Chapter-7: Label & Motif

Label:
 Label is a tag that indicates or gives a description of a
garment for the purpose of aiding the consumer in
selection of garments.
 It also provides different instructions about the garments.
 In today’s times, labels actually help in selling a garment.
Customers decide whether to buy a piece of apparel or
not on the basis of its label.
 Labels are sewn to the garment using sewing machine.
 Sometimes it is also attached with heat and pressure.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif
Functions of Label
 They communicate the size of the garment.
 It communicates how to care for the garment and other
special instructions about it.
 They communicate the name of the manufacturer.
 They communicate the brand. Different manufacturers
use their own special type of labels to create their own
distinct identity.
 Labels communicate to the customer what types of
materials have been used in making the garment.
 Each brand produced by the manufacturer is usually
distinguishable on the basis of a special symbol or word.
This is reflected through the label. The customer looks to
the label of a garment to identify the brand and thereby,
gauge the quality of the product.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif

Production of Labels

 Garment labels can be made using several fabrics (satin,

taffeta etc.), in different types of finishes and can be
attached to the garment in different styles. These decisions
depend upon the manufacturer.
 Labels can be produced as individual pieces or in the form
of a continuous roll. When the production is done in the
continuous roll form, individual labels are then cut out and
attached to the garment.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif

Classification of Labels:
According to function labels are mainly three types –
 Main label
 Size label
 Care label
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif
Main label:
This label is the identity of a buyer. In fact, no garment is
ordered by any buyer without main label. It can be
woven or printed. Generally sewn at Centre Back (in neck
of tops), Inner Yoke/Collar (in Shirts), Centre Back (in
waist of bottoms) etc.
Information Contained on Main Label:
 Brand/Buyer name
 Brand logo
 Size of the garment may be there
 Fit information of the garment may also be there
 Brand establishment year
 Trade mark etc.
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Size label:
This label simply shows the size of the garment. Sometimes
size is mentioned on main label. In this case, no size label
is required. This may be woven or printed label.
Generally, it is sewn below or at the side of main label.
Information Contained on Size Label:
 Size of the garment (like; S,M,L,XL, 38,40,42 etc.)
 Sometimes country of origin is also found there.
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Care Label:
Care Label includes wash care and ironing instruction. The
purpose of care labels is to warn wearers what to do & what
not to do to during washing, drying and ironing to maintain
color, specific printed designs, after wash shrinkage and
color bleeding issues. Generally, it is a printed label sewn at
side seam (tops), neck line (tops), center back (waist of
bottoms), front waist (bottoms) that provides various care
instruction in one or multi languages.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif
Information Contained on Care Label:
 Fabric Composition (Fiber content )
 Fabric Construction
 Wash care symbols
 Wash care instructions
 Ironing instruction
 Dry cleaning instruction
 Drying instruction
 Sometimes size of the garment may be there
 Country of origin is found there as well
 Barcode etc.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif
Other Types of Label:
Composition label:
Composition label contain the information about the
composition of the garments. What types of materials are
used to produce the garments like 100% cotton, 90% cotton
10% polyester, 95% cotton 5% spandex etc.

Country of Origin label:

It contains the name of that country from where the
garment has been manufactured. This information can also
be given to the main label, then it will not be required.
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Labeling styles
There are several styles in which a label can be
attached to a garment:
Center Fold:
One of them is the center folded style. Usually, such
labels have the brand name and/or symbol on the front
part, with the materials used as well as care
instructions on the back of the label. This style provides
the manufacturer with more space, so that all the
necessary details can be included. It also takes care of
the problem of the back of the label showing.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif
Loop Fold:
Same as the center fold but the label is not creased
flat. It is normally sewn into the side seam.
End Fold:
Another style is the end folded style, where in the left
and right sides of the label are tucked behind and
stitched on to the garment.
Straight Cut:
Yet another style is the fuse cut or straight cut style, in
which there are no folds and all the ends are sewn on to
the garment. This style is also called the all ends
finished label.
Miter Fold:
A miter fold label is cut off at a 45-degree angle at both
ends or the ends of the label are folded under and up
creating a tab to be sewn into the seam.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif
Heat Transfer Label/ Heat Seal Label:
Heat transfer label is used as an alternative of main
label. The function of heat transfer label and main
label is almost same. Heat Transfers provide imagery
and text fused to fabric for permanent messaging and
appeal.
Following is a Sample of Method of Application of Heat
Transfer Label:
• Set pressure medium to heavy 30-40 PSI
• Set temperature at 165-175 degrees Fahrenheit
• Time 3-6 seconds for Hot Peel.
• Time 10-12 seconds for Cold Peel.
But this recipe of attaching heat transfer label may
vary. The recipe mentioned above is a sample recipe.
 Chapter-7: Label & Motif

Quality of Labels:
 Labels must contain right information about the
garment.
 Dimension of the label should be accurate.
 No missing letters in the words of label
 Must have good color fastness
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Motif
To increase the attractiveness of garments special
components are used. These components are named as
motif. It is attached outside the garments. Most of the
motifs are designed by embroidering and some cases
printed design is also used. Motif can be joined to the
garments by sewing.
Motif contains following things:
• Company name
• Various kinds of symbols
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Comparison between Label & Motif:

Label Motif
1. Label is a tag that indicates 1. Motif is a decorative figure
or gives a description of a applied on the garments for
garment for the purpose of decorative purpose.
aiding the consumer in
selection of garments.
2. Generally labels are attached 2. Motifs are attached outside
inside the garments. of the garments.
3. The labels are made by 3. The motifs are made by
woven, printing with instruction embroidering.
of a garment.
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Comparison between Label & Motif:

4. A label contains size, fiber 4. A motif contains a company
content, type of fiber, care name or some kinds of symbols.
instruction, country of origin,
company name and so on.

5. Label is a must needed part of any 6. Motif is an optional part of any

garments. garments.
6. It is used for functional & 6. It is used for decorative
sometimes decorative purpose. purpose only.
7. It is used in all types of garments. 7. It is used only for fashionable
garments.