Labels for Bags and Accessories: Metal, Leather, Woven and Silicone
Bags and accessories carry a brand in a different way from clothing. They are handled every day, rubbed against bodies, desks and car seats, and often never washed, yet the outside label is seen by everyone around the owner. The right label for a bag therefore has to suit the material, survive abrasion and attach securely to thick or layered construction. This guide covers the main labels for bags and accessories, how each one is attached, and where it typically goes on totes, backpacks, wallets, belts and caps.
The main label types for bags and accessories
Metal plates and emblems
A metal logo plate gives leather goods, backpacks and luggage a solid, premium accent. Plates are usually made from zinc alloy, brass, aluminium or stainless steel, with the logo cast, stamped, engraved or filled with enamel. All our metal labels are nickel-free; finishes such as gold, silver, gunmetal or a nickel-look finish describe the colour only. Our metal labels guide explains materials and logo methods in depth; here we focus on how plates work on bags.
Leather and faux leather patches
Leather patches suit canvas totes, backpacks, caps and travel goods, and they age well with use. Genuine leather develops character over time, while PU or other faux leather offers consistent colour and a vegan option. Logos are embossed, debossed, laser-engraved, hot-foil stamped or printed. See our leather labels for materials and thicknesses.
Woven labels
A woven label is the most versatile textile option: as a flag in a side seam, a loop at the top of a zip, a flat label stitched on the outside of a pocket or a brand label inside the lining. Damask and satin weaves resist abrasion and keep fine detail sharp.
Silicone and rubber labels
Silicone, PVC and TPU labels bring colour and 3D relief to sports bags, backpacks, outdoor gear and children's accessories. They are flexible, water-resistant and easy to wipe clean. The material choice is compared in silicone vs rubber labels.
Inside labels
Many bags carry a second label inside: in the lining seam, on the inside pocket or on a small leather tab next to the zip. It is the place for the logo, the product name, care instructions or a QR code that links to product information.
How each label is attached
Attachment is where bag labels differ most from garment labels. The method must be decided before production of the bag itself, because holes, reinforcements and backing plates are built into the panels.
| Method | Used with | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screws (posts with screw backs) | Metal plates | Leather bags, luggage, rigid panels | Very firm; attach before the lining is closed |
| Rivets | Metal plates, leather patches | Totes, backpacks, belts, denim bags | Permanent; needs rivet setting tools |
| Prongs (claws) | Metal plates and emblems | Canvas, leather, thick textiles | Prongs fold flat behind; add a backing plate on soft material |
| Stitching | Leather, woven, silicone labels; metal plates with sew holes | Almost every bag type and caps | Flexible and secure; stitch line becomes part of the design |
| Seam insertion | Woven and printed labels | Side seams, lining seams, zip ends | Folded label caught in the seam during assembly |
| Heat application | Silicone labels, heat transfers | Smooth synthetic fabrics | Test on the fabric first; not for leather |
| Adhesive | Metal plates, stickers | Hard cases, boxes, packaging | For rigid surfaces; combine with mechanical fixing where possible |
Tip: on soft bags, always reinforce the area behind a metal plate or leather patch with an interlining or a small backing piece. It spreads the load, keeps the label flat and stops prongs or rivets from tearing through over time.
Durability: what bag labels have to withstand
- Abrasion: outer labels on backpacks and totes rub against clothing and surfaces. Rounded corners and slightly bevelled edges on metal plates wear more gracefully than sharp ones; dense damask weaves resist scuffing better than open weaves.
- Weight and flexing: heavy plates on thin fabric pull and tilt. Keep plates in proportion to the panel and fix them through at least two points.
- Moisture and weather: silicone and stainless steel cope best with rain and outdoor use; genuine leather needs a sealed finish if the bag will be used outdoors.
- Cleaning: bags are wiped rather than washed. If a textile tote is designed to be machine-washed, choose labels and attachments that are wash-tested together with the bag.
Placement on different products
| Product | Common outside label | Typical position | Typical size (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas tote | Leather patch, woven label, small metal plate | Front panel near the top edge, or a woven flag in the side seam | 40 × 25 to 70 × 50 |
| Backpack | Metal plate, silicone or leather patch | Front pocket or flap, centred | 40 × 10 to 80 × 50 |
| Wallet / card holder | Debossed logo, slim metal plate | Lower corner of the front or inside the fold | 20 × 5 to 30 × 8 |
| Belt | Leather or metal tab, embossed logo | Inside near the buckle or on the end tip | 20 × 10 to 40 × 15 |
| Cap | Leather, woven or silicone patch; metal emblem | Front panel; small woven flag on the side or back | 60 × 40 to 90 × 55 front; 15 × 30 side flag |
| Beanie | Woven label or leather patch | On the folded cuff | 50 × 25 to 70 × 40 |
| Travel bag / luggage | Metal plate with screws, leather tab | Front panel or next to the handle | 40 × 15 to 80 × 30 |
These sizes are typical starting points; we produce custom sizes and shapes to suit your product. For general advice on proportions, read how to choose label size.
Combining labels into one system
A coherent bag range often uses a family of labels: a metal plate on the outside, a woven label in the lining, a leather tab on the zip pull and a printed care label inside. Using the same logo version, colours and finish across all of them makes the collection feel finished. Producing them in one order also keeps colour matching consistent between materials.
Labelling rules for textile bags
Under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, products made of at least 80% textile fibres by weight count as textile products, so many fabric totes and backpacks need a fibre composition label in the language of the country where they are sold. Our article on EU care label requirements explains what has to appear. Leather goods are not covered by that regulation, but a small inside label with care advice is still helpful for customers.
Ordering labels for bags
Tell us the bag type, the material of the panel, the attachment method and the size you have in mind, and send your logo. Our designers return a digital proof typically within 24–48 h, physical samples are available before production, and production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval. The minimum order is usually 1,000 pcs per design. Textile materials are OEKO-TEX certified.
Planning a bag or accessories range? A dedicated contact person supports you at every step, from label choice to attachment details. Request a quote for your bag labels.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of label is best for a bag?
It depends on the material and style: metal plates suit leather bags and backpacks, leather patches suit canvas totes and caps, silicone labels suit sports and outdoor bags, and woven labels work almost everywhere.
How are metal labels attached to bags?
With screws, rivets, prongs or stitching through sew holes. Screws and rivets give the firmest fixing on leather and luggage; prongs are fast on canvas. Reinforce soft panels behind the plate.
Where should the label go on a tote bag?
Usually centred on the front panel near the top edge, or as a woven flag in the side seam. A second label inside the lining can carry composition and care details.
Do textile bags need a composition label in the EU?
Products made of at least 80% textile fibres by weight count as textile products under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, so many fabric totes and backpacks need fibre composition labelling.
Are your metal labels for bags nickel-free?
Yes. All our metal labels are nickel-free. Names such as nickel-look describe only the colour of the finish.
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Read articleTell us about your labels
Send the label type, size, quantity and your deadline. We usually reply within one working day with a price and a recommendation.
- Usual MOQ 1,000 pcs per design
- Samples before production
- Production 10–20 working days
- Delivery across Europe