When starting a clothing brand, one of the most important details is the label inside the garment. A clothing label is much more than a technical element — it represents your brand identity and gives your garments a professional finish. In this guide, we cover the most common types of clothing labels, typical industry sizes, and how to choose the right label for each garment.
Why Clothing Labels Are Important
Clothing labels serve several important purposes — and for a fashion brand, each one directly impacts the customer's perception of quality.
- Branding — the label displays the brand name and logo, reinforcing brand identity every time the garment is worn.
- Information — labels provide essential details such as fabric composition, care instructions, and country of origin.
- Professional appearance — a garment without a label often looks unfinished, unbranded, or generic.
- Legal compliance — in the US, EU, UK, and most markets, care labels are legally required on textile products.
A well-designed label adds professionalism, helps customers recognize your brand, and signals premium quality — especially when a customer turns a garment inside out before buying.
The 4 Main Types of Clothing Labels
There are four common types of clothing labels used in the fashion industry. Each one serves a different purpose and suits different types of garments.
1. Cotton Labels
Cotton labels provide a natural look with a vintage character. They are made from natural cotton fabric, giving garments an authentic, organic appearance that's especially beloved by eco-conscious brands, handmade labels, and babywear designers.
Because cotton is a natural material, it cannot be cut with heat or ultrasonic cutting. To prevent fraying, the edges of cotton labels are typically folded before sewing. Some manufacturers supply cotton labels in rolls (the garment factory cuts and folds during production), while others deliver them already folded and ready to sew.
Best for: T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, sustainable fashion, children's clothing, artisan brands.
Shop Cotton Labels →2. Satin Labels
Satin labels offer a classic, shiny, and luxurious appearance. They are usually made from synthetic polyester fabric, which gives them a silky-smooth feel and a subtle sheen that reads as premium and high-end.
Satin fabric can be cut using ultrasonic cutting, which seals the edges and prevents fraying. Because of this, satin labels usually don't require folded edges — making them thinner, flatter, and cleaner inside the garment.
Satin labels are widely used in:
- Evening dresses
- Wedding dresses & bridal wear
- Swimwear & lingerie
- Children's clothing
- Premium athleisure
3. Manufacturer Labels & Care Labels
Manufacturer labels (commonly called care labels) contain important garment information such as:
- Care instructions (wash, dry, iron, bleach, dry clean)
- Fabric composition (e.g., 100% Cotton, 95% Cotton 5% Elastane)
- Country of origin (Made in USA, Made in Portugal, etc.)
Note: garment size is not usually included on a care label — it typically has its own dedicated size label. Care labels are typically printed on soft satin material and sewn inside the garment, usually into the side seam where they won't irritate the skin.
Care labels are legally required in most markets. For a complete breakdown of the laundry symbols used on care labels, see our Complete Guide to ASTM Care Label Symbols.
Order Custom Care Labels →4. Woven Labels
Woven labels are produced by weaving synthetic threads together (polyester, and sometimes cotton or damask), and are widely used in the fashion industry for main brand labels where a premium, durable feel is important.
However, woven labels are not always the most comfortable option. In some cases — especially with denser weaves or simpler finishes — they may feel rough against the skin, which is why some customers choose to remove them after purchasing the garment.
Best for: Main brand labels at the back neck, hang tags, premium outerwear, workwear, and items where durability matters more than softness.
Garment Size Labels
There are two common ways to add size information to a garment:
- Option 1 — Separate size label: A small dedicated size label (e.g., "M", "L", or "XL") is sewn next to the main brand label. This approach gives flexibility: you can reuse the same brand label for all sizes and simply switch out the size label.
- Option 2 — Size printed on the brand label: The size is printed or woven directly onto the main brand label itself, avoiding the need for a separate label. This is cleaner visually but requires ordering different brand labels for each size.
Most established brands use Option 1 because it's more flexible for small batch production and lower-MOQ orders.
Need Size Labels for Your Collection?
Choose from standard size labels (XS–XXL, or numeric sizing) or order fully custom sizes that match your brand style.
Shop Size Labels →Center Fold Labels
Center fold labels are commonly used in winter garments such as hoodies, sweatshirts, and thicker shirts — anywhere a flat single-layer label might feel too thin or get lost in the seam.
The label is folded in the middle so that both ends are sewn into the garment seam. This creates a clean finish and helps prevent the label from fraying at the bottom edge.
With cotton center fold labels, the front side usually displays the brand logo — and sometimes the garment size. The inside surface (visible when you flip the label up) may contain additional information such as care instructions, fabric composition, or brand contact details. This two-sided setup gives you twice the printable surface without adding a second label.
Common Clothing Label Sizes
There is no universal standard for clothing label sizes — they vary by garment type, brand preference, and logo design. However, these are the industry-standard dimensions used by most fashion brands.
