Clothing label production technologies 

A clothing label is not only a practical piece of information, but also an important component in building brand identity. Its appearance, durability and workmanship can significantly affect the perception of the entire product. Choosing the right label production technology is an important decision that affects both the aesthetics and functionality of the garment. The modern market offers a wide range of solutions – from classic jacquard labels, through modern sublimation prints, to flexible thermal transfer or screen printing technologies.

Each of these methods has its own unique advantages, capabilities and limitations. For example, jacquard weaving allows for sophisticated, durable patterns, while sublimation provides exceptional abrasion resistance and colour intensity – especially for polyester labels. Thermal transfer printing is ideal for short runs and personalised designs, while flexography and screen printing are economical options for larger quantities and simpler designs.

In our article, we will introduce the most important technologies for producing clothing labels, compare their capabilities, indicate practical applications, and suggest what to look for when choosing a solution for your brand. We will also discuss the challenges and innovations emerging in this field, especially in the context of ecology and sustainable development. We invite you to read on and discover how modern clothing labels can help your products stand out in the market!

Key technologies for label production – an overview

Choosing the right label production technology is a crucial step in the process of creating clothing labels. Each of the available methods produces different visual and functional effects, meeting the needs of both large brands and smaller manufacturers or designers who focus on individuality. Below, we present the most important technologies used in the industry, their specific features, advantages and potential limitations.

Woven labels – weaving technology

Woven labels are synonymous with sophistication and durability in the world of clothing labelling. They are created using a specialised weaving process, during which coloured threads are precisely interwoven according to the design pattern. This makes it possible to reproduce even very detailed logos, monograms or ornaments.

Advantages:

• exceptional durability – the patterns are an integral part of the fabric, they do not wear off or fade even after many washes,
• elegant, noble appearance,
• a wide range of materials, such as cotton, polyester and satin,
• the ability to create multicoloured, complex designs.

Disadvantages:

• higher production costs, especially for small print runs,
• longer production time compared to some printing techniques,
• restrictions on the number of colours for very fine details.

Woven labels are ideal for premium clothing, limited editions, and anywhere else where a brand wishes to emphasise its attention to detail and the prestige of its products.

Sublimation labels

Sublimation is a modern technology for transferring dye onto polyester fabric using high temperatures. The dye „penetrates” the fibre structure, creating a durable, indelible print.

Advantages:

• colour intensity and depth, the ability to reproduce tonal transitions, photographs and photorealistic graphics,
• very high resistance to abrasion and repeated washing,
• the possibility of producing even very short series and personalisation.

Disadvantages:

• technology mainly available for polyester fabrics,
• requires specialised machinery and inks,
• limited efficiency with very high costs.

Sublimation labels are particularly popular in sportswear, technical clothing and children's clothing, where durability and clarity of labelling are key.

Thermal transfer printed labels

Thermal transfer printing, also known as thermal printing, involves transferring a pattern from a colour ribbon onto a selected substrate (e.g. nylon, satin, paper) using a heated head. This allows for fairly precise and clear details.

Advantages:

• sufficient print quality (e.g. layouts, washing instructions, barcodes),
• flexibility for short runs and frequent design changes,

Disadvantages:

• limited colour palette – usually single-colour or multi-layer printing,
• no possibility of printing tonal transitions (gradients) and full photos.
• moderate print durability.

This technology is particularly recommended for the production of information labels and tags requiring customisation.

Labels with flexographic printing

Flexography is a fast and economical printing method using flexible polymer plates. The ink is transferred onto fabric or paper, creating a simple, durable print.

Advantages:

• low costs with high expenditure,
• high production efficiency,
• good reproduction of simple patterns and inscriptions.

Disadvantages:

• limited print quality – less precise reproduction of fine details,
• limited number of colours, no possibility of printing tonal transitions.

Labels produced using flexography are often chosen by major brands for the production of standard information tags, where economy and simplicity of design are important.

Labels made using screen printing

Screen printing is a technique that involves forcing ink through a special screen onto fabric or paper. It allows for intense, saturated colours and the use of various types of ink, including eco-friendly ones.

