Grosgrain Labels and Custom Ribbon Labels: Widths, Printing and Uses

A grosgrain label or a satin ribbon with your logo brings a finished, tactile detail to garments and packaging that a flat label cannot. This guide explains how custom ribbon labels are made, which widths suit lingerie, kidswear, hanger loops and gift wrap, how printed and woven ribbon labels differ, and what to plan when you choose a ribbon trim supplier for a collection.

What counts as a ribbon label?

Ribbon labels start as a continuous ribbon rather than a woven label tape. The brand name, logo or a short message is printed on the surface or woven into it, and the ribbon is then supplied on a roll or cut into individual pieces: a folded loop for a neckline, a short tab for a seam, a long strip for a drawstring or a length for a bow. Two ribbon structures cover most needs.

Grosgrain

Grosgrain has pronounced crosswise ribs that make it firm, matte and slightly textured. It holds its shape when folded, grips a hook without slipping and takes dyed colour evenly. Those qualities make grosgrain labels a favourite for coat loops, neck tapes, bag handles, hat bands and packaging bows.

Satin ribbon

Satin ribbon is smooth and glossy, either on one face (single-face) or both (double-face). It drapes softly, feels pleasant on skin and gives printed logos a refined sheen. Use double-face satin whenever both sides are visible, such as a bow or a loop that twists.

Custom ribbon labels: printed or woven?

There are two ways to put your brand on a ribbon, and the choice depends on detail, feel and quantity.

Method	How it works	Strengths	Best for
Thermal transfer print	Resin ribbon fused onto satin or grosgrain	Sharp text, wash-resistant, variable data	Lingerie tabs, size loops, care-and-brand ribbons
Screen print	Ink pushed through a mesh stencil	Opaque, bold colour; light on dark ribbon	Packaging ribbon, gift wrap, dark grosgrain
Flexo / rotary print	Repeating design printed in one pass	Efficient on long rolls, several colours	Logo ribbon for packaging and drawstrings
Hot foil	Metallic foil pressed with heat	Gold, silver or coloured metallic finish	Gift packaging and premium boxes (decorative use)
Jacquard weaving	Logo woven into the ribbon structure	Permanent, textured, most durable	Hanger loops, neck tapes, garment trims

Printed ribbon works well for fine type and packaging, while woven ribbon is the robust choice for trims sewn into garments that will be washed. If a woven logo tape is what you need, our article on branded woven tape and logo ribbon explains jacquard weaving in depth. Foil is best kept for packaging, as it can wear with repeated washing.

Choosing widths for ribbon labels

Width decides how much text fits and how the ribbon behaves when folded. The figures below are typical starting points; other widths are possible on request.

Width (mm)	Typical ribbon	Typical use
6	Satin, grosgrain	Lingerie bows, dress hanger loops, tiny tabs
8–10	Satin, grosgrain	Coat loops, kidswear loop labels, narrow brand ribbon
12–15	Grosgrain, satin	Neck tape, seam tabs, drawstrings
20–25	Grosgrain, satin	Gift box ribbon, paper bag handles, wide brand tabs
30–40	Grosgrain	Bag trims, hat bands, statement packaging bows

On narrow ribbon, keep the artwork to a short wordmark or a small repeating symbol. Fine detail and longer text read better from about 10 mm upwards.

Where ribbon labels work best

Lingerie and nightwear

A small satin tab or bow in the centre front of a bra or brief carries the brand discreetly and stays soft against the skin. Printed satin also works as a gentle size or brand loop at the back. For full care information in intimates, see soft labels for swimwear and intimates.

Kidswear

Folded ribbon loops sewn into a side seam give children something to recognise their own garment by, and a soft grosgrain or satin loop at the neck helps with hanging. Choose sealed edges and secure stitching, and keep loops short on garments for very young children. Our guide to children’s clothing labels covers comfort and safety in more detail.

Hanger loops

Grosgrain grips a hook and carries the weight of a coat; satin suits dresses and knitwear, where long loops should disappear when the garment is worn. A logo on the loop turns a practical detail into a brand moment. Placement and lengths are covered in our article on hanging tapes for dresses, coats and knitwear.

Gift packaging and retail

Logo ribbon closes custom boxes, forms handles on paper bags, ties tissue-wrapped parcels and finishes swing tags. Here print methods with strong colour, including foil, come into their own because the ribbon is not washed.

Finishing: rolls, cut pieces and sealed ends

• On rolls – for packaging teams, automatic cutters or sewing lines that cut to length.
• Cut to length – ultrasonic or hot-knife cutting seals polyester ends so they do not fray.
• Folded loops – centre-folded and ready to insert into a seam.
• Colour matching – ribbon colours and print colours matched to Pantone references and held on repeat orders.

For washable garment trims, polyester grosgrain and satin are the stable, colourfast choice. Materials are OEKO-TEX certified, and recycled polyester is available for collections with a GRS story.

Working with us as your ribbon trim supplier

As a label and trim manufacturer in Bulgaria, we produce ribbon labels alongside woven labels, printed labels and packaging, so loops, neck tapes and gift ribbon arrive in one coordinated colour standard. Send us your logo, ribbon type, width, colours, finishing and quantity in metres or pieces. Our designers prepare artwork and a digital proof, typically within 24–48 hours, and samples are available before production. Production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across the EU. Minimums depend on width and method – ask us.

See our woven tapes and ribbons or request a quote at [email protected] or on WhatsApp/Viber +359 876 766 050.