When you’re putting together your first clothing range, labels can feel like a detail that comes later. In practice, getting them right early saves a lot of reworking further down the line. Care labels and size tags are not just finishing touches - in many cases they are a legal requirement, and even where they are not, they are what buyers and end customers expect to see. 

This guide covers what each label type needs to include, the difference between them and how to think about applying them to your garments.

Care labels and brand labels are not the same thing

It’s worth being clear on the difference, because the two are often confused. 

A brand label carries your brand identity - your name, logo, and sometimes a tagline or country of origin. It’s usually the label a customer sees first and is often positioned at the back neck or back yoke of a garment. 

A care label carries the practical information a buyer needs to look after the garment - washing temperature, drying instructions, ironing guidance and fabric composition. This is typically a smaller label sewn into a side seam or hem, or sometimes combined with the brand label depending on the garment construction. 

Some brands combine both on a single label. Others keep them separate. The decision usually comes down to how much information you need to include and how you want the garment to look from the inside.

What care labels typically need to include

UK and EU textile regulations require that garments sold to consumers include certain information on a durable label. While you should verify specific requirements for your product category and market, the main areas to cover are:

• Fibre content - the percentage composition of each fibre used in the main fabric, for example ‘80% cotton, 20% polyester’ 
• Care instructions - washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and dry-cleaning guidance, typically shown using internationally recognised care symbols 
• Country of origin - where the garment was made 
• Manufacturer or supplier identification - usually a brand name, registered name or address 

If you are selling into the EU as well as the UK, you may also need to include language-specific labelling depending on the market. It is worth taking advice on this if you are exporting.

Care symbols are the small pictograms used on most garment labels to show washing and care instructions. They are internationally recognised and take up far less space than written instructions, which makes them a practical choice for smaller labels.

Size tags: what to include and where to put them

Size tags are typically a small label sewn into the back neck or a seam, showing the garment size. For most clothing brands, this means a standard size designation - XS, S, M, L, XL, or a numeric size - though some brands also include a measurement or fit descriptor. 

Size labels are often separate from both the brand label and the care label, giving you flexibility to use the same brand and care labels across different sizes without reprinting everything. Some brands integrate the size into their main back neck label, which works well for simpler ranges with fewer size variations. 

Woven, satin or printed: which label type is right for care and size information?

The right label material depends on your garment, your brand and your budget. Woven labels are durable and hold up well to repeated washing, which makes them a strong choice for care labels on items that are washed frequently. They can carry both text and care symbols clearly. 

Satin labels offer a softer feel against skin, which can be an advantage for labels positioned at the back neck. They tend to be used for brand labels as much as care labels, and work well for printed detail. 

Cotton labels are a softer, more natural-feeling option. They print well and are often used for care labels where comfort against skin is a priority, particularly in childrenswear or next-to-skin garments.

If you are unsure which material suits your product best, the Woven Labels UK team can advise based on your garment type and how the label will be positioned.

How garment labels are applied

Garment labels are typically sewn in, either by looping and sewing into a seam or stitching flat. It’s important to consider how and where you’d like care labels to be, so they have minimal effects on wearability or style but provide all necessary information. If you’d like some advice, we are happy to chat through options, and if you are using a manufacturer, it could be useful to talk to them too.

Getting the label content right before you order

Once labels are produced, changing the content means a new run. Getting the content confirmed before ordering - especially fibre content percentages, care symbols and size designations - avoids unnecessary cost and delay. If you are working on your first range and want to talk through your requirements, get in touch with our team, who can help you work through the options and produce a digital proof before production begins. 

Browse the full range of garment labels and tags, or explore designer labels for brand label options.

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Woven Labels UK produces garment labels, care labels and size tags for clothing brands of all sizes, made in Britain with low minimum order quantities.

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