When it’s time to label your child’s clothes, shoes, bottles or gear, one question often pops up: Which type of name label should I use? Stick-on labels, iron-on labels, mini labels, large name labels, pencil l abels — they all have their strengths. And with the right label in the right place, your belongings will stay marked for longer and hold up better.
Here’s a simple and clear guide to the different types of name labels — and what they’re best suited for.
Stick-on Labels – The Everyday Favourite That Works for Almost Everything
Stick-on labels, often just called name labels, are the most popular type — and for good reason! They’re easy to use, long-lasting and work brilliantly on all sorts of items at nursery, school or home.
Just press them onto a clean, dry surface — and that’s it. Quick, easy and durable.
Stick-on labels are perfect for:
- Lunch boxes and water bottles
- Backpacks, gym bags and pencil cases
- Toys, books and sports equipment
- Clothes with a synthetic care label (like coats, jumpers and other outerwear)
💡 Top tip: When labelling clothes, always stick the label onto the care tag — never directly onto the fabric. This helps it stay secure through both the washing machine and tumble dryer.
Our stick-on labels are waterproof and designed to withstand dishwashers, washing machines, rainy school runs and plenty of energetic play. Many parents start with these as they cover most everyday needs and are easy to grab when something new needs labelling. They’re absolutely our go-to favourite!
Iron-on Labels – The Best Choice for Clothes Without a Care Tag
Not every piece of clothing has a care tag made from synthetic material — and that’s where iron-on labels come in. Wool jumpers, socks and seamless onesies are great examples of items where stick-on labels won’t hold — but iron-on labels will!
These labels are designed to be applied directly to fabric and stay put through wash after wash.
To apply: Place the label flat on the inside of the garment, cover it with baking or parchment paper, and press firmly with a hot iron for a few seconds. Once properly attached, they’ll stay secure through both the washing machine and tumble dryer.
Iron-on labels are perfect for:
- Wool jumpers
- Seamless baby onesies
- Socks and shoes
- Any garment without a care label or with a rough, fabric-only surface
💡 This is the only type of name label we recommend for tagless garments — stick-on labels simply won’t adhere well to fabric alone.
Many families find it useful to have both stick-on labels and iron-on labels to hand, so they’re ready to label anything, regardless of the fabric or finish.
Mini Labels – For All the Little Things
Mini labels are designed for items that are just too small for a standard name label — those tiny bits and pieces that need marking but don’t have much space. They’re just as durable as our larger labels, but in a more compact format — and they hold up great, even on items used daily.
Mini labels are perfect for:
- Sunglasses, hair clips and small jewellery
- Toys and cuddly animals
- Chargers, earbuds and other compact electronics
- Little items that often go missing at nursery or on day trips
- Books, notebooks and other small school supplies
Many parents quickly realise that these are the kinds of things most likely to vanish or end up in someone else’s bag — and that’s where mini labels really prove their worth. They’re subtle, yet clear enough for kids and grown-ups to spot who an item belongs to.
💡 These types of name labels are also great for labelling craft supplies, pens, rulers and other belongings that are often shared or mixed up at school or nursery.
Large Name Labels – Easy to Spot
Large name labels work just like our standard stick-on labels but feature bigger text and bolder designs — making them easier to see for both kids and adults at nursery or school. When you label something with a large name label, there’s no mistaking who it belongs to!
These types of name labels are especially useful for:
- Backpacks, duffel bags and gym kits
- Lunch boxes and water bottles
- School supplies like books and folders
- Items stored on shared shelves or communal spaces
Large name labels are easy to recognise from a distance, making them especially helpful for younger children who can’t read yet but can identify their favourite design or colour. They also come in different shapes and sizes too, so you’ll always have the right label for the job.
💡 Many parents like to use this type of name label for the most important items and combine them with stick-on or mini labels for everything else.
Pencil Labels – Made for School Supplies
When everything in a pencil case looks the same, it’s no surprise that pencils, rubbers and rulers often go missing — or end up in someone else’s case. Pencil Labels are slim, discreet name labels designed specifically for small surfaces where a standard label won’t fit.
These types of name labels are perfect for:
- Pencils and colouring pencils
- Pens and felt-tips
- Rulers, rubbers and compasses
- Scissors and other small school essentials
These labels are built to withstand daily wear and tear — even when they’re constantly in little hands throughout the school day. They also work great at home for labelling art supplies, stationery or any small items kids like to take with them.
💡 Pencil labels pair perfectly with other types of name labels, like stick-on and mini labels, to ensure everything from desk to backpack is clearly marked and easily returned.
Which Types of Name Labels Should You Choose?
It all depends on what you need to label! Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the right type of name label for the job:
| What you’re labelling | Recommended label |
| Clothes with a care tag | Stick-on labels |
| Clothes without a care tag | Iron-on labels |
| Pencils and pens | Pencil labels |
| Rulers and rubbers | Pencil labels |
| Backpacks and gym kits | Large name labels |
| Lunch boxes and water bottles | Stick-on or large name labels |
| Small items (hair clips, toys) | Mini labels |
Mix and Match – or Choose a Ready-Made Label Pack
Many parents like to keep a few different label types on hand, so they’re always ready for whatever needs labelling. We offer carefully curated label packs that include a mix of different label types — perfect when you’re labelling lots of things at once.
