Make your own fabric labels for FREE! (Video Tutorial)

I have been wanting to post this video tutorial for a few months now and have finally come around to doing it! You all should be very happy! If you quilt you know that it is VERY important to include a label on the backside of all your quilts. We need this not only to track who made the quilt for future years to come but also so your family members can have the information on the quilt itself years after you’re gone. If you have young children you may want to learn this technique to add your own customized labels to your kids’ clothes, bags, backpacks, blankies, etc.

All you need is some printer paper, freezer paper, a glue stick, and an inkjet printer! Feel free to share the link to my video to anyone you know who will benefit from learning how to make their own fabric labels, for FREE!

It has come to my attention that different inks in the inkjet printers may or may not allow these labels to be printed permanently on your fabric without it having to be treated with a special solution.  I suggest you try this method out on a scrap piece of fabric first.  Heat set it with a dry, hot iron for about 15-20 seconds and then try washing it by hand under the sink with soap and agitating it to see if your ink is one of the ones that won’t set permanently.

Please comment and let me know if you have tried it yourself! I love to hear from you.

38 replies on “Make your own fabric labels for FREE! (Video Tutorial)

  • cropperbea

    do you re-use that sheet with the freezer paper on? and also I’d think you have to wait until the glue is dried before sticking it in the printer? wouldn’t want any gunk to get in there…. I’m totally going to try this 🙂

    Reply
  • Crafty Gemini

    Yes! I file that sheet away in a folder and reuse it every time I need to make a label. As for the glue, I specifically use a glue stick for that purpose. I wouldn’t recommend using a liquid glue unless you made sure it was completely dry. I have also used double sided tape, or an adhesive roller that scrapbookers use. Never had a problem and it works every time! Let me know how it works for you when you try it. :o)

    Reply
  • Pam

    I tried this technique but found that after a few washings the entire print on the label was gone. I was thinking of trying it again and using the bubble jet set to set the ink next time. Maybe it was the ink in the printer that I used, but heat setting it was supposed to keep the print from fading and it did not.
    Glad it works for you

    Reply
  • Crafty Gemini

    Pam: That’s terrible! I thought the same thing when I first tried it but made a sample label and washed it several times to make sure before putting it on an actual quilt. Luckily, I never had a problem. You’re probably right that its the ink… sorry it didn’t work for you. :o/

    Reply
  • Started Young

    Wow! This is exactly what I was looking for! But I do have one question… What kind for fabric do you use for printing on?

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    This is brilliant! I was wondering if there is something else you can use instead of freezer paper? I live in the uk and I’m not sure if I can get that kind of paper here.

    Reply
  • sheena abdusshakur

    mrsmossify,

    You are so awesome,i just start watching your video’s today and i had to subcribe. Iam a sewer rookie and iam loving it. Thank you for everything that you give on your website and video’s.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    Your tutorials are all awesome. The way you explain everything makes it so easy to learn.Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with others. ( mspammy)

    Reply
  • Wiona

    Hi, is there any particular brand of freezer paper that you use? I live in Northern Ireland and have had to try eBay to get some, not sure which to go for. Also does it matter whether it’s on a roll or on sheets? Many thanks for sharing your talent with us all!

    Reply
  • Wiona

    Many thank! I checked them out and they do deliver to here. While I was trying to find some I came across the Reynolds brand on eBay uk, longer roll and cheaper(can’t beat that!) than pelennapatchwork, but she does have a lot of other things I’ve been looking for! Thank you so much for taking the time to help me, you have a very generous spirit.

    Reply
  • Wiona

    Ok, a quick update on how I got on. The ink type is really important. I have cheap compatible ink in my Epson r200 and the ink washed out completely when I tried to give it a gentle hand wash. Then I tried it in my Epson b1100 which has the original inks in it. Worked a charm. To prove to myself it wouldn’t wash out I machined washed it on a 60 degree C cycle. Having five kids there are lots of stains that require a hotter wash. Came out perfect, no fading at all. I’m so happy(can you tell!). Not only can I do quilt labels now but personalised cushions for grandparents, backgrounds for embellishing with embroidery etc. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening up a world of possibilities for me.

    Reply
  • meowiefotografie

    hey there ms vanessa! so glad there are very generous crafters like you to share this wonderful DIY! First of all I live up in the northern province in thailand and we don’t have the luxury of buying things in ebay (costs much on international shipping, etc). Is there any alternatives for this matter? thanks so much!

    Reply
  • byLorena

    Hola Vanessa! I am fan number one of you! Thank you! I had made labels, and I loved it until i washed them and it has washed out, the ink is gone… My printer is a HP inject and has original inks
    I used them for my child preschool liner’s and rather to sew the labels I have used “a double stick fusible” for appliqué…. What i am doing wrong?

    Reply
  • Crafty Gemini

    meowiefotografie : Unfortunately, I don’t know of any other item you could use and get the same results. Have you tried doing a search to see if any stores or online shops in Thailand carry the freezer paper?

    Reply
  • Crafty Gemini

    byLorena: Your ink must not be one of the ones that sets permanently on fabric. Did you make sure to heat set it with a dry hot iron? If you did do that step and it still washed out then the only options you would have are to purchase another type of ink cartridge that is still compatible with your printer but that is permanent or purchase a product called Bubble Jet 2000 and treat the fabric with that before printing on it with your current ink. Hope that helps.

    Reply
  • kaysee

    I love to watch your you tube tutorials; very interesting and easy to follow. I see you using a small iron on some of your sewing projects what kind of iron is it and can it be found in Europe? I am living in Turkey at the moment.Thx

    Reply
  • lbdoherty

    Hi- have you experimented with prewashed vs. off-the-bolt fabric for this method? I’m wondering if sizing affects the colorfastness of the inkjet inks. (Love your tutorials and posts. Thanks!)

    Reply
  • Cheryl

    Hey Vanessa :)……….I just tried making these labels……I used a piece of ‘satin’ type fabric, but I ironed it with a dry iron to a piece of freezer paper to eliminate the glue, printed it (inkjet)……then heat set it, again with a dry iron, washed with Dawn, rubbed it in well, and rinsed……..and the type was still there 🙂 YAY!!!

    Thanks for ALL your tutorials Vanessa………you make it all so easy for us and you’re such a joy to watch and listen to……. 🙂

    Cheryl in SoCal 🙂

    Reply
  • Linda

    Hi Vanessa – This tutorial is great. I made a label yesterday – and it’s absolutely perfect. I was worried about the fabric going through my printer, but never fear! It was fine. Thanks for your tutorials and creativity!

    Reply
  • Sharon Armstrong

    Love your tutorials. Just a question, I have seen other ones which suggest pre treating fabric with a fixative. Like bubble jet 2000. Do you feel this is necessary.

    I live in Australia and not sure if we have it here. I don’t want to make a heap of labels only to have the ink run or disappear.

    Reply
  • Laurie

    @Sharon Armstrong – I have seen blogs where they just mentioned setting the print with a hot iron after printing, like mentioned here. My question is similar to yours, I’m wondering if it matters whether you was to use the bubble jet 2000, or how much longer if any that it will extent the life of the label from repeated washings of a quilt. Vanessa we would like to hear what you like on this matter. Thanks

    Reply

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