---
title: "Labels, Hang Tags and Custom Packaging for Private Label"
url: https://haiyuanworkclothes.com/blog/labels-tags-custom-packaging/
date: 2026-10-09
modified: 2026-10-09
author: "HAIYUAN Workwear Manufacturer"
description: "A private-label workwear pack needs eight items: a woven main label, a care and content label, a size label or neck print, a hang tag with barcode, individual polybag, carton..."
categories:
  - "Blog"
tags:
  - "custom clothing labels packaging"
image: https://haiyuanworkclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/labels-tags-custom-packaging.webp
word_count: 1406
---

# Labels, Hang Tags and Custom Packaging for Private Label

**A private-label workwear pack needs eight items: a woven main label, a care and content label, a size label or neck print, a hang tag with barcode, individual polybag, carton with shipping marks, any certification marking, and the artwork files the factory will use. Budget US$0.30–0.60 per piece for the full set, order labels at 1,000–3,000 pieces because they are reused across production runs, and approve printed proofs before anything is manufactured.**

## Key takeaways

- **Labels are the cheapest branding you will ever buy** and the first thing a customer sees.
- **Care and content labels are a legal requirement**, not a marketing decision, and the rules differ by market.
- **Order branding items in bulk** — labels and tags do not expire, and bulk pricing is dramatically lower.
- **Barcodes must match your sales channel:** retail EAN, marketplace FNSKU, or carton-level labels.
- **Approve physical proofs**, not PDFs, before production starts.

## 1. The full private-label pack

| Component | Purpose | Typical cost per piece | Typical MOQ |
| --------- | ------- | ---------------------- | ----------- |
| Woven main label | Brand, size, origin | $0.05–0.15 | 1,000–3,000 |
| Care and content label | Composition, care, origin | $0.03–0.08 | 2,000–5,000 |
| Size label or neck print | Size identification | $0.01–0.05 | Included with the main label |
| Hang tag | Brand story, barcode, price | $0.05–0.20 | 1,000–5,000 |
| Barcode or QR label | Retail and marketplace scanning | $0.01–0.03 | 1,000+ |
| Individual polybag | Protection and compliance | $0.02–0.05 | Per order |
| Custom carton print | Shipping marks and brand | $80–250 one-off plate | 500–1,000 cartons |
| Retail box or bag | Premium presentation | $0.15–0.60 | 1,000+ |

Total for a typical private-label programme: **US$0.30–0.60 per garment** for the core set. That is less than the cost of one discounted garment per worker, and it is the difference between selling "a jacket" and selling your jacket.

## 2. Woven main labels

| Decision | Options | Recommendation |
| -------- | ------- | -------------- |
| Construction | Woven, printed, or heat transfer | Woven for premium; printed for value programmes |
| Size | 30 × 50 mm to 40 × 70 mm | 35 × 60 mm covers brand, size and origin |
| Fold type | Centre fold, end fold, straight cut, mitre fold | Centre fold for neck labels |
| Content | Brand, size, origin, or a batch code | Include a batch code for traceability |
| Position | Centre back neck, side seam, inside pocket | Centre back neck for workwear |
| Colour | Woven thread colours | Match the brand palette; more than four colours raises cost |

## 3. Care and content labels: the legal section

This is the only label whose content is dictated by law rather than by marketing. Getting it wrong blocks retail entry and can stop a shipment at customs.

| Market | Requirement | What must appear |
| ------ | ----------- | ---------------- |
| European Union | Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 | Fibre composition with percentages in descending order, in the market's official language |
| United States | FTC textile rules | Fibre content, country of origin and care instructions, permanently attached |
| United Kingdom | UK labelling rules | Fibre composition and care information in English |
| Canada | Bilingual labelling | English and French content and care information |
| PPE garments | Additional marking | Standard, performance class and manufacturer |

Practical advice: build a care label template that carries fibre composition, care symbols and origin, then produce market versions. One artwork change per market is far cheaper than re-labelling at destination.

## 4. Size labels and neck prints

| Method | Cost | Best for | Notes |
| ------ | ---- | -------- | ----- |
| Separate size label | Included with the main label | All workwear | Easiest to change between sizes |
| Neck print | $0.01–0.03 | High-volume basics | No label to scratch; harder to change |
| Side seam label | $0.02–0.04 | Garments without a neck label | Common on performance wear |
| Polybag sticker | $0.01 | Marketplace and warehouse packing | Must match the garment inside |

## 5. Hang tags

| Element | Specification | Notes |
| ------- | ------------- | ----- |
| Paper stock | 300–400 gsm coated or recycled board | Recycled stock supports sustainability messaging |
| Size | 50 × 90 mm typical | Large enough for a barcode and a short brand line |
| Print | One or two sides, matt or gloss | Matt reads as premium on workwear |
| Barcode | EAN or UPC with the correct GTIN | Required for retail scanning |
| QR code | Links to care instructions, certificates or your site | Useful for PPE documentation |
| Attachment | Plastic barb, string or pin | Barbs are faster; string looks more premium |
| Certification mention | Standard and class, where applicable | Must match the garment marking |

## 6. Barcodes and channel compliance

| Channel | Label required | Where it goes |
| ------- | -------------- | ------------- |
| Retail store | EAN or UPC from a GS1 GTIN | Hang tag or polybag sticker |
| Amazon FBA | FNSKU label per unit | Over the manufacturer barcode |
| Wholesale / distribution | Carton-level ITF-14 or SSCC | Outer carton |
| Own e-commerce | Internal SKU plus optional QR | Polybag or hang tag |

Decide the channel before the artwork is printed. Changing barcodes after labels are produced means re-printing the whole run.

