SMALLABEL Team

March 2026

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How to Choose Clothing Labels for Your Fashion Brand 

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.

Fashion brands use labels to display their logo, provide important product information, and create a complete brand experience.

In this guide, we explain the most common types of clothing labels, typical sizes used in the fashion industry, and how to choose the right label for your garments.

The label inside a garment is often the first branded element a customer sees.
Choosing the right material, size, and placement can elevate the entire product and strengthen your brand identity.

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Why Clothing Labels Are Important

Clothing labels serve several important purposes.

Branding – The label displays the brand name and logo.
Information – Labels may include fabric composition, care instructions, or country of origin.
Professional appearance – A garment without a label often looks unfinished or unbranded.

A well-designed label adds professionalism and helps customers recognize your brand.

Types of Clothing Labels

There are several common types of clothing labels, each suitable for different types of garments.

Cotton Labels

Cotton labels provide a natural look with a vintage character. They are made from natural cotton fabric, giving garments an authentic and organic appearance.

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, allowing the garment factory to cut and fold them during production.

Other manufacturers supply cotton labels already folded and ready for sewing.

Satin Labels

Satin labels offer a classic, shiny and luxurious appearance. They are usually made from synthetic polyester fabric.

Satin labels are widely used in garments such as:

Evening dresses
Wedding dresses
Swimwear
Children’s clothing

Satin fabric can be cut using ultrasonic cutting, which seals the edges of the fabric and prevents fraying. Because of this, satin labels usually do not require folded edges.

Manufacturer Labels and Care Labels

Manufacturer labels contain important garment information such as:

Care instructions
Fabric composition
Country of origin

These labels are typically printed on soft satin material and sewn inside the garment, usually on the side seam.

Woven Labels

Woven labels are produced from synthetic threads and are widely used in the fashion industry.

However, woven labels are not always more comfortable. In some cases they may feel rough against the skin, which is why some customers choose to remove them after purchasing the garment.

Garment Size Labels

There are two common ways to add size information to a garment.

One option is to sew a small size label next to the brand label.

Another option is to print the size directly on the main brand label, avoiding the need for an additional label.

Center Fold Labels

Center fold labels are commonly used in winter garments such as hoodies, sweatshirts and thicker shirts.

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.

With cotton center fold labels, the front side usually displays the brand logo and sometimes the garment size. The inside side of the label may contain additional information such as care instructions, fabric composition or business details.

Common Clothing Label Sizes

HOW IT WORKS

T-Shirts and Tank Tops

10×60 mm
15×60 mm
20×60 mm

Evening Dresses and Wedding Dresses

25×60 mm
30×60 mm
25×70 mm
30×70 mm

Jeans

20×70 mm

Common Care Label Sizes

Care labels are usually sewn into the side seam of the garment.

Common sizes include:
25×60 mm
30×70 mm
30×60 mm
20×60 mm
 

Garment Type

Recommended Label

Look

Common Sizes
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T-shirts  

Cotton or satin

Natural or classic

10×60 / 15×60 / 20×60

Evening dresses / bridal wear

Satin

Shiny and luxurious

25×60 / 30×60 / 25×70 / 30×70

Tank tops

Cotton

Natural vintage look

10×60 / 15×60

Swimwear

Satin

Smooth and durable

13×90 mm center fold (13×45 mm folded)

Jeans

Cotton

Natural and durable

20×70

Sizes may vary depending on logo design, garment type and brand preferences.

FAQ – Clothing Labels

Choosing a Label Manufacturer

When ordering clothing labels, it is important to choose a manufacturer that uses high-quality materials and skin-friendly printing inks.

Make sure the materials meet textile industry standards, especially for garments that come into direct contact with the skin.

What type of label is most comfortable?

Cotton labels and satin labels are generally comfortable against the skin.

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.

Do garments need a separate size label?

Not always. Some brands add a separate size label, while others print the size directly on the main label.

What size label is best for T-shirts?

Common sizes are:

10×60 mm
15×60 mm
20×60 mm

Are care labels required?

In many countries, garments must include information such as care instructions and fabric composition. This information is typically provided on a care label sewn inside the garment.

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