On screen your logo is made of pixels; on a woven label it is made of threads crossing on a jacquard loom. Our designers prepare every weaving file in-house, and the rules below are the ones we check first when a new artwork arrives.
Follow them and your label weaves sharp at 20 mm wide. Ignore them and thin strokes break while small letters fill in. Here is how to design with the loom rather than against it.
Rule 1: the thread crossing is your pixel
Warp threads run along the label and coloured weft threads pass across them. At every crossing, the loom decides which weft colour shows on the face. That crossing is the smallest unit your design can have. Finer yarns and more weft threads per centimetre make the unit smaller and the detail sharper. Curves are built from tiny steps, so they look smoother in denser weaves. Text running along the length of the label generally weaves more cleanly than very small text running across it.
Rule 2: pick the quality before you refine the logo
The weave quality sets your design limits more than any other decision.
- High-definition damask: the finest weft yarns and highest density, for micro text, thin serif fonts and detailed crests.
- Damask: the standard for brand labels; thin, flexible and able to carry most logos without simplification.
- Satin: a glossy, soft face formed by long floats, which slightly soften edges; use bolder lines and larger text.
- Taffeta: crisp and lower in density, ideal for bold wordmarks and large volumes.
Compare constructions on our woven labels page.
Rule 3: respect the minimums
These are working guidelines. The real limit depends on font, text direction and colour contrast, and we check each file against the loom it will run on.
| Weave quality | Capital letter height | Thinnest positive line | Thinnest gap | Best colour count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD damask | approx. 1 to 1.2 mm | approx. 0.2 to 0.25 mm | approx. 0.3 mm | 2 to 5 |
| Damask | approx. 1.5 to 2 mm | approx. 0.3 to 0.4 mm | approx. 0.4 mm | 2 to 4 (up to 7 or 8) |
| Satin | approx. 2 mm | approx. 0.4 mm | approx. 0.5 mm | 2 to 4 |
| Taffeta | approx. 2 to 2.5 mm | approx. 0.4 to 0.5 mm | approx. 0.6 mm | 2 to 3 |
Rule 4: give negative space extra room
Gaps, letter counters and light text on a dark ground need more space than positive lines, because neighbouring threads tend to close them. When a logo is reversed out of a dark background, increase letter weight a little and open the spacing.
Rule 5: use fewer, flatter colours
Each colour is a separate weft yarn, usually on a warp that forms the background. More colours make the back of the label thicker and limit how precisely the others can be placed. Most strong labels use two to four.
- Use solid colours only. Gradients and shadows cannot be woven as they look on screen; shading can be suggested with weave structures but should be planned as flat areas.
- Give each colour enough surface. A colour used only in a fine outline will barely show.
- Reserve metallic gold or silver yarns for larger elements, as they are thicker than standard yarns.
Rule 6: brief colours as Pantone textile references
Woven colours come from yarn shade cards rather than mixed ink. We choose the closest yarn to each Pantone reference, ideally a TPX or TCX textile code. Keep in mind that yarn has texture and sheen, small areas look darker beside a contrasting ground, and satin reads lighter and glossier than damask in the same yarn. For colour-critical brands, approve a physical sample.
Rule 7: plan the background and edges
The background is usually the warp colour, which makes it the most economical colour in the design. Black, white, natural and navy are the most common. Labels are cut from wide woven sheets; ultrasonic cutting gives soft, sealed edges. A woven border line looks smart but exposes tiny cutting or folding variations, so keep it at least 1.5 to 2 mm from the cut edge.
Rule 8: keep a small-size version of the logo
Many brands hold two versions: the full logo for large labels and patches, and a simplified mark for small neck labels, size tabs and hem flags. Remove taglines, thicken strokes and widen spacing for the small version.
Rule 9: set up the file correctly
- Create an artboard at the finished label size.
- Add guides for fold allowance, seam allowance and a safe margin of 1.5 to 2 mm.
- Convert fonts to outlines and name Pantone spot colours.
- Send vector files: PDF, AI, EPS or SVG.
If you only have a JPG or PNG, send the highest resolution available and our designers will redraw it. Tell us the fold type and we will send exact dimensions; our label size guide explains how folds change the cut length.
From file to label
You receive a digital proof showing thread colours and real scale, then a physical sample on request before production. All materials are available OEKO-TEX certified, with GRS recycled yarns as an option, and we deliver across the EU.
What is the smallest lettering a woven label can carry?
As a guide, capitals of about 1 to 1.2 mm on HD damask, 1.5 to 2 mm on damask and 2 to 2.5 mm on taffeta. We confirm the limit for each file before proofing.
How many colours should a woven label use?
Two to four colours give the strongest results. Damask can carry more, but each extra colour adds thickness and reduces fine detail.
Can gradients be woven?
Not as they appear on screen. Shading can be suggested with weave structures, but artwork should be prepared as flat colour areas.
What file should I send?
A vector file such as PDF, AI, EPS or SVG with outlined fonts and Pantone spot colours. Our designers can redraw a raster logo if needed.
Why does my woven colour look different from the Pantone swatch?
Yarn has texture and sheen, and colour perception changes with area size and weave. A physical sample is the best way to approve a critical shade.
