Woven labels and clothing labels in Australia

A clothing label does two jobs: it carries a brand, and it often carries information the law requires. This page describes the main kinds of labels used by makers, small fashion brands and uniform suppliers, how they are folded and attached, what Australia's mandatory care labelling standard and children's nightwear standard require, what the ACCC says about country of origin claims and the Australian Made logo, and how trade marks and business names differ, with links to official Australian sources.

This is a free, non-commercial reference page. It is general information, not legal or compliance advice, and it does not review or recommend any label maker, supplier or product. Mandatory standards are summarised only; suppliers must read the full standard and, if unsure, get professional advice. This page is not affiliated with any business or government body, and listing is not an endorsement. Check current details with the official websites linked below.

The guide

Label types, weaves, folds and attaching, the care labelling and children's nightwear standards, origin claims, design, ordering and protecting a brand name.

Woven, printed and satin or cotton labels

A woven label has its text and design woven into the fabric itself, using coloured threads on a loom, so the design is part of the label rather than sitting on its surface. A printed label has ink applied to a ribbon or tape, commonly satin, polyester, cotton or a nylon-type material; printing suits fine detail, long care text and short runs. Satin labels are smooth and have a sheen, while cotton labels are softer and more matt. Each type differs in feel against the skin, how fine the detail can be, and how it holds up to repeated washing, so it is worth asking for samples.

Weave types: damask and taffeta

Label makers commonly describe woven labels by weave. Damask is a dense weave using fine threads, which allows small text and detailed logos and gives a soft, smooth finish. Taffeta is a plainer, coarser weave that is usually less detailed and stiffer, and is often used where cost matters more than fine detail. Other terms such as satin weave or high-definition weave are also used. These are trade descriptions rather than defined standards, so compare physical samples rather than relying on the names.

Folds, cuts and attaching

How a label is cut and folded decides where and how it is sewn. A straight cut (flat) label has all edges finished and is sewn on all sides or at the ends, for example on a side seam or as a patch. An end fold label has both ends folded under so it can be sewn flat onto a garment. A centre fold label is folded in half so it can be sewn into a seam, such as the back neck, with the design on one or both faces. A loop fold label is folded into a loop and sewn into a seam with both ends caught, which also works as a hanging loop. Other variations, such as mitre folds, are also offered. Most garment labels are sewn in, either stitched flat on all sides or caught in a seam. Some labels are made with a heat-activated adhesive backing so they can be ironed on, which suits makers without a sewing machine, name labels and some uniforms. Iron-on adhesion depends on the fabric, the heat and pressure applied and how the item is washed, so test on the actual fabric. Where a label carries mandatory care information, the way it is attached needs to suit what the standard requires of that label.

Care labelling: the mandatory standard

Clothing and many other textile products supplied in Australia must meet the Care labelling for clothing and textiles mandatory standard, administered by the ACCC through Product Safety Australia. The legal instrument is the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023, which is based on sections of AS/NZS 1957:1998 (Textiles - Care labelling) and ISO 3758:2012 (Textiles - Care labelling code using symbols). It covers clothing, household textiles, furnishings, upholstered furniture, bedding, piece goods and yarns, and other listed goods. Product Safety Australia lists exemptions, including second-hand goods, some headwear, belts and handkerchiefs, most footwear, bags and cases, and single-use disposable articles. Suppliers must meet it, and fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply.

What a care label must say

Product Safety Australia says the standard allows care instructions written in English, or the 5 internationally recognised care symbols, or both. The five symbols are washing (a washtub), bleaching (a triangle), drying (a square), ironing (an iron) and professional care (a circle). The standard's text says the wording of the label shall be in English and be clearly legible, and refers to a permanent label; for certain listed made-up goods it allows instructions on a removable ticket, an accompanying pamphlet or the packaging instead. Care instructions must take into account all elements of the article, not just the main fabric. Read the full standard for which option applies to your product.

Children's nightwear: fire hazard labels

Children's nightwear and some limited daywear in sizes 00 to 14 must meet the Nightwear for children mandatory standard, set by the Consumer Goods (Children's Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children's Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017 and based on AS/NZS 1249:2014. It covers items such as pyjamas, nightdresses, dressing gowns, bathrobes, some all-in-ones, infant sleep bags and blankets or towels with sleeves. Garments are classified into one of 4 categories, and some are too flammable to be sold at all. Categories 1 to 3 need a low fire hazard label reading "CAUTION: Keep away from heat and flame"; category 4 needs a high fire hazard label reading "WARNING: High fire danger. Keep away from heat and flame". In July 2024 the ACCC announced penalties paid by a supplier over children's garments sold without these warning labels.

