Flexible, vivid and virtually indestructible, rubber labels are a great way to inject vivid individuality into your brand!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of rubber badge for clothing custom. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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.
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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.
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
Before taking any step to understanding custom PVC patches, let’s see that what exactly are the PVC patches.
In a nutshell, PVC patches are a modern take on the traditional embroidered patch. PVC is a sturdy plastic that comes in an endless variety of colors and can give your custom design a look and feel that embroidery can’t match.
PVC is one of the oldest man-made materials, with thousands of applications in industry. PVC, or Polyvinyl chloride, was discovered by French chemist Henri Victor Renault in 1835 and is a type of plastic that has a rubber-like feel and is valued for its toughness. His plastic is softer than other forms of plastic and is often used as a rubber substitute.
PVC patches, unlike embroidery, are waterproof and will never fade, fray, crack or peel, making them ideal for military morale patches, outdoor use, and sporting events, among other things. Patches made of PVC will add depth and dimension to your design while being very simple to clean with a damp cloth. You are able to use PVC patches that come with a variety of backing options, but Velcro backing is the most common.
The only limit to how many colors you can use on these patches is your creativity, which will make your design stand out from the crowd. You can get this patch in almost any size imaginable, from a half-inch logo to a 15-inch patch! PVC is a common option for those looking for a unique and rugged look for their patches.
PVC patches are ideal if you’re looking for a rugged yet fashionable look. Rain, snow, gravel, grit, and other elements are no match for PVC patches. PVC patches are even fashionable, which makes them even better! Patches made of PVC are ideal for a variety of uses. They are long-lasting, versatile, easy to clean, fashionable, and maintain their shape and color.
PVC patches are a more modern alternative to embroidered patches. They’re made of soft, durable plastic and come in a rainbow of colors to help bring your custom design to life. PVC patches are extremely tough, never fading, fraying, cracking, or peeling, making them ideal for outdoor use. PVC patches are lightweight but durable, making them suitable for use outdoors.
PVC patches are commonly used on military gear, airsoft gear, and a variety of other items due to their versatility. Our PVC patches are the ideal accessory for any occasion, and we guarantee that you will be pleased with their appearance and feel.
Here are a few good reasons to get PVC patches:
Yes, since PVC patches are made of a specific form of plastic, they last longer and do not fray, fade, crack, or peel. PVC patches are made of high-quality material, resulting in a product that is long-lasting and resistant to any climate or temperature. You’ll be amazed by how long PVC patches will last while still maintaining their beautiful shape and color.
You won’t have to worry about PVC patches breaking down because they’re really low maintenance. They are a fantastic choice from our patch selection, and we highly recommend them for those who intend to use them outdoors.
PVC patches, also known as Polyvinyl chloride, are made of a tough and flexible material that has a rubber-like feel to it. PVC patches come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, and they can handle both heat and cold. PVC patches are ideal for those who intend to retain their patches for a long time because they do not deteriorate.
When buying these patches, there are a few important things to keep in mind. PVC patches are typically costlier than custom embroidered patches – up to 30% more expensive – due to the custom molds used for the development process. Order minimums are often usually higher. With a minimum of 50 parts, SEDIGITIZING has the lowest minimum in the industry.
If your design is very detailed, a larger patch would be more suitable because small information would be difficult to read on PVC patches. PVC patches are ideal for designs with little data. Overall, PVC patches are incredible; they will never fray or fade, can withstand any temperature, and look stunning. PVC patches give any picture a 3D feel, and they can transform any design or idea into a visual masterpiece. Colors look so bright on a PVC logo, and your design will come to life.
PVC patches make it easy to distinguish people and their belongings. Since this type of patch is made of weatherproof material, it’s perfect for coats, caps, bags, and backpacks. Most importantly, we can custom form and paint PVC in a way that attracts public attention.
Some of our customers who use PVC patches for uniforms and gear are listed below:
You may have an application for custom PVC patches that we didn’t think about. That demonstrates the versatility of our newest products. Please let us know how you intend to use your soft PVC patches.
PVC patches are simple to apply to clothing or appliances. Attach them to the material with sewing, glue, or Velcro. Many of our customers like the versatility of being able to remove the patch and use it on other clothing and gear. That is why Velcro backing is still widely used.
Are you interested in learning more about reflective printing clothing tags custom? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!