Silicone & Rubber Labels

Labels with depth

Silicone and rubber labels are moulded rather than woven or printed, so your logo becomes a physical relief you can see and feel. They are flexible, waterproof and colourfast, which is why they appear on sportswear, outerwear, bags, caps, kidswear and workwear where a flat label would look too quiet or wear too quickly. Buyers often use the terms silicone labels, rubber labels, PVC labels and 3D rubber patches interchangeably; technically they are different materials, and the choice affects feel, durability and how the label can be attached.

We mould these labels in our own production in Bulgaria. A dedicated contact person supports you at every step, while the team that makes the mould, mixes the colours and inspects the finished parts keeps repeat orders consistent from one season to the next.

Materials: soft PVC, silicone and TPU

Soft PVC

The classic "rubber" label. Soft PVC is dispensed colour by colour into a mould and cured with heat. It gives crisp edges, strong colours and a slightly firmer, glossy-to-satin surface. It is cost-effective, very abrasion resistant and a good choice for bags, outdoor gear and accessories.

Silicone

Silicone is softer and more elastic, with a smooth, slightly matt touch that sits comfortably on garments worn close to the body. It tolerates higher temperatures, which makes it the preferred base for heat-applied labels, and it stays flexible in cold weather. Many brands choose silicone when they prefer to avoid PVC in their products.

TPU

Thermoplastic polyurethane is used mainly for thin, flexible heat-transfer badges and fine detail. It bonds well to technical fabrics and feels lighter than a full moulded label.

2D and 3D designs

A 2D label has flat surfaces on two or three levels: a base plate, raised logo and sometimes a raised border. It reproduces clean graphics and text efficiently. A 3D label uses a sculpted mould, so shapes are rounded, bevelled or layered, giving a premium, almost embossed look. 3D labels are thicker and the mould takes slightly longer to cut, but the result is far more tactile.

Colours and Pantone matching

Each colour is filled separately, so colours stay sharp with no bleeding between areas. We match colours to Pantone references and can produce solid, transparent, glow-in-the-dark, metallic-effect and glitter compounds. Most designs use two to six colours; more are possible, and the number of colours influences price more than size does. Fine lines should be at least about 0.5 mm wide and small text roughly 2 mm high, otherwise detail fills in during moulding. Our designers check this when preparing the proof.

Typical sizes and thickness

Silicone and rubber labels can be produced in almost any outline. The sizes below are common starting points; we also make custom sizes and shapes.

For help choosing proportions on different garments, see our guide to choosing label size.

Attachment options

• Sew-on channel: a flat, thinner border or groove around the edge where the needle passes, so the stitching does not crack the relief and stays neatly hidden.
• Heat-press silicone transfers: a silicone label with a heat-activated adhesive layer, applied with a heat press. No stitching is visible and the label moves with the fabric, ideal for sportswear and stretch materials.
• Fabric or adhesive backing: a woven or felt backing for stitching, or a pressure-sensitive adhesive for hard goods.
• Loops and slots: moulded holes for webbing, cords or zip pullers.

Care and durability

Moulded labels survive repeated washing without fading, fraying or curling. Wash garments inside out at the temperature indicated for the garment, avoid ironing directly on the label and do not tumble-dry heat-pressed labels at very high temperatures. Our raw materials are OEKO-TEX certified, an important point for children's clothing.

Ordering, MOQ and lead time

Send your logo as a vector file or even a sketch: our express label design team will prepare a technical drawing with dimensions and Pantone codes, with a digital proof typically within 24–48 h. The minimum order is usually 1,000 pcs per design. A physical sample can be made before bulk production. After sample approval, production typically takes 10–20 working days, with delivery across the EU free of customs formalities and express options on request.

If you need a premium natural look instead, compare our leather labels or metal labels; for an embroidered texture see patches, and for a completely flat print consider heat transfer labels. Finished examples are shown in our Labels 2026 catalogue on the catalogues page.

Frequently asked questions