I had an interesting discussion with one of my regular readers last week about labeling, so I thought I'd seek your advice and get a bit more feedback on the issue.
The gist of the discussion was a suggestion that perhaps my labels were a bit prominent, especially on smaller items I make, and that maybe I would be better putting them on the inside of pouches and garments and the back of mugrugs etc... Basically because when they were placed as so much of a statement on the outside it could be a bit of a turn off for customers...
Hmmm... I had to think that one over!
When I was designing my label I actually specifically designed it to sew onto the bottom right hand corners of my t-shirts, as a brand statement. My thoughts at the time were that since I was designing primarily for babies and children, a label at the back of the neck can get quite irritating and often gets cut out. So I figured that if I'm going to spend good money on labels then I want it to stick around (no pun intended ;) ) and be noticed rather than cut out and binned. Therefore that decision affected the size and look of my label very strongly.
It has only been since I designed it that I have begun sewing more smaller products and using the same labels for those. At first I must admit that I added my label to the top of pouches only because I forgot to add it before I sewed them all together and it was the only place I could add them as an after thought (confession time!). But I have since continued to add them to the outside of small products (usually still down the bottom right so that I'm being consistent but it can depend on the product).
Personally I like them on the outside. Although I must admit that I have thought they would look better on the inside of the pouches in particular in the top middle (if I can ever get myself organised to remember to put them on before sewing it together!). If I think of big brand names though (not that I'm comparing myself to them) e.g. Gucci, Chanel, Nike, Rebok, Pumpkin Patch, etc.. etc... their labels always on the outside of their products on everything they create. After all that's what branding is about.
I guess I don't consider that my handmade goods should be any different to the big names (if anything I'm more proud to add my label) and therefore I try and place it somewhere in a prominent place which also works in with the design of the product. (And not that I'm biased or anything but I think my labels are quite pretty)
However - (and it's a big however in case that's not obvious) at the end of the day I do not want my labelling on the outside of products to be a turn off for potential customers and lose me sales...!! And if that was the case then I would be inclined to change my thought process and consider other places for the labels.
So, I would be very interested to hear your opinions and get a gauge for the general consenses.
Please don't be shy - I can take your honesty.
But lets keep both for and against sides constructive...
Thanks heaps!
24 comments:
From a non-business stance, I'm very pro-label, but anti-advertising. I am happy to have a lable of the maker - especially if its a handmade item as sometimes (gasp!) I forget who made what if I want to buy more. Bad for you and me. So, a little label inside a pouch would be great for me. However, I nearly avoid buying anything with a label on the outside as I'm not here to advertisie for you. But, it's all about scale. A t-shirt would be OK for a tiny lable, but it may be too much of the surface area of a little pouch.
Not sure I'm helping...
Label = good.
Small thing = label stays hidden.
Large thing = Ok on the surface.
I like your label Kat and think it finishes off your wares nicely. However I'm inclined to sort of agree with Cindy....
Outside your pouches = yes.
But perhaps on the back of your mug rugs as it sort of detracts from the overall finish on the front......?
Perfect on the bottom of t-shirts though!
Is that ok?
Xxx
I was JUST thinking about this the other day, though it was another blog/shop, not yours, that brought the question to mind. I think that when it comes to pouches, the label almost always looks best on the inside, or sewn into a seam on the outside if it's small and designed to be used that way. Your labels are small enough that they're not offensive on the outside (the same could not be said for the other shop), but I think it's just a cleaner, more professional look when they're on the inside.
I think they should definitely be on the outside of shirts, though, just how you're doing them. Such a cute little detail!
Hi Kat! I think they are cute labels, but that in itself presents a problem for me. If I am buying something for someone for which 'cute' does not apply, for example my mum, any men in my life, most of my girlfriends, then I would maybe be put off a 'cute' label displayed prominently. If it was a gift for a child or someone who I think likes 'cute', I would go ahead and buy it. By making your label prominent, you are making it part of the design I think, and perhaps it's not always appropriate in the design. Is that making sense? For sure you should label though, just perhaps on the inside of pouches or the back of mug rugs etc. Now that is just my opinion, and, really, since I make plenty of my own pouches and mug rugs etc I am pretty unlikely to buy them elsewhere, so maybe my opinion is not really very valuable to you! By the way, I love that blue pouch, it is adorable!
Definitely add a label, but I agree it should be on the inside of the pouch and the back of the mug rug so that it does not detract from the overall design and appearance of the product. I have to admit that if I was choosing between a pouch with an inside label and an outside label (if all other things were equal) that I'd buy the inside label one.
Hope that helps.
Oh, you are definitely right about the tags on the inside of baby clothes though. I often cut those off for my kids so a tag on the outside is best on garments. :)
I would have to agree with everyone else. As for labels in clothing, even for babies, I would be more inclined to put them inside as well but into a seam on the side (near the hem).
No matter how good the label, I prefer them on the inside of all items. I would only buy a mug rug, if the label were on the inside. On a pouch, I would prefer the label on the inside, however, it becomes more acceptable on the outside as the size of the bag increases. Even on clothing, I prefer the labels on the inside, but would still buy if on the outside. If labels are on the outside, I prefer the little labels that are sewn into the seams. I buy an item because I like it, not to advertise the maker to others. Your labels are lovely and put inside a garment or pouch would remind me where to buy another.
