Introduction: Heat Press Woven Labels

Heat press woven labels are a superior solution to that of a woven brand label - the premium look without a sewing machine. The adhesive on the back attaches the label to the fabric, under heat and pressure, in seconds instead of hours, which was required with a seamstress.

This is important for small brands, POD sites and any individual who completes their clothing in-house.  This guide explains the manufacturing process, the advantages over a sewn label, the major varieties available, what "custom" means and how, and where to purchase, the price, and how to attach them without causing any harm to the garment.

Source: https://impressionsmagazine.com/trends/implementing-private-label-garment-tagging-apparel-decoration/38692/

1. What Heat Press Woven Labels Are . . . ?

a) How heat press woven labels are made

A heat press woven label is the same as a normal woven label but has been treated with an adhesive that is activated by heat. There are four steps to the process:

1. Artwork. Your logo (or words) are transformed into a weave pattern.
2. Weaving. Fabric woven with the design. One of the suppliers uses a jacquard loom to weave fine polyester threads into its labels.
3. Cutting. Labels cut and finished. Labels that are woven straight cut are cut so the edges do not fray, which occurs during the process of heat cutting.
4. Backing. An added heat-seal layer is added. The label can be ironed or hot pressed to plain fabrics, because of this thermal glue coating on the back of the label.

The process of making them involves selecting the size, colors and fold, adding artwork, running a digital proof and placing an order for a brand. Typically a supplier will incorporate a sample and then send a photo for the approval of the sample, before production.

b) Heat press woven labels vs woven labels

Woven labels are sewn into a garment, typically in the seam of a garment. The surface is then bonded to with heat press woven labels. The same label is used. What updates are there to the application.

woven labels:

• These remain in place for years of washings. According to one manufacturer, good quality woven labels last long after the fabric.
• They have to be fastened at the time of garment assembly, thus they are appropriate for production runs.
• They must have a sewing machine or seamstress.

Heat press woven labels :

1. No sewing skill needed and they apply after garment is created.
2. They are ideal for small production runs, handmade items, finished stock and rebranding. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/oct/29/scratchy-tags-why-some-fashion-brands-are-getting-rid-of-garment-care-labels
3. They come with fabric restrictions. The adhesive is suitable for use with plain fabrics (not with wool or soft fabrics). Waterproof/repellent treated clothes may not adhere to skin.
4. Care of laundry is more restricted. One iron-on woven label has a washability of up to 40°C, while the same supplier's sew-on label will withstand up to 90°C.
5. sewn labels are more durable than heat press labels, and heat press labels are more convenient.

2. Types of Heat Transfer and Heat Press Labels

a) Custom heat transfer labels for clothing

Custom heat transfer labels are printed designs which are applied to fabric without the use of woven fabric. They can frequently be printed using DTF (direct-to-film) https://graphics-pro.com/feature/custom-patches-continue-trending/ . Labels for heat transfer are generally attached to the back-neck or waistband area, and may include a brand and/or size or country of origin.

They are flatter than woven labels and are able to accommodate full colour artwork but are not woven.

b) Heat transfer labels for t-shirts

Heat transfer labels are generally found on t-shirts. Lightweight tees is where a stitched label feels like it is too big and a printed one fades away. The primary benefit is that they are done without the physical tag, so they are less harsh on sensitive skin. https://impressionsmagazine.com/trends/implementing-private-label-garment-tagging-apparel-decoration/38692/

There is one exception: fabric. Some manufacturers say that transfers work well with synthetics such as polyester, but that high cotton content blends might have poor wash durability and cracking. Check material before buying by the quantity.

c) Custom neck tags for clothing

Custom neck tags for clothing are placed at the back of the collar and feature brand information, size and care information. They can be sewn woven, heat pressed woven or printed tagless. Printed neck tags placed as an added brand touchpoint. A woven neck tag is designed to hold the woven effect and not sew into the collar, thus a woven neck tag is a heat-pressed woven tag.

d) Heat transfer neck labels

Labels that are taggles are known as heat transfer neck labels. They're low cost to get going. The set up costs are very small for heat transfers, so the largest expenses are the cost of the transfers themselves and labor required to press. One DTF supplier has neck labels with a price of $0.20 per label, heat press setting of 60 psi and 300°F. There is a one-time $7.95 fee by the same supplier to adapt artwork. Yet another has a minimum order of just one.

