How do you label clothing made from natural fibres like cotton or wool with iron-on labels? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply iron-on labels to your clothing.
Do you knit yourself, or are you lucky enough to have someone in your family who loves knitting? If so, you probably know that handmade garments are precious—not only do they take time and skill to create, but they often hold sentimental value. The thought of losing them at nursery, school, or out and about can be worrying. Hand-knitted clothing rarely has a synthetic care label—so how can these textiles be labelled securely?
Iron-On Labels – A Practical Solution
Iron-on labels are the best solution for marking knitted and woollen clothing. The iron-on labels can be applied to all types of wool—both untreated and superwash wool. They are easy to attach and fuse directly with the fibres of the garment, ensuring a strong, long-lasting hold without peeling off.
Iron-on labels are also well-suited for other materials, such as cotton, cotton blends, polyester, nylon and more.
If applied correctly, following our step-by-step iron-on label instructions, you’ll be impressed by how well they stay in place!
How to Label Wool and Other Fabrics with Iron-On Labels
Make sure the garment is freshly washed and completely dry. Prepare a smooth, heat-resistant surface, such as an ironing board. For delicate fabrics, we recommend testing a small area first to check if it can withstand high heat.
Heat the iron to the highest temperature setting (160-180°C). Do not use steam.
Peel the iron-on label off the backing paper and place it in the desired spot. If the garment will be worn at nursery or school, it is a good idea to place the label on the back of the collar so it is easy to see. In all cases, the label should always be applied to a smooth section of the fabric.
Place a sheet of parchment paper over the iron-on label to protect the fabric. If you want to cover a larger area, you can also place a thin kitchen towel over the parchment paper. However, if the towel is too thick, the adhesive may not melt properly—you may need to iron over the label a few extra times.
Press the iron gently but firmly onto the label for 10-15 seconds. Keep in mind that irons can vary in heat settings. The label is correctly applied when you can no longer feel the edges with your fingers, and you can see the texture of the fabric through the label. If necessary, repeat the process until you achieve this result.
Let the label cool for a few minutes before moving the garment. Once applied, the garment can be worn immediately, but wait at least 24 hours before washing it.
Labelling Wool Clothing with Stick-On Name Labels
We are often asked whether our stick-on name labels can be used on wool and hand-knitted garments, and the answer is yes! Our labels are made with a special and strong adhesive that even sticks well to wool fabrics.
However, since yarn quality varies between different hand-knitted garments and wool items, we cannot guarantee a long-lasting hold after washing. That said, some of our team members use these labels on wool socks and knitted jumpers and are happy with the results.
You may need to replace the labels after washing, but stick-on name labels are a great alternative solution if you prefer not to use an iron or if you do not want a permanent label on your wool garments.
