DIY clothing labels
December 13, 2011
For years I’ve been putting “tags” in the clothes I make. They’re nothing special, literally just loops of ribbon that tell the wearer (or the parent dressing them) which is the back side of the garment.
But I’ve wanted labels. I’ve researched, planned, and hunted everywhere for them, but nothing I found really pleased me. I don’t want to buy 500 labels at once. What if I change my mind? I also didn’t like the idea of not really knowing what they’d look like and feel like until I had them in my hand. So when I ran across this tutorial on Pinterest recently (find me here), I was stoked.
The idea is about all I took from the tutorial, though. I figured out a decently easy way to make these in Microsoft Word and went at it. I’m thrilled with the outcome!
The best part about making my own labels is that they’re DIRT CHEAP. Like 4 cents each!
I started by getting my image ready. I took a thumbnail my sister created for me and tweaked it. Instead of pink on black, I made it black on white. I then saved it and opened the image in Microsoft Word by going to Insert -> Image -> From File.
Then right click on your image and choose Edit Picture. Once the edit box is open, right click again and choose Format Picture. Choose the Size tab and change the size of your image to fit the ribbon. My ribbon is 7/8″ so I made the image a .75″ square.
Once it’s the right size, click on that little icon to Reset Picture Boundary (this may look different on Word for a PC).
Then go to View -> Formatting Palette
Choose the little arrow next to Free Rotate for a drop down menu. One of the options will be Flip Horizontal. Choose that one to flip your image.
Your image will now be reversed. Click on Close Picture and it will take you back to your document with a flipped image.
**I’m sorry some of these are blurry, I’m not sure why!
Then adjust your margins (I made mine all .5″) and go to Format -> Columns and make as many columns as your image will allow. I was able to make 7.
Then right click on your image and choose Copy.
Then paste away through the columns until you fill the page!
I printed on a regular piece of paper first to make sure I didn’t need to make any adjustments. Then I printed 1 sheet on my iron transfer paper and started cutting!
For my labels I used 1 spool of 7/8″ white satin ribbon and 1 sheet of iron-on transfer sheets. They yielded me 54 labels and I still have a few transfers left (because 1 sheet gave me 70)!
The ribbon was $1.97 at Walmart. The transfer paper I got at Michael’s. It’s normally $9.99 but I had a 40% coupon, making it $5.99, or $.60 per sheet. The ribbon is 18′ long, or 216 inches. I cut it in 4″ sections yielding me 54 labels total.
$1.97/54 = $.036
$.60/70 = $.008
.036 + .008 = $.044 cents each!! So to make 54 labels cost me $2.40 and took me about an hour!
To make the labels I took 1 piece of ribbon and 1 transfer.
I put the image down on the ribbon, lining the bottom of it up at the 2″ mark so it would be on the top of the label (in the tutorial I found, her images are on the bottom for how I use them).
Then using only the tip of the iron and focusing only on the transfer, I gently pressed and counted to 5. There’s no need to leave them longer than that.
I left the paper on the transfers and I’ll peel them off as I use them.
I’m so excited this worked! I haven’t tried washing them yet, so I don’t know how they’ll stand up in the wash. But even if the images eventually wear off, it’s a ribbon label which is what I was using anyway!
Posted in
December 13th, 2011 at 11:41 PM
I have seen so many tutes for DIY labels are these are the easiest ones i have seen especially since i have all that stuff at home already and i change my brand – like constantly..the last lot i bought cost me 150!!!
I like 4c much better.
Ta
M
December 14th, 2011 at 2:46 AM
This is a really great idea! I love the way you’ve done it, great tutorial.
December 14th, 2011 at 9:51 PM
This is genius, I love it!
December 15th, 2011 at 8:28 PM
This is so awesome! and I love your design. You have a nice blog with great information! Good Job!
December 16th, 2011 at 1:38 AM
Thanks so much for this! I sew most of my children’s clothes and I’ve been dying for ‘real’ labels ( I use ribbon loops too)! You can’t beat the price of these.
I can’t wait to get started
December 16th, 2011 at 3:47 PM
I made my own using the same technique, but they only held up to about 2-3 washes
If yours hold up better, let me know! I am really disappointed.
katie@iamnotageek.com
December 17th, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Ingenious! I’ll try it. Hope they don’t wash out.
December 18th, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Yes anything printed out by inkjet printers will wash out. Have you ever thought of having a stamp made and then using Staz On ink to stamp your ribbon.. It lasts forever.
December 19th, 2011 at 8:39 PM
This is a great tutorial! Thank you for sharing.
One awesome benefit to having tags that I’ve found is that if you go to sell the clothes to a resale shop, they are more likely to take them and you’ll get a better price too because they are “boutique” type clothes!
December 20th, 2011 at 10:27 AM
I just found your blog have been pouring over it for an hour or two – it is great! Your tutorials are amazing; so clear and the pictures so helpful. I can’t wait to get sewing!
Do you have any tutorials or patterns for nursing shirts? We are expecting our second child in early February and I would love to make a few. They are so expensive!
Thanks for sharing so many great ideas and projects!
December 26th, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Boo. But thanks for the idea! I found a seller on etsy I’m going to contact about creating a stamp for me from my image. So thank you!
January 13th, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Thank you so much for this great tutorial! I finally have labels for my baby booties!
I also posted a link to your blog on my facebook page – hope that’s ok!
http://www.facebook.com/charliesgiraffe
BIG THANKS!
January 14th, 2012 at 2:48 PM
I’ve been looking around for a good tutorial on fabric labels. This looks like the best option for me. Thank you for sharing this! I can’t wait to try it out.
February 16th, 2012 at 8:24 PM
This label tut is awesome…Thanks so much!!!
patti
February 28th, 2012 at 8:04 PM
I finally have labels for my baby booties!
I also posted a link to your blog on my facebook page – hope that’s ok!
March 22nd, 2012 at 2:51 PM
So glad my tutorial inspired you. Your labels look great!
May 24th, 2012 at 4:59 PM
Wow! Thanks for sharing this. My custom label problem is solved!
June 27th, 2012 at 3:24 PM
THIS is ABSOLUTELY and TOTALLY freaking amazing!!! I know it’s just labels, but this just makes my life as a designer who has to worry about making products and marketing products and seeing to customers and organising staff and EVERYTHING ELSE, THAT MUCH EASIER! while still fulfilling that creative need in me. It’s convenient to get it made in mass amounts but doing it like this brings the love and detail back into the work. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!
August 18th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
This is the Best tutorial I’ve found on DIY labels. Can’t wait to make mine. Thank you for taking the time to make the tutorial. Thanks Again Happy Sewing!!
September 4th, 2012 at 3:15 PM
So that you are not wasting labels, why don’t you keep them on roll and slowly just keep pulling out ribbon and keep on ironing.
October 31st, 2012 at 6:26 AM
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing:)
December 10th, 2012 at 11:54 PM
This is such a great tutorial – thank you!
December 19th, 2012 at 6:15 PM
This is crazy awesome. I’ve been searching for something easy and inexpensive for my labels, this is perfect!
March 2nd, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Great tutorial!
How do you keep the cut ends of the ribbon from fraying over time?
April 23rd, 2013 at 11:47 AM
Thank you! I have been wondering if there was a nice, but cost efficient way to make tags for my little creations. Thank you so much.
May 10th, 2013 at 8:05 AM
Great idea and information!! I am going to give it a try. Thanks so much!!
May 19th, 2013 at 11:53 AM
All I can say is : GENIUS!