One of the to-do’s coming out of my meeting with StitchCraft‘s Nicole Vasbinder was for me to consider investing in manufactured labels for my bags. I currently hand make each and every label, so outsourcing this piece will help me streamline the process and take a few minutes out of the time it takes to make each bag.

I’d thought about this awhile ago after seeing Fashion Incubator’s post on How to order labels pt.1, but I’d put it on the back burner and kind of forgotten about it. Prompted by Nicole, I requested a quote from ClothingLabels4U.com. I also dug up Kathleen’s aforementioned post for the source mentioned there, Laven Industries, and got a quote from them as well. Both companies got back to me within the same day which I really appreciated, and now the ball’s in my court to figure out what kind of label I want.

ClothingLabels4U.com mailed me a bunch of samples, including these (woven labels on left, fusible labels on right):

…and these, which are the ones I like the best (front view on left, back view of same set on right):

Laven Industries sent me a PDF with photos of labels across different categories. Considering price, so far I like their printed twill labels the best:

This is my first label order and I’m pretty undecided, so I kind of wish the companies had a quick ‘n easy chart of the types of labels they offer and their corresponding prices so I wouldn’t have to go back and forth with “How much for this one? Oh wait, how about this one? Or maybe…what about…”. Maybe there are just too many variations to list, and/or they want customers to contact them, and/or perhaps it’s a competitor/privacy thing…? I dunno.

At any rate, here’s what my options currently look like:

Laven Industries

• Minimum order: 100 labels
• Prices at 250 labels:
  • Printed satin (cheapest): $90 + $50 setup
  • Printed twill: $120 + $75 setup
  • Woven label: $250 for 100 labels, or $275 for 500 labels (no setup fee, no option for 250 qty)
• Turnaround: 1-2 weeks depending on type of label
• Shipping costs: not sure

ClothingLabels4U.com

• Minimum order: 250 labels
• Prices at 250 labels: not sure, but 500 labels are between $270 and $380
• Turnaround: within 2-4 weeks or sooner after payment and approval of final proof
• Shipping costs: 15.00 for all US orders via FedX Ground (5-7 business days)

Custom Couture Label Company (an Etsy shop!)
Of course I had to check Etsy, and this seller has some great values on woven labels!

• Minimum order: 100 labels (the smallest quantity available on their site)
• Prices: $90 for 200 text-only woven labels (they also have other options on their site)
• Turnaround: 3 weeks
• Shipping costs: $4.95 via USPS Priority Mail

So…decisions, decisions. I know I want a horizontal layout. And text-only. One color for the text, one color for the background. Aaaand, that’s about it. Do I want it folded? How do I want it attached? I know it’s either sewn on around all four borders like I currently have, but then now that I have the option, maybe I want to sew it into one of my seams! Well hopefully I figure it out soon so I can cross this off my list of things to do. Wish me luck! =]

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