Stick-On, Iron-On or Sew-On Name Labels: Which Should You Choose?
30th Oct 2026
School name labels
Stick-on, iron-on or sew-on?
Choosing name labels that last.
Every way of naming school uniform works. The right one depends on what you are labelling, how hot it gets washed and how much time you have the night before term starts.
A five minute read for busy parents
If you have ever stood in the school playground holding three identical navy jumpers, you will know why naming school uniform matters. Choosing how to do it is where parents get stuck. Here is how the main types of school name labels compare, and where each one works best.
1. Stick-on name labels
Stick-on name labels are the quickest way to name a whole uniform. Peel one off the sheet and press it firmly onto the wash label inside the garment. There is no iron to heat up and nothing to sew, so a jumper, two polo shirts and a cardigan take a couple of minutes.
They stick to the wash label rather than the fabric, so check each item has one before you start. Most school jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts and coats do.
Good for
- School jumpers, cardigans and polo shirts
- Coats, book bags and anything with a label inside
- Labelling the night before term starts
- Families who would rather not iron or sew
Worth knowing
- They need a wash label to stick to
- Leave Easy2Name stickers 24 hours before the first wash
- For kit washed hotter than 40 degrees, an iron-on tape is the safer choice
2. Iron-on name tapes
Iron-on name tapes bond to the fabric with heat, so they suit the things that get washed hardest. Easy2Name iron-on tapes are rated to 60 degrees and are tumble dryer safe, which makes them a good fit for PE shirts, shorts and tracksuits.
Each tape takes a few seconds with a household iron, and there are instructions in every pack. One thing to check first: iron-on tapes will not stick to Teflon-coated school wear, which includes many stain-resistant school trousers and skirts. Use a stick-on label on the wash label for those.
Good for
- PE kit and sports clothes
- Anything washed at 60 degrees
- Clothes without a wash label
Worth knowing
- You will need an iron and a few minutes
- Not for Teflon-coated trousers and skirts
- Want a picture on it? Try the iron-on name transfers with an icon
3. Sew-on name tapes
Sewing in a woven name tape is the traditional way, and still the most permanent. The name is woven into the tape rather than printed on, so it does not fade, and once it is stitched in it stays for the life of the garment.
It does take longer. Allow a few minutes a garment. Many families sew tapes into the things that need to last, such as blazers and coats, and use stick-on labels for the rest.
4. Name stamps and click-on tags
Two more options worth knowing about. A personalised name stamp prints the name straight onto wash labels, with around 900 stamps from one, so the whole family can be done in one sitting. EasyTags are small tags that click through the wash label with an applicator, with no heat or sewing.
5. Side by side
Stick-on labels
- Seconds each, no iron or needle
- Our own: machine washable
- Easy2Name: up to 40 degrees, tumble dryer safe
- Best for everyday uniform and coats
- From £5 for 20
Iron-on tapes
- A few seconds each with an iron
- Easy2Name: up to 60 degrees, tumble dryer safe
- Not for Teflon-coated trousers and skirts
- Best for PE kit
- From £3 for 24 (write-on kit)
Sew-on tapes
- A few minutes each
- Name woven in, so it does not fade
- Stays for the life of the garment
- Best for blazers, coats and hand-me-downs
- From £12.99 for 36
Name stamp
- Seconds each
- Around 900 stamps from one stamp
- Best for big families and big piles
- From £22.95
Prices are for the smallest pack and include VAT.
6. Quick answers
Which name labels last the longest?
Sewn-in woven name tapes. The name is woven into the tape and the tape is stitched to the garment, so it stays for as long as the garment does. For things washed hot, like PE kit, iron-on tapes come next.
Can I mix different types?
Yes, and most families do. Stick-on labels for the everyday uniform, iron-on or sew-on for PE kit, and waterproof stickers for bottles and lunch boxes.
Do stick-on labels work on school trousers and skirts?
Yes, on the wash label inside. They are also the better choice for Teflon-coated, stain-resistant trousers and skirts, because iron-on tapes will not stick to those.
How quickly can I get labels before term starts?
Our own washable name labels are printed by us and leave the same day if you order before 3:30pm. Easy2Name labels are made to order and posted to you Royal Mail first class.
Want a list of everything to label, from the PE bag to the water bottle? Our checklist in Another lost jumper? Let's put a name on it covers the lot.
The right label for every item.
Stick-on, iron-on and sew-on labels, name stamps, and waterproof stickers for bottles and lunch boxes, all in one place.
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