Fibre content

Unlike care instructions, fibre content (for example "100% cotton") is not part of the care labelling standard as Product Safety Australia describes it, and no current Australian mandatory standard for fibre content labelling was confirmed for this page. Many brands state fibre content anyway, and buyers or export markets may expect it. Whatever is stated on a label must still be accurate: the Australian Consumer Law prohibits false or misleading representations about goods.

Country of origin claims

The ACCC says the Australian Consumer Law does not require non-food products to have country of origin labelling, although other laws may apply, and any origin claim that is made must not be false, misleading or deceptive. For a "made in" claim, the last substantial step must produce a product that is fundamentally different in identity, nature or essential character from its imported ingredients or components. "Product of" or "produced in" claims need the main components to come from the stated country, with almost all processing done there. The ACCC says these defined terms give safe harbour defences, and that extra words or images can still create a misleading overall impression.

The Australian Made logo

The green and gold kangaroo logo is a registered certification trade mark administered by Australian Made Campaign Limited, a not-for-profit organisation. For non-food goods, the ACCC says its use is optional and requires a licence from that organisation, and the Australian Made Campaign says products must be registered with it and meet the criteria in the Australian Consumer Law and its Logo Code of Practice. The logo must be used with a descriptor such as "Australian Made" or "Product of Australia". A label maker cannot grant the right to use it, so register the product before putting the logo on a label.

Designing a label

Start from what the label must carry and where it will sit. Care and other required information must be clearly legible, so allow enough size for the text and symbols, and remember that very small text, thin strokes and fine serifs may blur in a woven label. Consider how the label feels at the neck or seam, since stiff edges can irritate skin, and whether a separate brand label and a separate care label suit the garment better than one label doing both. Ask a supplier for a proof or physical sample before a full run, and check colours, spelling and symbols against your own care testing.

Ordering, minimums and lead times

Label makers usually set a minimum order quantity per design, and the price per label commonly falls as quantity rises; woven labels often carry setup work for each new design. Lead times vary with the label type, finish and whether samples are needed, and can be longer around busy retail periods. Ask in writing about minimums, setup charges, proofs, samples, tolerances on quantity delivered, reorder arrangements and who owns the artwork, and allow time for approving a sample before a production deadline.

Protecting a brand name

A label often carries a brand name, so it is worth knowing what protects it. ASIC says registering a business name means you can carry on business under that name, but only a trade mark can give exclusive rights; business.gov.au says a trade mark is not the same thing as a company, business or domain name. IP Australia registers trade marks for chosen classes of goods and services, and runs the free Australian Trade Mark Search to check for existing marks. ASIC warns that registering a business name that is someone else's registered trade mark may lead to legal problems, so search before you order labels.

Directory

Official Australian sources on care and nightwear labelling, origin claims, the Australian Made logo, trade marks and business names, instead of a list of label makers. Each entry was checked against its own official website.

What is listed. Only government bodies, the official legislation register and the administrator of the Australian Made logo are included, where their official page could be fetched and checked. Each link goes to that body's own page. The list is not complete and is in no particular order. No label makers, retailers or brands are listed.

Not an endorsement. Listing is not a recommendation. This page is not affiliated with any organisation below and does not review, rank or recommend label makers or products.

Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement. Links are to official websites as published at the time of checking.

Questions to ask before ordering labels

Plain questions to answer for yourself, and to put to a label supplier, before you sign off a label design or a production run.

Is the product covered by the care labelling standard, or exempt?

Check the products covered and the exemptions on Product Safety Australia's page. Most clothing and household textiles are covered; read the full standard if unsure.

Do the care instructions match how the garment has actually been tested?

Care instructions must take into account all elements of the article, including trims, linings and prints, not only the main fabric.

Will the care information be in English, clearly legible and on the right kind of label?

The standard requires English wording that is clearly legible, and refers to a permanent label except for listed goods. Check that small text and symbols survive the weave or print.

Is any item children's nightwear or limited daywear in sizes 00 to 14?

If so, it must meet the children's nightwear standard, including the correct low or high fire hazard label. Some garments cannot be sold at all.

Does any origin claim or logo on the label stand up?

Origin labelling is optional for non-food goods, but any claim must not mislead. The Australian Made logo needs a licence from the Australian Made Campaign first.

Have you searched the brand name before ordering?

Search the Australian Trade Mark Search and the ASIC business names register. A registered business name alone does not give exclusive rights to the name.

What are the supplier's minimums, proofing, sample and reorder terms?

Get minimum quantities, setup charges, proof approval, lead time, quantity tolerances and artwork ownership in writing before paying.

About this page

wovenlabels.com.au is a free, non-commercial reference page published by Radiant Life Distributors Pty Ltd, Adelaide. It is general information, not legal or compliance advice, and it does not review or recommend any label maker, supplier or product. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any organisation listed; listing is not an endorsement. Information was checked against official websites in October 2026; standards, guidance and registers change, so confirm current details with the organisations linked above and read the full mandatory standards before supplying goods.