Printed Label

Definition and Overview

A printed label is a garment label in which text and designs are expressed by printing. In addition to brand identification, it may include size, care information, and country of origin, and is attached at positions suited to the product specifications, such as the neckline, side seam, or waist area.

While woven labels express text and patterns by weaving yarns, printed labels place information on the surface of the base material with ink or similar methods. They are well suited to fine text and multicolor designs, but durability and hand feel vary depending on the combination of printing method and base material.

Position in the Product Process

Printed labels are specified during the planning stage, with the content, dimensions, color, and attachment position decided in advance, and ordered as an accessory. Because the label content relates not only to design but also to care information and retail labeling requirements, it is important to share the details across planning, production control, and quality control.

In mass production, it is common to sew pre-cut labels onto the body panels or other parts during the sewing process. For products that undergo garment washing, garment dyeing, or post-processing, the printed label should be checked after processing to confirm that it does not discolor, peel, or transfer color.

• Finalize the labeling data and sewing specifications
• Check skin feel, visibility, and ease of sewing with a sample
• Approve the wording and print condition with a physical sample before mass production
• Inspect the attachment position and durability after sewing and after washing

Instructions When Ordering

When placing an order, clearly specify the finished dimensions, folding method, cut shape, base color, print color, front and back, quantity, and packaging format. The required allowance and folding specifications differ between insertion into the seam allowance and sewing along all four sides or both ends, so they must be aligned with the sewing specification sheet.

For submitted data, check for typographical errors in text, size notation, composition, and correspondence with the care symbols. Small text, thin lines, and pale color combinations can be hard to read, so it is important in practice to confirm legibility with a full-size proof sample.

Quality and Sewing Considerations

For quality inspection, check for print fading, bleeding, misregistration, color differences, stains, and cutting misalignment. Resistance to washing, friction, perspiration, and dry cleaning should be confirmed according to the intended product use conditions and labeling content, and special attention should be paid to color transfer when used with dark fabrics or light-colored garments.

For neck areas and innerwear that come into direct contact with the skin, the hardness of the base material, fraying at the edges, and the feel of the sewing thread can affect comfort. If the sewn position overlaps a thick seam allowance, it may cause step marks or sewing defects, so the sewing factory should agree in advance on the attachment method.

Differences from Similar Terms

A woven label is a label that expresses text and patterns through a woven structure, and its method of presentation differs from that of a printed label. Printed labels may be suitable for fine text and multicolor expression, while woven labels more easily provide a woven texture and dimensional feel.

A size label is a label whose main purpose is to display size. Printed label refers to the printing method, and a size label can also be made by printing. Tagless printing refers to a specification in which the label is not sewn on and is instead printed directly on the inside of the product, so it is a different process.

Frequently Asked Questions