Labels for baby things

[Former_Member]

I had planned on opening a shop to sell baby and toddler bibs, burp cloths, and blankets that are all made from cotton flannel. I have read the various rules on labeling but I am afraid I still don't completely understand. If I were to buy or make my own fabric labels (and stitch them in between the layers of fabric at the top of the bib by the velcro closure(?) or some other inconspicuous and not-bothersome-to-baby spot) would I need to include my shop name, date of production, location, fabric content, and where the fabric was purchased (US or imported)? How in the world can I fit all that info on one little tag??? Any clear, concise help would be greatly appreciated.

ex:
Natasha Grace
July 2009
City, State, USA
100% Cotton
Fabric product of USA and Imported

[Former_Member]

Here's what I'm thinking. Basically, as I understand it, the buyer needs to be able to trace the item back to you, and you need to be able to identify materials and such. So, I think I'm going to do tags with my shop address and have a place for listing # (to be written in with a permanent fabric pen). Then I will need to keep track of what I used for which listing in case the buyer ever needs such info.

Ex.
www.CraftedByDesign.etsy.com
listing #___________________

[Former_Member]

Oh, and for the items that it is not practical to put labels on, the info will go on the packaging.

[Former_Member]

that's a good idea craftedbydesign, do you think that that would still satisfy the conditions legally? if so, that would be easy to do.

[TheWrapScrapPony]

I think your label has to be visible to the consumer, so hiding it between layers of fabric wouldn't work. Maybe just stitch it into a seam and let the parent cut it out themselves (which I'm sure will happen with the majority of labels!)

[Former_Member]

I have been looking and looking does anyone have the link that shows items that are to small can have the packaging labeled?? I have been reading a lot on it and it mentions that all items need to be tagged with something that is permanent which does not include hang tags and adhesives

[Former_Member]

myblessedbaby says:
I think your label has to be visible to the consumer, so hiding it between layers of fabric wouldn't work. Maybe just stitch it into a seam and let the parent cut it out themselves (which I'm sure will happen with the majority of labels!)
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I think she meant visible on the outside, but sewn into the seam.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Your label must have the city, the state, and USA also. Just having your web address won't do. Consumers must be able to find you if they do not have access to a computor.

This is more like it. Just make your type size small enough. Look at the print size on Hanes. It is so small that one needs a magnifing glass.

ex:
Natasha Grace
July 2009
City, State, USA
100% Cotton
Fabric product of USA and Imported

[Former_Member]

So, if we label our baby items this way, we will be in the clear and can keep on selling? What about the testing issue? Does that have to be stated somewhere?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Testing is a totally different issue from labeling. Depending on what you make, testing could be now, or could be mandatory in Feb. unless something happens in the mean time. And do, you do not state that your product is in compliance on the label.

[Former_Member]

This probably got asked somewhere else but I haven't been keeping up with this lately. Where is a good place to get such an extensive lable with such small print?

[NotMyTreeStore]

This is from the guidelines:

Each manufacturer is ultimately responsible for making a reasonable judgment about what information can be marked on their product and packaging, given the character and type of their product and packaging, and what required information can be ascertainable, given the character and type of their business.

******

If, in your reasonable judgment, you can only fit certain information on your label without it interfering with the function or design of the product itself, I would think a web address, where the consumer could ascertain more details about the product, would be fine. You can fit even more comprehensive information on a website than you can on a small tag, so in my opinion, that's compliance.

Hula Moon, there are lots of etsy sellers who make and sell custom labels, or you can make and print your own fabric labels easily at home.

[ballyhoocreates]

Baby bibs would also fall under the FTC textile rules, not just the new CPSIA rules. I summarize those rules in my blog tutorial http://duhbe.com/blog/?p=627

[Former_Member]

Oh My so many things to worry about. Great postings thank you!!

[Former_Member]

What do you use for fabric labels/tags Duhbe? Do you use those sheets of printable fabric? If so, which kind?

[Former_Member]

Labels that are required for children's items have to be permanently attached to the actual item w/all the required info included. That doesn't mean that they cant be removed by the consumer one they get it home.

I made some pretty labels once using grosgrain ribbon. Type all the info in a really small point size, like 6 or 7, and copy a whole bunch of them onto transfer paper. Iron them on to the ribbon. If you line them up when you print them, you can iron a whole row at once so it really doesn't take that long. & you can color-coordinate the ribbon w/your item. then sew the ribbon into a seam.
Looks nicer than handwriting w/a permanent marker.

...just don't ask me if the ribbon itself transfer stuff will pass testing, I don't know. :-)

[Former_Member]

Good idea to use ribbon Amy.

What about crochet/knitted stuff? How in the world do we attach permanent labels to that?

[Former_Member]

Starting when ??

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

OMG...
thx all for the great info.

marking

[NaturallyComfy]

marking

[MamaFamilias]

loushandiworks, Sewing tags onto knitted or crocheted items is easy. I do it all the time and it is not hard to get a sturdy, professional seam. Just place it in a location that does not need to stretch.

I don't understand the purpose of this line on the tags
"Fabric product of USA and Imported"

That doesn't seem to have relevance to the CPSIA law. Is it an FTC requirement? I'm going to read through those again, but if someone can enlighten me before, that'd be great:)

[Former_Member]

Wow. so much to take in. Thanks for all the great info.

Marking

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

mamafamilias says:
loushandiworks, Sewing tags onto knitted or crocheted items is easy. I do it all the time and it is not hard to get a sturdy, professional seam. Just place it in a location that does not need to stretch.
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This may work for sweaters, but for booties like Bobbinalong makes, I'd put the info on a card and take a couple of stiches in the bottom of a bootie to attach it to the card. Like what you would do for a hairbow.


I don't understand the purpose of this line on the tags
"Fabric product of USA and Imported"

That doesn't seem to have relevance to the CPSIA law. Is it an FTC requirement? I'm going to read through those again, but if someone can enlighten me before, that'd be great:)
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FTC law.