The question of woven vs printed labels is asked many times. Usually the reasons are speed, cost and getting your logo made exactly as you designed it.
If you are looking for labels to brand your products with, you might have found that the most common type of labels for clothing / accessories and apparel are Woven and Printed Clothing Labels.
And then all of the sudden, what you thought it would be an “easy peasy” task to accomplish, just got a little bit less “easy”.
But do not despair! This short article will help you decide which type will work best with your products and brand positioning.
How do we think we are going to do that? Well, we believe that if “Knowledge is Power”, therefore, the more you know about the different styles and their intrinsic characteristics, the easier it will be for you to determine the possible outcome of your project.
Woven labels
Woven labels are made of 100% polyester threads woven together on a loom to create your text and/or artwork into a piece of material. Even the background of your label is woven threads alongside the logo design.
Printed labels
Your design is printed into your material of choice, instead of being woven into the material. You can choose from Satin, Cotton, Tyvek® or a Poly Blend e.g. Poly satin or Poly cotton.
Ok. Now, How Do I Choose the Right Label for My Products?
We don’t think there is an absolute correct answer for this question but, there are certain guidelines or directions that we could steer you in to choosing the right label for you.
The two most important factors, which are not related to manufacturing or design at all, are those related to your marketing and brand positioning, such as:
Type of Product
You want your labels to embody the same quality that is in your products. For instance is you are needing an ‘earthy look’ then a printed on cotton label will be your best bet.
Or if you like the woven style, you could use a woven one simulating a cotton pattern/texture background.
Whereas if you manufacture intimate apparel or children’s clothing you might want a small label that can actually ‘fit’ in a small piece of fabric such as women’s underwear that will be soft, not bothering the user.
Your Product Brand
Your label should represent the same quality and value of your brand. Putting the right label match on your products is like a personal stamp of approval. You are creating an “Identity” or name for yourself and your brand.
Your label will show your customers what makes them one of a kind. To stay with your brand you want your labels to reflect the same look and feel of your brand.
For example, if you are a clothing boutique owner you want a chic eye catching colorful woven damask label that represents your high end fashion.
Compare and choose!
Both Samples below have: Heat-Cut-Border / Plain backing / Center Fold / Sewing-Allowance-Top-and-Bottom
Ok. So I know what type of label I want to use.
What other factors do I need to be aware?
| Woven Labels | Factor | Printed Labels | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 pieces | Ordering Minimum Quantity | 300 pieces | ||
| Production time: 8-10 Working Days | Turn Around Time | Production time: 12-15 Working Days | ||
| Sampling Time: 2-5 business days In Hands*: Sampling Time + 8-10 business days. *By customer request only. Cost: $0 | Pre-Production Sample | Sampling Time: 4-5 business days In Hands*: Sampling Time + 8-10 business days. * Available only for printed on satin and cotton. By customer request only. Cost: $25 (Added to total cost when full order is placed) | ||
| I am flexible. I don’t mind changing it up a bit just to make it work and look good. | Artwork Adaptability of Design | Not at all. I want my label to look exactly like my logo. | ||
| My design is somewhat simple. No color gradients. | Complexity of Design | My design has very small details and / or color gradients. | ||
| The smaller text in my design is about 10pt. | Size of Text | Text in my design is smaller than 10pt, and above 5pt. | ||
| Very soft in general. Woven borders can be itchy when in contact with the skin. | Quality Softness | Satin, Cotton and Polyblend options are very soft. | ||
| Polyester threads can uphold to numerous wash cycles. | Durability / Fadeproof | Label will withstand washes. However, text might not look as crisp after a few washes. Recommended for those items that will not be washed a lot. | ||
| High End – Professional Look | Perceived Value | Low Cost. Basic. | ||
| Iron on an Adhesive Backing is possible for all styles of woven labels | Additional Options Backing | Iron on and Adhesive Backing available only for polysatin and polycotton labels | ||
| Yes | Double sided | Yes | ||
| Minimum center fold label height is 1.375″ (0.6875″ after-the-fold height) | Folds – Center Fold, End Folds | Yes, no restrictions in size. | ||
| Due to the exclusive use of polyester threads, all of our woven labels are CPSIA compliant, and exempt of certification. Excepting when using metallic threads. | CPSIA Compliant | – |
Let’s Get Started
If you are still choosing between woven vs printed labels, just click on the button below, our expert Sales Reps will get back to you within 24 business hours and guide you through every step of the process.
