When you’re starting your own clothing brand, you’ll likely spend a lot of time thinking about materials and designs, with less focus on the smaller details, like clothing labels. But actually, it’s these smaller details that pull all your pieces together and give your brand that consistent, high-quality feel that you want to put across. 

The labels you choose for your clothes play a big role in customer perception and can even affect the likelihood of repeat purchases. In this guide, we’re sharing our top four tips on how to choose the right labels to support your branding.

1. Clarify the Purpose of the Label

Start by clarifying the types of labels you need. Most likely, you’ll need two: a branding label (typically on the inside of your product at the waistband or neck, but sometimes outside as a deliberate design choice), and a legal care label, which will usually contain information about where the product was made and its materials. 

Make sure you plan to use the correct labels on your clothing from the start. Rather than being an afterthought, these should be budgeted for within the products themselves. 

2. Choose the Right Label Type

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to different label types, just as there’s plenty of choice for clothing fabrics. Companies like Labeloom give you label options for different use cases, like cotton, satin, damask, and polyester, all of which feel and wear differently.

If you’re making clothing for children, or you’re offering activewear or products for sensitive skin, your choice of label type is even more important to get right. It’s worth ordering samples and testing their look, feel, and durability before you commit to any bulk orders. 

3. Consider Placement and Sizing

Once you know what types of labels you’re ordering, your next point of focus is on the placement and sizing. Where you position your labels can affect comfort and even perceived quality, so this is something to test rather than deciding on aesthetics alone. 

The size of your label can also be a style choice and a practical decision. The bigger the label, the more noticeable it’ll be, but make sure to avoid using oversized labels that are irritating to your customers. Comfort should always come first. 

4. Budget Accordingly

Last but certainly not least, make sure to budget for your clothing labels well in advance. You don’t want to end up investing in the cheapest option, since something scratchy and poor-quality can affect a customer’s overall perception of your brand. (Yes, even something as small as a label can determine how your brand is perceived!)

It makes sense to spend more on the labels that appear in visible parts of your clothing, such as the brand label on the neck of a shirt. Regardless, you should view your labels as part of the product itself and not as an afterthought. The last thing you want is for your labels to let you down!