A toddler cannot tell you that a label is scratching – they simply pull at their collar until it comes off. Parents, meanwhile, read every word of the composition and care text. Children’s clothing labels therefore have two audiences, and both expect a lot. This guide sets out how we, as a children’s clothing label manufacturer, specify labels that feel gentle, stay put and meet EU rules.
Begin with where the label sits
Comfort is decided more by position than by material. The neck is the most sensitive area on a small child, so long sewn labels are best kept away from it. A practical layout for most baby and kids’ garments looks like this:
| Position | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Neck | Tagless heat transfer with logo and size, or a very small soft label with sealed edges |
| Side seam, a few cm above the hem | Printed care and composition label in the required languages, sewn flat |
| Size | Within the neck print or care label, or a separate small size label |
| Outside branding | Printed or woven flag label, or an embroidered patch |
| Retail | Hang tag on a soft string or removable fastener |
Soft materials and sealed edges
Inside babywear, printed labels on soft satin or cotton tape are usually the best choice. They are thin and supple, stay smooth after many washes and carry long multilingual care text in small, clear type. A woven label can still carry the brand, but specify a fine damask rather than a crisp taffeta and keep it small.
It is often the edge, not the face, that irritates. A hot knife can leave a hard rim on synthetic tape; ultrasonic cutting seals the fibres with high-frequency vibration and leaves a clean, soft edge that does not fray. For children’s garments we recommend it as standard on every sewn label.
Going tagless at the neck
For bodysuits, sleepsuits, T-shirts and underwear, many brands print brand, size and key care symbols directly on the fabric. Nothing rubs, nothing curls up after washing. The transfer ink should be soft and stretchable so it moves with jersey and rib, and durable enough for the frequent hot washes that babywear goes through. Picture a pack of organic cotton bodysuits: a small one-colour neck print with the logo and “68 cm” looks clean and keeps the inside completely smooth.
Designing out safety risks
- Keep branding textile-based for the youngest. Small hard parts such as metal plates or rigid plastic badges can become choking hazards if they come loose. For babies and toddlers, use printed, woven or heat-applied labels.
- Sew securely. Fix labels at both ends in the seam, or on all edges if flat, so little fingers cannot pull them free or form a loop.
- Keep them short and flat. Long hanging labels get chewed. Fold multilingual booklets compactly and stitch them firmly.
- Check substances. Labels touch the skin directly, so materials, inks and coatings should be tested for harmful substances.
Drawstrings and cords on children’s garments fall under the European standard EN 14682. That relates to the garment design rather than the labels, but it is worth reviewing with your product team at the same time.
OEKO-TEX product class I
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 has four product classes, and class I – articles for babies and toddlers up to 36 months – has the strictest limits. If your babywear carries this certification, every component must meet the same class, including labels, sewing thread and printed transfers. We work with OEKO-TEX certified materials and can tell you which label types are available for class I. Mention it when you request a quote so the right materials are chosen from day one.
What the EU requires on the label
Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 makes fibre composition mandatory for textile products, children’s clothing included. Use the official fibre names, give percentages by weight and write them in the official language or languages of each country of sale. The label must be durable, legible and accessible, and non-textile parts of animal origin, such as a leather trim, must be stated. Care symbols are not required by the regulation, but retailers and parents expect them, in the order washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional care. Our care labels combine composition, symbols and translations on one soft label.
Sizing by height
Across most of Europe, children’s sizes are based on body height in centimetres, often with an approximate age as a guide. Common steps include 56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92, 98, 104, 110, 116, 122, 128, 134, 140, 146, 152, 158 and 164, frequently paired as 86/92 or 110/116. For baby sizes a printed satin label of 10–15 mm, or the size inside a neck print, is ideal; from around 2 years upwards, small woven or printed tabs of 15–20 mm work well. Colour-coding size ranges helps your warehouse and shoppers alike.
Test before you scale
Babywear is washed often and hot. Before bulk production, ask us for physical samples and run them through your own wash tests, checking that care text stays readable and edges stay soft.
How to brief us
Send your logo, garment types, target age range and the countries you sell in. Our design team prepares artwork with the correct composition and care layout and a digital proof, typically within 24–48 hours. Production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across the EU from our own production in Bulgaria, and your specifications are kept on file for reorders. Minimums per design are low – ask us at [email protected] or on WhatsApp/Viber +359 876 766 050.
Frequently asked questions
Where should the care label go on a baby bodysuit?
In the side seam a few centimetres above the hem, sewn flat. Keep the neck for a tagless print or a very small soft label.
Why are ultrasonic-cut edges recommended for kidswear?
They seal synthetic fibres without leaving a hard rim, so the label edge stays soft against delicate skin and does not fray.
Can labels be supplied for OEKO-TEX class I babywear?
Yes, selected label types are available in class I certified materials. Tell us at the quote stage so we specify them from the start.
Should I avoid metal badges on toddler clothing?
Yes, for babies and toddlers we advise textile-based branding only, as small hard parts can become a hazard if they come loose.
How should sizes appear on children’s labels?
Usually as body height in centimetres, such as 98/104, often with an approximate age. Many brands print both.
