Where do you purchase your labels?

[Former_Member]

I finally received my RN# and I now need to get some labels. I already attach a label to the doll I make, because its stuffed, but I'll need another label to put the number on , where it's made etc... Any recommendations for me?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

You don't need an RN#, in fact it's not what you put on your tracking label. If you are talking about your Small Batch Manufacturer # you don't give that out to anyone. You would put it on your paperwork to show that you are claiming exemptions based on be a SBM. This is what is on my labels"

FayeMaloneDesgins .com
Kinsman, Oh USA
Handmade in the USA
of Imported fabric.
14 15 SSFW 16 17

Your dating code is whatever you choose that will help you determine when something was made and the materials that went into it. Your record keeping is important for keeping track of supplies and who you sold items to in case of any problems. An RN # doesn't provide an easy way for a customer to find you. A address or web address does.

[Former_Member]

Thank you Beverly! I appreciate your response and I'm glad I asked. Also, I was wondering about my fabrics, most are cotton, some blends and I see that putting "Imported" for the fabric is probably the most efficient rather than trying to decipher each content and having a multitude of labels. Do you make your own labels or order them?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I order my FTC and size labels in bulk from NWTag.com and I designed and had Spoonflower print my CPSIA labels. NWTag makes and sells woven ribbon labels to the fashion trade and their stock labels are very reasonable. The label fabric I had printed at Spoonflower yeilds me 312 labels for about $17. including shipping. I just have to cut them apart with pinking shears.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing, Beverly!

[Former_Member]

Beverly,
I have visited Spoonflower.com and am having trouble figuring out how you purchase your labels from them. Do you purchase a yard of fabric with your label repeated like a pattern? Or do they sell printed ribbon? What fabric do you find works the best?

Thanks!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Jenelle, They don't sell ribbon, you have your labels printed on fabric. I made one label on my husband's designing program 3/4 " x 2 1/4 " added 1/4 " to each side (all 4 ) That gives me plenty of room to cut apart with pinking shears and for sewing . Saved as an image. and uploaded it. I used Kona cotton, but I may use organic knit or performance knit next time since a won't have to worry about any possibility of fraying. Spoonflower has a sample fabric folder that cost $1.

[Former_Member]

I'm curious, can someone explain how they do their date codes? And does it need just month and year or the day also? My items take several days to complete.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Melissa,

There is no rule on date coding. Do what makes sense to you. Simple is better. The date should be completion date.

I have used 14 JFMAMJJASOND 15 14 and 15 the last 2 numbers of the year, and the letters are the first letter of each month.

I have switched to !4 15 SSFW 16 17 numbers the same as before and letters coorrespond to the 4 quarters of the year. Since I don't make 100's of any one item. This system along with record keeping enables me to know when i made something and eventually who I sold it too.

I use colored thread to take a stitch under the month and year. Works for me, and is uncomplicated.

[Former_Member]

thanks Beverly, That makes sense now. I make handwoven items and they are small lots and time intensive, so not 100's per month or even per quarter.

Now to study the rest of the pile of documents I have printed in the past couple of days. My head hearts and I kind of want to cry....

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Grab a cup of tea, but your feet up. Don't cry, enough tears have been shed on this issue, It's so easy compared to when the bill was first signed and dumped on us. Originally we couldn't use any textiles except in their natural state. Like undyed muslin. No buttons, no zippers, no snaps. They even wanted us to send our thread, for goodness sakes, off for testing.