## 7. Polybags and inner packaging

| Requirement | Specification | Why |
| ----------- | ------------- | --- |
| Suffocation warning | Required where the bag opening exceeds 12.7 cm | Marketplace and retail compliance |
| Recycled content | 30–100% PCR where available | Sustainability claims and customer requirements |
| Ventilation holes | Where specified by the buyer | Reduces condensation in transit |
| Individual vs bulk packing | Individually bagged for retail, bulk for internal issue | Cost and handling time |
| Insert | Care card, certificate or thank-you note | Brand experience and PPE documentation |

## 8. Cartons and shipping marks

| Element | Specification | Notes |
| ------- | ------------- | ----- |
| Carton size | Determined by the folded garment | Never order cartons before packing is agreed |
| Pieces per carton | 20–60 depending on the garment | Affects freight and handling |
| Gross weight | Under 22.7 kg for marketplace shipments | Heavier cartons are refused or surcharged |
| Shipping marks | Buyer name, destination, carton number, size range, gross weight | Speeds customs and warehouse receiving |
| Assortment | Single-size or mixed-size cartons | Mixed cartons simplify store distribution |
| Pallets | ISPM 15 treated and stamped if wooden | Untreated pallets are refused at many borders |

## 9. Costs and minimums for the full pack

| Item | Cost per piece | MOQ | Notes |
| ---- | -------------- | --- | ----- |
| Main label | $0.05–0.15 | 1,000–3,000 | Reused across orders |
| Care label | $0.03–0.08 | 2,000–5,000 | Language versions cost more |
| Hang tag | $0.05–0.20 | 1,000–5,000 | Barcode adds a small cost |
| Polybag | $0.02–0.05 | Per order | Recycled content may add 10–20% |
| Carton print plate | $80–250 one-off | 500–1,000 cartons | Amortised over the programme |
| Retail box | $0.15–0.60 | 1,000+ | Only for retail channels |

For a 1,000-piece first order the entire private-label pack typically lands between US$300 and US$600. That is a rounding error against the marketing value of looking like a real brand.

## 10. Artwork and approval workflow

- Prepare vector artwork for labels, tags and cartons, with Pantone references.
- Confirm the mandatory content: fibre composition, care, origin and any PPE marking.
- Request a digital proof, then a physical proof or printed sample of each item.
- Check the physical proof in daylight against your brand colour references.
- Approve in writing, with a revision number and date.
- Keep a sealed physical sample of every label, tag and carton print in your file.
- Compare the first production run against the sealed samples before dispatch.

## 11. Compliance pitfalls by market

| Pitfall | Consequence | How to avoid it |
| ------- | ----------- | --------------- |
| Missing fibre composition | Goods refused at retail or customs | Build the composition into the care label artwork |
| Wrong language | Non-compliant labelling | Produce market-specific versions |
| Care label not durable | Illegible after washing, compliance failure | Woven or high-durability printed labels for laundry programmes |
| PPE marking missing | Garment not saleable as protective clothing | Add standard and class to the label and the garment |
| Barcode mismatch | Retail or marketplace rejection | Confirm the GTIN or FNSKU before printing |
| Origin information incorrect | Customs and consumer law risk | Match the declared origin exactly |

## 12. Common mistakes

- Ordering labels before the fibre composition is finalised.
- Printing barcodes before the sales channel is decided.
- Forgetting the polybag warning text for marketplace sales.
- Approving a PDF proof instead of a physical printed label.
- Ordering cartons before the packing specification is agreed.
- Using a care label that does not survive industrial laundering.

## 13. Frequently asked questions

### What labels does a private-label garment need?

A woven main label with the brand and size, a care and content label with fibre composition, care symbols and origin, a size label or neck print, and for protective garments the standard and class marking. Retail channels also require a barcode.

### How much do custom clothing labels cost?

Woven main labels cost about US$0.05–0.15 each, care labels US$0.03–0.08, and hang tags US$0.05–0.20. The complete private-label pack usually totals US$0.30–0.60 per garment.

### What is the minimum order for custom labels?

Typically 1,000–3,000 pieces for woven labels and 2,000–5,000 for care labels, because they are printed in bulk. Ordering above the garment quantity is normal and reduces cost per piece.

### What must a care label include in the EU?

The fibre composition with percentages in descending order, using the regulated fibre names and the official language of the market, plus care instructions and origin information in practice.

### Do hang tags need a barcode?

Only if the garment is sold through retail or a marketplace that scans it. Confirm the GTIN or FNSKU requirement before printing, because changing barcodes means re-printing the run.

### Do polybags need a warning label?

Yes, where the bag opening is 12.7 cm or larger. The suffocation warning must be printed on the bag or on a label attached to it, and many marketplaces require it.

### Should I order custom cartons for a first order?

Only if the volume justifies it. For a first order, plain cartons with printed shipping marks and stickers reduce cost and avoid committing to a carton size before packing is finalised.

### How do I make sure labels survive industrial washing?

Specify woven or high-durability printed labels and test them through the actual laundry cycle. A label that becomes illegible is a compliance problem, not just a cosmetic one.

Building a private-label programme? [Request a quotation](https://haiyuanworkclothes.com/contact/) · [Labels, tags and packaging](https://haiyuanworkclothes.com/labels-tags-packaging/) · [Custom workwear manufacturing](https://haiyuanworkclothes.com/custom-workwear-manufacturer/)