CPSIA Labels - to buy or make?

[Former_Member]

Where do you get your CPSIA labels made? Can anyone recommened an etsy seller who makes them? I did see some when I did a search but I like to hear some reviews. Or do you make your own?

[Former_Member]

Because the information changes by lot/date, you might find it to be more cost effective and timely to make your own. I make all of my own labels by setting them up in a photo program. You can also use Word or Excel if you don't have a photo program.

I print onto heat transfer paper and press them onto a white knit fabric (which will not ravel when cut). You can also use printable fabric sheets, but they can be slightly expensive.

Hope this help!

[HookedOnMOeZ]

Just a word of warning...
From what I've read before, the transfer method is not cpsia compliant. Unless u have the transfer paper tested. But I could be wrong on that or it may have changed.
The printable fabric however is fine to use and if u are using an ink jet printer this ink is compliant. So this is a perfectly acceptable way of doing it. I got my printable sheets for 50% off or something for a just clearing old stock clearance, but places like joann's I hear often have coupons that allow u to take 40-50% off any one item in the store. I know hobbylobby has these about every other week but I was unable to find printable fabric sheets there. and those are the 2 craft stores we have close by here.
Although I would be more then happy to sell someone a sheet or 2 as I can't remember how much they had in a pack as I haven't been needing the printed sewed in tag yet, but I know I got 2 packs and have more then enough to spare for someone that just wants to do a few at first.
But just convo me if u would like a sheet or whatever and I can figure out how much I would charge for one,... although with shipping it might just be better to by ur own with the discount... Just a thought :)
But otherwise the thing to be aware of with tag sellers on etsy is a lot of them have professional printers and don't realize the inks in those are not compliant and there fore they are selling u a product u would have to be testing to use. So my suggestion is befor u would buy tags ask if they use an ink jet printer or something else and if they use something else ask if they have tested the ink for cpsia compliance. Most people just have never heard of the regulations so have no clue they are selling people things they cant even use

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

But otherwise the thing to be aware of with tag sellers on etsy is a lot of them have professional printers and don't realize the inks in those are not compliant and there fore they are selling u a product u would have to be testing to use. So my suggestion is befor u would buy tags ask if they use an ink jet printer or something else and if they use something else ask if they have tested the ink for cpsia compliance. Most people just have never heard of the regulations so have no clue they are selling people things they cant even use
******

That's why I print my own CPSIA labels on printable fabric, and buy commercial woven ribbon FTC and size labels.

[Former_Member]

Neenah Jetpro SS heat transfer paper is CPSIA compliant and CMYK inks are as well.

[Former_Member]

I make my own. I buy printable fabric paper from the store (I've made my own before too), then I print and cut them out. Then I take my serger and put a rolled edge down the label so it doesn't fray.

[Former_Member]

Regardless if you're printing your own or buying ready made tag/labels make sure you check that the ink, printing material, and any additives used are up to the standards that the CPSIA has curently for the date of manufacture.

It may mean you need to :
- Check on a regular basis for any changes or updates from the CPSIA. Check their web page for a email update link.
- Need to check if if pre-made FTC size and care labels are upto the CPSIA's standards of manufacture since they are required to be a somewhat permanent part of certain finished products.
- Keep the empty packages or ppoduct information of exempt materials to prove you used items that where exempt at the time you manufactured the finished item.
- Ask the printing company for affidavit that they used 100% exempt materials and did not add any thing that might need testing like fray check, chemical ink setters, or water resistant spays. And keep copies on file as part of each finish product's information.
- Ask for copies of testing paperwork in the proper format, from either the supply manufacturer or the label maker, that show the "hazardous materials" in non-exempt materials are below the legal limit. And keep copies on file as part of each finish product's information.
- Buy the label supplies in the smallest possible cost effective packages in case there are changes to either the law or the CPSIA's interpetation of it.


Just remember whatever tag/label method you use that is currently compliant with the CPSIA may not be so in the future. This law seems to be ever evolving, sometimes in the favor of small business but more often than not it favors of mega-corporations that can mass produce batches items and have teams of law professionals to watch for (and lobby for) changes in the law.

[Former_Member]

I know this is an old thread, but I have a question. Is the printable fabric paper washable? Does it fade or fray overtime??

[Former_Member]

Some is, some will fade. I've had trouble printing my own on ribbon and having it fade. You can treat after printing, but the washable printable fabric sheets are just so much easier. All you have to do is immerse them in a solution of fabric softener to set the ink.

[Former_Member]

Shoot. I didn't think of asking for a COC for tags! Uggh!

So Beverly, are NW Tag and Label's printed tags conforming? I noticed you said you bought their woven tags. I have too, but now I need some that they only offer in their printed option.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Yes.

