Machine Washable Labels: How DO They Stay Put?

The design, size, and personalization options are usually the first things people consider when purchasing machine washable labels. Don’t get me wrong those are important considerations, but after trying dozens of different clothing labels throughout the years, I’ve learned that lasting durability is the single most important quality.

No matter how cute or highly personalized your labels are they aren’t much use if they start popping up after a few washings.

School uniforms, daycare clothing, towels, and activewear all have one thing in common. They all need to survive countless washings without falling apart or washing away entirely.

Machines TEST YOUR LABELS

As reliable as washing machines are they actually produce a surprisingly tough environment for your clothing labels.

Every time your labels go through a washing cycle they are being soaked in water, detergent, heat, rubbed by friction, spun at high speeds, and bent repeatedly as they rub up against other clothes.

While most people assume the water is the worst part of the washing machine, it’s actually the combination of moisture, detergent, high-speed spinning, and rubbing.

Eventually all of those things work to loosen even the strongest adhesive. Once a corner starts lifting, it will typically continue lifting until the label falls off entirely.

For this reason you will notice that permanent machine washable labels are constructed very differently from traditional stickers.

STICKING POWER MATTERS…but So Does Everything Else

The instant someone mentions washable labels most people think about how well the adhesive can stick to fabric. A strong adhesive is important but it’s really only one piece of the overall puzzle.

The printable film should not become brittle with age or repeated washings.

The adhesive should stay sticky even after prolonged exposure to moisture.

The top printing surface should be resistant to fading during multiple washes.

Poor quality in any one of these areas can cause your entire label to quickly fall apart.

Stick-on clothing labels from reputable vendors are designed as a complete system, rather than relying on stronger adhesive to do all the heavy lifting.

WHY GARMENT CARE LABELS WORK SO WELL

Another reason garment labels last so long is where they are placed on the clothing.

Instead of being applied directly onto textile fibers they are applied to garment care labels.

The plastic care label provides a smooth and stable surface for your labels to stick to. When applied correctly this allows for a stronger adhesive bond to be formed.

Clothing care labels also eliminate the problems of printing directly on textured fabrics, stretchy fabrics, or fuzzy fabrics.

For best results be sure to apply your clothing labels in the location recommended by the manufacturer.

WASH AFTER WASH

Parents shouldn’t have to worry about replacing clothing labels every month.

Schools shouldn’t have to worry about unidentified clothing floating around.

Daycares shouldn’t have to worry about laundry getting mixed up because someone’s label fell off after a few washes.

Machine washable labels are designed to stand up to everyday use, not just survive in optimal laboratory conditions.

Labels from high-quality vendors stay legible, stay attached, and endure through endless washing when applied correctly.

Labeled clothing can finally be washed just like any other garment without fear of losing those tiny name tags.

THE QUALITY YOU CANNOT SEE

Not all printable materials are created equal, especially when it comes to washable labels.

Higher end printable film used on laser printable labels will resist moisture better, hold up their print quality much longer, and won’t turn stiff or brittle over time.

When paired with high-quality pressure sensitive adhesive you end up with labels that look great and perform well year after year.

It should come as no surprise that professional clothing label companies take such a huge interest in the printable materials their brands are built upon.

They may be small, but every aspect of your clothing labels material helps determine how long they will last.

Find Labels You Love and Can COUNT ON

So you want custom clothing labels that look great and will actually last.

Where do you start? Looking at durability first is one of the best places to begin.

Whether you’re labeling clothing for your family or hundreds of employee shirts machine washable labels are a must.

Don’t settle for clothing labels that fall off after one washing. Invest in labels that you know will continue performing wash after wash, year after year.

Clothes Stickers: Why we care about sticker material quality.

Clothes Stickers believes a label is only as strong as the material it’s printed on. That’s why we focus on every component that makes up our label – the printable film, adhesive, and end result you receive to place on your clothing.

Our labels are machine washable so they won’t smear, fall off or bleed through with normal washing when applied as instructed. They stick on in seconds, no ironing or sewing required. That’s why busy parents and many schools, daycare centers and care facilities love our product.

Look is one thing, but performance is everything. Because at the end of the day the best clothing label is one that never comes to mind again.