Neck Labels for Clothing Brands

A woven neck label costs 10 cents. A printed label costs 3 cents.

Most customers never look at it after the first time they try on the shirt. But that 7-cent difference determines whether they think your brand is premium or budget.

Neck labels are one of the smallest brand assets you’ll invest in. But they’re one of the most important signals of quality and professionalism.

This guide breaks down why neck labels matter, the different types, how to choose the right one for your brand, and what mistakes to avoid.

Why Neck Labels Matter

Neck labels are permanent. They stay with your product for its entire life. Long after your packaging is thrown away, your hangtag is cut off, and your sticker is stuck somewhere, the neck label is still there.

Customers notice neck labels in two moments:

First: When they first try on the garment. They check the size, they see your logo, they feel the label. This is when they judge quality.

Second: When they wash the garment. They check the care label and see your neck label again.

After that, they forget it exists. But if it’s scratchy, cheap-looking, or poorly placed, they notice it negatively every time they wear it.

A good neck label signals professionalism. A bad one signals amateur.

Woven vs. Printed vs. Heat Transfer Labels

There are three main types of neck labels. Each has different costs, feels, and perceptions.

Woven Labels

What: Fabric labels with your logo or text woven into the material.

Cost: €0.08-0.15 per label.

Feel: Soft, premium, durable.

Perception: High-quality, professional, established brand.

Examples: Carhartt, Stüssy, Ralph Lauren, Supreme.

When to use: If you’re positioning as mid-tier or premium, use woven labels. They feel better, last longer, and signal quality.

Printed Labels

What: Labels with your logo or text printed directly onto fabric or a tag.

Cost: €0.02-0.05 per label.

Feel: Varies (can be soft or scratchy depending on ink).

Perception: Budget, mass-market, less premium.

Examples: Fast fashion brands, budget basics.

When to use: If you’re just starting and need to minimize costs, printed labels work. But upgrade to woven as soon as you can.

Heat Transfer Labels

What: Labels printed directly onto the inside of the garment using heat transfer.

Cost: €0.03-0.08 per label.

Feel: Soft (no physical tag).

Perception: Modern, minimalist, comfortable.

Examples: Athletic brands, performance wear, some streetwear brands.

When to use: If comfort is a priority (activewear, baby clothes) or if you want a super clean, minimal look.

What to Include on Your Neck Label

Your neck label should be simple and functional. Don’t overcomplicate it.

Essential information:

• Brand name or logo
• Size (S, M, L, XL, etc.)
• Country of origin (if required by law)

Optional additions:

• Tagline or brand motto (if very short)
• Small graphic or icon
• Material info (though this usually goes on the care label)

What NOT to include:

• Long paragraphs
• Overly detailed graphics
• URLs or social handles (save this for hangtags or product inserts)

Keep it clean. The neck label is about branding and size info, not marketing.

Design Tips for Neck Labels

Your neck label should match your brand identity.

Use your brand colors. If your brand colors are black and white, your label should be too. If you use bold colors, incorporate them.

Match your typography. Your label should use the same typography as the rest of your brand. Consistent fonts build recognition.

Keep it simple. The best neck labels are minimal. Supreme is just a red box with white text. Stüssy is a signature in black and white. Clean and iconic.

Test readability. Your label needs to be legible at actual size. If the text is too small or the design is too detailed, it won’t work.

How Neck Labels Match Different Brand Types

Luxury brands: Woven labels with refined typography, muted colors, minimal design. Think Hermès, Chanel, Ralph Lauren.

Streetwear brands: Woven labels with bold logos, high contrast, strong branding. Think Supreme, Stüssy, Palace.

Sustainable brands: Woven labels made from organic or recycled materials. Often include sustainability messaging. Think Patagonia, Everlane.

Sports/athletic brands: Heat transfer labels for comfort, or woven labels with performance branding. Think Nike, Adidas, Gymshark.

Minimalist brands: Simple woven labels or heat transfer with minimal branding. Think COS, UNIQLO, Everlane.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using scratchy labels. If your label irritates the skin, customers will cut it out. Then your branding is gone.

Poor placement. Labels should be centered and stitched securely. Crooked or loose labels look unprofessional.

Overcomplicated design. Too much text, too many graphics, too much detail. Keep it simple.

Not matching your brand. A luxury brand with a cheap printed label contradicts the brand identity. A streetwear brand with a delicate script label feels off.

Skipping quality control. Order samples before bulk production. Make sure the colors, size, and quality match your standards.

Woven Labels vs. Printed Labels: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re just starting and budget is tight: Use printed labels. They’re cheap and functional.

If you’re positioning as mid-tier or premium: Use woven labels. The 7-cent difference massively impacts perceived value.

If comfort is critical (activewear, baby clothes): Use heat transfer labels.

If you want to look professional from day one: Invest in woven labels. It’s one of the cheapest ways to elevate your brand.

Most successful clothing brands use woven labels because they signal quality without being expensive.

How to Order Neck Labels

Step 1: Design your label. Use your logo, brand colors, and typography. Keep it simple and legible.

Step 2: Choose your type. Woven, printed, or heat transfer.

Step 3: Find a supplier. Search for “custom woven labels” or “custom neck labels for clothing.” There are hundreds of suppliers online. Compare prices, minimums, and quality.

Step 4: Order samples. Never order bulk without testing samples first. Check the feel, the colors, the size, the quality.

Step 5: Order in bulk. Once you’re happy with the sample, order the quantity you need. Most suppliers have minimums of 100-500 labels.

Step 6: Sew them in. If you’re using a manufacturer, send them the labels to sew in. If you’re doing it yourself, use a sewing machine or pay a local tailor.

What to Do Next

Design your neck label to match your brand identity. Use your logo, your colors, your typography.

Order samples from a few suppliers. Test the feel, the quality, the appearance.

Choose woven labels if your budget allows. The small cost difference creates a big perception difference.

Then stay consistent. Use the same label across all your products. Consistency builds recognition.

Your neck label is a small detail. But it’s a permanent representation of your brand. Make it count.