Flexible, vivid and virtually indestructible, rubber labels are a great way to inject vivid individuality into your brand!
Jiamei Labels Product Page
In this article we'll show you what makes silicone (rubber) labels special, where they can work really well and what you need to watch out for when placing your first order.
Even though the clothing industry commonly refers to 'rubber labels', these labels are actually made from silicone. Silicone delivers a crisp, colourful, delightfully bumpy label ' and it's virtually indestructible.
Just like rubber, silicone is waterproof and flexible. Silicone can handle hot and cold temperatures and it doesn't fade in direct sunlight, which makes it the perfect labelling choice for extreme sports and industrial products.
Rubber Labels Are Chunky: The sense of depth you get from a rubber label is so much richer than with a woven or even an embroidered label, because the label is so much thicker. Rubber labels vary from 1mm to 5mm in thickness ' that's a depth that even the heftiest embroidered badge can't match.
Rubber Labels Are Vivid: Silicone labels are poured from a mould in pantone-perfect colours. You get crisp corners on even the most finicky lettering, so contrasting colours really stand out and logos look pixel-perfect. There's none of the compromise that you expect from a fabric label (more on the detail limitations of woven & printed labels here).
Rubber Labels Are Flexible: Silicone has a bit of give in it ' it can bend and stretch a little if you pull/twist it ' but it will always return to its original shape. This makes it perfect for attaching to advanced hard-working textiles like neoprene and canvas.
Rubber Labels Are Clean: Silicone is inert and odourless. It doesn't leech colours or melt and it's very hard to scuff up. It also doesn't absorb water! If you're looking for a label that's physically impossible to bleach or stain, then look no further!
Rubber Labels Are Durable: It's hard to tear a silicone label, and they perform really well in extreme temperatures. You can even run your iron over a silicone label without any melting or loss of detail (just keep it under 220˚C).
Rubber Labels Are Different: Another great thing about rubber labels is that they're still pretty rare! If you're looking for a way to differentiate your brand from anything else out there, a rubber hem tag (or even some promotional badges) can make a big impact.
Rubber labels are the go-to for hardy workwear, industrial strapping and sports, but you can use them in a variety of situations:
Ski Gear will often use rubber labels for exterior branding. You'll find a lot of salopettes and ski jackets with rubber logos: the logo will still look great after a few seasons of sub-zero temperatures, damp and direct sunlight.
Swimwear often uses rubber labels, too. Whether you're labelling up trunks and bikinis full-body scuba suits, you need a material that can handle the harsh underwater environments. Chlorine and salt water can cause a fabric label to fade over time, so waterproof silicone solutions are perfect for all things swimming-related.
We also get a lot of orders from makers of climbing gear and industrial strapping. Whether you're a tree surgeon, a port stevedore or just someone who loves to go mountaineering on the weekends, you need to know that your straps and harnesses are going to hold under extreme weight.
Silicone labels are often seen just above the pop stitching (a safety stitch that 'pops' open when your straps are exposed to too much weight) on racking straps and climbing harnesses.
Silicone isn't just for clothing and workwear! Accessories can look great with a rubber label, too. In fact, one of our customers, Salteria, complements their range of bright, bold printed purses with stand-out rubber labels that add a lot of depth and texture to the finished product:
Because a silicone label is poured into a mould rather than woven on a narrow fabrics loom, there's technically no limit to what you can achieve in terms of shape, depth and size. That said, rubber labels tend to fall into one of three categories:
Labels & Tags
If you're selling sportswear or apparel, a rubber tag at the hem or the outer side of the neckline can look fantastic. Just make sure it's not in a location where it could rub against the wearer's skin. The wearer won't suffer any allergic reaction, but the bumpiness of the label could cause irritation.
The best way to fix a silicone label to a garment is to stitch it. Most labels are between 1mm and 5mm thick; if your label is on the thick side, we recommend you add a sewing channel. A sewing channel is just a thin border that goes the whole way round the label (like a castle moat), giving you a nice thin area to stitch the label securely to the fabric.
Badges & Stickers
Silicone can take the heat from an iron without melting (it doesn't actually melt if you go at it with a really hot iron ' it just stiffens and hardens). This makes it perfect for iron-on adhesive backings. If jacron or metal just isn't the right choice for your iron-on badges, you might find that a silicone option is just what you need.
Peel-and-stick label backings are available for silicone labels, too, but if you're working with fabrics, we always recommend that our customers go for a sew-on or iron-on option wherever possible.
