Custom clothing labels using iron-on transfers
(©2005, www.grumperina.com. Updated September 13th, 2010. Information and images contained within this tutorial are copyrighted and cannot be used for any unintended purposes without my explicit permission. E-mail me.)
Many people have asked how I make these adorable and completely customized labels for my handknits:
It's simple, cheap, creative, and allows me to put the recipient's name, fabric content, care instructions, and even a little cartoon on the label!
Click here to proceed with the tutorial:
You will need:
- inkjet printer
- iron (no steam!)
- satin ribbon, 5/8" - 1/2" wide, or whatever is suitable for your project
- anti-fraying liquid (Fray Check
- iron-on transfers, whichever are
suitable for your printer. I use the
HP Iron-on Transfers for Color Fabrics
Let's get started!
You will need to design your label using graphic software. I use Adobe Illustrator. You can also use MS Word, Paint, Photoshop Elements, and really any software where you can draw a box and write some text.
Follow the instructions on your iron-on
transfers. For mine, I do not need to make a mirror image: the
exact box/image/text I print ends up glued to the ribbon. So, because
my iron-on transfers are white, whatever areas I do not color, they will
remain white. I like to match the background color of the label to the
color of the ribbon, but a contrasting color could also be interesting.
Your design needs to be a smidgen more narrow (in the vertical direction) than
your ribbon, but basically the size that you want your label to be.
You
can reuse the same iron-on transfer paper over and over again. In order to
be able to do that (or, in order for your printer to be able to do that), you
need to print labels starting from the bottom right corner, cut them off, then work your way
left, then up. I
think you can fit about 3 columns and 10 rows of labels on one sheet, making the
cost of each label only 5 cents!
I think it's a good idea to first print
your label on a plain sheet of paper to make sure it's in the correct position.
Hold the plain sheet of paper and the iron-on transfer together and up to the
light to check this.
This is what the label looks like printed
out. Let it dry for a minute, then use the sharpest scissors you have to
cut it out... if you have a paper cutter, great.
Cut a piece of ribbon about 1/2" longer
than your label. You will fold the excess under.
Follow the directions which came with your iron-on transfers! Here's what I do:
Peel off the backing of the iron-on
transfer paper. You are almost ready to iron. I like to iron on a
very flat, firm surface, so I spread out a pillowcase on my coffee table and
iron right on it.
Position the label on the ribbon
precisely where you want it.
Place
the overlay paper on top; make sure that the label is still properly positioned
on top of the ribbon.
Set your iron to the highest setting, and
make sure there is no steam. Keep the iron moving, be firm, and make sure
to get the entirety of the label, over and over again. As far as I know,
you cannot do anything wrong by ironing for an extra-long time, but the label
will peel off if you iron for too short of a time.
Ta
da!
Now, for the finishing touches:
Fold the edges of the ribbon under the label, carefully place the overlay paper on top, and repeat the ironing procedure. Remember: never take an iron to your naked label, always use the overlay paper in between! Placing the label in direct contact with the iron will ruin your label and your iron!
Trim any threads which have frayed, then
add a drop of Fray Check
All done!
I use regular sewing thread and a needle and carefully stitch the label into the garment. The labels, from my experience, are completely machine-washable.
I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. E-mail me if you have any questions!