The Great Debate: Woven vs. Printed Labels (A Guide for UK Brands)

It is the final detail, but often the hardest decision.

You are ready to order your neck labels. You have your logo file. Now the factory asks: "Do you want Woven or Printed?"

Many designers guess. They choose "Woven" because it sounds expensive. Or they choose "Printed" because their logo has a fade effect.

Making the wrong choice can ruin your brand's perception. I have seen "luxury" coats with cheap printed labels that faded after three washes. I have also seen intricate logos turned into unrecognizable blobs because they were woven too small.

There is no "better" option. There is only the right option for your specific design.

Here is the honest breakdown of the two technologies to help you decide.

Option A: Woven Labels (The "Permanent" Choice)

What is it? Think of this like a mini tapestry. We use a loom to weave coloured threads together. The background and the logo are woven at the same time. The design is part of the fabric structure.

Why choose it:

  1. Durability: It lasts forever. The logo is not "on" the label; it is the label. It will never fade, peel, or crack, even after 100 washes.

  2. Premium Feel: It has texture and thickness. For heritage brands, wool coats, or high-end streetwear, this signals quality.

The Cons:

  1. Resolution: Threads are thicker than ink. We cannot weave tiny details. If your text is smaller than 2mm in height, it will look blurry.

  2. No Gradients: We cannot do "shading" or fading colours. It must be solid blocks of colour.

Best For: Outerwear, jeans, luxury goods, and simple, bold logos.

Option B: Printed Labels (The "High-Def" Choice)

What is it? Think of this like your office printer, but on fabric. We take a smooth ribbon (usually Satin or Cotton) and print ink onto the surface.

Why choose it:

  1. Resolution: It is photographic. We can print tiny text, legal disclaimers, and washing symbols that are perfectly readable.

  2. Colour Freedom: We can print gradients, shadows, and unlimited colours.

  3. Comfort: Printed satin is incredibly smooth. It feels like water against the skin.

The Cons:

  1. Fading: Ink sits on top of the fabric. Over time, with hot water washing and friction, the print will eventually fade.

  2. Lower Perceived Value: In the fashion industry, printed labels are often associated with "Fast Fashion" or cheaper t-shirts.

Best For: Intimates (underwear), t-shirts, activewear, and complex logos with gradients.

The Technical Check: Edge Comfort

This is a detail many buyers miss.

Woven Labels: Because they are woven, the edges can sometimes be scratchy if cut with a hot knife.

  • Our Solution: Ask for "Ultrasonic Cutting." This technique uses sound waves to cut and seal the edge softly, making it non-irritating to the skin.

Printed Labels: The edges are usually soft because the base material is a soft ribbon. However, check the ink. Thick "rubberized" ink can crack. We recommend "Rotary Printing" for a soft hand-feel where the ink soaks into the ribbon.

Your Questions Answered: Label FAQs 

1. Can I put washing instructions on a woven label? You can, but be careful. Washing symbols are complex. If the woven label is small, the symbols might turn into unrecognizable dots. Expert Advice: Use a Woven Label for your main neck branding (Logo), and use a separate Printed Label (Care Label) hidden inside the side seam for the small text and washing instructions. This is the standard for high-end UK brands.

2. What is "Damask" weave? Damask is simply the industry standard for "High Definition" weaving. It uses thinner threads and a tighter weave structure. At CCA, we use Damask weave by default to ensure your logo looks as sharp as possible.

3. What is the minimum text size for a woven label? To be readable, letters should be at least 2mm tall. If your font is very thin (serif), we might need to bold it slightly to ensure the thread catches the detail.

The Final Word

If your priority is longevity and texture, choose Woven. If your priority is tiny detail and gradients, choose Printed.

Don't force a complex painting onto a woven label. And don't put a cheap sticker on a luxury coat. Match the method to the mission.

About the Author

August Lin is the VP of Sales and Co-founder of CCA.

He helps British brands navigate the technical details of garment manufacturing. He believes that the label is the signature of the designer, and it deserves to be done right.

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