Silicone vs Rubber Labels: Which Material Suits Your Garments?

Raised, moulded labels give a garment a tactile, technical look that woven or printed labels cannot match. Buyers often use the words silicone and rubber as if they meant the same thing, but in production they are two different materials: silicone rubber and soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride compound, often simply called "rubber" or "PVC rubber"). They are moulded in a similar way, yet they differ in feel, heat resistance, flexibility and environmental profile. This guide compares both so you can brief your order with confidence. For an overview of every label material we work with, see our label materials page.

How each label is made

Soft PVC rubber labels

Soft PVC labels start as a liquid compound that is dispensed into a metal mould, one colour at a time. Each colour layer is filled precisely into its own cavity, partly cured, and then the next colour is added. Once all layers are in place, the mould goes into an oven, where the compound fuses into a single solid, flexible piece. Because each colour is dispensed separately, PVC produces very crisp colour borders and sharp small details, even with many colours in one label.

Silicone labels

Silicone labels are made from silicone rubber, either liquid silicone dispensed into a mould or silicone compound pressed in a heated mould under pressure. Colours are pigmented into the silicone; fine details or extra colours can also be added by screen printing with silicone inks on top of the moulded base. The result is a soft, elastic label with a slightly silky or matte surface, depending on the mould finish.

2D and 3D effects

Both materials can be produced in 2D or 3D. A 2D label has flat surfaces on two or more levels: the logo is raised above the background with straight vertical edges. A 3D label has sculpted, rounded or bevelled forms, so letters and shapes are modelled like a small relief. Typical thickness is 1–3 mm, and 3D designs can reach around 3–4 mm at the highest point.

Look and feel

Soft PVC has a slightly firmer, more "plastic" hand and a clear, saturated colour look. It suits bold logos, badges and designs with many small colour areas. Silicone feels softer and more rubbery, with a smoother, more premium touch. It bends easily with the fabric and has a subtle sheen or a matte finish. On stretch fabrics and next to the skin, most wearers notice the difference immediately: silicone moves with the garment, PVC holds its shape more.

Heat, washing and flexibility

This is where the two materials diverge most. Silicone keeps its properties across a wide temperature range. It does not soften at normal ironing temperatures, tolerates tumble drying and stays flexible in cold weather. That makes it the natural choice for heat-applied labels, because the label has to survive the heat press during application and many hot washes afterwards.

Soft PVC is durable in everyday domestic washing, but it is more sensitive to heat. Direct contact with a hot iron can mark or deform it, so garments with PVC labels should be ironed on the reverse or around the label. In very low temperatures PVC becomes stiffer, and some dry-cleaning solvents can affect it over time. On outerwear, bags and caps this rarely matters.

Colour options

Both materials are coloured with spot colours matched to Pantone references. PVC handles many separate colours in one label with very sharp borders, and special effects such as metallic, glitter, glow-in-the-dark or transparent compounds are widely available. Silicone is often made in one or two base colours, with additional colours or fine detail added by silicone printing. Smooth gradients are possible in printed areas but not in moulded colour fields. If your logo relies on fine lines below roughly 0.5 mm, our designers will advise whether to thicken them or print them on the surface.

Environmental aspects

Neither material is perfect, so it helps to know the facts. PVC is a chlorinated plastic and soft PVC needs plasticisers to stay flexible. Both materials are produced to REACH requirements, and we can tell you which compounds suit OEKO-TEX certified production. Silicone needs no plasticisers, is chemically stable and very long-lasting, which means the label usually outlives the garment. Both are difficult to recycle once fused to a textile, so the most sustainable choice is a label that lasts as long as the product. For collections built around recycled content, read our guide to recycled labels and GRS.

Attachment methods

• Sewn on: the label is moulded with a flat stitching border or a stitch channel around the edge, so the needle passes through a defined line. This is the most secure method for both materials and works on caps, jackets, bags and workwear.
• Heat-applied: a hot-melt adhesive layer is added to the back so the label can be pressed onto the fabric. This works best with silicone, which tolerates the press temperature without distortion. See our heat transfer labels for flat, tagless alternatives.
• Hook-and-loop backing: common on uniform and tactical items, where badges are removable. Usually made in PVC and often combined with patches in the same programme.
• Adhesive backing: for bags, boxes and hard goods rather than garments that will be washed.

Side-by-side comparison

Which garments suit each material

Choose silicone for

Activewear, cycling and running garments, swimwear, base layers and anything made from stretch or technical fabrics. Silicone is also the better choice for heat-applied logos on sleeves, chests and backs, and wherever the label may touch the skin.

Choose soft PVC for

Caps and beanies, jackets and parkas, backpacks and bags, workwear, uniform badges and promotional merchandise. PVC is ideal for multi-colour logos and badge-style designs with strong outlines, and it is usually the more economical option for colourful designs. Common sizes for both materials are 20×20, 30×30, 40×20, 50×20, 50×30 and 60×40 mm, and custom shapes are cut to your outline. Browse finished examples in our silicone and rubber labels collection.

How to order

Send us your logo as a vector file, the target size, the garment type and how the label will be attached. Our designers prepare a digital proof, typically within 24–48 hours, showing the mould levels and colour references. After approval we make the mould and can produce physical samples before the main run. MOQ is usually 1,000 pcs per design, and production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across Europe. Because we run our own production in Bulgaria, the same team that engraves the mould answers your technical questions and keeps repeat orders consistent.

Frequently asked questions