Zipper Pulls
Depending on the finish you're aiming for, a neat, bright silicone zipper pull could be just what your zippers need! You don't have to stuff a rubber zipper pull and you can go to 5mm thickness without any issue. You can also embed strings and hoops directly into the silicone, which makes for a really secure zipper pull.
I hope this guide has got you excited about rubber labels! Just remember that, when you're placing your order, you'll need Pantones (to get your colours spot-on) and patience (to allow for the c. 4 week turnaround time).
The lead times are longer than they would be with a woven label. The process of making a silicone label is completely different to woven label manufacturing. First, you need specialist mould manufacturers to create your prototype label for you, then those mould manufacturers need to reproduce that mould on a larger scale so that they can deliver thousands of your bespoke labels. The moulds then need to be poured, tested and quality-controlled, which all takes time.
Want more information on rubber badge for clothing services? Feel free to contact us.
The minimum order for rubber labels is 1,000 pieces, but if you have a great idea, it's worth the investment and the extra couple of weeks!
Thanks for reading!
Pete
Designing and making PDC rubber patches is always fascinating and productive. This enables you to apply a long-lasting and colorful emblem on your sportswear and other accessories, such as bags, hats, or any other product you wish to endorse. Custom PVC Rubber Patches are fabricated from a material that is rather pliant and can be easily shaped and painted to the required color. This guide will help you with the necessary steps involved in designing and manufacturing your own PVC rubber patches, and all the procedures will be as fun and easy as possible.
To begin with, it is most crucial to know what type of patch you would like to develop if several are planned for different areas. Here are some steps to guide you through the design process:
Decide if the patches are for a club, organization, business, or personal use. Knowing the purpose will then assist in determining what design you should use.
The best way to start is by looking at what other people have done before in the form of patches. Take your focus to the shapes, colors, and styles that appeal to you in any way.
You should start with the website's most simple drafts. This is hardly the time to start caring about how the ideas look; the need of the moment is to get them down on paper.
Once you come up with your idea, it is prudent to sketch your idea on a computer. This is an important step as this digital file will be copied to produce the mold out of which the PVC patch will be made.
Choose Your Software: Use graphic design tools like Illustrator, Corel Draw, and Inkscape, or download an application from the App Store. These tools allow you to draw vectors, which is ideal for this since you are aiming for clean cuts.
Design with Layers: Similar to vinyl, the PVC patches are generally layered and attempt at a three-dimensional look. When designing your patch, always ensure that it is made up of several layers for each color and each of the elements incorporated into it.
Include Details: Add or complete such elements as the text or complex patterns, and make sure that they can be easily read.
Export Your Design: After your design is complete, save it as a high-resolution vector (e.g., .ai, .eps, or .svg).
If you do not own a blade, you will have to employ a company to cut your PVC patches with you if you have the rest of the materials. Here are the steps to find a reliable manufacturer:
Look for firms that deal in the creation of PVC patches. Read their past clients' feedback and ask for some of their productions to have an idea of the quality of the services offered.
For this reason, contact several manufacturers seeking tenders based on your design, the number of placards that will be required, and the backing type and size in case it is part of the placard design.
If possible, request to preview their previous work to determine the viability as well as the level of detail of patches they work on.
Here are the steps to follow once you've selected a manufacturer:
your design to the manufacturer by uploading clear digital data of your design, including all the details, including colors, sizes, and additional instructions.
Choose the kind of backing you wish to use for your patches including sewing-on, Velcro, or adhesive-backed.
The manufacturer will then forward you proof of the design before actual production is done. Read it thoroughly and ask for the desired modifications.
After ensuring that all the proof has been made, you have to finalize your order and wait for production to begin.
After deciding on the manufacturer to work with, you simply provide them with a high-resolution digital file of your design, as well as the details. Then, you will need to determine what kind of backing your patches would have: sew back, Velcro back, or adhesive back. Next, the manufacturer will provide you with proof of your designs, and you can make further changes if needed. Last but not least, your order confirmation lets you know that you have enough proof and you have to wait till production begins.
When using PVC patches, it is advisable to keep designs as profound and simple as possible. Sometimes, the specific details designed on the former may not have come out well on the mold.
Vivid and contrasting shades are even more preferable for making your design distinguishable.
Make sure that the patch in question is the right size for what the user has in mind. While the former could reduce some details that are not necessary, the latter can be used to combine different items, and it can be a challenge to attach when it is big.
The company is the world’s best flocking patch in stock supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.