Care Labels for Clothing Brands

A care label costs 5 cents. Customers only look at it when they’re about to wash the garment for the first time.

Then they forget it exists.

But if it’s scratchy, poorly placed, or cheap-looking, they notice it every single time they wear the product. Negatively.

Care labels are permanent brand assets. They stay with your product for its entire life.

Long after your packaging is thrown away and your hangtag is cut off, the care label is still there. Reinforcing quality, professionalism, and brand identity every time someone checks how to wash their clothes.

This guide breaks down why care labels matter, what to include, how to design them, and how to make them work for your clothing brand.

Why Care Labels Matter

Care labels serve two purposes:

1. Function: They tell customers how to wash, dry, iron, and care for the garment. This protects your product quality and reduces returns due to damage.

2. Branding: They’re a permanent touchpoint that reinforces professionalism and attention to detail.

A well-designed care label signals quality. A cheap, generic care label signals amateur.

Care labels are required by law in most countries. You need to include:

• Fiber content (e.g., 100% cotton, 50% polyester / 50% cotton)
• Country of origin (e.g., Made in Portugal, Made in China)
• Washing and care instructions (symbols or text)

But beyond legal requirements, care labels are a branding opportunity.

What to Include on Care Labels

Required by law:

• Fiber content (material composition)
• Country of origin
• Care instructions (washing symbols or text)

Optional branding elements:

• Your logo or brand name
• Brand colors or typography
• Size (though this often goes on the neck label or size label)
• Sustainability messaging (for sustainable brands)
• Short brand message or motto

What NOT to include:

• Long paragraphs (no one reads them)
• Overly complex designs (keep it legible)
• Scratchy materials (customers will cut them out)

Keep it functional, legible, and aligned with your brand identity.

Types of Care Labels

Printed labels:

• Ink printed directly onto fabric or tag
• Cost: €0.02-0.05 per label
• Perception: Budget, functional
• Best for: Budget brands, basic garments

Woven labels:

• Text or symbols woven into fabric
• Cost: €0.05-0.10 per label
• Perception: Premium, soft, durable
• Best for: Mid-tier to premium brands

Heat transfer labels:

• Printed directly onto the inside of the garment using heat
• Cost: €0.03-0.08 per label
• Perception: Modern, soft, no physical tag
• Best for: Activewear, baby clothes, comfort-focused brands

Pros and cons:

Printed: Cheap but can be scratchy and less durable.

Woven: Softer, more premium, longer-lasting.

Heat transfer: No physical tag (super comfortable), but can fade over time.

Choose based on your positioning and budget.

Design Tips for Care Labels

Your care label should match your brand identity.

Use your brand colors. If your brand colors are black and white, your care label should be too. Consistency builds recognition.

Match your typography. Use the same typography as your logo and neck label.

Keep it legible. Care instructions need to be readable. Don’t sacrifice function for style.

Make it soft. If your label is scratchy, customers will cut it out. Then your branding is gone.

Test placement. Care labels should be sewn in a place where they don’t irritate the skin. Usually inside the side seam or back hem.

How Care Labels Match Different Brand Types

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

Streetwear brands: Woven or printed labels with bold branding, high contrast. Think Supreme, Stüssy, Off-White.

Sustainable brands: Eco-friendly materials, sustainability messaging, care tips that extend garment life. 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 or heat transfer labels with minimal text. Think COS, UNIQLO, Everlane.

Adding Personality to Care Labels

Some brands add personality or messaging to their care labels.

Sustainability tips: “Wash cold to save energy and extend garment life.” (Patagonia does this.)

Funny instructions: “Machine wash. Tumble dry. Don’t be a hero.” (Playful brands)

Brand mottos: A short tagline or mission statement.

Repair info: “Ripped? We’ll fix it for free. Visit [website].” (Patagonia offers lifetime repairs.)

These additions make care labels more memorable and aligned with your brand story.

Sustainability Considerations

If you’re building a sustainable brand, your care labels should reflect your values.

Sustainable options:

• Organic cotton labels
• Recycled polyester labels
• Biodegradable materials
• Minimal ink usage
• Care tips that extend garment life (wash cold, air dry, repair instead of replace)

Patagonia includes care instructions that help customers extend the life of their garments. It aligns with their environmental mission.

If sustainability is part of your brand DNA, your care labels should reflect that.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Scratchy labels. If your care label irritates the skin, customers will cut it out. Use soft materials.

Poor placement. Labels sewn in awkward spots or rubbing against skin. Test placement before production.

Illegible text. Fonts too small, low contrast, hard to read. Care instructions need to be functional.

Generic labels. No branding, looks like every other brand. Even care labels should match your identity.

Not complying with regulations. Different countries have different labeling requirements. Make sure yours meet legal standards for your market.

How to Order Care Labels

Step 1: Check legal requirements. Research what information is required by law in your target markets (fiber content, country of origin, care symbols).

Step 2: Design your label. Include required info plus your logo, brand colors, typography. Keep it legible and simple.

Step 3: Choose your type. Printed, woven, or heat transfer.

Step 4: Find a supplier. Search for “custom care labels” or “custom woven labels.” Compare prices, minimums, quality.

Step 5: Order samples. Test the feel, readability, durability before bulk ordering.

Step 6: Order in bulk. Most suppliers have minimums of 100-500 labels.

Step 7: Sew them in. Work with your manufacturer to place them correctly (usually inside side seam or back hem).

What to Do Next

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

Choose woven labels if your budget allows. They feel premium, last longer, and signal quality.

Make sure they’re soft and well-placed. If they irritate customers, they’ll get cut out.

Include required legal information (fiber content, country of origin, care instructions).

Consider adding sustainability tips or brand messaging if it aligns with your story.

Order samples before committing to bulk. Test quality, feel, and readability.

Your care label is a small detail. But it’s a permanent representation of your brand. Make it professional, functional, and aligned with your identity.