Labels for handmade items turn a beautifully made piece into a branded product. A knitted beanie, a baby bodysuit or a linen tote looks finished and professional once it carries a small label with your name. If you are starting a small clothing or accessories business, here is how to choose the type, size and wording of your label and how to plan your first order sensibly.
Which label suits a handmade product?
- Printed canvas label – matte, soft and natural-looking. Excellent for linen and cotton items, kidswear, tote bags and baby accessories.
- Woven jacquard label – the most durable option with a premium feel. Ideal for knitwear, jackets and items that are washed often.
- Satin label – smooth and glossy, good for lingerie, nightwear and bedding, as well as for composition labels.
- Metal plate – a small 1.5 to 3 cm accent on the outside of a bag, hat or pocket.
Many small brands start with one versatile logo label and add a separate care label once their range grows.
Printed canvas label LBL 0075 4 x 3 cm – brown base with color print, soft premium design, with logo, MOQ 1000 pcs
Printed canvas label LBL 0070 10.5 x 7 cm – with grey print, soft premium design, with logo
Printed canvas label LBL 0065 6.5 x 4 cm – with purple lettering, soft premium design, with logoWhat to put on the label
For a brand label, less is more. The most common elements are:
- your brand name or logo;
- a short line such as "Handmade" or "Handmade with love";
- optionally, your town, website or social media handle.
If you sell clothing, you must also state the fibre composition (for example "100% cotton"), and it is good practice to add care symbols. This information can go on a second satin label in the side seam, keeping the brand label clean.
Size and shape
| Product | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Baby and children's clothing | 3 x 3 to 4 x 3 cm |
| Hats, scarves, knitwear | 4 x 2.5 to 5 x 4.5 cm |
| T-shirts, tops, dresses | 5 x 2.5 to 6.5 x 4 cm |
| Bags, totes, jackets | 6 x 6 to 8 x 5 cm |
| Blankets and home textiles | 7.5 x 5 to 10 x 7 cm |
A centre-fold label is easy to insert into a seam, while a straight-cut label works well stitched on the outside, for example on the corner of a blanket.
Planning your first order
Custom labels are produced in batches, so there is usually a minimum quantity – for most designs at Bul-tex it is 500 or 1,000 pieces. A few tips:
- Pick one versatile size for all your products so you don't split the quantity.
- Leave out the season or price so the label stays usable for years.
- Prepare your logo as a vector file (AI, PDF, SVG) and check that no text is smaller than about 2 mm.
- Choose contrasting colours – for example a black base with white lettering, or natural canvas with a dark print.
Don't forget swing tags with your price: at markets or in shops they hang on a string, and we stock tag strings in several colours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a label for handmade items cost?
It depends on the type, size and quantity. Printed labels are usually cheaper than woven ones of the same size; the unit price is shown on each product.
Can I sew the label on by hand?
Yes – use polyester thread and a slip stitch along the edges. On knitwear, stitch only the two short ends to keep the stretch.
Woven or canvas labels for children's clothes?
Both work, but canvas feels softer. Place the label where it won't rub against the child's neck.
Browse our logo labels and accessories to finish your handmade pieces – we ship across the EU with DHL Express.
