Printed Labels
A factory directory of printed label manufacturers for clothing and fashion accessories, and a guide to how printed labels are made.
A printed label carries a garment’s brand, size, fiber content and care instructions by printing the information onto a label material — satin, cotton, nylon, polyester or coated tape — instead of weaving it into the fabric of the label. Printing can reproduce fine lettering, multi-color artwork and small care text at small sizes and low minimums, which is why printed labels are the workhorse for care and content information and a flexible option for brand labels on garments and fashion accessories.
This factory directory gathers manufacturers of printed labels for the apparel trade, from single-city label shops to vertically integrated producers with plants on several continents. The guide sections below explain how printed labels are produced, how they differ from woven labels, and what a buyer should specify — material, print method, fold and finish — when ordering.
Label Directories & Definitions
How Printed Labels Are Made
Printed label production starts with a continuous tape or ribbon of label stock. The design — brand name, logo, size, content and care text — is printed onto the moving tape by flexographic, rotary letterpress, screen or thermal transfer printing, depending on the material, the fineness of the artwork and the run length. After printing, the tape is cut to length and finished: straight cut, end folded, center folded or die cut, ready to be sewn into a neck, side seam or hem.
The equipment list of a full label factory shows how many processes sit around the printing itself: label printing machines, barcode printers, photopolymer plate processors and hot stamping presses on the print side, plus weaving looms, cut and fold machines, ultrasonic slitting machines and ovens where woven and silicone products are also made. Ultrasonic cutting is valued for printed tapes because it seals synthetic edges as it cuts, so the finished label does not fray in the wash.
Printed vs. Woven Labels
A woven label forms its design from yarns on a loom, so the artwork is part of the fabric: it cannot rub off, it feels substantial, and it suits logos and brand names, but very small text and photographic detail are hard to weave. A printed label puts ink on the surface of a finished tape, so it reproduces small care text, symbols, barcodes and multi-color artwork crisply, and artwork changes cost a plate or a digital file rather than a loom setup.
In practice most garments use both: a woven main label for the brand at the neck, and printed labels for size, content and care where the information is dense and changes between styles. Printed labels are also the practical route for short runs and start-ups, because minimums and setup costs are lower, and for labels whose information — a barcode, a price, a care translation — varies from batch to batch.
Materials, Folds and Finishes
Material choice drives hand feel and durability. Satin tapes give a smooth, slightly glossy face that prints sharply and sits comfortably at a neck. Cotton tapes print with a softer, natural look and are chosen for organic and heritage lines. Coated nylon and polyester tapes are the durable standard for care labels that must stay legible through the garment’s life of washing. The buyer should match the tape to the duty: a fashion brand label can prioritize feel, while a care label must prioritize wash-fastness of the print.
Fold and finish decide how the label attaches. Center-fold labels loop into a side seam or neck seam; end-fold labels sew down at both ends across the neck; straight-cut labels sew on all four sides like a patch or slip into a seam allowance. Specifying size, fold, cut method and sewing allowance on the order — rather than leaving them to the factory’s default — is what makes the delivered label match the garment it was designed for.
Working with a Printed Label Factory
Label factories range from local shops, which suit nearby garment districts and quick turns, to vertically integrated groups that produce where the garments are sewn: facilities across the USA, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, Peru, Hong Kong and China in the case of the largest supplier in this directory, and ISO 9001:200 certified production in another. Producing labels near the sewing factory saves shipping time and import handling, which is why global apparel brands buy label programs, not just labels.
A complete order conversation covers more than the label itself. The same factories supply hang tags, patches, heat transfers, zipper pulls, stickers, tapes and ribbons and price tickets, and brand programs usually consolidate those trims with one supplier so colors and artwork match across every component. Ask about turnaround, minimums, quality control — thorough in-house checking of colors and quality before shipment — and whether eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo woven labels and recycled hang tags are available if the brand requires them.
Printed Label Factories
Manufacturers of printed labels, woven labels and related garment trims. Contact details are given where each factory publishes them.
CBF Labels, Inc.
Since 1992 CBF Labels, Inc. has been a custom designer and manufacturer of labels, apparel trims and promotional products. They provide fast turnaround, low minimums and custom production by working closely with their USA and overseas factories. They manufacture clothing labels and apparel trims including woven labels, printed labels, hang tags, embroidered patches, woven patches, leather and suede patches, rubber and PVC patches, stickers, printed / tag-less transfers, rhinestone and stud transfers, keychains, zipper pulls and tack snap buttons.
