Iron-on vs sticker name labels: which to choose for which items
A plain-English comparison of iron-on, sew-in and stick-on name labels for UK school uniform, shoes, bottles and lunch boxes, and which works best where.
Walk into any school uniform shop in August and you will see three or four kinds of name label. They all do the same job, but each suits different things. Here is how they compare, and what to use where.
The main types of name label
Iron-on labels
Fabric labels with a heat-activated glue on the back. You press them onto clothing with a hot iron.
- Good for: cotton and polyester-cotton uniform, such as polo shirts, sweatshirts, trousers and PE shorts.
- Watch out for: fabrics that can't take a hot iron, such as many waterproof coats, fleeces and some sportswear. Always check the garment's care label first.
- Time: a few minutes per item, plus getting the iron out.
Sew-in labels
Woven or printed fabric tapes that you stitch on by hand or machine.
- Good for: anything you want named for years, such as coats, blazers and hand-me-downs you plan to pass on.
- Watch out for: the time it takes. Labelling a full uniform by hand can take an evening.
Stick-on clothing labels
Labels with a strong adhesive, designed to be pressed onto the care label inside a garment. No iron or needle needed.
- Good for: fast labelling of uniform, PE kit and coats, especially fabrics you can't iron.
- Watch out for: they need to go on the care label rather than the main fabric, and they usually need time to set before the first wash. Follow the maker's instructions.
Stickers for hard items
Waterproof stickers for things that aren't fabric.
- Good for: water bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, pencil cases, scooters and the insides of shoes.
- Watch out for: curved or textured surfaces, where stickers hold less well. Stick them on clean, dry, smooth areas.
Other options
Fabric stamps with laundry ink are quick for care labels but fade over time. A laundry marker pen is the cheapest option but can be hard for teachers to read, and it smudges on some fabrics.
What to use where
- Polo shirts, sweatshirts, trousers: iron-on or stick-on on the care label.
- Jumpers and cardigans: stick-on or iron-on on the care label. They are easy to mix up, so name every one.
- Waterproof coats and fleeces: stick-on on the care label, or sew-in. Avoid a hot iron unless the care label says it is safe.
- PE kit: stick-on or iron-on. Small kit, like socks, is quickest with stick-on labels.
- School shoes and plimsolls: a sticker on the insole near the heel.
- Water bottles and lunch boxes: waterproof stickers on a smooth part away from the drinking spout. Check the maker's dishwasher advice.
- Pencils and stationery: small stickers wrapped around the end.
- Book bags and backpacks: a sticker or label inside.
Many families end up with a mix: one kind of label for clothes and stickers for everything else. Small clothing labels and bigger bottle labels between them cover most of the list.
Making any label easier to spot
Whichever type you choose, the label only helps if someone can read it. A clear, simple font and a large enough size make the difference for busy teachers. For younger children who can't read yet, a picture helps them pick out their own things. A picture they drew themselves is the one they recognise fastest.
We make stick-on visual name stickers with your child's drawing and name, in three sizes for clothes, bottles and bags. We don't make iron-on labels. For washing advice, see our care page.
Questions parents ask
Are iron-on labels better than stickers?
Neither is better overall. Iron-on labels suit cotton uniform you can iron. Stick-on labels are quicker, need no iron and suit fabrics that can't take heat. For bottles, lunch boxes and shoes, you need stickers.
Do stick-on name labels survive the washing machine?
Stick-on clothing labels are designed to be washed when they are applied to the care label and left to set first. How long they last depends on the label, the wash temperature and the dryer. Follow the maker's care instructions and check them each half-term.
Can I put iron-on labels on a waterproof coat?
Usually not. Many waterproof and synthetic fabrics can melt or lose their coating under a hot iron. Use a stick-on label on the care label, or sew a label in, unless the coat's care label says ironing is safe.
What is the best way to label school shoes?
Put a sticker on the insole near the heel, inside each shoe. It stays out of the way of the foot and is easy for staff to see when shoes are left in a pile after PE.
What kind of label should I use on a water bottle?
A waterproof sticker on a smooth, flat or gently curved part of the bottle, away from the spout. Apply it to a clean, dry bottle and leave it to set before washing.
See our size guide for which sticker size suits which item.