Custom clothing labels - How to design and make labels with your Cricut machine

Helena Lachowiczová
2024-04-29T17:00:36+02:00

Today I have a creative blog post for you. Not that I write about anything else, right? But back to the topic. Come with me and discover how to create your own designer clothing labels. This time using a plotter and iron-on technique.

What do you need to create designer clothing labels yourself?

In this post, I will link to some products I use and have tested via an affiliate link. If you decide to purchase any product based on my recommendation, I will receive a small commission from your purchase. But you, of course, do not pay anything extra.

First, you'll need a backing material for the labels that will be sturdy, easy to cut, and easy to iron on. I opted for kraft paper, also called Wash paper, which I have worked with before and really like for its excellent properties.

Before I tried it, I wasn't sure about the result. Whether it would have any effect or not. That's why I delayed my article until I had washed the labels and found out if they were durable and the print wouldn't peel off.

And...

It didn't peel off!

So, you will need:

Kraft paper or 100% cotton knit fabric or smooth cotton webbing, ideally without ridges or texture (in various widths)

Ruler

Pencil

Sharp scissors or a heavy-duty paper cutter

Plotter iron-on foils (the color is up to you, I have these from Cricut)

Plotter (I have a Cricut Explorer3 plotter, but it's quite large, and for small projects, its smaller relative Cricut Joy will suffice)

Cutting mat for Cricut or another brand, I have both original and non-original from Worklion - Amazon)

Some tools for peeling off excess material - tweezers, something like a scalpel comes in handy

Heat Press mat - again, I have a non-original mat from Reallike

Ordinary Heat press mini - mine is from Amazon, works quite similarly, costs a third

Cricut Design Space - plotter control software that comes with every Cricut hardware

Tablet or some drawing device - if you will be drawing yourself, if not, a lot of graphics can be bought in Cricut Design Space or for example on Creativmarket.com

Carefully prepare the labels themselves

The first thing I did was to prepare all the labels. For this, I used scraps of washable paper that I had saved for smaller projects. I measured these pieces and, using a ruler and pencil, planned these remnants into smaller squares or rectangles.

I used sizes 4x4 cm, 3x3 cm, and then 2x4 cm and 3x4 cm. These sizes are just right for small design labels with text, a logo, or an image.

I cut them into squares using a cutter or trimmed them with sharp scissors. It is possible to cut them with a plotter, but I didn't have enough space to set everything up and wait for it. Plus, it dulls the blades quite a bit, and I really save those sharp blades for deep cuts.

I created graphics on a tablet and transferred them to Cricut Design Space

The next step is to create graphics in a graphics program. I use, for example, Procreate on iPad. Or purchase graphics and edit them in the Design Space program. Navigating this program is very intuitive, and everything is beautifully translated into Czech, so anyone can manage it.

So I'll start with the graphic design. I will adjust its size to the labels. For example, I will reduce the text to 1.5 cm x 3 cm so that there is space around it for sewing.

It is important to ensure there is space on the label for sewing. And consider the number of details in the graphic. Too many small details cannot be transferred and then preserved when cutting into the foil.

Cricut's Design Space has its own database of images from creators

Cutting and weeding the graphics on the plotter

The next step is to set up the cut on the plotter. I used classic Cricut iron-on foils without a surface finish, so ironing is really simple. The material "sticks" with the adhesive side to the cutting mat, which is why the mat is an essential part of the work process.

I use blades for smooth and soft foils. Stronger blades with a greater angle are not necessary. I then start the operation on the plotter. I must not forget to turn on "mirror" for ironing. Otherwise, the text would be reversed after ironing. And you don't want that.

Once the plotter cuts the graphic, it's time to weed it. This takes longer than one might think. Small and detailed graphics require care when weeding. Weeding essentially involves removing excess foil and separating it from the parts you want to iron on.

Ironing onto the label using a Heat Press

Practically, you can iron on using a regular iron or a Heat Press. I used a Heat Press because my iron once gave up the ghost during an iron-on project, and since then, I simply don't use conventional irons. What happened to it? The handle broke.

The principle of ironing is that at a high, constant temperature and pressure, you subject the iron-on foil to pressing for a certain period of time.

Too much heat will melt the foil, while too little heat and pressure will cause it not to adhere and peel off. That's why I prefer a Heat Press, because first, it's easy to press on, and second, smart Heat Presses use an app to monitor temperature, pressure, and time themselves, so the transfer simply works out. It's not a gamble.

And I don't like gambling. I prefer to play it safe. That's why I used a Heat Press mini from Amazon for ironing. I chose the Medium temperature for ironing. The highest was too much, and the low was too little. So I set it to two. This heat press isn't as smart as its Cricut counterpart, but I also use it successfully.

Using pressure, I ironed for 20 seconds - beware, don't imagine a ironing motion. Just place the heat press and apply pressure. There must be a mat under the material and foil to prevent burning, for example, onto the table.

The process itself is a bit more complicated and would be better suited for a detailed video. Let me know in the comments if you'd appreciate one.

Finally, within two hours, I made about 40 tags. With a logo, with text, with graphics, with my own images. And I immediately used them all for my daughter's new capsule wardrobe.

The result?

Designer labels on kraft paper, ironed on with a Heat press, are worth it. They look very professional and hold up really well. Even after going through the washing process and even the dryer, the label didn't budge. So for me, satisfaction.