Address: 14751 Plaza Drive Suite D, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: 1.714.730.8087. E-mail: cbf@cbflabel.com. Contact: Tiffany Mills.
Clothing Labels 4U.com
Offering custom made woven clothing labels at prices everyone can afford. They also offer iron on and self adhesive tags, car tags, size tags and hang tags, with free samples available, plus eco friendly organic cotton and bamboo woven labels, recycled hang tags with low minimums and cotton printed labels.
Address: 1746 E. Silver Star Rd # 200, Ocoee, FL 34761. Phone: 407-656-5534, or 1800-469-1301. Fax: 407-656-1932. E-mail: LisasBloomers4U@aol.com. Contact: Lisa Rosenberg.
Cruz Label
At Cruz, they believe that their great customer service, fast turnaround, and competitive pricing makes them stand out from the rest of the label pack. They do thorough quality control in-house to ensure the colors and quality of your labels or hang tags are perfect. They love working with start up companies and helping them brand their new clothing venture, but they also will work expediently getting larger volumes done for bigger companies. They supply eco-friendly labels and hangtags and many other promotional items.
Woven Garment Labels / Printed Labels, Hangtags, PVC Badges / Silicone Badges, Cotton Twill, Zipper Pulls, Trimming.
Address: 3250 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 1910, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Contact: Sales department. Phone: 213-389-7658. Fax: 213-232-3318. Email: inquiry@cruzlabel.com.
Finotex
Finotex is a vertically integrated label manufacturing company offering locally produced brand recognition products. As the largest woven and printed label producer in the Western Hemisphere and rapidly growing in Asia, it has become the packaging partner of choice for the top names in the apparel manufacturing industry. Its manufacturing facilities are located in USA, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Peru, Hong Kong and China. Within its product portfolio you will find woven and printed labels, ribbons, heat transfers on rolls and single pieces, hangtags and paper packaging, as well as brand protection products. ISO 9001:200 Certified.
Care Label Manufacturer; Woven and Printed Garment Label Manufacturer; Heat Transfers (Tagless Labeling) / Iron-on Labels; Hangtags and Price Tickets; Tapes and Ribbons; Thermal Printing Bureau; Security Labels; PVC Labels and Patches.
Address: Finotex USA, 6942 NW 50 St. Miami, FL 33166 USA. Tel: 1.800.786.0007. Contact: marketing@finotex.com.
Jointak Industrial Company Limited
They are one of the renowned label manufacturers in Hong Kong. Their head office is located in a self-owned 9 story building with a sophisticated computer network to coordinate the entire operation. They are equipped with various weaving, printing and processing machines for woven, printed and special labels. They started in 1984 with 2 looms and 5 staff, and have been expanding to an industrial group of more than 500 staff and 300 machines/production lines of various types, occupying a total floor area exceeding 25,000 square meters in Hong Kong and China. Individual coordinators are assigned to serve individual customers, facilitated by the company’s information system.
Clothing Label Manufacturer (Printed Labels / Woven Labels); Care Label Manufacturer; Silicon Labels Manufacturer; Printed Labels; Label Printing Machines; Barcode Printers; Photopolymer Plate Processors; Hot Stamping Presses; Woven Labels; VAUPEL Broad Looms; MULLER Broad Looms; MULLER Needle looms; Cut and Fold Machines; Ultrasonic Slitting Machines; Sizing Machines; Bates color Transfer Machines; Silicon Labels Engraving Machines; Ovens / Tunnel Ovens; Silicon Injectors; Ultrasonic Welding Machines; color Mixers; Guillotines.
Labels Inter-Global, Inc.
Industry leading product identification specialists for over 25 years. Labels Inter-Global Inc. is a one-stop solution for product identification needs, providing design and manufacturing services for many different industries with products such as custom clothing labels, hang tags, patches, heat transfer labels, stickers, barcode, RFID, packaging solutions and printer supplies. From their New York City headquarters, to their other strategic locations around the world, they have the ability to serve their clients’ supply chains fast and efficiently.
