Labels for Knitwear: Soft Labels, Placement and Care for Wool and Cashmere

Labels for knitwear have a harder job than labels on woven garments. A sweater stretches, drapes and sits close to the skin, so a stiff or scratchy label is noticed immediately, and a heavy label can pull a fine knit out of shape. At the same time, knitwear is often a premium category where the brand label, the care instructions for wool and cashmere and small details such as a leather tab make a real difference to how the product is perceived. This guide explains which labels suit knitwear and sweaters, where to place them and what to print on the care label. As a label manufacturer in Europe with our own production in Bulgaria, we make woven, printed and leather labels for knitwear brands of every size.

What makes a good knitwear label

Three qualities matter most for labels on knitted garments:

• Softness: the label touches the neck or side, so the material and the edges must be gentle on skin. Ultrasonically cut, sealed edges stay smooth and do not fray.
• Flexibility: the label should move with the knit rather than form a rigid patch. Thinner qualities and smaller formats help.
• Light weight: on fine-gauge knits a heavy label can pull the fabric and create a visible dent, especially at the neck.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified label materials add reassurance for a product category that is worn directly on the body, often for many hours.

Label materials for knitwear

Cotton or satin?

Satin labels feel smooth and slightly glossy and are the classic choice for a refined sweater. Cotton labels have a matt, natural look that matches undyed wool, organic cotton knits and casual collections. Both can be produced as woven or printed labels; for the main brand label, a woven satin quality offers the best combination of detail and softness, while for care labels a printed satin or cotton tape keeps the label light. Our woven labels and printed labels show the qualities available.

Folds that work on knitwear

The fold type affects comfort and how the label sits in the seam:

• Loop fold: the label is folded in half and both ends are sewn into the seam. It forms a soft loop with no cut edge against the skin, which makes it very comfortable at the neck of a sweater.
• End fold: both short ends are folded under and the label is sewn on all sides or on the ends. It looks tidy on a back neck tape or on a side seam.
• Centre fold: the label is folded in the middle, giving printed information on both sides; common for care labels in side seams.
• Straight cut: the label is sewn flat on top of the fabric, for example on a neck tape. Make sure the edges are sealed and soft.

Our article on label fold types shows the finished sizes for each fold.

Where to place labels on knitwear

Back neck

The traditional position for the brand label. On knitwear, the label is usually sewn onto a neck tape or into the neck seam rather than directly onto the knit, so it does not distort the collar. Keep the label small, for example 15×50 or 20×50 mm finished, and choose a soft quality.

Side seam

Care and composition labels are best placed in the left side seam, a few centimetres above the hem. This keeps the neck area clean and avoids layering several labels at the collar.

Rib and hem

A small woven flag label or a leather tab sewn into the hem rib or the cuff is a popular exterior detail. Ribbing stretches, so attach the label only along the seam line, not across the rib, and keep it small enough that the rib can still recover its shape.

Cardigans and button bands

On cardigans, a small label can sit on the inside of the button band or at the back neck. A metal button or a small metal plate can complement the brand label; all our metal products are nickel-free.

For a wider view of label positions across garment types, see our guide to clothing label placement.

Leather tabs for knitwear

A small leather or faux leather tab with a debossed logo is a signature detail on many chunky sweaters, cardigans and knitted accessories. Typical sizes for knitwear are compact, around 30×15 to 40×20 mm, so the tab does not weigh down the fabric. Place it at the hem, on the cuff or near a side slit, and sew it along the edges with a slightly longer stitch so the knit is not perforated too densely. Faux leather is light and stable in washing; genuine leather gives a natural ageing effect but needs attention to care instructions. See leather labels for materials and finishes.

Care and composition labels for wool and cashmere

Knitwear made of wool, cashmere, alpaca, mohair or their blends needs precise care information, because the wrong wash can felt or shrink the garment in a single cycle.

Composition

In the EU, Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 requires the fibre composition with the official fibre names and percentages by weight, in the language or languages of the country where the garment is sold. Names such as wool, cashmere, alpaca or mohair are listed fibre names. Terms like "virgin wool" or "fleece wool" may only be used under specific conditions set by the regulation, so check them before printing. Our article on EU care label requirements explains the rules.

Typical care instructions for wool and cashmere

• hand wash or a machine wool programme at a low temperature, often 30 °C;
• do not bleach;
• do not tumble dry; dry flat;
• iron at low temperature, if at all;
• professional cleaning as appropriate for the fibre.

The exact symbols depend on the fabric tests for your garment. Use the ISO 3758 care symbols in the standard order and add short text such as "dry flat" or "reshape while damp", which is particularly useful for knitwear.

Hang tags for knitwear

A hang tag on a sweater should not pull or leave a mark on the knit. Attach it with a soft string through the care label or a seam rather than through the knitted fabric, and avoid heavy plastic pins on fine gauges. A thick uncoated or textured board with a small embossed logo suits the premium feel of most knitwear collections. Ordering hang tags and labels together keeps colours and finishes consistent.

Ordering labels for knitwear

Tell us the yarn and gauge of your knitwear, the positions you want to brand and the information the care label must carry. Our designers prepare a digital proof typically within 24–48 h, and physical samples are available before production so you can test softness and placement on the actual knit. The minimum order is typically 1,000 pcs per design, and production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across the EU.

Frequently asked questions