When the only part of the garment that customers see inside is the neck label, woven has a more premium appearance. When comfort and cost are the primary factors, there's not much to say other than the printed transfer is hard to beat.

3. Custom Heat Press Woven Labels

a) Heat press woven labels vs custom heat press woven labels

• The standard Heat press woven labels are not personalized. Consider simple plain names labels, size labels and stock "made with love" styles. The custom heat press woven labels feature your logos, fonts and colors and are woven to your design. The differences:
• Branding. The standard labels are not branded. Labels are your brand!
• Control. Custom allows you to select size, shape, fold and colors.
• Cost and speed. Stock labels are less costly and quicker to ship than other labels. Custom requires artwork, proof & production run.
• Minimums. Typically, a custom order will have one. Many times, stock is sold in packs.
• Use standard in personal projects, name labels and tests. If the label is part of your brand, then select custom.

b) Custom heat press woven labels: designing yours and the woven label template

A good woven label template is a guide to create labels, but it's not a file you are editing. The majority of suppliers have their own template in their online designer, download theirs! Take these constraints into account when planning: 

• Size. The size of woven label is common 60 x 15 mm, which can be customized.
• Colors. There are a small number of woven designs. One patch supplier will need them to have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 12 different colors per patch, and they have 79 different colors to choose from.
• Detail. The thickness of the thread restricts small text. One supplier uses 100, 75 or 50 denier threads to ensure that fine detail is captured. Maintain thick versus thin lines.
• Artwork file. Send a vector or high resolution transparent file.
• Fold. Straight cut, center fold and end fold are all factors that will affect the label's fit.
• Leave a margin around artwork and make sure to proof against size.

4. How to Apply Heat Press Woven Labels DIY

Some settings are dependent on the supplier, adhesive and fabric used. Always follow label directions. The following are examples of published guides.  

Materials needed: a heat press (or a domestic iron), garment, parchment or thin cloth, and a scrap of the garment's fabric to test the heat press.

Steps:

1. Prepare the surface. The article of clothing should be clean, dry and planar. Fold to get rid of wrinkles and moisture, just before printing.
2. Position the label. Mark the spot. Place label in the center of the neck below the collar seam.
3. Establish temperature, time and pressure. Examples:
4. Some iron-on woven label suppliers employ temperatures of 150°C. It has a contact time of 20 seconds and a drying time of 48 hours, and advises against steam.
5. Some other supplier recommend pressing for 15 seconds and holding for longer if the fabric is able to handle the heat.
6. If labels will not adhere to the heat-press guide indicates to increase pressure, not temperature; do not exceed 330°F.
7. The low melt patches are welded to the top surface of a garment with a thermal tape on the bottom, at 350-360°F and 40-50 PSI for 15-18 seconds.
8. Press. Parchment or thin cloth should be used to cover the label and pressed.
9. Cool. Remove fabric and label from the press bed only after the fabric and label have cooled completely.
10. Wait before washing. Use supplier recommended cure time. One lists 48 hours.

Test first. Some suppliers recommend testing on a scrap, and fine-tuning the time and temperature. Synthetic fabrics will burn and melt at lower temperatures, so don't take the risk of assuming that a cotton setting is safe for polyester.

Troubleshooting:

• Edges lifting: apply pressure, or re-press on cloth.
• Reduce heat or exposure time, heat exposure: scorch or shine.
• No labeling: Make sure there is no fabric repellent finish or wool.

Source: https://impressionsmagazine.com/trends/implementing-private-label-garment-tagging-apparel-decoration/38692/

5. Where to Buy Heat Press Woven Labels - Amazon, ebay- Rush Patch

a) Best and wholesale options

The "best" heat press woven labels are based on the requirements. When you have a proof for a small run, the easiest way is to go online and buy the labels from a label shop. For instance, some Label Shops provide labels made of woven iron-on material, starting from 30 pieces, with an upload tool. There are at least 5 woven labels listed on Super Label Store. It also provides a 8-12 business days for regular orders and 4-8 business days for rush orders.

