How big should a clothing label be? This reference brings together the standard label sizes we produce as a manufacturer every day – woven, printed, care and size labels, hang tags, silicone, leather and metal labels, patches, heat transfers and stickers – all in millimetres, with fold allowances, board weights and thicknesses to help you brief your next order.
How to read this guide
- Width is the width of the tape or label; length runs along the tape.
- Sizes are finished, visible dimensions after folding and sewing, unless a table says otherwise.
- Every figure is a typical starting point. We produce custom sizes within the limits of each technique.
The quickest way to choose is to measure a label you already like, or the space where the new label will sit – the neck seam, side seam, waistband or pocket. Then allow at least 2–3 mm of free space on each side of the text so nothing is lost in the stitching.
Woven labels
Woven labels are made on tapes of fixed widths, so you have fewer width choices than length choices. For small lettering, keep the capital height at about 1.5–2 mm or more; damask holds fine detail best.
| Width (mm) | Usual lengths (mm) | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 30–50 | Loop tabs, size tabs, sleeve flags |
| 15 | 40–70 | Size tabs, small brand labels, side-seam flags |
| 20 | 40–80 | Neck labels on T-shirts and kidswear |
| 25 | 50–90 | The standard neck or inside brand label |
| 30 | 50–100 | Shirts, knitwear, outerwear |
| 35–40 | 60–110 | Jackets, coats, bags, home textiles |
| 50–60 | 70–120 | Large brand labels, blankets, towels, bags |
Folds and how much tape they use
The fold changes the length we weave and cut before folding. The allowances below are typical; your proof confirms the exact cut length.
| Fold | Finished example (mm) | Cut length (mm) | Sewing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight cut | 25 × 50 | 50 | Stitched on all sides or on both ends |
| End-fold | 15 × 50 | 62–66 (6–8 per end) | Short ends tucked under, sewn flat |
| Centre-fold | 20 × 50 | 110–114 (twice finished + 10–14) | Folded in half, open ends in a seam |
| Loop | 15 × 25 visible | 60–64 (twice visible + 10–14) | Ends together, sewn as loop or hanger |
| Mitre | 20 × 60 | about 100 (length + 2 × width) | Ends at 45°, hangs from the seam |
| Booklet (Manhattan) | 30 × 40 per panel | panels × panel length + 10 | Several panels sewn at one edge |
Printed fabric labels
Printed labels are produced on satin, cotton, polyester, nylon taffeta or non-fray synthetic paper tapes. Printing allows smaller text and photographic detail than weaving, and the tape can be cut to almost any length.
| Tape width (mm) | Usual lengths (mm) | Tape options |
|---|---|---|
| 10–15 | 30–60 | Satin, polyester |
| 20–25 | 40–90 | Satin, cotton, polyester |
| 30–35 | 50–120 | Satin, cotton, nylon taffeta |
| 40–50 | 60–150 | Satin, cotton, synthetic paper |
| Continuous roll | Cut by your factory | Satin or cotton with repeat print |
Care labels
Care labels carry fibre composition under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, care symbols to ISO 3758 and frequently several languages. More languages mean a longer label – or a booklet.
| Width (mm) | Lengths (mm) | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 40–80 | Composition and symbols in 1–2 languages |
| 25 | 40–100 | Plus origin, 2–4 languages |
| 30 | 50–120 | Most adult garments, 4–8 languages |
| 35 | 60–130 | Multilingual text with article or batch codes |
| 40 | 70–150 | Extensive text, workwear data, a QR code |
| 50 | 80–150 | Home textiles, technical products |
Booklet care labels typically use panels from 25 × 40 to 40 × 70 mm, with 2–8 panels printed front and back, room for 20 or more languages depending on text length, and are sewn at the top edge into the side seam.
Size labels
| Format | Finished size (mm) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Flat tab | 10 × 15, 12 × 20 | One size code under the main label |
| Square tab | 15 × 15 | Two-digit sizes, kidswear |
| Rectangular tab | 15 × 20, 15 × 25 | Size plus fit or colour code |
| Loop tab | 10 × 15, 12 × 20 visible | Sewn into the seam as a loop |
| Size ribbon | 10–15 wide, cut 20–40 | Repeat print on continuous tape |
See size labels for woven and printed options.
