Wisdom From the Professionals A collection of Articles

Finishing Touches -Woven Clothing Labels say it With Style
By Lisa Rosenberg
http://www.clothinglabels4u.com

When you’ve put the time and energy into creating a quality product, nothing finishes the job quite like a quality label. Once the item is sold or gifted away, that label represents you just as much as the product itself. What it says about you can influence repeat sales and referrals. Making the right choice is an important business decision.

Not all labels are created equal. There wide variations in style, size and fabric used for labels. It’s important to understand the basics of labels before seeking out a source. It’s the small decisions along the way that will guide you towards the right solution for your labelling needs.

There are two primary categories of labels. The first is printed labels. While generally inexpensive they have several disadvantages that make them an ideal choice for only a handful of uses. The most basic complaint about printed labels is they fade. Whether it’s through washing or as a result of skin oils reacting with the print, the fact is that most printed labels do not stand up to standard wear. This reduces the branding aspect of the label completely. An illegible label does nothing for your business.

Woven labels are a better choice, but the choice to go woven brings about other decisions. There are four basic fabrics offered in woven labels.

• Satin is the most popular choice, but not always the wisest. Satin is thin and can snag easily, making it more likely to be cut out than other labels. Though it looks very pretty originally, you need to keep the customer in mind when choosing your label.
• Taffeta is stiffer than satin and can stand up to a bit more snagging. However, with both satin and taffeta the finished edges of the labels can be stiff, leading to the prickly feeling labels are famous for.
• Semi-damask is a mid line choice when it comes to labels. It has many of the qualities of damask at a slightly lower price point.
• Damask is a tighter weave fabric that remains very soft, even with finished edges. It’s a top choice when quality is a top priority for the seamstress. Damask provides the best finish with a smoothness that reflects style and comfort.

Once the style and fabric choice are considered, you will need to decide on several finishing touches and choose the style that allows the most versatility for the future. The folded style eliminates the issue of having a raw back showing and allows room for care instructions. They come in two variations: a side folding label or a bottom folding label. A common way to attach a label is to order an end fold label that you tack is down on the ends. However, this method is not flexible enough for most small-scale sewers and lacks the professional touch. You can ensure maximum flexibility by ordering labels that are finished on all sides with enough seam allowance to be used in a variety of ways. Whatever choice you make with the finishing touches, be sure that you allow for seam allowance in the size that you order. Your chosen supplier should be able to guide you through these choices.

As you begin your search for a source, you will quickly find that there are many different companies seeking to fill your needs. It’s very important that you research your label source and do not hesitate to get samples and referrals from former clients. The ideal company will readily assist you in your choice and be knowledgeable about all aspects of labelling from the fabric and finishing choices to the graphic limitations of labels. You should search out a company that is geared towards meeting your needs rather than forcing you to meet their minimums.

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About the author:

Lisa Rosenberg is an expert in labels. Her company http://www.clothinglabels4u.com, specializes in high quality woven clothing labels. Her experience as a designer and dedication to customer service combine with low prices to create a line of custom woven clothing labels ideal for both small business and hobbyists who want to add the most professional touch to their projects.