Are instructions about clothing items always sewn?

March 23, 2023 5:34 PM

Has there been another way of attaching the piece of clothing with the instruction on how to clean it, what it's made of etc., to the clothing (t shirt, or whatever else) or is it always sewn to the clothing? Is there a bad method of attaching it? By the way, it could be anywhere in the world and any kind of manufacturing.
posted by amfgf to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Best answer: Sometimes that information is printed on the inside instead of a sewn tag.
posted by ghharr at 5:38 PM on March 23, 2023 [7 favorites]

Best answer: I have some cotton tee shirts with the care instructions screenprinted on the back of the neck.
posted by mochapickle at 5:38 PM on March 23, 2023 [7 favorites]

Best answer: L.L. Bean shirts have the info screen printed on the inside, so there's no scratchy labels.
posted by The otter lady at 5:38 PM on March 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Yeah, printing is somewhat common, but it’s not the best because printing can rub off. I’ve also seen heat pressing, which most people would lump in with screen printing, but is even worse (because it peels off with heat, e.g. from a dryer).
posted by kevinbelt at 5:50 PM on March 23, 2023 [5 favorites]

Best answer: I once bought a fancy silk blouse, and the laundry instructions were printed on a small paper card with a slit in it that fit over the button (to stay in place until wearing).
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 9:38 PM on March 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Good to know, ghharr, mochapickle, The otter lady, kevinbelt, The Wrong Kind of Cheese.
Don't the manufacturers who use heat pressing know sometimes people use hot/boiling water, dryer? Maybe they also say "cold wash only and no dryer". And the paper card around the button, ok, except if it's becomes second hand --> no info about it, unless it's a personal hand me down. Give me sewn anytime.
posted by amfgf at 5:47 PM on March 24, 2023

Best answer: Don't the manufacturers who use heat pressing know sometimes people use hot/boiling water, dryer?


Yes, but no one cares. I actually used to work for a company that did hear pressing (things like sports uniforms), and we’d constantly get calls saying the heat pressed stuff was peeling off. We’d always say “did you follow the care instructions?” Nobody could answer that question, because who pays attention to that? So the company got out of refunding anything. Heat pressing is a lousy medium. But it’s cheaper and easier than printing or sewing.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:58 PM on March 24, 2023

Response by poster: It may be better to be memorable for manufacturing problem free items, everything else being equal.
posted by amfgf at 1:59 PM on April 13, 2023

Response by poster: gharr,
kevinbelt,
I just saw you don't have best answer. I don't understand. I always give everyone (almost) best answer. Anyway, I corrected that.
The Wrong Kind of Cheese, I happen to glance at my post just the part that addresses you, and I thought for second "What was I doing talking about the wrong kind of cheese on this post?
posted by amfgf at 1:51 PM on April 25, 2023