Custom Shirt Labels, Packaging and Branding: A Complete Guide for US Brands

# Custom Shirt Labels, Packaging and Branding: A Complete Guide for US Brands

For US brands importing shirts from China, the garment itself is only part of the product. The labels, tags, and packaging you choose communicate your brand identity, comply with legal requirements, and create the unboxing experience that customers remember — or forget.

This guide covers every **custom shirt labels** and packaging option available to US importers, along with practical advice on specifications, costs, and lead times.

Woven Neck Labels

The woven label inside the back of the collar is the most visible branding on any shirt. It tells the customer who made the garment and becomes a subtle quality signal.

Material options:

**Dobby weave**: The most common choice for mid-range shirts. Tight, clean weave with crisp edges. Available in satin finish for a premium feel. Cost: $0.03-$0.08 per label.

**Taffeta**: Slightly glossier than dobby, with a smooth surface. Good for smaller text or logos. Cost: $0.04-$0.10 per label.

**Satin**: High sheen, soft hand feel. Commonly used by premium brands. The weave is less durable over time. Cost: $0.06-$0.15 per label.

**Damask**: A jacquard weave that allows complex logos and patterns. Very sharp detail. The most premium option. Cost: $0.08-$0.20 per label.

What to specify when ordering:

Dimensions (typically 3.0-4.0 cm wide by 1.5-2.5 cm tall for men’s shirts)

Fold type: end-fold (both ends folded under) or center-fold (folded in half over the seam)

Thread color for the border

Your artwork file in vector format (AI or EPS)

**Lead time**: 10-15 business days for first order; 5-7 days for reorders.

Care Labels

Care labels are a legal requirement in the US market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that garments have a care label with washing instructions and fiber content.

What US law requires on care labels:

Fiber content percentages (e.g., “100% Cotton” or “65% Polyester, 35% Cotton”)

Care instructions (washing temperature, bleach yes/no, iron temperature, dry cleaning)

Country of origin (“Made in China”)

**Materials**: Care labels are typically satin or nylon, printed rather than woven (woven care labels would be expensive and hard to read). Cost: $0.02-$0.05 per label.

**Important**: Ensure your factory uses the correct US care symbols, not European or Asian symbols. The FTC provides standard symbol charts that Chinese factories familiar with US export will know.

Size Strips and Size Labels

Size indicators help customers and retail staff quickly find the right size. You have two common approaches:

**Woven size strip**: A small woven tab sewn into the center back neck or side seam. Common in premium shirts.

**Printed size strip**: A heat-transfer or printed label in the same position. Less expensive but less durable.

Cost: $0.01-$0.03 per size indicator. Specify whether you want alpha sizing (S, M, L, XL, XXL) or numeric (15, 15.5, 16, 16.5 for neck sizes).

Hang Tags

Hang tags are the first physical touchpoint a customer has with your brand. They convey quality, price, and product information at retail.

Types of hang tags:

| Type | Cost per Tag | Best For |

|—|—|—|

| Uncoated paper (recycled, kraft) | $0.05-$0.15 | Sustainable / eco-friendly brands |

| Matte coated cardstock | $0.08-$0.20 | Most mid-range brands |

| Glossy coated cardstock | $0.08-$0.20 | High-end retail |

| Soft-touch laminate | $0.12-$0.30 | Premium unboxing experience |

| Metal or plastic | $0.30-$1.00 | Luxury positioning |

What to include on hang tags:

Brand logo and name

Style or SKU number

Retail price (optional, depending on your sales channel)

Size

Country of origin

A brief selling point (e.g., “100% Egyptian Cotton” or “Non-Iron Finish”)

**Attachment methods**: Plastic fasteners (most common), string or twine (rustic look), elastic cord, or ribbon. Each has a slightly different cost and aesthetic.

**Lead time**: 7-10 business days for standard printed tags.

Barcodes and SKU Labels

If your shirts will be sold through retailers or fulfillment centers like Amazon FBA, barcodes are essential.

Options:

**UPC barcode**: Required by most US retailers. You purchase a unique UPC from GS1 US (cost: $250 for a starter pack with 10 codes, then annual renewal fees).

**EAN barcode**: Standard for international sales, though the US increasingly accepts EAN as well.

**QR codes**: Less common on apparel but useful for linking to care instructions, authenticity verification, or marketing content.

Print barcodes on a small adhesive label (2.5 cm x 1.5 cm) affixed to the hang tag, poly bag, or directly to the garment’s care label. Cost: essentially negligible when printed in bulk with hang tags.

Poly Bags

Every shirt shipped from China arrives in a poly bag to protect against dust, moisture, and handling damage.

Options:

**Standard clear PE bag**: Cost $0.04-$0.10 each. Add a “Warning: To avoid danger of suffocation” label if selling in the US.

**Resealable zipper bag**: Cost $0.08-$0.20 each. Premium feel, allows customer to reseal storage.

**Biodegradable or compostable bag**: Cost $0.10-$0.25 each. Growing in popularity for brands with sustainability commitments.

**Header bag with hang hole**: $0.08-$0.15 each. Allows shirts to hang on retail racks while still bagged.

Specify bag thickness (1.5-2.0 mil is standard), dimensions, and whether you need a barcode or care label printed on the bag.

Cardboard Inserts and Collar Stays

Cardboard inserts help shirts hold their shape in packaging. For dress shirts, a shaped cardboard collar stay keeps the collar crisp.

**Standard collar stay**: $0.05-$0.15 each

**Branded cardboard insert with printing**: $0.10-$0.30 each

**Recyclable or FSC-certified options**: Slightly higher cost

If you are shipping to US department stores, many require specific insert sizes and materials. Confirm the requirements with your retailer early.

Export Cartons

Shirts are packed into master cartons for ocean freight. While these are not customer-facing, proper **private label packaging China** includes carton marking specifications.

Standard carton specifications:

Standard carton: 55 cm x 40 cm x 25 cm (fits approximately 20-30 folded shirts)

Single-wall corrugated (for lighter shipments) or double-wall (for heavier or longer transit)

Maximum gross weight per carton: typically 15-20 kg for manual handling

Carton marking:

Your brand name and destination

Style, color, and size quantity per carton

Carton number (e.g., “1 of 50”)

Gross weight and net weight

“Made in China”

Handling marks (fragile, keep dry, this side up)

Cost: $0.50-$1.00 per carton, or about $0.03-$0.05 per shirt.

Putting It All Together: Sample Specification Sheet

When briefing your factory, provide a complete packaging specification like this:

| Item | Specification |

|—|—|

| Neck label | Woven dobby, end-fold, 3.5 x 2.0 cm |

| Size strip | Woven, right side seam, 2.0 x 1.0 cm |

| Care label | Satin, printed, center back seam |

| Hang tag | Matte cardstock, 5.0 x 8.0 cm, twine attachment |

| Poly bag | Clear PE, 2.0 mil, 30 x 40 cm |

| Collar stay | Shaped cardboard, unbranded |

| Carton | Single-wall, 55 x 40 x 25 cm, 24 shirts per carton |

Final Thoughts

Every **clothing branding options** choice — from the weave of your neck label to the material of your hang tag — contributes to how customers perceive your product. Investing in quality **custom shirt labels** and packaging signals that you care about details, which builds trust and justifies higher retail pricing.

If you are launching or expanding a shirt brand and need guidance on specifying labels and packaging, Hopeway Clothing can help you select the right options for your budget and brand positioning. Our experienced team works with US brands daily and knows exactly what the market expects.