Here is my tried and tested method for how to make fabric labels tutorial! I have tested the best method for making fabric labels and this was the most washable and durable method that I tested and the most professional looking, too!
This method uses heat transfer paper and is great for making labels for handmade clothing or just for your handmade items in general. You can also use this method for creating custom clothing labels. This method is very cost effective if you are starting your own little handmade sewing business or t-shirt business, as you can customise the labels to have anything you want on them. I’ll even show you a little hack for making custom one of a kind labels as well. I hope you find this tutorial useful and let me know if you have any feedback!
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You can watch the full step by step video below or scroll on to see the steps in pictures and words
What You’ll Need to Make Fabric Labels at Home
Materials:
- Heat Transfer Paper (you can get it from eBay or Amazon) I use the gloss kind for Inkjet printers
- Wax paper or baking paper
- Cotton (twill tape) tape or ribbon
Tools:
- Publishing program ( I use Microsoft Word) on a computer
- Inkjet printer
- General scissors
- Iron
- Heat Proof surface (I use a flat bottomed pan from the kitchen)
How to Make a Fabric Labels at Home
Step 1
Design your labels in a publishing program of some sort. I use Microsoft Word on my Mac.
Step 2
Before printing, you must make sure you flip your labels horizontally so they come out back to front.
You can do this within the program or from the printer settings. I like to do it through the printer settings.
Step 3
Before you hit the print button, load your Heat Transfer Paper into your printer. I have 2 Inkjet printers and they both load differently. You’ll need to do some testing to workout how to load the paper in so your labels are printed onto the dull side and not the shiny side (if you are using gloss heat transfer paper like I am). Did I mention that you need to make sure you flip the labels horizontally before printing??!
Print!
Step 4
Your labels should now be printed onto the dull side of the heat transfer paper.
Cut the labels out ready to iron onto your preferred ribbon.
Step 5
Take one of your labels and place it printed side down onto the cotton tape or ribbon.
Ensure you have your label on a solid heat proof surface and not an ironing board. An ironing board will be too soft.
Slowly iron the label onto the cotton tape or ribbon, holding in one position for 3-4 seconds before moving the iron on.
Step 6
Leave the label to cool for about 10-15 seconds. (If you are using Matte heat transfer paper the instructions may be different)
Slowly peel the backing paper away from the tape or ribbon.
N.B. Please check the manufacturing instructions that come with your heat transfer paper, as the instructions may differ slightly.
Step 7
Place the wax paper (baking paper works well, too) over the label and press with the iron. this will help press the transfer into the cotton tape or ribbon nicely and it may also take away some of that shine.
Carefully remove the wax paper from the label.
Step 8
Cut your label to size.
Your label is now compete and ready to sew into your next sewing project!
(Apologies for the out of focus picture quality!)
The photo below is a much better example of what your finished labels will look like. The one below was done with satin ribbon.
Below is an example of what the labels look like in a finished project. Such an easy way to add a personalised touch to a gift! (I’ve created a tutorial for these knot bunny loveys now! The design is slightly different as they also have arms in the new design, but it would be easy to not include the arms to get the same result as the knot bunnies below)
Top Time Saving Tip!
Cut the labels out in one long strip of multiple labels and go through the process all at once. This will save time if you are making a large amount of the exact same label.
Unique One of a Kind Labels – Tip To Save Wasted Heat Transfer Paper
Step 1
To make unique one of a kind labels, print off your design onto printer paper.
Step 2
Cut a small piece of the heat transfer paper so it’s big enough to cover the printed labels on the paper.
Sticky tape the heat transfer paper over the printed image on the printer paper.
Place the paper back into printer so the label will be printed onto the same place on the paper.
Step 3
Cut out the labels.
Step 4
You now have unique one of a kind labels and you didn’t need to waste a whole sheet of heat transfer paper! All you need to do now is iron them onto your desired tape or ribbon.
Until next time, happy sewing!
Domenica
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Wow you make this seem so easy! Too cute.
Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight
Thanks for dropping by!
Thank you they are really nice. I am going to try and make the labels. I couldn’t find the thumbs up button.
Thank you!
These are great, Domenica. Featured today.
Thank you very much for featuring this tutorial. Very much appreciated ?.
Great Video. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
Many thanks!
My pleasure ?
Love this, going to try this.
Great. All the best!
I’ve used this method for a some time and find that the image washes away after the first wash. Any secrets to prevent my hard work from washing off?
Hmm…My labels made with the heat transfer paper always washed up the best after multiple washes. Maybe you could try a different brand of heat transfer paper? Not sure what else would cause the issue. I also tested this method with pigment based and dye based ink and they both washed up well.
Thank you! You make it seem very easy! Cannot wait to try this on my creations! 🙂
You’re welcome! I’m sure they will look great ?