Products include: Woven Labels, Printed Garment Labels, Clothing Care Labels, Embroidered Patches/Labels, Heat Transfer Labels, Hang Tags, Integrated Hang Tags, Price Tickets, Barcoded Labels and Hangtags, RFID Labels and Tags, PVC/Rubber Patches/Labels, Leather Patches/Labels, Printed Ribbon Tape, Woven Zipper Pulls, PVC Zipper Pulls, Adhesive Labels, Stickers, Packaging, Printer Parts, Accessories and Supplies.
Address: 109W 38th Street, 7th floor, New York, NY 10018. Phone: 212-398-0006 or 1-888-We-R-Labels. Contact: Steve Ziangos.
Long River Label Factory
Manufacturer of all kinds of woven and printed labels and hang tags.
Manufacturer Item # 1: Woven and printing labels. Manufacturer Item # 2: Hangtags. Manufacturer Item # 3: Printed labels, Taping. Manufacturer Item # 4: Laser cut labels. Manufacturer Item # 5: Leather Badges.
Address: Flat 3-7, 18/f., Block B, Wah Tat Industrial Centre, 8-10 Wah Sing Street, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong. Phone: 852-24221686. Email: carollam@longriver.com.hk. Contact: Carol Lam, marketing Promotion Manager.
Maxim Brand Solutions
Maxim Brand Solutions continues to build upon a 29 year reputation of quality brand identification products, offering reliable on time delivery, competitive pricing, and outstanding service to the apparel, retail, home furnishings, and footwear industries. They design, produce and deliver customized programs, with a line that includes woven and printed labels, graphic hang tags, adhesive back labels, sizer strips, carton labels, packaging, boxes, bags, hangers, buttons, price ticketing and other custom branding identification products. Production facilities are located in Shanghai, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, networked through their Chicago area, Wauconda, Illinois office.
Labels (woven and printed), Hangtags, Sizer Strips, Hangers, Price Tickets, Buttons, Packaging materials (bags, boxes), Printed Labels.
Address: 1260 Karl Court, Wauconda, IL 60084. Contact: Robert Gorgone. E-mail: robertgorgone@comcast.net. Phone: 1-207-729-7760. Fax: 1-207-729-7730.
MTW Label Factory Ltd.
They are specialized in producing a wide range of garment accessories products, such as woven label, hangtag, heat transfer, printed labels, metal ornament, leather patch, pvc / rubber patch and screen print products. They also provide OEM/ODM for screen print graphic, rotary print, ultrasonic welding and silicon/pvc implant serving all types of garment, shoe, and handbag factories. They can offer one-stop professional service, from design concept and sample to final product, delivering quality products in the fastest possible time with competitive price.
Woven Label Manufacturer / Printed Labels; Hangtag Manufacturer; Heat Transfer Manufacturer; Patches Manufacturer; Printed Labels.
Pacific Coast Bach Label Co., Inc.
Quality Manufacturers of Apparel Labels Since 1938. Specializing in the manufacturing of printed and woven labels and tags for manufacturers both small and large. Their customers include first time users and the largest retailers in the World.
Manufacturer Item # 1: Garment Labels. Manufacturer Item # 2: Printed Labels. Manufacturer Item # 3: Woven Labels. Manufacturer Item # 4: Hang Tags. Manufacturer Item # 5: Jacquard Trims. Manufacturer Item # 6: Size Tab Labels. Manufacturer Item # 7: Care/content Labels.
Address: 1019 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90021 USA. Phone: 800 394 4455 or 213 612 0314. Fax: 213 629 4465. Email: sales@pcblabel.com.
More from Apparel Search
Common Questions
What is a printed clothing label?
A garment label whose brand, size, content and care information is printed with ink onto a label material such as satin, cotton, nylon or polyester tape, rather than woven into the label on a loom. Printing reproduces small text and multi-color artwork crisply and at low minimums.
When should a brand choose printed labels over woven labels?
Printed labels suit dense information — care instructions, fiber content, barcodes and translations — short runs, and artwork that changes between batches. Woven labels suit durable brand marks at the neck. Many garments use a woven main label plus printed care and size labels.
What should be specified when ordering printed labels?
The tape material, label size, print colors and method, cut and fold type (straight cut, end fold or center fold), and the wash-fastness the print must survive. Confirming turnaround, minimums and quality control with the factory completes the specification.