How to Create Custom Clothing Brand Labels, Hang Tags & Packaging

May 24, 2026

There's a moment every new clothing brand founder has when their first production run arrives: the garment looks great, the print is perfect — but there's no label, no tag, no packaging. It looks like a blank sample, not a product you can sell.

Branding accessories are what transform a garment into a brand. And they're more accessible than most people think.

The Essential Brand Elements for a T-Shirt

Element	Where It Goes	What It Does	Required?
Main Label / Brand Label	Inside back neck	Brand identity, size info	Yes (for brand recognition)
Care Label	Side seam or inside neck	Washing instructions, fiber content	Yes (legally required in US/EU)
Hang Tag	Attached to garment exterior	Brand story, price, barcode	Strongly recommended
Woven Side Label	Left side seam	Additional branding, size indicator	Optional (adds premium feel)
Polybag / Packaging	Around garment	Protection, branding, unboxing experience	Recommended for DTC
Tissue Paper	Inside packaging	Luxury unboxing feel	Optional

Brand Labels: Types and What to Know

Woven Labels

Woven labels are made from thread, giving them a premium texture and durability. They're the most common choice for neck labels in quality clothing brands.

Minimum order: Usually 100–500 pieces
Cost: $0.10–$0.50 per label depending on size and complexity
Best for: Brand name, logo, made-in information

Printed Labels

Printed labels use heat transfer or direct printing. Less textured than woven but can display more detail and colors.

Minimum order: 100–500 pieces
Cost: $0.05–$0.20 per label
Best for: Detailed logos, full-color branding

Heat Transfer Labels (Tagless)

Applied directly to the inside of the garment neck with heat. No physical label sewn in — very clean, premium feel.

Minimum order: 100+ pieces
Cost: $0.15–$0.40 per garment
Best for: Clean, minimalist brand aesthetic; higher comfort for the wearer

Care Labels: What the Law Requires

Care labels are legally required in most markets. Here's what they must include:

Market	Required Information
United States (FTC)	Washing instructions, fiber content %, country of origin
European Union	Fiber content %, country of origin, care symbols (ISO 3758)
United Kingdom	Same as EU post-Brexit; care symbols required
Canada	Bilingual (English/French), fiber content, care instructions

Important: Selling garments without proper care labels can result in fines and product seizures in some markets. Get this right from the start.

Hang Tags: Design Tips

A hang tag is often the first physical touchpoint your customer has with your brand. It should reflect your brand identity and communicate your value. Good hang tags include:

Brand name and logo (front)
A short brand statement or values message (back)
Size and style code
Barcode or QR code (for retail distribution)
Price (if selling retail)
Social media handle or website URL

Packaging Options for T-Shirt Brands

Option	Cost (100 units)	Best For
Plain polybag	$10–$20	Basic protection; minimal branding
Custom printed polybag	$40–$100	Brand visibility; DTC shipments
Tissue paper (plain)	$5–$15	Budget unboxing upgrade
Custom tissue paper	$30–$80	Premium unboxing; brand impression
Mailer box (custom printed)	$100–$250	Premium DTC brands; subscription boxes

How to Order Labels and Packaging

The most efficient approach is to order your brand labels and packaging alongside your garment production — ideally from the same factory or supplier. This keeps everything coordinated and saves on separate shipping costs.

At Storiginator, we handle labels, hang tags, care labels, and packaging as part of our full production service. Everything arrives together, ready to sell. Contact us to include branding in your production order.