T-Shirts & Tank Tops
T-shirts and tank tops typically use smaller, flatter labels to avoid irritation against the skin.
Evening Dresses & Wedding Dresses
Formal wear usually uses larger satin labels that reflect the premium nature of the garment.
Jeans & Denim
Denim labels are often printed on cotton for a vintage, workwear-style feel that suits the garment.
Common Care Label Sizes
Care labels are usually sewn into the side seam of the garment — positioned where they're legible when the garment is tried on or laundered, but don't distract from the main brand label.
Common care label sizes include:
The right size depends on how much information you need to include — composition, care symbols, country of origin, and any language translations all take up space.
Quick Guide — Choosing the Right Label
Use this quick reference table to match the right label type to your garment category:
| Garment Type | Recommended Label | Look & Feel | Common Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Shirts | Cotton or Satin | Natural or classic | 10×60 / 15×60 / 20×60 |
| Tank Tops | Cotton | Natural vintage look | 10×60 / 15×60 |
| Evening / Bridal Wear | Satin | Shiny and luxurious | 25×60 / 30×60 / 25×70 / 30×70 |
| Swimwear | Satin | Smooth and durable | 13×90 center fold (13×45 folded) |
| Jeans & Denim | Cotton | Natural and durable | 20×70 |
| Hoodies & Sweatshirts | Cotton center fold | Premium, double-sided | 20×80 / 25×80 |
| Care Labels (any garment) | Printed satin | Soft, readable | 25×60 / 30×70 / 30×60 |
Sizes may vary depending on logo design, garment type, and brand preferences.
Cotton vs Satin vs Woven — Quick Comparison
If you're still deciding which material is right for your brand, here's a side-by-side comparison of the three most popular label types:
| Feature | Cotton | Printed Satin | Woven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel on skin | Soft, breathable | Smooth, silky | Can feel rough |
| Look | Natural, vintage | Shiny, premium | Premium, structured |
| Edge finish | Folded (no heat cut) | Ultrasonic cut | Woven edge |
| Detailed small text | Good | Excellent | Limited |
| Durability (wash cycles) | High | Very high | Highest |
| Eco-friendly | Yes (natural fiber) | No (polyester) | Depends on thread |
| Best for | T-shirts, denim, eco brands | Care labels, swimwear, eveningwear | Main brand labels, outerwear |
Choosing a Label Manufacturer
When ordering clothing labels, it's important to choose a manufacturer that uses high-quality materials and skin-friendly printing inks. The label touches your customer's skin every time they wear the garment — inferior materials can cause itching, irritation, or allergic reactions.
Make sure the materials meet textile industry standards, especially for garments that come into direct contact with the skin — including babywear, underwear, swimwear, and activewear.
Look for a manufacturer who offers:
- ✔ Free digital proofs with unlimited revisions
- ✔ Low minimum order quantities (suitable for small and growing brands)
- ✔ High-resolution printing with fade-resistant inks
- ✔ ASTM-compliant care symbols for US & international markets
- ✔ Fast production and reliable worldwide shipping
- ✔ Expert design support for first-time brand owners
Start Designing Your Custom Labels
Whether you need cotton, satin, care labels, or size labels — we can produce them to the exact size and style your brand needs, with low minimums and fast turnaround.
Design Your Labels →FAQ — Clothing Labels
What type of label is most comfortable?
Cotton labels and printed satin labels are generally the most comfortable against the skin. Cotton is soft and breathable; satin is smooth and non-scratchy. Woven labels can sometimes feel rougher and are usually placed at the back neck rather than in direct skin contact.
Where are clothing labels usually sewn?
Brand labels are usually sewn inside the back neck area, while care labels are sewn into the side seam — typically on the left side, about 15 cm from the bottom hem.
Do garments need a separate size label?
Not always. Some brands add a small dedicated size label next to the main brand label, while others print the size directly on the main label to simplify production. Either approach is common in the industry.
What size label is best for T-shirts?
Common T-shirt label sizes are 10×60 mm, 15×60 mm, or 20×60 mm. The final size depends on your logo design and whether the label is center-fold or flat.
Are care labels required by law?
Yes. In the US, EU, UK, and most markets worldwide, garments must include a care label with care instructions and fabric composition. In the US this is required under the FTC Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423). See our ASTM Care Label Symbols Guide for details on the required symbols.
What is the difference between woven and printed labels?
Woven labels are created by weaving polyester or cotton threads together — they have a premium, durable feel and are ideal for main brand labels. Printed labels are printed on satin, cotton, or polyester fabric — they are more affordable, softer, and much better for detailed small text like care instructions or multi-language labels.
Can I order labels in low quantities?
Yes. While some manufacturers require bulk minimums of several thousand labels, modern printed label suppliers (including Smallabel) offer low minimum order quantities, making custom labels accessible to independent brands and small production runs.