individual needs.

Are iron-on clothing labels good?

Iron-on clothing labels are probably the best permanent alternative to stick-on labels. They adhere to most fabrics, are easy to apply and don’t rely on an adhesive that will wear off over time.

They can be as simple or complex in design as you need. They are the perfect choice for everyday name tags, but can also be highly customised for use by boutique shops and crafters. Gifting someone with new towels as a housewarming gift? Why not personalise them with a luxurious iron-on woven label? The possibilities are as endless as your creativity.

Do iron-on labels come off in the wash?

No. Our iron-on woven clothing labels are a permanent solution. This is because rather than relying on an adhesive, they contain a layer of filament that gets activated by the heat of the iron.

Essentially, the heating process causes the label to become part of the fabric. It’s not just stuck to the clothing, it is one with the clothing! This is why iron-on labels from Woven Labels Direct will still be there no matter how many times you put your clothes through the wash.

This means, of course, that you should only use them on items you really do want to be labeled forever. Once they are on, they are there to stay.

Why are my iron-on labels not sticking?

The only caveat to the permanency of iron-on labels is proper application. If they are applied correctly to the appropriate materials, they will last forever. Here are some situations that might cause your Quality Woven Labels to fail to stick around permanently.

Too much moisture

Moisture is the enemy of clothing labels. It interferes with the bonding process and will cause the labels to not stick at all or to wear off over time. There are two approaches you need to take to ensure you avoid moisture during labeling:

• Make sure your clothing is bone dry. Maybe run it through the dryer for an extra half cycle. If hang drying, allow it to dry overnight. You may also want to avoid applying iron-on labels during particularly humid weather.
• Don’t use a steam iron. Iron-on labels are activated by heat, but steam from an iron will introduce moisture at the absolute worst moment. Ensure you are using an iron that allows you to disable the steam function.

Dust and debris

Your Quality Woven Labels should be free of dust, lint, animal fur or other debris. If these come between the fabric and the iron-on filament, the bond might be incomplete.

You can avoid the problem by labeling clothes right out of the dryer, keeping the labels in their packaging until ready for use and applying a lint-roller to the fabric immediately before application.

Pilling material

Older items of clothing, or those made of materials that tend to pill (such as wool), are likely to fail to take an iron-on label well. The pilling fibres basically act the same way dust or debris would—they shield the label from forming a strong bond with the fabric beneath.

Using iron-on labels with socks

Socks can be particularly tricky when it comes to adhering iron-on labels. Although they are usually made of appropriate material, the elastic band makes labeling difficult.

The elastic is meant to make the socks stretchier, easier to get on and better fitting. However, when labels are attached horizontally along the elastic, they can actually reduce the effectiveness of the band.

The solution is to attach the label vertically, along the height of the sock rather than the width. This allows the label to adhere well without disrupting the function of the elastic.

When should I use a sew-in label instead?

Iron-on labels aren’t suited for every type of fabric. Since they are heat activated, you can’t use them on any type of clothing that isn’t iron safe. This is when a sew-in label is the right choice instead.

You should always check your clothing’s wash/dry instructions before attempting an iron-on label. Typically, the following items and materials are incompatible with the high heat of an iron:

• Nylons and lightweight tights
• Suede
• Velvet
• Leather
• Spandex
• Muslin

Even if your fabric is ironable, there may be a few other reasons that you choose a sew-in label instead. Many people just aren’t comfortable handling an iron, or are more at home with a needle and thread.

Or maybe you don’t have the right type of iron. Some irons only have steam heat functions, so they aren’t suitable for label adhesion due to the excessive moisture they create. It would probably be silly to invest in a new iron just for labeling some clothes, so a sew-in label is a better choice.

Muslin is a cotton fabric of plain weave. It is made in a wide range of weights from delicate sheers to coarse sheeting. It gets its name from the city of Mosul, Iraq, where it was first manufactured. – Wikipedia

What if I don’t know how to sew?

If you can’t sew (or just don’t want to), you can use rivvit fasteners instead. These are simple to apply without any special tools. Effectively, they snap on and adhere your label to your clothing with pressure.

Shop Woven Labels Direct for high Quality Woven Labels, delivered Australia-wide

Woven Labels Direct has been producing woven labels for clothing since the 1980s. With decades of experience in all manner of labeling solutions, we are sure to have what you need.

Browse our Quality Woven Labels online or reach out on 08 9534 7527 and speak with one of our dedicated customer service associates for expert assistance finding the perfect label for you. Whether you aren’t sure if you need stick-on or woven labels, or you just want help choosing the right design, we are here for you!