Wisdom From the Professionals A collection of Articles

Everything Labels
By Paul Wade
BCI Corporation
http://www.bcilabels.com

Labeling Machinery

How are labels produced? Labels are manufactured using weaving looms. Factories generally rely on broadlooms, needle looms, double and single shuttle looms. The labels come off of the looms in a ribbon form where they are then cut by hot knife or laser. This method seals the yarns to prevent fraying. If a client really requires the utmost softness, some factories offer the needle loom production which weaves the edges together however this takes longer in production time as it is a slower weaving loom. The labels are then folded if required and sent to packaging.

Definitions

Caviar Bead Label - This technique gives any garment an interesting, unique look. The label can be used as a patch on the front or reverse. The beads are available in numerous colors, applied over adhesive glue. The logo should be simple in terms of complexity. This clothing label is sure to catch attention on any garment. This is a great looking clothing tag reminiscent of 1920 beads that creates artwork on garments!

Center Folds are labels that are folded in half. So the "loop" label that you find in the neck of some shirts that have a company name or logo on the front and then on the under side there is care and content information about the garment.

Damask - Damask has a soft, subtle texture with a very tight weave. It is suitable for high-end garments that require a refined trim finish. The loom weaves this label slower than other labels thereby giving the label a nice uniform weave. This type of weave is the perfect clothing label if you are searching for a label that will give a high-end impression. The damask label is also ideal for intricate logo or artwork. The slower loom speed allows great depth in logos, color separation, detail and clarity.

Damask Iron 0n Label - an iron-on label that is convenient for numerous applications. These iron on labels are produced on damask weave looms. Factories can achieve great detail on these clothing labels which can then be adhered to the garment application by setting a household iron on "cotton" and passing over the label allowing the heat sensitive backing to liquefy and set to the fabric material. These are super durable and adhere after numerous washings but should not be viewed as similar in strength to a sew-in label.

Damask Peel & Stick Labels - Also called "pressure sensitive" labels. These labels arrive on a roll form. Factories can transform your logo into a great looking peel & stick clothing label that is perfect for shoes, bags, books, etc. Quick and easy to apply - this is a great clothing label solution for your identity requirement. While these woven labels give great depth to the product, the product to which the label is being applied should not be something that is repeatedly washed or laundered. These are not suitable labels for continuous washing cycles. It is recommended that if the product will be washed and laundered more than 2-3 times, the label will eventually being to peel off. However applied on shoe soles, books or bags that do not require heavy washing, the labels remain for years. These labels can withstand some dry cleaning.

Die Cut involves a die charge or laser work where the label has a unique shape.

End Folds are labels that have the left and right sides of the label tucked under the body of the label so the ends are finished. There is then space on the four corners of the label to sew it on to the garment. These are typically found in the neck of higher end garments.

Fuse Cut or Straight Cut is a label that has no folds and is typically sewn on all four sides, suitable for the outside of a garment or bag.

Imitation Leather Labels - As with pvc labels, this label requires a mold for the embossing process. The faux leather has the appearance of suede or flat leather patches. They can be soft of rigid yet sewing them on items is quite simple. Factories offer these imitation leather labels in various colors - from gold yellow to antique brown to black to brown or green. These are popular with jeans, work wear pants, overalls or dungarees.

Jacquard Woven Tapes - BCI Corp can supply you any type of woven or printed tapes, simply send them your artwork and they will take care of the repeating motif on the tape. Widths available are .25 ", .50 ", .75 " and 1". 100 yard minimum required. Printed tape is also available.

Laser Cut Felt Label - These felt labels are more of an accessory item for clothing apparel manufacturers but can really make your garment pop on the rack. BCI Corp is limited to simple designs such as letters, numbers or short text logos, however the laser technology that cuts this out of felt fabric rolls is really impressive. Exacting detail allows a fine finished look; the laser seals the yarns on the edges of the labels which prevent fraying. The sewer can then sew the felt label on the outside exterior of the garment or product for a great unique look. The felt labels have a soft feel of subtle jersey cotton but allow for depth and interest on any garment. This is a clothing label that will really set your apparel or product apart from the rest and give you great incentive to add premium pricing. Numerous colors are readily available.