[Former_Member]

Whoa...wait a minute... I swear I thought I read that the tags themselves don't have to be compliant :banging head:

[Former_Member]

Ok, so I just need a COC from them and I'm good, right?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Truthfully, Corinne, I didn't get a COC from them. Their sole business and has been for years is to the Apparel trade. Their printing techniques would be the most up to date as available. The printing techniques would be the same as printing cloth. No lead. The only lead that was ever found in printing was in some earlier illuminated children's books. printed before the 1980's. For print at home techniques, CMYK ink contains no lead. We don't know what is in the ink/paint used by non commercial printers. I'm not worried at all about USA based apparel label manufacturer. Even if they found a trace amount of lead in the labels, the child would have to eat the whole order to have anything show up. Remember, the limit is above 100ppm.

[Former_Member]

Ok...Yeah I would be surprised, I mean, they have tags clearly meant exclusively for children's clothing, so they have to be aware of what the requirements are. So I appreciate knowing your thoughts on the issue.

[TerraExperience]

I am looking for some better fabric labels too for doll and children's clothing. When I call most places the first line staff are clueless on CPSIA.. My thought was to send an email to some of the common label suppliers especially of children's clothes labels and ask them specifically which of their labels are CPSIA compliant. This is the first draft of the email I put together --- has anyone done similar and does anyone have suggested refinement on the email or which would be good label suppliers to send it to? Thanks. Lynn (Draft below)
________________________________________________________
Draft 1 /Dear Label Supplier:
I need to buy (or make) reasonably priced fabric labels for Terra Experience’s line of doll clothes to be in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) permanent tracking requirement. I know what is required to be on the label based on information on http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/tracking-label/FAQ-Tracking-Labels... .

My problem has been finding fabric labels 1) will be permanent and 2) that themselves have a “Children’s Product Certification” so that I can use them on my children’s products. I know other handmade toy makers and crafters of children’s toys and clothing are having similar difficulty.

Do you sell fabric labels for children's products that have been certified or tested to be in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) (ref http://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/CPSIA/The-Consumer-Product-Safety-Improvement-Act/ ). Specifically do you have a written “Children’s Product Certification” for any of your fabric labels?

[TerraExperience]

I just found this in the FAQ for Tracking labels at: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/tracking-label/FAQ-Tracking-Labels...


Must the tracking label be tested and certified in a Children’s Product Certificate?

No. The physical tracking label does not need to be tested by a CPSC-accepted laboratory; nor does it need to be included in the Children’s Product Certificate. The tracking label must, however, comply with lead content requirements for children’s products.

So I'm going to revise the draft email to only ask about lead content.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Lynn,

Woven fabric labels would be exempt from testing as the fibers of the ribbon and the fiber threads woven to make the wording can not contain lead. You can order custom woven labels that have your brand name and location, along with some dating method that you choose. Do not worry about Batch, cohort or factory location. Does not apply to us. We aren't Mattel. Exempt items wouldn't need any testing or certification by a manufacturer.

My labels say.

Faye Malone Designs.com
Kinsman , Ohio USA
Handmade in the USA
of imported Fabrics.

13 JFMAMJJASOND 14

The above code cooresponds to the year and month of manufacturer.

[RaggieGirls]

Has anyone tried any of the woven labels sold by those here on Etsy---I'd love to support a small business if possible?

[RaggieGirls]

okay, I'm trying worldwidelabel from here on Etsy, I'll let you all know how it goes when they arrive

[Former_Member]

I'll bet spoonflower.com would be a good way to do labels. You'd just have to design with the repeat to work for your batch numbers and get the scale right.. but only 17.50 for a yard worth of cotton labels seems like a good deal to me!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Jessica I had Spoonflower.com print my last batch of labels. I was able to get over 300 labels from a yard of Kona cotton.

[Former_Member]

Awesome! What program did you use to design?

That's my goal for the day.

Just applied for sbm registration, getting my ring supplier's GCC to edit (Neal said that's a good way to do it.) Then later this week getting registration cards and safety pamphlets. After all that, I guess I'm ready to sell!
My dream of opening shop within two months just may come true!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Jessica,

I think my husband used Photoshop, but I also have Scrapbookmaker . We probably used a combination as I used a graphic from Scrapbookmaker. It was really a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Just be sure to leave plenty of room around all 4 sides for cutting apart and sewing down. You really only have to make one image. Spoonflower's programs will repeat it over the fabric. Did I send you a picture of my labels? If you want I will.

[Former_Member]

Wow, that'd be great!

Good point, I didn't think of seam allowance. But what about batch numbers? Do you think it's acceptable to just hand-stitch a number on each tag?

I'm reading the requirements off the CPSIA link now. But it'd be great to see a real example. Thanks!