I just read what Cindy said and I feel very much the same. I like to see a little lable inside a pouch or bag so it's clear where it's from and it adds to its handmade credentials. But I'd avoid buying something with a big label on the outside because I think it often detracts from the overall design and I don't want to advertise. I guess the obvious and more acceptable compromise is if you have a symbol or descreet logo that advertises your brand without shouting it.
There is a lot to be said for putting lables on the exterior of clothes but for me personally on the seam near the hem or something so it's discreet.
I guess the big differece with brands like Chanel and Gucci is they have a huge reputation and people are happy to have the brand obvious because when they have paid that much money for an item they want that shown off. I don't think it applies so well to lesser brands - even if they are fabulous? :-)
Hi Kat
First of all your labels are adorable. I appreciate that fact that you don't put them in the neck of baby clothes...I always cut those out of my own, way to itchy.
My preference for labels of any type is out of sight....this goes for big names as well. On my own work I try to make the label as discreet as possible. I just think the label takes away from the over all look.
Sorry, I'm another out of sighter, and deliberately don't buy things to advertise for others, not clothes or anything else. Inside and out of general sight would work though. It's something I'm gong to have to think about ordering more of soon, mind you, so thanks for reminding me!
Afraid - after giving it thought - I am more for on the inside or back of small items, but think on the outside of the clothes you do, my the hem of a shirt would be perfect. But it is a gorgeous label, and such a good one in particular for kids clothes and quilts.
I'm going with the majority here, too, Kat. I love your cute label, but would prefer to see it on the inside of a pouch or on the back of a mug rug. For your T-shirts and other apparel, though, on the outside is great(say at the bottom of the shirt or on the back at the neck.)
Hello Kat! This became an interesting discussion and I'm happy to read other's opinions. I'm suprised that every one seems to prefer the label inside and out of sight. I have always liked labels (when they are nice) and I think the label can be also planned detail for a product. I don't mind advertising the product I like enough to buy it. Your label is beautiful and it shows that you have designed it well so that you could use it also outside.
Still I think that the label shouldn't take too much attention, so in pouches I would prefer it inside or like a loop in the seam and in quilts behind.
Thank you Kat, this was a good lesson for me too!
Have a lovely week! xxx Teje
Hi Kat, you've started an interesting discussion here! I'm more a discreet person myself. For smaller things you may be running the risk of someone unpicking the label if it's on the outside and throwing it away, whereas on the inside or back it'll stay as a reminder who made it but not offensive to anyone. I think T shirts get away with a label at the front but I do like the look of it sewn into the side. I do like your labels though and think you have such a great brand name.
What an interesting topic.
I love your label design. It's clean , uncluttered and easy to read. For me label placement is all about which product it's on. Quilts and mug rugs are definitely a "put it on the back " for me. On T-shirts I like it in the side seam, purses/pouches on the inside.
I hear what everyone is saying but I think your label is part of your product - in other words I Like it whereever you choose to put it! But how about a mini version - just the butterfly on the outside for your branding with the full label inside !?
Wow, this discussion is very enlightening. I agree with Teje and Nicky's comments mostly. I think it's a great idea to make a little tab with a butterfly on the outside of your pouches with a larger label inside. I am kind of surprised that people wouldn't want a label on the outside. I love to buy one of a kind items for myself and for my kids, and I like how the label showcases that it is not from a big box store. I do not like clothing like Old Navy, Polo, etc that have the brand on the clothing, but I like it on handmade items. I do agree that the smaller scale items need a smaller label. I am definitely coming back to read further comments.
I went to your shop and looked at everything, to get more of an idea of how the labels look on your items. Having said that, I do not think that your labels are intrusive at all! The label does not look too large on the pouch, and I like the look of the labels on the bottom of the shirts. It will be fun to read all of the differing viewpoints - smart of you to get feedback!
Honey, when you sell the amount that Gucci does, then put your labels on the outside. For now, stick them where they will be noticed but not seen.
I say its they are your products and your look. if someone doent like it they dont have to buy it. Branding is a part of your creativity. I like what you do.
Here's my two cents for what it's worth :)
I don't find your labels at all intrusive and love that you place them where you do. It's a personal thing as with each of your commenters but I am more attracted to a handmade item where the label is prominently displayed.
x
I like what nicky said up there- the idea of a smaller one on the outside and the larger one on the inside seems like a really cohesive and cute idea. But I don't think the tags are bad where/how they are now either!
I love the subtlety of the "W" stitched into the back pockets of Wrangler jeans, but dislike the blatant (tacky IMO) LV on the Louis Vuitton items.
That being said I would rather "advertise" for a friend's small company than some large faceless one. I love your labels & love the idea of having it on the hem of a shirt. Bags are a little trickier, I don't mind the label on the outside. In your example picture it looks pretty discreet to me. But I can see how maybe a tag with just the butterfly could work to your advantage.
I do like your label Kat - very distinctive & fun.
I like the idea of it at the bottom of a shirt, and the back side of a mug rug.
As for the pouches, hmmmmm....could it be made into a pull for the zipper? I think that would be cool! Other than that, if the pouch was larger, I wouldn't mind it on the outside, but on the smaller ones, if not used as a pull, I think I would prefer inside. I do definitely like to have the label though, at the very least, as a reminder of who made it/where I got it!
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