Mitre Fold is where the label has two 45 degree angles on the bottom corners of the label and the label hangs down in a fashion that is more whimsical yet elegant.

Pillow Label - Yarn injection inside the label gives this clothing label the appearance of being soft and pillow-like. Factories are also able to create great zipper pulls with your logo or name woven right into the pull. The zipper pull is simply pulled through the hole on the zipper pull to give extra space to allow easier opening of the zipper or added identity to the garment. Wonderful for children's clothing and apparel applications. Most factories use Damask weaves only for purposes of the yarn injection.

Printed Cotton Canvas Labels - This is similar to twill tape, but has a different knit in the cotton giving it more of a "canvas" look and feel. The surface has more of a flat surface. This label is not quite as soft as the cotton twill however is still soft and 100% cotton. This type of label blends well with outdoor camping, hiking or hunting apparel. This label gives more of a rugged, rustic and country feel. Twill is more suitable for baby blankets or women's wear.

Printed Cotton Labels - In addition to printed cotton tapes, factories also offer printed cotton twill labels. These are soft and easy on the skin. They do absorb the ink plate application so fine text is not recommended. Great for colorful logos that you envision on a natural cotton background. or simple and natural with just the basic information.

Printed Cotton Twill Tape - BCI Corp offers .25 ", .50 ", .75 " and 1" widths of tape for continuous roll form printed cotton tape. Their cotton twill is super soft and suitable for any garment...from baby blankets to golf shirts. You are only limited to your imagination for this clothing label trim. 1, 2, 3 or more colors? Not a problem.

Printed Satin Label - printed satin clothing labels are excellent for fine, small or very detailed artwork and logos requiring sharp clarity. These printed labels are similar to a "silk screen" process where the logo or artwork is set up on plates and then the ribbon is run with the printing taking place on the poly satin ribbon. The ribbon is then cut, folded and packaged. If you require printed satin labels on a roll form, this can usually be offered too. These labels are great for lingerie, t-shirts or garments that require the softest label possible or fine clarity for an intricate logo.

PVC Embossed Labels - This type of label is produced by injection molding. A mold is created to represent the artwork or logo submitted. The colors are selected and resistors heat liquid pvc, rubber or silicone products and inject the liquids into the mold. We add a sewing groove around the exterior of the label to aid in sewing and adhering it to the garment. These labels go well on the exterior of garments, bags or canvas covers. Companies offer either embossed labels (where the logo is raised up off the ground color of the label) or debossed labels where the logo is imprinted into the ground color of the label) or flush embossed (where the logo and ground color meet at the same level).

Rhinestone Label - BCI Corp offers this label in damask weave only. The rhinestones are added by hand with super adhesive glue. Various diameters of rhinestones are available however only in clear color - no colored rhinestones available. An interesting effect is to have the logo woven and then a rhinestone added on the label for an extra flash. These woven labels lend themselves well to any garment or bag that has an attitude or needs a kick of flash!

Roll Form is where factories supply the labels to you in a continuous roll.

Satin Broad Loom - Similar to the Satin Needle Loom, this is produced on a faster weaving loom. This clothing label is still quite soft and malleable however is not quite as luxurious as the Satin Needle label. The detail is good on simple logos and special font text. This woven label can be used on a variety of products that require a soft label, slight sheen in appearance and good durability for a woven label.

Satin Needle Loom - This woven label is very popular with bridal, intimate or lingerie manufacturing. It has a soft sheen in appearance, hence the "satin" name. The labels are very soft and are not irritating to the skin on fine garments such as cashmere or lingerie apparel. This is the ideal clothing label for garments that have a simple logo or basic text font style. It prompts an understated elegance and yet shows quite proudly on garments.

Satin Up Ground Labels - By reverse weaving factories are able to create a textured "bulky" looking label. This label is just the opposite of the damask clothing label. While the Damask is fine and detail driven, the Satin Up Ground is heavily textured on the ground area of the label, making the weave itself prominent in addition to the logo or artwork. This particular woven label lends itself well to technical clothing, tactical garments for military, backpacks, camping equipment and other outdoorsy type items. This is designed to be a "beefy" label. Factories can add starch to the label process to make it even more stout if required.