Advantages:

• vivid, deep colours, even with a small number of layers,
• possibility of printing on various substrates (fabric, paper, eco-leather),
• relatively high print durability.

Disadvantages:

• the need to prepare moulds for each colour (longer preparation time for small series),
• less profitable with very short runs,
• limited number of colours for printing on a single label.

Screen printing is used for both informative and decorative labels, especially where visual effect and colour depth are important.


Each of the technologies described offers different possibilities and works well in different applications. The choice depends on the nature of the brand, budget, expected durability and visual effect. It is worth remembering that more and more customers are also paying attention to environmental aspects – which is why recycled materials and water-based inks are increasingly being used in the production of labels, regardless of the technology chosen.

Advantages and disadvantages of individual technologies

The choice of clothing label production technology is a decision that affects not only the appearance and functionality of the label, but also its durability, production costs, customisation options and environmental aspects. Let's take a closer look at how each technology performs in practice, analysing their advantages and limitations in key areas.

Comparison of durability, colour range and print quality

Jacquard weaving guarantees exceptional durability for labels – the pattern is created from interwoven threads, making it an integral part of the fabric. Such labels are resistant to repeated washing, abrasion and external factors. Their greatest strength is the ability to obtain sophisticated, precise patterns, but the number of colours is limited (compared to digital printing, for example), and very fine details can be more difficult to reproduce.

Sublimation allows for a very durable and deep print – the dye penetrates the structure of the polyester fibre, making the labels resistant to abrasion and washing. This method allows for the reproduction of tonal transitions, photographs and a full colour palette, which is unattainable for most traditional techniques. However, the limitation is the need to use polyester materials.

Thermal transfer printing provides very good quality, especially for clear, fine details such as barcodes or ingredient lists. The print is durable and does not wear off easily, although the colour range is sometimes limited – usually to a few colours or monochrome versions. It also does not allow for smooth tonal transitions.

Flexography works well for simple designs and larger print runs. The durability of the print is satisfactory, but the quality and detail reproduction are not as good as with jacquard or sublimation. The number of colours is limited, and multicolour printing requires the preparation of several matrices.

Screen printing allows for intense, saturated colours and great versatility in terms of substrates. The print is relatively durable, but requires the preparation of matrices for each colour, which limits its cost-effectiveness for very short runs. Tonal transitions are difficult to achieve and the number of colours on a single label is limited.

Production economics and flexibility at different input levels

Each label production technology involves different start-up costs and optimal production scale. Jacquard weaving It is an investment in quality, but with small print runs it can be costly – profitability increases with the size of the series. Production time is longer than with printing techniques.

Sublimation It works perfectly for both short and medium runs – it allows for quick implementation of new designs and personalisation without the need for large investments. However, it requires specialised machinery and materials (mainly polyester).

Thermal transfer printing is highly flexible – perfect for short runs, prototypes and personalised products. Preparation costs are low and lead times are short. Limitations may include efficiency for very large print runs, where other methods become more cost-effective, and questionable print durability.

Flexography This technology is designed for mass production – low unit costs and high efficiency are its greatest advantages. However, for small batches, preparing the plates and setting up the machines may not be cost-effective.

Screen printing works best for medium and large print runs, where the cost of preparing the plates is spread over the number of copies. For very short runs, the unit cost increases, which limits profitability.

Availability of materials and technological limitations

Jacquard weaving offers a wide selection of materials – from cotton to polyester and satin. It is a versatile solution, although not every fabric will work equally well with very fine details.

Sublimation requires polyester materials, which excludes its use on cotton or linen. This is a significant limitation for brands that focus on natural fabrics.

Thermal transfer printing It is versatile – it works well on various surfaces: nylon, satin, paper, and even some types of eco-leather.

Flexography i screen printing also offer a wide selection of substrates, although technological requirements (e.g. adequate absorbency of the material in screen printing) may sometimes limit the choice. For both techniques, it is important to remember to use appropriate inks – today, more and more often eco-friendly, water-based inks.

Issues related to ecology and sustainable development are also important. Labels made from recycled materials, printed with water-based inks or produced in processes that minimise energy and water consumption are becoming increasingly popular. Technology should therefore be selected not only for its visual effect and cost, but also for its compatibility with brand values and the expectations of conscious consumers.

