Labels are a significant part of any garment asides functioning as differentiators of competitors’ brand from yours The government of the United States of America, and many other countries, prohibit the sales of clothing that do not have a care label or does not have care instructions which are found on a label.
Visit printed care labels if you are ready to make care labels for your clothing business. As you will soon find out there are certain requirements you have to oblige concerning garment labels if you are ready to start a clothing business.
Non conformity with these requirements will land you in trouble with the government. I guess paying fines, fees and facing other grave penalties is the last thing you’d want for your new business.
I have compiled the requirements and the possible exceptions that exist in clothing labels.
- All local clothing manufacturers must attach “use and care” labels to finished pieces before they are shipped for selling.
- The labels must be attached permanently to the cloth, it is recommended that it’d be sewn into the seams of the clothing to ensure they don’t tear off.
- The labels must have clear instructions and messaging, it must be typed in a font that is clear to read if it’s in text and only approved symbols and signs can be used too.
- Labels must have the same useful life as the clothing piece. The printed instructions must not fade off. It must stay legible for as long as the useful life of the clothing.
- Use and care instructions must be supported with evidence. For example, if you state your clothing is “dry clean only,” you must show evidence that washing and/or drying the garment using normal methods would result in damage to the clothing.
- Labels need to be attached where they are easy to find or see. The placement of labels needs to be in a place where consumers can find them easily.
You are qualified for exemption if you;
- If someone obtains the fabric materials needed for sewing their custom garment, you are exempted from attaching a care label.
- If another business buys clothes from you for use by their employees you are also exempted from the above rule.
- Make clothing which is meant to be reversible and does not have pockets.
- Make clothes that do not require special care. Clothes that can be cared for using any method, like hot water wash cycles, high temp drying, ironing, dry cleaning, handwashing etc.
- Make clothes whose retail price costs $3 U.S. or less and is completely washable by any means.
- Make items that are just for one-time use or items such as hats, belts, shoes, gloves, handkerchiefs, necktie.
- Use a temporary label that can be easily removed by the user after purchasing the piece. purchase. These labels are permissible for use in place of care labels.
Before you start your clothing business, it is advisable that you read all the FTC requirements and possibly contact an attorney to guide you through!