Garment label requirements

During the process of designing a garment or collection, an often overlooked detail & requirement is the information you must include on your garment labels.

Of course there is the branded neck label which is typically sewn into the back of the inner collar for aesthetic branding purposes, but what about the labels sewn into the inner left side of the body seam?

These are what we call “garment spec labels” or “textile labels” which are a group of labels typically sewn together, including important information required by law to be included in the garment.

In this article we will break down a few of the key components of these labels which are required in most countries, although it varies by individual country.

Care Label

These are a set of instructions for the customer to refer to when cleaning & maintaining the garment, details such as washing & drying requirements, maybe the garment must be dry cleaned, ironing requirements, etc.

Include any and all information about how to care for a garment in order to maintain its quality over the long term.

Fiber Content Label

This label is required to specify exactly which type of fibres create the total composition of the fabric used in the garment.

It could be as simple as 100% certified organic cotton, or a more complex blend such as 80% cotton, 15% Polyester, 5% Spandex.

Whatever the case, you must disclose all contents of what make up the garment material.

Manufacturer or Importer Identification

This label must clearly state the name & identification number of the manufacturer, importer or distributor.

While designing your tech pack, reach out to your manufacturer for this information & make sure to clearly include it in the label design.

Country of Origin

This label states where exactly the garment was manufactured.

Example : “Made in Portugal” or “Made in Italy”

Flammability (If Applicable)

While this label won’t apply to most of our clients, certain garments such as children’s sleepwear must meet flammability standards and include required labelling.

Conclusion

These are a few of the most commonly required labels you must legally include in your garment, however depending where your brand is located, it is important to do your own research about labelling requirements specific to your region as they can vary.

Neglecting to include this technical information can result in your bulk order being rejected when crossing the border from your manufacturing location if you are not producing domestically, or even legal trouble with selling the garments.

Be sure to include everything in your original tech pack design, it is a simple process & will be well worth it to avoid any dispute.

Disclaimer : this is not business advice, only reiteration of our research & experience working with brands. Use information at your own discretion.