Great tutorial! I’ve saved it to Pinterest and shared on other social media. Thanks for linking up with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg. Hope to see you again 🙂
Thank you very much! Glad you like it. I’m sure I’ll be back to link up with you again soon ?.
Do you have a tutorial/pattern for those adorable lovies? They almost look deceivingly simple. I really enjoyed your instructions and video. It was very well put together and thorough.
Hi Mandy. I don’t have a tutorial for the knot bunny lovies, but I think I’ll need to put it on my list of tutorials to make as I’ve had a few people ask about them now! Thanks for your kind words ?
Can you use color ink as well?
You sure can. I’ve got a bit of colour in one of the pictures in the post. Colour labels look fantastic too!
That was great! Thanks. Couldn’t find the thumbs up button.
Thanks! The thumbs up button will be on YouTube if you’re watching there. ?
Great tutorial. Thanks
You mentioned twill tape and cotton or ribbon. Does the difference in washing have to do with the fabric content of what you put it on? Would satin (polyester) ribbon work as well?
The transfer paper that I used seemed to work well on all types of ribbon, but it does cover up the shine of the satin ribbon. The transfer paper doesn’t influence the look of the twill tape much so I recommended that one. In terms of washing, I haven’t tested that one in great depth as I tend to use mostly twill tape. I’ll have to test the durability of both types of ribbon in the wash and let you know ?.
Thank you so much I have always wanted to know how to make these.
I will be using this method for my non-profit organization. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, Thanks for sharing. Love this idea. I have one question, does the heat transfer paper work with a laser printer? I’ve never purchased heat transfer paper.
You need to purchase a different type of transfer paper for laser printers. I bought my transfer paper from eBay and it specifies in the description if it is for Inkjet or a Laser printer, or check with the seller if you’re not sure. Hope that helps.
I’ve been looking for a good tutorial on making labels, and I really believe this one is the best!
Thanks a bunch
Rita
Thanks, Rita! I spent a lot of time testing and this method came up the best. Enjoy!
Really great video!!
Wonderful and practical tutorial, thank you so much.
I sew a lot for my 7 grandchildren, from quilts to doll clothing – this is the best possible way to not only place their name on the item but also to give the children a reminder that it was made for them individually with love
Yes! How great is that!
Great tutorial. Congratulations for being featured over at Sewcanshe. Just wanted to say, your idea to use the flat iron skillet for your hard ironing surface is genius!
Thanks! Needed a hard heatproof surface and that was the best thing I could find in the cupboard ?. In now lives in the sewing room!
Loved your very clear tutorial. I’ve already got heat transfer paper on my list to try this out. Thank you so much for sharing, especially the tip for making individual labels and saving transfer paper!
Could this work with more than one color as well? They are adorable!
You can use any colour that your printer can print!
Would you recommend a twill tape as opposed to a satin or grogain ribbon? Thanks for sharing. Wonderful tutorial! Is there a brand of heat transfer paper you would recommend?
I like twill tape as it washes up really well, but I haven’t washed satin ribbon with the transfer on it a whole lot. The transfer paper takes the shine away from satin ribbon so it’s more noticeable, that’s another reason why I like twill tape. I get my heat transfer paper from eBay in bulk. It’s cheaper than what you would pay in a craft store and I think it works just as well. I don’t think the one I use has a brand name though.
Great tutorial, if you have a Brother. I have an HP and for the life of me (I’ve looked for years) I can’t find the Flip button. I have to copy everything and put it in Paint to flip it, then I have to flip it through the program.
that’s annoying! I do have another way to flip the image when working in MS Word. If you have your image selected there should be an option to ‘flip horizontally’ in the Formatting section. I’m not too sure about flipping text in MS Word though.
Just a little tip. If you wash and press your ribbon/twill tape or whatever you are using, before heat transferring your image, the image will last longer. New fabrics have “sizing” which is a kind of starch and the image will not set properly with the sizing. My daughter did a project like this at school and her’s was the only one that survived washing – everyone else’s faded or washed off after the first laundering.
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you very much for such simple, helpful instruction! I’ll be making some of my own – thanks to you!
Oh you’re welcome! Have fun making the labels!
What settings did you put to get the labels to be long? Love this tutorial but I’m stuck on the first part to figure it out lol
I might have to make a video for this part. Thank you for letting me know. I create my labels in Microsoft Word using boxes and Pictures so it would be a matter of creating the size box that you want the label to be I think.
Thank you a lot for sharing with us this helpful tutorial. You are a professional teacher!!! Congratulations!!
Thank you very much!
Thank you very much for this great tutorial! You made my day…
I found your Video on Pinterest in Germany. It’s great, isn’t it?
Oh awesome! Thanks for visiting ?