Which technology for which application? Practical tips

Choosing the right technology for producing clothing labels is not only a matter of technical capabilities, but above all of matching the solution to the nature of the product, market segment and expected functionality. In this section of the article, we present practical tips to help you choose the right production method depending on the type of clothing, brand image and specific functional requirements.

Selecting labels for the type of clothing and market segment

Each segment of the clothing market and different types of products require a different approach to labelling. The choice of the right label technology should take into account not only aesthetic qualities, but also functionality, durability and customer expectations.

Premium clothing and limited collections:

For luxury brands, capsule collections and high-value products, details that emphasise the prestige of the brand are crucial. Here, the following work best: woven labels, which, thanks to advanced weaving techniques, allow for sophisticated patterns, monograms and subtle logos to be created. Their durability and elegance cannot be overestimated – the label becomes an integral part of the product, increasing its perceived value.

Sports and technical clothing:

In the active and outdoor clothing segment, durability, wash resistance and colour intensity are the most important factors. For these applications, we recommend sublimation labels – this technology guarantees a durable, vivid print, ideal for polyester fabrics, which are commonly used in sportswear. Importantly, sublimation allows for the reproduction of even very dynamic graphics and photographs, which further enhances the visual identity of the product.

Everyday fashion, casual wear and children's clothing:

For everyday wear, both sublimation printed labels, as well as screen printing. Sublimation allows for quick implementation of short runs and personalisation — it is an ideal solution for smaller brands, designers or manufacturers who want to easily change designs or introduce limited collections. Screen printing However, it enables intense colours to be achieved on cotton, satin or eco-leather, which is visually appealing, especially in children's clothing.

Mass-market clothing, basic products and underwear:

For large print runs and simple designs, where economy and repeatability are important, the following will work best: flexographic labels. Flexography allows for quick and inexpensive product labelling while maintaining satisfactory quality. These types of labels are most commonly used in basic collections, underwear, T-shirts and workwear.

Handmade products and limited editions:

Craftspeople, designers and small manufacturers often need flexible solutions that allow for frequent design changes and low production runs. This is where sublimation printing possibly for slightly larger investments screen printing – both methods allow for the production of relatively small batches of labels without high start-up costs, while maintaining high quality and customisation options.

The impact of the chosen technology on the image and functionality of the label

The technology used to produce labels is not only a practical matter – it is also an important element in building a brand image and emphasising its value. When choosing how to make a label, it is worth considering what message and emotions we want to evoke in our audience.

Prestige and attention to detail:

Jacquard labels are a symbol of high quality, attention to detail and traditional craftsmanship. By choosing this technology, we communicate to our customers our commitment to classic design and uncompromising standards of workmanship – the label becomes almost a piece of jewellery, which will be appreciated by the most demanding customers.

Modernity and innovation:

Brands that want to emphasise their modern character and openness to innovation often use sublimation labels. The intensity of colours, the possibility of reproducing photographs or graphics, and the durability of the print fit perfectly with a dynamic, youthful or sporty image.

Ecology and sustainable development:

More and more consumers are paying attention to the origin and production methods of labels. Printing on recycled materials, using water-based inks in screen printing, or choosing natural fabrics for jacquard labels are elements that strongly support the brand's eco-friendly image. Information about the use of eco-friendly solutions already included on the label itself is an additional advantage in communication with the customer.

Functionality and ease of use:

In sportswear, children's clothing and technical clothing, comfort is often key – the label must not irritate the skin and should be soft and flexible. Thermotransfer and sublimation printed labels, made on delicate, smooth materials, ensure comfort of use and do not cause irritation.

Personalisation and uniqueness:

For small brands and handmade creators, the ability to quickly implement new designs and personalisation is of great value. Sublimation printing and eco-leather engraving allow you to experiment with colours, shapes and messages, making each series or even individual product unique.

Environmental aspects of label production

The modern textile industry is constantly evolving towards greater environmental responsibility. This also applies to product labelling – clothing labels, although small, can play a significant role in building an eco-friendly brand image and in the practical implementation of sustainable solutions. In this chapter, we outline the most important ecological aspects of label production that are worth considering when choosing technologies and materials.

