Fraying labels

[Former_Member]

Ladies - thanks for the tip about the printable fabric. My husband designed several different tags, printed them, and viola, we're good to go...except the tags are fraying after being in the wash. Any ideas for how to prevent the fraying. Is it as simply as using Fray Check, or is there a better method?

[Former_Member]

you can do the fray check on each and every one but it's much easier to use interfacing. A light to medium weight fusible interfacing put on after the washing and before cutting apart should solve your problem.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I use pinking shears to cut apart, and someone posted once that they serge them apart. I've not tried that though
The featherweight interfacing is another idea, I might try that to see how it works.

[Former_Member]

Beverly,
I do the interfacing and still use pinking shears just because I like the handmade look of the pinking. Have checked with a couple people because rotary cutting sure would be faster, but all agreed there's just a special touch that comes from the look of the zig-zag edge ;-)

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Valerie, I think they now make specialty rotary blades that have curcy edges. That could be perfect!

[Former_Member]

The fusible interfacing works perfect! Thanks for the suggestion.

[Former_Member]

What if you just want to buy some, can anyone recommend a shop?

[Former_Member]

I just bought my labels from : https://www.etsy.com/listing/156569782/90-satin-custom-printed-labels-top?ref=shop_home_active_24


They have the CPSIA, and The FCC. Here is an Example of what I had her write on them:
1. font : I really like the font you have in your example, "Hanging Style" I would love that one, if not then this font. fiolex girls

2. Sizes:1 by 2.5 inches.

3. Folded

4. Clip art number: S10

5.
Sew Reclaimed, LLC
sewreclaimed.com
Handcrafted in Philomath, OR. USA
Handcrafted ____/_____

100% Second Hand Materials- Fiber Content Unknown
Turn Inside out
Machine Wash
Cold Water
Tumble Dry Low
Remove Promptly
No Bleach
Made in USA

I received them the other day, she was a bit slow getting them out, but she was also back logged. I read a lot of reviews that said she was worth the wait, and they were right! They turned out Fabulous, and will definitely reorder!!

[Former_Member]

Is that all on one tag or two?

[Former_Member]

my tags look like this:

Back:

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/62363_263106817181725_1803877501_n.jpg

Front:
https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1796517_263106777181729_1366797143_n.jpg

I spoke with Neal Cohen, the Small Business Ombudsman at US CPSC, and he helped me decide what information to have on the tag.

[Former_Member]

Forgot to mention that the 14JAJO15 stands for
2014
Jan-Mar
Apr-June
July-Sept.
Oct.-Dec.
2015

Yesterday I made a blanket and used a permanent marker to slash the year and quarter for a manufacturing date. In this case I slashed the 14 and first J.

[Former_Member]

What is 14JAJO15?

[Former_Member]

Oh gosh ha, sorry I should have waited a second! I still am kinda confused though. Trying to figure our how to have 60 plus labels for things I'm probably making from now until spring or summer...


What does the JO mean?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

J = jan Feb Mar
A = Apr May Ju
J = July Aug Sep
O = Oct Nov Dec

[Former_Member]

Wow that's really confusing.

[Former_Member]

Yes, it can be confusing. I use JAJO instead of JFMAMJJASOND (the first initial of all the months) because I don't make a ton of items. Using either system is easier than printing out batches of tags with the exact month. If you don't use all the tags that month, you won't be able to use them again for a year.

[Former_Member]

I use a blank spot before /2014
So: Manufactured /2014
Then I use a permanent fabric marker to write in the month.

[Former_Member]

Great idea Valerie, I think this is what I will do.

[Former_Member]

What about writing in the month and year, is this allowed?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Whatever you want is okay. You are the one that decides how you are going to "date" your products.

[Former_Member]

If you're making your own tags, consider cutting the fabric on the bias before affixing it to the paper to go through the printer. Then there should be much less issue of fraying edges...maybe fraying corners, but that shouldn't be too bad.

[Former_Member]

Is using permanent marker allowed, though (is it for sure lead-free?)? I've heard some people mark the spot on their tags with a stitch to avoid that issue so just wondering.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

No, you can use a permanent marker, I just use a stitch because I don't like using laundry markers, and I like to hand sew. Originally even the marker had to be tested. that appears to have been relaxed.

[Former_Member]

Just a quick note on the referral Sativa (SewReclaimed) gave on February 26th in this thread. I ordered the simple lables we needed under CPSIA/FTC and Jennifer did great with them. Same issue - she was slow and I had to message her 2-3 times after the set ship date to find out when they would actually be coming, but they're quite nice.
Then with the new CPSIA law, baby carriers need to have an additional warning label. I emailed a jpg of what I needed, gave font size specs that are laid out in the mandatory guidelines and otherwise said format to make as compact as possible. She said she'd probably send a proof for my review before sending. She didn't, but she did send the 100 labels (this time within the ship by window). Unfortunately, she completely removed ALL formatting as it was laid out in the sample I sent her, such as the black box around the 2 Warning sections. These are completely unusable for me and I've contacted her 3 times now asking how we might be able to work together to fix the problem. She has not responded to any of my convos. So I now have a pile of useless labels, out the money, and have lost a month towards meeting the updated compliance.

In short, if you're going for something simple, she's good and you'll probably have to wait for them, but go for it.
If it's something that has to meet other standards, you might want to consider looking elsewhere for someone known for communication to make sure you can get what you need and will work with you to rectify any mess ups.

[Former_Member]

Update - after doing a "problem with this purchase" based convo, she finally responded. She is going to try again on the labels and even though they should cost more, has offered to do them for no extra fee.