Which type you pick will depend on the item you need it for, as not all labels are designed to work on the same products. Some labels are best for clothing while others work better on hard surfaces, like water bottles. We carefully considered design, material, value, application, and purpose when reviewing products. Find the right solution for you and your family with our picks for the best labels for kids’ stuff. The Name Bubbles Pick A Style School Labels Pack earned our best overall spot because of how easy to use and long-lasting they are. The custom school labels pack comes with 89 labels in six different sizes, including shoe labels, clothing labels, and a variety of other sizes. Made with non-toxic materials, the waterproof labels are dishwasher, microwave, laundry, and freezer-safe. Not only are they super secure, but there are tons of design options to make your labels any way you want. Price at time of publication: $39 Price at time of publication: $15 Washing machine and dryer-safe, they stay put. Some reviewers note that they leave a sticky residue when removed and while you’re saving money with the labels, you will need time to handwrite each one. For younger kids, handwritten labels may be harder to recognize than uniform colorful labels they can easily spot. Price at time of publication: $9 Price at time of publication: $34 Price at time of publication: $23 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $6 Price at time of publication: $19 Price at time of publication: N/A Parents of babies find these to be a great solution for daycare items. Since they are handwritten and not colorful, it may be harder for younger kids or pre-readers to identify the labels (and their items). Price at time of publication: $9 And once stuck, it’s important that labels stay put. So for clothing labels, for example, double check that they are laundry-safe. However, in some cases you may want to be able to remove the labels at a later date. If that’s a concern for you, you may wish to use sew-in labels on clothing, for example, so that you can snip them out when your child outgrows the clothes.
Application
There are many different types of labels on the market, but you’ll probably notice three main types: Iron-on, adhesive, and stamps. Which type you pick will depend on the item you need it for, as not all labels are designed to work on the same products.
Iron-on/sew-in: These are typically made for clothing, and can be simply applied by ironing over or sewing the piece of fabric. They’re typically laundry-safe and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about washing them once they’re in place. Adhesive: Adhesive labels are like heavy-duty stickers. You simply peel them and place them on the item. These are not usually the best option for clothing, but work great for lunch boxes, water bottles, and more. Stamps: Customizable with the name of your choice, you simply put the stamp in ink and then onto fabric. These are usually designed for clothing, You’ll want to use another option for items with hard surfaces.
Water Safety
Because lunch boxes and containers and clothing are washed regularly, you will want a label that can hold up through water. Whether it’s in the washing machine or dishwasher, the label should be able to withstand the wash cycle. A label doesn’t add convenience if you’re stuck hand-washing everything you’ve labeled. Double check the manufacturer’s recommendations for washability. This will also depend on the product, so if you’re using a Sharpie to write on clothes, ensure it’s safe for clothing, too, so that it doesn’t bleed while in the washing machine.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. With three kids, most people would think she’s a label expert, but she’s a novice. She relies way too much on a permanent marker for last minute labeling and now she’s considering a sweet family pack of labels that’ll make her go label-crazy on all her gear.