Modern materials and environmentally friendly solutions

An eco-friendly approach to label production begins at the material selection stage. More and more brands and manufacturers, including HUUFT, are turning to solutions that reduce their negative impact on the environment without compromising on the quality and aesthetics of their labels.

Recycled materials

Recycled fabrics are becoming very popular in the production of labels – both polyester recovered from PET bottles and processed cotton or cellulose fibres. Jacquard, printed or sublimation labels can now be produced from such materials, which minimises the consumption of primary raw materials and reduces waste.

Natural and biodegradable raw materials

Natural materials are also becoming increasingly popular – organic cotton, linen and FSC-certified paper. These solutions work particularly well for jacquard and printed labels, as well as hang tags and tags. Eco-leather labels (i.e. synthetic leather based on cellulose or corn) are another example of a solution that combines durability with ecology.

Water-based paints and eco-friendly colourants

Another important environmental aspect is the use of water-based inks and pigments free from harmful chemicals. Methods such as screen printing are increasingly using eco-friendly inks – not only do they reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, but they are also safer for the health of users and production workers. At our company, we use sublimation inks with OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT certification.

Process optimisation

Modern technologies enable the optimisation of energy and water consumption during the production of labels. Examples include energy-efficient machines for thermal transfer printing, weaving and sublimation, as well as processes that minimise post-production waste. More and more factories are also implementing closed-loop systems, where material residues are reused.

Challenges and trends in sustainable development

The implementation of eco-friendly solutions in the production of clothing labels is not only an opportunity but also a challenge for the entire industry. However, we are observing several clear trends that are changing the approach to product labelling.

Growing consumer awareness

Buyers are increasingly paying attention to the origin and composition of labels – both for environmental reasons and for their own comfort. Information about the raw materials used, certificates and eco-friendly production processes is becoming an important element of brand communication, placed directly on the label or hangtag.

Technological and economic challenges

The transition to recycled, natural or biodegradable materials requires the adaptation of machinery and production processes. The costs of implementing new methods may be higher, especially at the beginning, and the availability of some raw materials (e.g. certified organic cotton) is still limited. In addition, certain technologies, such as sublimation, require specialised chemicals and machinery, which can pose a challenge in terms of environmental management.

Innovations in the label industry

In response to market expectations, increasingly innovative solutions are being developed, such as biodegradable films for thermal transfer printing, seed paper labels that sprout when planted, and advanced digital printing systems that minimise waste and energy consumption. Companies investing in such technologies gain a competitive advantage and build an image of a responsible brand.

Certifications and transparency

International certifications such as OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and FSC are playing an increasingly important role. They confirm that the labels meet the highest environmental and social standards and that their production respects the environment and workers' rights.

Summary and recommendations for clothing brands

Today, clothing label production technologies offer a wide range of solutions that enable the creation of labels perfectly tailored to the needs of each brand – from luxurious jacquard details to functional and durable sublimation labels, flexible thermal transfers, economical flexographic labels and eye-catching screen-printed labels. Each of these technologies has its advantages and limitations: jacquard weaving guarantees durability and a prestigious appearance, sublimation allows for a full colour palette and high abrasion resistance, heat transfer works well for short, personalised series, flexography ensures speed and low costs for large print runs, and screen printing allows for intense colours on various substrates.

The final choice of technology should take into account not only the nature of the product and brand positioning, but also environmental issues, production scale and customer expectations. Each method works well in different applications – jacquard in premium fashion, sublimation in sportswear, thermal transfer and screen printing in handmade collections and short runs, and flexography in mass production. It is also worth remembering the challenges: investments in modern machinery, the need to acquire specialist knowledge and growing expectations regarding sustainable development.

In summary, a label is not just information – it is an important element in building a brand image. The right choice of label production technology not only allows you to distinguish your products from the competition, but also emphasises your company's values, such as attention to detail, quality and ecology. As the HUUFT team, we encourage you to take a conscious approach to labels – they often determine the first impression and leave a lasting impression on the audience.