Woven label or moulded patch? Choosing for your brand
Two questions decide it: does the label sit flat against the fabric, and do you want dimension?
Woven labels: flat, light, colour in the weave
In a woven label the colour is worked into the weave itself rather than printed on top. The result is flat, light and soft against the skin, which is why woven labels are the standard choice for main labels, side labels and care labels.
- Flat profile — sits against the fabric without adding thickness
- Custom width, colour and wording
- Suits main labels, side labels, folded labels and care labels
- Survives washing because the colour is part of the structure
PVC and silicone patches: dimension, shape, presence
Moulded patches are made from your artwork in a mould, so the shape and the relief are part of the item. PVC is micro-injected, colour by colour, giving a glossy raised surface; silicone is cured in a mould and keeps a soft, stretchy feel with the colour inside the material.
- Dimensional — raised or debossed detail
- Free shape: logos, characters, badges, hang-tag replacements
- PVC: glossy, high-contrast, structured
- Silicone: soft, matte, stretch-ready
Where each one belongs
A quick way to decide:
- Inside the garment, or against skin → woven label
- On the outside as a design feature → moulded patch
- Stretch fabrics and performance wear → silicone
- Outerwear, bags and accessories → PVC works well
- Both at once is normal: a woven main label with a moulded patch elsewhere
What to send us
Send the artwork and say where the item will sit on the garment and what fabric it is. That single sentence decides the material, the backing and the application method — and it is the difference between a sample that works first time and one that needs a second round.