What are the different types of labels a garment can carry? More than most new brands expect. This guide walks through all the main types of labels for clothing, from the woven brand label at the neck to the swing tag on the sleeve and the QR label that will soon hold a digital product passport, so you can see what each one does and decide which belong in your collection.
As a clothing label manufacturer we produce every type below in our own facility, so the notes on materials and attachment come straight from the production floor. Each section links to the page where you can see options, sizes and finishes in detail.
Types of labels for clothing at a glance
| Type | Material | Best for | How attached |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven brand label | Polyester yarn (damask, satin, taffeta) | Neck, side-seam and hem branding | Sewn in, optional iron-on back |
| Printed label | Satin, cotton or nylon tape | Soft brand labels, detailed artwork | Sewn in |
| Care & composition label | Printed satin, nylon or cotton tape | Fibre content, washing symbols, origin | Sewn into side seam |
| Size label | Woven or printed tape | Size runs, quick size reading | Sewn in, often under the brand label |
| Hang tag / swing tag | Paper board, kraft, recycled card | Price, barcode, brand story at retail | String, safety pin or tagging gun |
| Silicone / PVC label | Moulded silicone or PVC rubber | Outerwear, sportswear, bags | Heat press or sewn |
| Leather & jacron label | Genuine leather, PU, jacron | Jeans waistbands, bags, knit caps | Sewn or riveted |
| Metal plate | Zinc alloy, brass, aluminium | Premium outerwear, bags, accessories | Prongs, rivets or sewing holes |
| Patch | Embroidery, woven, chenille, print | Visible logos on caps, jackets, uniforms | Sewn, iron-on or hook-and-loop |
| Heat transfer label | Printed transfer film | Tagless necks, activewear, swimwear | Heat press |
| QR / DPP label | Woven, printed or transfer | Traceability, digital product passport | Sewn or heat applied |
| Woven tape | Jacquard polyester or cotton | Neck tape, waistbands, drawcords | Sewn along a seam |
| Loop / hanger label | Woven or satin tape | Coats, dresses, knitwear on hangers | Sewn into shoulder or side seams |
Brand and main labels
The main label is the piece that carries your name, usually at the centre back neck or on a side seam. It sets the tone for the whole garment, so most brands choose a woven or high-quality printed construction and spend time on colour, fold and edge finish. Everything else on this list supports it.
Types of woven labels: damask, satin, taffeta and HD
A woven label is built thread by thread on a jacquard loom, so the logo is part of the fabric and does not fade or crack in the wash. The main types of woven labels differ by weave:
- Damask – fine yarns at high density; thin, flexible and sharp on small lettering. The usual choice for fashion neck labels.
- High-definition (HD) damask – even finer weft for micro text of around 1 mm and detailed emblems.
- Satin – a glossy, very soft face, popular for lingerie, babywear and eveningwear.
- Taffeta – a crisper, lower-density weave for simple logos and large volumes.
See all weaves, folds and cutting methods on our woven labels page, or compare them in depth in our weave guide.
Printed labels
Printed labels put ink onto a smooth tape such as satin, cotton or nylon. They handle fine detail, small text and gradients that a loom cannot weave, and they feel very soft against the skin. Explore tapes and print methods on the printed labels page.
Care and composition labels
Garments sold in the EU need fibre composition, and most brands add washing symbols, country of origin and a batch reference on the same label. These are usually printed on soft tape and sewn into the side seam, often as multi-page booklets for several languages. Details are on our care labels page.
Size labels
Small woven or printed tabs that show S, M, L or numeric sizes. They are often sewn beneath the main label or folded into the side seam, and a whole size run is planned together. See formats on the size labels page.
Types of tags for clothing: hang tags and swing tags
When people ask about types of tags on clothing, they usually mean the removable card on the outside. Hang tags (also called swing tags) carry price, barcode, size and often a short brand story. Board weight, shape, finishes such as foil or embossing, and the string or pin all shape the impression. Browse options on the hang tags page.
Silicone, rubber and PVC labels
Moulded labels give a raised, three-dimensional logo that stands out on jackets, sportswear and bags. Silicone is soft and flexible; PVC rubber is firmer and holds sharp edges. They are heat pressed or sewn on. More on the silicone labels page.
Leather and jacron labels
Genuine leather, PU and jacron (a paper-based leather look) are the classic choice for jeans waistbands, knit caps and bags. Logos are debossed, embossed, printed or laser engraved. Compare the materials on the leather labels page.
Metal plates
Metal plates in zinc alloy, brass or aluminium add weight and a premium finish to outerwear, bags and accessories. They are fixed with prongs, rivets or sewing holes, in plated, enamel or brushed finishes. See shapes and fixings on the metal labels page.
Patches
Patches are badges worn on the outside: embroidered, woven, chenille or printed, finished with a merrowed or cut border and a sew-on, iron-on or hook-and-loop back. They suit caps, jackets, uniforms and team wear. Visit the patches page.
Heat transfer and tagless labels
A heat transfer label is pressed straight onto the fabric, so there is no tab to scratch the neck. It is the standard for T-shirts, activewear, swimwear and underwear. Details are on the heat transfer labels page.
QR and digital product passport labels
A QR code woven, printed or transferred onto a label links the garment to care instructions, material origin or resale information, and prepares it for the coming EU digital product passport for textiles. Learn more on the QR and DPP labels page.
Woven tapes and ribbons
Jacquard tapes repeat your logo along a continuous length, used as neck tape, inside waistbands, on drawcords or as gift ribbon. See widths and yarns on the woven tapes and ribbons page.
Loop and hanger labels
Hanger loops are narrow tapes sewn inside the shoulders or waist so coats, dresses and knitwear hang without stretching. A loop-fold woven label can double as a hanger loop on lighter garments. Read our hanging tape guide for placement tips.
How to build your label set
Most collections need three core pieces: a main brand label, a care and composition label and a size label, plus a hang tag for retail. Outerwear and accessories often add a patch, metal plate or leather label; basics and activewear often switch to heat transfer. Our first collection checklist and label materials guide help you narrow it down. We prepare a digital proof for approval and samples before production, with OEKO-TEX certified materials and GRS recycled options available. Send your brief to [email protected] or via WhatsApp/Viber on +359 876 766 050.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of labels on clothing?
The main types are brand labels (woven or printed), care and composition labels, size labels, hang tags, silicone or PVC labels, leather and jacron labels, metal plates, patches, heat transfer labels, QR labels, woven tapes and hanger loops.
What types of tags for clothing are there?
Inside the garment there are sewn-in tags such as brand, care and size labels. Outside, the removable types of tags on clothing are hang tags or swing tags in board or kraft, attached with string, a safety pin or a tagging gun.
What are the types of woven labels?
The usual types of woven labels are damask, high-definition damask, satin and taffeta. They differ in thread density, softness and how much fine detail they can show.
Which types of labels does a garment legally need in the EU?
Fibre composition is required for textile products sold in the EU. Care symbols, origin and size are not always mandatory but are expected by retailers and customers, so most brands include them.
Can I order several label types from one manufacturer?
Yes. We produce all the types in this guide, so a full label and tag set can be designed, sampled and delivered together across the EU.
