Decide which technique for printing is available to you.
We assume you will print the labels yourself so here are some ideas:
Transfer:
The easiest way to print a label is to use transfer print. You can buy the transfer paper that best suits your printer in many shops. If you use tranfer paper remember to mirror your image prior printing!
Once your label has been printed you can cut it and iron it on a small piece of non stretchy fabric (better white).
Your label is then ready to be stitched on your garment.
In order to waste as little as possible of transfer paper, prepare more labels for other clothes or use the rest for something else (you can also draw on it with waterproof markers).
Inkjet printing:
You can print directly on cotton with an inkjet printer. You can iron the white woven cotton on freexer paper and then print on it like if it was normal paper. Check which side of the paper your printer will print!
For more detailed instructions on this technique follow this link.
Screenprinting:
If you have the possibility of screenprinting you probably also know how it works.
Screenprinted labels last longer then transfered ones, but it's a lot of work for just a label! Again, to minimize the waste print more labels at once (repeat the first step for each label) or make yourself a nice T-shirt with the rest of the screen.
Sublimation:
This technique is what is normally used for labels. If you have access to a sublimation printer or a printer compatible with sublimation catridge (lucky you!) you can print the mirrored image on paper and then iron (max temperature) or heat press it on synthetic fabric. This kind of print/dye is the most durable.
We discourage people to add synthetic labels to pure natural materials (100% cotton, wool etc) because this might create problems in the recycling phase of the item.
We tried to embroider the code using a digital embrodery machine, but the result is unreadable by the scanners.
If you know easier techniques we would be happy to hear them.
If you are lazy and you think is worthed to spend some money for such a little patch you can probably have it professionally printed or even woven.
To avoid people spending big amount of money for having labels printed we are putting together a printer that can use sublimation ink.
Hopefully we will be able soon to make the labels for you for as little as 1 euro.( Check the News page for updates ).
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