Sequential Numbering Labeling - This is a solution to customers who asked and asked for a clothing label that could eliminate knock off reproductions of their garments and elicit the "one-of-a-kind" status for their garments. Factories are able to provide customers with clothing labels which are complete with logo, text, and now "sequential numbering" on each individual label. Therefore if you have a production run of 5000 items and each requires its own individual number or series of numbers, label manufacturers are able to run a sequential or non sequential numerical system on each label.

Stud Transfer Label - "Wow, what's that?" Is what a lot of clients ask when they see this label capacity with BCI Corp. The studs are transferred to cotton backing and are available in various flat or metallic colors. The studs are approximately the size of a pin head however are available in slightly larger diameter. This is a great way to make your clothing label a part of the overall design concept on the garment. Typically these are sewn on the exterior or hem area but factories can let the designer be the judge. Logos are typically restricted to simple lettering or short names. Rhinestones are also available for the same technique.

Straight Cut or Fuse Cut is a label that has no folds and is typically sewn on all four sides, suitable for the outside of a garment or bag.

Taffeta Twill - The old standby. This is one of the most inexpensive woven clothing label. The detail achieved is not extremely high but rather limited. The loom weaves this label at a high speed and therefore the detail on logo or artwork is more general. This is not a label for dense, intricate detail. This is a label for the customer that has to get a label on the product to get it on the shelf, is not concerned about a high end look, and really just needs to get the job done! The taffeta clothing label achieves a simple logo or text in an economical manner. These can be a bit scratchy if sewn on the inside of garments.

New in Labels:

From BCI Corporation - The Florentine Collection
November, 2005
BCI Corporation debuted its latest collection of custom labels this month. The Florentine Collection features clothing labels woven with luxurious yarn in rich, beautiful colors. This new line continues the company's tradition of providing its customers with high-quality and detailed custom labels. The Florentine Collection is woven with soft 50-denier yarns. When woven into clothing labels, the new fabric radiates with the yarn's bright colors and luminescent appearance.

"This collection has received a great reception from clothing designers," Wade says. "Our first order for this clothing label was for a window treatment company out in Pennsylvania, and the owners are just ecstatic with the look of the label against their window fabrics. Our company belief is to find beauty in the smallest of details and that is what we are promoting with the 'The Florentine Collection.'"

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The label definitions on this page have been graciously donated by Paul Wade from BCI Corporation. BCI is a label manufacturer that produces garment labels for the clothing industry. In fact, they produce all of the items that are listed in the above definitions. You can visit BCI on the web to learn more about their products and services for the fashion industry.

Why should you choose BCI for your label requirements?

Quality
Custom woven clothing labels are our specialty. We have a fully equipped weaving facility and printing facility to meet your every demand for any clothing label. Our latest machinery of air jet looms, broad looms, needle looms and shuttle looms allow for the highest quality clothing labels available anywhere. Our factory is staffed with efficient knowledgeable loom operators, graphic designers, computer experts and shipping logistics personnel eager to produce your custom label order just the way you envision it. By consulting with our staff at an early stage in your clothing label design we are able to assist you with the best profitability for your final product. We understand timing is critical - labels are sometimes overlooked until the end of a project - we offer a guaranteed RUSH service for just this situation.

Experience
We have extensive experience in the fashion trim industry, having supplied national chain retailers as well as limited edition designer pieces. By consulting with our staff at an early stage in your clothing label design process we are able to assist you with the best profitability for your final product, i.e. the best label fit in terms of cost and final appearance. We understand timing is critical - clothing labels are sometimes overlooked until the end of a project - we offer a guaranteed RUSH service for just this situation.

Attention to Detail
We believe that focused attention is needed when weaving custom logos from client artwork. Considerable time is dedicated to matching colors, shades and proportions in order to achieve exactly what the client envisions on their final clothing label. We excel in achieving beauty in these small details which truly make BCI labels stand apart from the competition. Potential customers are encouraged to review our testimonial section on our website for feedback regarding our customer service and superior quality of clothing labels.

BCI Corporation
Elegant Woven Labels
www.bcilabels.com