Ordering custom woven labels for the first time involves a series of decisions that are straightforward once you understand the options — but genuinely confusing if you are encountering them without context. This guide walks through every step in sequence: choosing size, selecting fold type, specifying thread colors, preparing artwork, and understanding what happens after you place the order. The goal is to make your first order a confident one rather than a trial-and-error exercise.
Step 1: Decide What the Label Needs to Do
Before choosing any specifications, clarify the function of the label. A brand label at the neck of a T-shirt has different requirements than a care label inside a waistband or a patch label sewn onto the face of a jacket. The function determines the fold type, the size, and how the label will be sewn in — and these decisions flow from function, not the other way around.
The most common use cases, and the fold types that serve each:
- Neck brand label: Center fold, inserted into the neckline seam
- Hem or interior tag: End fold, sewn flat at the hem or side seam
- Patch label sewn to face of garment: Flat/sew-in label, stitched around perimeter
- Bag or accessory label: End fold or center fold depending on attachment point
- Iron-on label for accessories: Flat label with heat-activated adhesive backing
See best fold type for woven labels for a detailed breakdown of each fold type with diagrams.
Step 2: Choose the Label Size
Label size is specified in finished dimensions — the size of the label as it will appear on the garment, after folding. For a center fold label, the finished width is the total width of the unfolded label, and the finished height is the depth of the loop as it sits in the seam.
Common starting points for new brands:
- Neck brand label (center fold): 50mm wide × 25mm high (finished, before folding) — the fold itself creates a loop roughly 12mm deep
- Hem or interior tag (end fold): 60mm wide × 30mm high finished
- Care label (narrow): 20–25mm wide × 50–80mm high, depending on content
The right size is one that fits your design at a legible thread density without being physically obtrusive when worn. A neck label that is too large will curl, fold awkwardly, and cause neck irritation. A label that is too small will not accommodate your design at sufficient thread density. If you are uncertain, start with a standard size and order a sample pack to evaluate before committing to a large run. See how to choose woven label size for size selection guidance with visual references.
Step 3: Choose the Thread Colors
Thread colors in woven labels are matched to Pantone Coated references. The manufacturer selects the closest available dyed thread from their stock to match each Pantone color in your design. This is not ink mixing — thread colors are fixed at the dyeing stage and cannot be adjusted on the loom — so the match will be very close but may not be exact, particularly for fluorescent, metallic, or very light pastel tones.
Most commercial looms support up to 12 thread colors per label. Standard two- or three-color designs — the most common for brand labels — are well within this range. If your design uses more than 12 distinct colors, confirm with the manufacturer whether additional setup or cost applies.
Specify your thread colors as Pantone Coated (C) references in your order. If your brand color guide uses Pantone C references, use those directly. If you only have RGB or CMYK values, convert to the nearest Pantone C reference using a Pantone color guide or the Pantone Color Finder tool, and confirm the selected Pantone reference is a dye- friendly color (avoid pastels and fluorescents if close accuracy matters).
Step 4: Prepare Your Artwork File
This is the step where most first-time orders run into problems, and it is entirely preventable. Artwork for woven labels has specific technical requirements that differ from artwork prepared for print.
The key requirements:
- Vector format preferred: AI, EPS, or SVG files with text converted to outlines. PDF is acceptable if saved from a vector application with all elements embedded.
- Solid color fills only: Gradients, drop shadows, glows, and transparency effects cannot be woven. Each color in the design must be a flat, solid fill mapped to a specific thread color.
- Minimum text size: For damask weave, 3–4mm cap height minimum. For standard weave, 5–6mm minimum. Text smaller than this will not be legible in the woven output regardless of artwork quality.
- Minimum line weight: 0.8mm minimum for lines that need to read as distinct in the woven output.
- Color-separated design: Each color in the design should be on its own layer or clearly separated from other colors. Avoid anti-aliasing between color areas.
Full specifications are in the artwork guidelines. Review these before creating your artwork file — it is much faster to set up the file correctly than to revise it after submission.
If you are building your design from scratch, see how to design woven labels for a step-by-step design workflow.
Step 5: Place the Order
With your size, fold type, thread colors, and artwork file ready, you can place the order. At Peach Labels, the minimum order is 50 pieces — low enough to place a small first run without a large commitment. You can configure your label specifications and get instant online pricing before committing.
When placing the order, you will upload your artwork file and specify:
- Label size (finished dimensions)
- Fold type
- Thread colors (Pantone C references)
- Quantity
- Any special instructions (e.g., specific backing requirements, roll vs. bulk bag delivery)
Step 6: What Happens After You Order
After the order is placed, the artwork goes to the production team for review. This review typically completes within 48 hours. The team checks that the file meets the technical requirements for weaving — correct format, appropriate line weights, text size, and color separation. If everything is in order, production starts automatically. If there is an issue with the file — a problem that would affect the quality of the finished label — the team contacts you to resolve it before production begins.
There is no mandatory customer approval step before production. The review process is designed to catch technical issues, not to require sign-off on every order. If your artwork meets the guidelines and the order is clean, it moves directly into the production queue.
Step 7: Production and Shipping Timeline
Standard production time at Peach Labels is 8 to 10 business days from when production begins. This covers the loom programming, weaving, cutting, finishing, and quality inspection. After production, labels ship worldwide from the production facility. US shipping times vary by method selected at checkout.
Planning ahead: if you are ordering labels for a launch or production run with a deadline, add the production time to your garment assembly timeline and work backward from your deadline to determine the latest safe order date. For time-sensitive orders, contact the team before ordering to confirm current lead times.
First Order Strategy: What Experienced Brands Do
Brands that have ordered custom labels before typically follow a consistent pattern for their first order with a new label design:
- Order a small quantity first: The minimum order of 50 pieces exists precisely for this reason. Order a small initial run of your first design to evaluate the thread color match, size, and overall appearance on the garment before ordering a large production quantity.
- Order a sample pack first: If you have never ordered woven labels before and want to evaluate quality before committing to a custom design, a sample pack lets you hold and examine physical label samples before your custom order is produced.
- Finalize the design before ordering: Revisions after production begins cost time and money. Make sure the design, colors, and size are finalized before submitting artwork.
- Label all your colorways at once: If your garment comes in multiple colorways that require different label background colors, order all variants in a single order to consolidate setup costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have a vector file for my logo?
If you only have a raster file (JPEG, PNG) of your logo, you will need to have it converted to a vector format before it can be used for woven label production. A graphic designer can do this in 30 to 60 minutes for a simple logo. The alternative is to submit a high-resolution raster file and let the production team assess whether it is usable — but vector is strongly preferred and will produce a cleaner result.
Can I get a digital proof before production?
The artwork review process checks your file against technical specifications. For complex designs or first-time orders where you want visual confirmation of how the design will translate to thread, ask the team at the time of ordering — they can advise on what is available. The most reliable way to evaluate how a design translates to woven thread is to order a small quantity first.
What is the difference between a standard and damask weave?
Damask weave is produced at a higher thread density than standard weave, which allows it to reproduce finer details — smaller text, thinner lines, and smoother curves. If your design includes small text or fine linework, damask is the appropriate choice. Standard weave is suitable for bold logos and simple designs with larger text. Damask typically costs slightly more per unit due to the higher production complexity.