Hang tags
Hang tags are die-cut from board, so the shape is free. These sizes suit standard strings and retail fixtures.
| Size (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 40 × 70 | Socks, accessories, kidswear |
| 50 × 90 | Standard apparel tag |
| 50 × 100 | Apparel with price and barcode area |
| 55 × 85 | Business-card format, flat or folded |
| 60 × 100 | Denim, outerwear, more information |
| 90 × 50 | Landscape tags for bags and home textiles |
| Ø 50–60 | Round or brand-shaped die-cut tags |
Board is typically 300–600 g/m²: 300–350 g/m² for standard tags, 400–600 g/m² for premium or laminated ones. Holes are 4–5 mm, with an optional metal eyelet; strings are usually 15–20 cm in cotton or waxed cord, or replaced by plastic seals or lock pins. Finishes include matt or gloss laminate, hot-foil, embossing and spot UV.
Silicone, leather and metal labels
| Label | Size (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | 20 × 20 | 1–2 | Caps, sleeves, small badges |
| Silicone | 30 × 30 | 1–2.5 | Sportswear, bags |
| Silicone | 40 × 20 / 50 × 20 | 1–2.5 | Waistbands, cuffs, backpacks |
| Silicone | 50 × 30 | 1.5–3 | Jackets, workwear |
| Silicone | 60 × 40 | 2–3.5 (3D up to about 4) | Large 3D logos |
| Leather | 30 × 20 / 40 × 25 | 1–1.5 | Beanies, knitwear, pockets |
| Leather | 50 × 30 / 60 × 40 | 1–2 | Jackets, bags, luggage |
| Leather | 70 × 50 to 90 × 60 | 1.5–2 | Jeans back patches, workwear |
| Metal plate | 20 × 5 / 30 × 8 | 0.5–1.2 | Prongs, stitch holes, adhesive |
| Metal plate | 40 × 10 / 50 × 15 | 0.8–1.5 | Stitch holes, rivets, screws |
| Metal emblem | 15–40 | 1–1.5 | Prongs, pins, adhesive |
Silicone labels need a mould per design, and thickness controls how strong the 3D effect is. Leather labels come in genuine or PU leather, debossed, printed or laser-engraved. Metal labels are made in nickel-free zinc alloy, brass, aluminium or stainless steel.
Patches and heat transfers
| Item | Size (mm) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Patch | 50 × 50 | Merrowed or heat-cut; sew-on or iron-on |
| Patch | 60 × 40 | Heat-cut or laser; sew-on, iron-on, adhesive |
| Patch | 70 × 70 / 80 × 60 | Merrowed or laser; hook-and-loop possible |
| Patch | 100 × 100 | Merrowed; sew-on or hook-and-loop |
| Heat transfer | 30 × 30 | Small logos, kidswear |
| Heat transfer | 40 × 40 / 50 × 50 | Tagless neck print, with size and care symbols |
| Heat transfer | 60 × 40 | Neck print including composition |
| Heat transfer | 80 × 60 | Back-neck or chest logo |
Woven patches keep finer detail at small sizes than embroidery. Heat transfer labels replace a sewn neck label for tagless comfort.
Stickers and QR codes
Round stickers of Ø 30, 40 and 50 mm are typical for seals and packaging branding; rectangles of 50 × 30, 70 × 40 and 100 × 50 mm cover barcodes, polybag labels and shipping cartons. For a QR code linking to a Digital Product Passport, allow at least about 15 × 15 mm for the code plus a clear quiet zone around it – see QR and DPP labels. For the materials behind each size, read our label materials guide.
Unsure which size fits your garment? Tell us the product and the label position and we will recommend dimensions and a fold, with a digital proof and samples before production. Email [email protected], WhatsApp/Viber +359 876 766 050, or use our contact page.
Do the tables show the size before or after folding?
After folding – they are finished, visible sizes unless stated otherwise. The fold table lists the typical cut length for each fold.
What is the most popular neck label size?
For brand neck labels, 20–30 mm wide tapes with lengths of about 40–90 mm cover most T-shirts, shirts and knitwear; 25 mm is the most common starting width.
How much tape does a loop fold need?
Roughly twice the visible loop length plus 10–14 mm that disappears into the seam. Your proof confirms the exact figure.
Can you produce a size not listed here?
Yes. These are common sizes; custom widths, lengths and shapes are possible within the limits of each technique.
What size should a QR code be on a label?
Allow at least about 15 × 15 mm for the code itself, plus a clear margin around it so phones can scan it reliably.