The Complete Guide To Woven Labels

Discover everything about woven labels—from types and materials to design tips and how to use them on your products.

If you’re building a brand, launching a handmade line, or looking for a polished finishing touch, woven labels are one of the best ways to add personality and professionalism to your products.

From understanding what they are to choosing the right size, color, and logo placement, this guide covers everything you need to know about custom woven labels, like how they’re made, how to use them, and how to make them uniquely yours.

Understanding Woven Labels

What Are Woven Labels?

A woven label is a type of fabric label where the design—typically your logo, brand name, or care information—is woven directly into the label using colored threads. Unlike printed labels, the text and graphics are integrated into the weave itself, making them both durable and visually refined.

Woven labels are most commonly used on:

  • Fashion garments
  • Handmade items
  • Accessories
  • Children’s clothing
  • Small business products

They’re a go-to for makers looking to balance quality, durability, and aesthetic.

Benefits of Woven Labels

Woven labels are a favorite among clothing brands, and for good reason. Here’s why:

  • Long-lasting – Your design won’t fade or peel because it's woven into the fabric
  • Professional look – Clean lines and crisp details enhance your brand presence
  • Versatile – Ideal for neck labels, side seams, hem tags, or exterior branding
  • Comfortable – Soft against the skin, even for baby or kidswear
  • Low MOQ options – Great for startups and handmade businesses

Whether you’re creating high-end fashion or woven labels for clothing you sell on Etsy, woven is the gold standard.

Woven Labels Durability

Because the thread forms both the base and design of the label, woven clothing labels are incredibly durable. They’re resistant to frequent washing, heat, and wear, which is ideal for items that will see daily use or go through laundry cycles, like sportswear or children’s clothing.

Types of Woven Labels & How They're Made

Types of Woven Labels

There are several types of woven labels, each suited for different placements, garments, or preferences:

  • Flat labels – A single-sided label with no folds. Sewn directly onto the garment.
  • Center fold labels – Folded in half, often used in necklines. Can feature branding on one side, care info on the other.
  • End fold labels – Folded inward on the ends, ideal for external branding or hem tags.
  • Loop fold labels – Similar to center fold but with a loop shape for added flexibility.
  • Manhattan fold labels – A center fold label with a tucked edge for extra polish.

Each woven label type offers different display and sewing options depending on the product. For more information on label folds, take a look at our label fold guide

How Are Woven Labels Made?

Woven labels are created on looms that interlace threads based on your design file. At Dutch Label Shop, we use damask weaving, which allows for fine detail and soft finish. Here’s a simplified step-by-step:

  1. Your design is digitized into a loom-ready pattern
  2. The loom weaves the design using selected thread colors
  3. Labels are cut, folded, and heat-sealed (if needed)
  4. Each label is checked for quality before shipping

This process ensures your custom woven labels are both crisp in appearance and built to last.

Designing Your Custom Woven Label

Creating a standout woven label is all about thoughtful design and smart customization.

Woven Labels With Logo

Your woven labels with logo are an extension of your brand. For best results, use a simplified version of your logo with clean lines and minimal fine detail—this ensures clarity when woven with thread.

Woven Labels Color Options

Most woven labels allow up to 4–6 colors per design. At Dutch Label Shop, we offer a wide color palette so you can match your brand’s look—whether you’re going bold or subtle. You can also choose background and border colors to enhance contrast.

Woven Labels Size Guide

Choosing the right woven label size depends on where it will be placed and how much info you want to include. Here's a quick guide:

  • Flat labels: Recommended size is 60mm x 15mm. Best used for external branding or side seam placement.
  • Center fold labels: Recommended size is 50mm x 30mm, which folds down to 25mm. These are ideal for neck labels, especially when you want to include both a logo and size info.
  • End fold labels: Recommended size is 60mm x 20mm, with 7mm folds on each end. These work well for exterior tags, hems, or accessories where a polished finish is key.

Using Woven Labels In Your Products

Woven Labels for Handmade Items

Woven labels for handmade items add an instant sense of craftsmanship. They make your work feel finished and retail-ready, whether it’s knitted scarves, hand-sewn bags, or quilted blankets.

Woven Labels for Kidswear

Softness and safety matter most for children’s clothing. We recommend cotton-based woven labels or damask labels with folded edges to avoid irritation. Bold colors and easy-to-read fonts help, too.

How To Attach Woven Labels

Woven labels can be attached in different ways, such as:

  • Sewn in by hand or machine (most common)
  • Stitched into seams or hems
  • Applied using heat-activated adhesive (on select label types)

Choose a sewing method that suits your product and production process. If you're just starting out, flat or end-fold labels are the easiest to apply.

Finding The Right Manufacturer

Choosing the right partner for your labels is just as important as the design itself. A quality woven labels manufacturer should offer:

  • Low minimum order quantities
  • A variety of fold and size options
  • Customizable design tools
  • Reliable shipping
  • Excellent customer support

Dutch Label Shop makes ordering custom woven labels easy. Whether you're a solo creator or an emerging brand, we provide premium quality with flexible order sizes, so you can grow without compromise.

Start Creating Your Woven Labels Today

Now that you know the types, benefits, design options, and how to use woven labels for clothing, you’re ready to take your branding to the next level.

Start designing your custom woven labels now with Dutch Label Shop’s easy-to-use label maker and bring your brand’s identity to life—one stitch at a time.

Subscribe to our newsletter, marketing and discount emails.

Dutch Label Shop ships all throughout New Zealand, from Auckland to Wellington, Hamilton to Christchurch, and everywhere in-between. Plus, we ship worldwide, too!