The factory or sourcing labels can provide lower prices for heat press woven labels wholesale. One Global Sources listing has customized labels that are priced at US$0.10-0.20 per set and lead time of 25-30 days, and the minimum order is 200 sets. Another supplier specifies it requires a minimum of 100 pieces. Ask for samples as quality is not the same. https://www.just-style.com/news/label-specialist-itl-sets-up-operations-in-ethiopia/

b) Heat Press Woven Labels Amazon

Amazon sell the labels woven with a machine that can be ironed onto or sewed onto t-shirts. That program allows the customer to incorporate their own text, photo or logo, and the sellers to choose their own production schedule. https://www.amazon.com/heat-press-labels-clothing/s?k=heat+press+labels+for+clothing

c) Heat Press Woven Labels eBay

For heat press woven labels eBay, sellers vary from those who make heat press labels to those who sell pre-made labels. Buyer coverage is available to assist with the errors. eBay's Money Back Guarantee allows customers to return an item if it is not as described even if the seller won't accept returns. However, every retailer establishes their own return policy, and personalized products can typically not be returned due to a change of mind. Verify the proof process prior to payment. 

Source: https://www.ebay.com/shop/vintage-woven-labels?_nkw=vintage+woven+labels

d) Etsy woven labels

One of the most popular ways for small brands to go is with Etsy woven labels. They can be from cotton name labels to full woven logo labels. Lots of special woven clothing labels are available from one seller at $142 for 100 labels, and up to 8 colors, and cottage personalized label packs are about $18. The same seller is selling 500 woven labels for $208. There are some shops that are factory made and are located in China. 

If you're ordering something custom, on Etsy you'll need to read the lead time of the listing as that reflects the time it takes to create the item as well. See if he/she provides any backing as many Etsy label listings are sew-on.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/market/woven_labels

e) Heat Press Woven Labels Rush Patch

The name of ‘Heat press woven labels Rush Patch' is a frequent question. RushPatch is a custom patch maker and their published patches encourage “no min” custom woven patches that are ordered online with proofs. https://rushpatch.com/products/woven-labels-patches

6. Pricing, and How to Get Woven Labels Cheap

The size, color count, quantity and backing are what influence the price of a heat press woven label. Examples: 

Some suppliers offer woven labels for heat press starting at $2.09 per piece at 50 pieces each and varying with options.

• Etsy: from about $18 for small packs to $142 for 100 and $208 for 500.
• Factory wholesale: cents per label (hundreds of pieces)
• Printed Alternative: DTF Neck Labels for $0.20 per piece.
• Purchase more, as there is a significant discount on per label price.
• Minimize the number of colors and standard size design.
• Use a straight cut label, instead of folds.
• Printed transfer for neck labels (if not woven texture needed)
• Make purchases wholesale after final design. Another advantage of the heat-seal backing is that it is generally less expensive to sew-on. According to one patch guide, sew-on backs with heat-seal backs are more expensive.

Conclusion

Heat press woven labels will provide you with a wonderful woven appearance without the need to sew. The standard labels can be used for tests and/or personal projects. Custom heat press woven labels are the perfect solution for labels that are a part of your brand. For retail use, consider woven; for comfort/cost, printed transfers; and always test your settings on a scrap before pressing a whole run.

Looking to put your logo on your clothing? You can find what to do through this guide.

FAQ’s

Q1: What are heat press woven labels?

Answer: They are labels that have a stick-on adhesive layer and are woven. They're pressed onto fabric using a heat press or iron rather than sewn on. They are ideal for the final product, small production and handmade.

Q2: Are heat press woven labels as durable as sewn ones?

Answer: Not always. Woven sewn labels will last the lifespan of the garment, while heat applied labels will rely on the adhesive and fabric. Follow instructions and cure times, wash inside out.

Q3: What temperature do you use to apply them?

Answer: This is subject to the label. For woven iron-on labels, they can be as low as 150°C, and for low-melt woven patches, they can reach 350-360°F. Use your supplier's instructions and do your test on a scrap.

Q4: Can I put heat press woven labels on any fabric?

Answer: No, wool and other soft materials are not appropriate. Bonding can also be prevented by using waterproof fabrics. Test first.

Q5: Where can I get custom heat press woven labels with no minimum?

Answer: Small packs available from some online label shops beginning at 5 and 30 pieces. If you are interested in printed DTF labels, they might not have a minimum.

Q6: What's the cheapest way to label garments?

Answer: With woven, order wholesale from a wholesale supplier. Printed heat transfer neck labels begin at about $0.20 per label, which is the lowest price per label.

If you wish to get more details about  custom patches, pvc patches, embroidery patches or any other kind of patches, drop us a line for that.