Labeling for August

[#1]

I am struggling to understand the labeling requirements, specifically what needs to be on them and how to make them permanent. It says it needs to be: "the source of the product, the date of manufacture and more detailed information on the manufacturing process such as a batch or run number".
What is the source of the product? Where it is made?
I get the date thing, but detailed info on the manufacturing process???? Like, I sat at sewing my sewing machine at my dining room table and stitched these things together? (just kidding), and I need to make up some kind of batch number and keep records...it is all hurting my head.
I need to make a decision here. I only do craft fairs in the fall season, the deadline for applying for my big fairs is fast approaching, with non refundable registration fees...I figured, I could squeeze out this year (before the Feb. 2010 date), but now I am just not sure.
Anyone have any insight? I have read and re read until my head hurts.

[NotMyTreeStore]

Worst case scenario, it seems easy enough to buy printer fabric (available at any craft store) and print off individual labels as you need them. This would allow you to change the information on each one, too, if it came to that (which I don't think it will). If the CPSC has not outlined what they mean by "practicable," then I don't think they'd charge anyone with a violation of not following said rule. The word is pretty straightforward, I think: if they item is not too small or otherwise unable to be labeled, don't label it. I don't think they'd make anyone affix a label to a product if the label actually *interfered* with the way the product was meant to be used (ex: I don't think they mean label every earring stud..where would the label go? How would it be attached? How could you still wear the earring?).

I think it, like the entire CPSIA thing, will change radically and definitely before they make any rules and regulations mandatory and prosecutable.

[Former_Member]

I know there's been at least one thread over at Fashion Incubator about this.

I went back and forth about the labeling myself but have decided, after reading the FTC guidelines, that since the clothing I dye already HAS labels with all that info and the dye really doesn't change anything - dye information isn't included on commercially dyed or tie-dyed items, for example - that the already-existing labels will suffice for me. If I dye something second-hand that didn't come with a label, that's another story, but there are guidelines even for "unknown material" and I can make a one-off "tag" with iron-on transfer paper for my printer and put it in the neck where the tag or "non-tag" for tagless items would go.

[Former_Member]

marking for later

[Former_Member]

The fabric content and care labels I use are not permanent though, sewn in...do you think the iron on labels - ironed on and then sewn in would be considered permanent? The permanent thing has really got me scraching my head. Many of my items are made of felt - ink printing wouldn't work well.

[BarkingDogDesigns]

I too have been thinking about what is meant by "permanent."

To me, a permanent label would be one that:

1) Is affixed in a readily visible location.

2) Is made of a material (cloth or tyvek) that would last the lifetime of the item to which it is attached.

3) Presents the required information in a manner that is likely to remain legible for the lifetime of the item.

4) Is attached in such a manner so that it cannot be removed from the item without damage to the label.

IMO, a cloth label sewn into a seam fits this definition and would be acceptable. The large tyvek law labels attached to bedding (pillows and mattresses) would be an example of a permanent label.

[Former_Member]

I have little fabric tags sewn in already to state the required washing instructions. I also put my name and WEB ADDRESS on them - it really helps the word of mouth!!!! I think adding the year, or a number for each year, is a piece of cake, and a good solution. I'll just add it below the washing instructions.

I think its good to think outside the box a little bit on these things, and turn it into a marketing tool with your name and web address.

[Former_Member]

Oh, you can see my labels in my pictures, and not a single customer has ever complained about it. I buy them from Purple Hug here on etsy, and they don't fray, do look extremely professional, hold up in the wash, and are easy to use. If a parent cuts one off my product, I can't stop them - but I am doing what I am required, and you would be shocked at how many customers I have received through word of mouth because my web address was right there for them to copy down!

[Former_Member]

GenerationsTieDye says:
If I dye something second-hand that didn't come with a label, that's another story, but there are guidelines even for "unknown material" and I can make a one-off "tag" with iron-on transfer paper for my printer and put it in the neck where the tag or "non-tag" for tagless items would go.
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Isn't iron-on transfer paper considered a no no for kids because of the whole phalates (sp?) thing?

[NotMyTreeStore]

You don't even need iron-on transfer paper. You can get printer-ready fabric, 100% cotton, at any craft store, and print right onto the fabric itself. You can really print onto any cotton fabric, anyway. Ironing freezer paper (shiny side of the paper to the wrong side of the fabric) first will make it more stable so it can more easily go through the printer, and when you're done the freezer paper peels right off, leaving nothing but the fabric. I've done it even without the freezer paper, though, for thicker cottons, and it works fine.

[Former_Member]

Marking....

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

jakboutique says:
You don't even need iron-on transfer paper. You can get printer-ready fabric, 100% cotton, at any craft store, and print right onto the fabric itself. You can really print onto any cotton fabric, anyway. Ironing freezer paper (shiny side of the paper to the wrong side of the fabric) first will make it more stable so it can more easily go through the printer, and when you're done the freezer paper peels right off, leaving nothing but the fabric. I've done it even without the freezer paper, though, for thicker cottons, and it works fine.
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When you print tags that way does it hold up in the wash? Does the ink run when it hits water? Do you have to treat it with something to make it washable?

[Former_Member]

If you make individual items there is no way you can put a batch number on it. That is definitely for mass production or at least large quantities produced from the same material, paint, etc.

All my clothing items will be labeled with a date and will be signed by the artist. I don't mass produce my items so I will not be able to include a batch number.

[Former_Member]

auntiejill, I agree with you about using it as a marketing tool....that's how I'm trying to look at it. I'm tired of being frustrated over all the laws that are coming down on us.

[chatnoirstudios]

marking....

[NotMyTreeStore]

>When you print tags that way does it hold up in the wash? Does the ink run when it hits water? Do you have to treat it with something to make it washable?

Mine have all held up fine in the wash. The ink doesn't run; it's heat-set with the iron after the fabric is printed, so it's permanent. I really like using it.

>idarose says:
If you make individual items there is no way you can put a batch number on it. That is definitely for mass production or at least large quantities produced from the same material, paint, etc.

All my clothing items will be labeled with a date and will be signed by the artist. I don't mass produce my items so I will not be able to include a batch number.
*********

I agree completely. Making one item at a time is not a "batch," so I don't see how a batch number is even possible.

[Candejo]

I don't think it's impossible to make a batch number, just use a series of the alphabet/numberic system. Keep it as simple as possible, only maybe using three spaces. Such as A01, A02, A03, A04, A05 - A99, then switch to B and do over, then C....each one of a kind item can have one - it would take you a whole lot of items to need to go past this and then you could make it a letter- 4 space batch, such as A001 - A999, etc.

Now do I think the labeling in general is full of baloney - yes. But the batch is probably the easiest part of it to solve.

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

This gets more and more confusing as time goes on. I refuse to fold because of this but the frustration is getting to be too much!Here's hoping to figuring out a solution to this soon.

[bubbletime]

marking

[Former_Member]

I'm getting confused labeled all my clothing with everything incl washing instructions and now they want date of manufacture too ....this is becoming weird i even have it labeled in french !!!!!

[Former_Member]

Marking.

[Former_Member]

marking for later...good info thanks!

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

moving this up