When a brief says “rubber label”, it can mean two quite different materials. In our moulding workshop we produce both silicone and soft PVC labels for clothing, and choosing the right one early saves a round of samples later.
Both materials give a raised, tactile logo. The difference lies in how they are processed, how they feel next to fabric and how they react to heat. The quick comparison below is followed by the reasoning behind each point.
The short comparison
| Property | Silicone | Soft PVC |
|---|---|---|
| Hand feel | Soft, elastic, silky or matt | Firmer, slightly plastic |
| Heat tolerance | High: suits heat application and ironing | Lower: iron around or on the reverse |
| Behaviour in cold | Stays flexible | Becomes stiffer |
| Multi-colour detail | One or two moulded colours, extra detail printed on top | Many separate colours with very crisp borders |
| Special effects | Matt, gloss, printed detail | Metallic, glitter, glow, transparent compounds |
| Plasticisers | None needed | Needed to keep it flexible |
| Typical fixing | Stitched or heat-applied | Stitched, hook-and-loop or adhesive |
How the two are produced
Soft PVC
Soft PVC begins as a liquid compound. Each colour is dispensed into its own cavity of a metal mould, partly set, and then the next colour follows. Once every layer is in place, the mould is cured in an oven and the colours fuse into one flexible piece. Because each colour goes in separately, PVC is excellent at sharp colour boundaries and small multicoloured elements, which is why it is popular for badges, caps and bag patches.
Silicone
Silicone labels are formed either from liquid silicone dispensed into a mould or from silicone compound pressed in a heated mould. Pigment is mixed into the material. Additional colours or fine artwork can be screen printed on the moulded base with silicone inks. The finished label is soft and elastic, with a surface that can be matt or gently glossy depending on the mould finish.
Feel against the body
On a sweatshirt or a pair of leggings, wearers notice the difference immediately. Silicone moves with stretch fabric and feels smooth to the touch, so it is our usual recommendation for sportswear, activewear and garments worn close to the skin. Soft PVC holds its shape more firmly, which is an advantage on structured items such as caps, backpacks and workwear where a crisp badge outline matters.
Heat, washing and the garment’s finishing route
This is often the deciding factor. Silicone keeps its properties across a wide temperature range. It tolerates the heat press used for application, normal ironing and tumble drying, which makes it the logical choice whenever a label is to be heat-applied.
Soft PVC is durable in domestic washing, but direct contact with a hot iron can mark it, and it stiffens in low temperatures. Some dry-cleaning solvents can affect it over time. For bags, caps and outer layers that are rarely ironed, these limits seldom matter.
Tell us how the finished garment will be processed. Garment dyeing, enzyme washes and industrial laundering all change the recommendation, and we will send physical samples so you can test them on your own fabric before production.
Colour and detail
Both materials are coloured with spot colours matched to your Pantone references. If your logo has many small colour fields, PVC reproduces them with exceptional sharpness. Silicone usually works with one or two moulded base colours, and printing adds further colours or fine lines. Smooth gradients are possible only in printed areas. Lines thinner than roughly 0.5 mm need attention in either material, and our designers will advise whether to thicken them or move them to a printed layer.
Height and dimension
Both materials can be made in 2D, with flat raised levels and straight edges, or in 3D, with rounded, sculpted forms. Typical thickness is 1 to 3 mm, with 3D peaks reaching about 3 to 4 mm. A 3D mould takes more detailing work, and the result has more presence on a sleeve or a cap front.
Environmental considerations
Silicone needs no plasticisers, is chemically stable and usually outlasts the garment. Soft PVC is a chlorinated plastic and relies on plasticisers for flexibility. We produce both in line with REACH, and we can tell you which compounds suit OEKO-TEX certified collections. Once fused to a garment, neither is easy to recycle, so the most responsible choice is a label built to last as long as the product.
Fixing options
- Stitched: a flat border or moulded stitch channel guides the needle. The most secure method for both materials.
- Heat-applied: a hot-melt adhesive back bonded with a press. Best with silicone.
- Hook-and-loop backing: for removable badges on uniforms and tactical wear, common with PVC.
- Adhesive backing: for hard goods and packaging.
A simple rule of thumb
Choose silicone for soft, stretchy or heat-applied applications and anything worn close to the skin. Choose soft PVC for bold multicoloured badges on caps, bags and outer layers. When a design sits between the two, we mould a sample in each so you can compare them side by side.
Explore both on our silicone labels page, or write to [email protected].
Is a rubber label the same as a silicone label?
Not usually. In the trade, “rubber label” most often refers to soft PVC. Silicone is a different material that is softer and more heat resistant.
Which material should I use for a heat-applied logo?
Silicone. It tolerates the press temperature and later ironing without deforming, while soft PVC is normally stitched or given another backing.
Which material shows more colours?
Soft PVC handles many separate colour fields with very sharp borders. Silicone typically uses one or two moulded colours with extra detail printed on top.
Can both materials meet OEKO-TEX requirements?
We produce both to REACH and can advise which compounds suit OEKO-TEX certified collections for your specific project.
Can I see both versions before deciding?
Yes. As the manufacturer we can mould samples in silicone and in PVC from the same artwork so you can compare feel and detail.
