Monday 15 September 2008

Ribbon label tutorial

I needed a cheaper alternative to having my product labels custom made in the form of woven labels. It just seemed that I was going through them at a rapid pace of knots, and working out at approx $34 for 50 labels, it was just not in my budget. I also wanted a graphic on my label and that would cost even more!

So ingenuity came to the fore and I realised I can make my own labels for less than $20. So here is the Silly Gilly tutorial on making your own custom ribbon labels.....

Materials required:
A4 plain paper
Iron-on T-Shirt Transfer paper
Ribbon (I use white 15mm wide double faced Satin ribbon)
Iron and ironing board
Scissors
Printer (I use an ink jet printer)
Computer with graphics program

Step 1:
Decide on the image you want on your label. Get handy with your computer and, using an image manipulation program (I use Photoshop) create a whole page full of your logo. I adapted my Silly Gilly store logo. I have created it so that it will be a horizontal label which is folded in half.

Step 2:
Repeat it in rows to fit across the page and space them so that each row has a small amount of space around it to enable easy cutting out. Make sure your images are printed on the page reverse. This enables the image to come out the right way on the label. Do a trial run with a plain piece of paper to ensure it fits and that the images are spaced correctly.

Step 3:
Load your printer with your chosen T-Shirt Transfer paper and print your images. I print my images with the printer set on 'Standard' print and on plain paper. You may have a setting for your printer for Transfer paper.

Cut out each image individually, ensuring the height of each image will fit onto the ribbon you will be using.


Step 4:
Following the instructions particular to your T-Shirt Transfer paper, lay the cut out printed images on the ribbon and iron. I allow a small amount of ribbon between each image so that there is a seam allowance when you come to attach the label.

Step 5:
Cut out each individual label and it's ready to use on your next project!!

My pack of T-Shirt Transfer paper contained 5 x A4 sheets and I can fit approx 270 labels on those 5 sheets. Which makes the labels a lot more cost effective than buying custom made woven labels.

My example above is shown with a fold in the center as I use these on side seams as shown in the following pictures:
Hopefully this tutorial will help you if you want to save a little bit of money and have an entirely unique option for labeling your wares. Please feel free to ask any questions as this is my first attempt at writing a tutorial! Good luck and I'd love to see some examples of your efforts.

42 comments:

CurlyPops said...

Oh my goodness, that is ingenious!
I already have the t-shirt paper so I can have a go.
PS Are yours ink jet?

Kirsty said...

They are just the cutest labels. Great tute too.

Jo (sparkly green knickers) said...

Thanks for the tute - I've been wondering what I should do about labels!

Liesl said...

Great idea and great tutorial. I have done something a little bit similar with cotton tape (to make washing instruction labels). I can't wait to try out satin ribbon though - that looks lovely.

Amy said...

wow! thanks for the tutorial!

Jo said...

oh this is GOLD! thanks for the great idea and a great tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Nicely Written.....I think even I could follow those instructions. How do you even think of this stuff???

Jesse said...

Nice tutorial - thank you! Transfer paper is a great idea, especially if I don't want to order 1000 labels...

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing.

Unknown said...

Thanks for that! Great for labeling handmade crimbo presents too. That's what I plan to use it for any way.

{Liz} said...

brilliant!!

Sweetpea4kids said...

Fantastic tute. Thank you. x

Billie said...

Thank you, great tutorial!

Anonymous said...

Great idea, great tute! Thanks so much!

Susan G.

Fiber Babble said...

I agree with every one else - brilliant! I thought you were going to make noise about using the alphabet embroidery on your sewing machine or something like that. This is to the point, simple and VERY effective!

Yay, you!

Donna said...

Great idea, and a well-done tutorial. Just one question--do you use the labels on items that will be machine washed? One thing I found frustrating about using the transfer sheets on tshirts is they always seemed to start cracking after a few washes.

Anina said...

Thanks! What a great idea!

Anonymous said...

Super!!!
exactly what i was looking for this weekend!
this is so creative!
great great great idea!

Anonymous said...

How cute! Bookmarking this to delicious to do whenever I find some of that transfer iron on paper!

shula said...

Ingeniously simple.

I will so be doing this.

Unknown said...

Well written, clearly understood tute about a clever and resourceful way to save on costs. You go girl!

Jason said...

Using a print gocco (if you have one) works well too. That's what I use. However the ends do fray a bit...which I like anyway.

Lego lover said...

OH this is GREAT. I cannot wait to give it a go tonight.

Lori Ann said...

Featured on my site, a collection of this week's top 10 crafting tutorials!

http://www.simplemakes.com/2008/09/top-10-craft-tutorials.html

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

This is such a fantastic idea! I'll be linking to this!

Teal Chic said...

I absolutely love this idea!!!! I can't wait to put it on my scarves!!!!! Thank you sooooo much! Candi

nikki/WhiMSy love said...

I've been thinking of making some of these & not knowing how---thanks for the tute!

Vera Jean said...

Hi there, found my way over here from ric-rac... The hats title got me..(I make them too) about the labels, I bought 500 for about $75 woven in my own font too...I am more than happy to point you in the same direction.. Jo

Paula Kesselring said...

Thanks so much for sharing.
Great tutorial!

Crystal said...

Way cute! Thanks!

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

Fantastic tutorial! I'd love to try this on handmade cards. :O)

florida webdesign said...

Very well done and nice tutorial. Ill have to keep this in mind for my next creative fashion endeavor. Thank you for sharing the steps and congratulations on such a great job.

PiErre said...

Hi. I normally use another kind of ribbon --instead of Satin ribbon--, but this one works well too.
Really brilliant the logo !

Julie said...

I think you just rescued us from disaster and frustration :-) A group of moms is in charge of making senior sashes for graduation. Was going to use Puffy paint, but the lines wouldn't come out even. If this works it will be soooooooo wonderful!!

Thanks so much for sharing!!

Julie

www.craftasticpassion.com

made at greenlodge said...

simply thank you

custom labels said...

Great idea, and a well-done tutorial. Just one question--do you use the labels on items that will be machine washed? One thing I found frustrating about using the transfer sheets on tshirts is they always seemed to start cracking after a few washes.

Susan said...

Great tutorial! I made labels for my Etsy shop items, and even washed one of them to make sure they're washable, and I am totally satisfied! I personally think using this method for labels to put in things that won't be washed often is no problem at all - nothing like using them for a t-shirt that will be washed more often. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks sew much.......... Just started sewing again and wanted labels for my things. I like to make it all so this is perfect. Great idea!!! Cindy

Mimi said...

Girl, you're a genious!! What a fab idea! I've just started out doing a little bit of sewing craft at home but it's always nice to put your name on the things you make. I'm SO doing this for my future projects! Thanks a bunch for an awesome tute! x Mimi
www.mimiscraftyworld.blogspot.com

Jill said...

THANK YOU! I'm sick of paying a fortune for not-so-pretty labels. I'm going to get to work on this right away.

Jill said...

I tried this & my paper got all globby. Only the first few rows were usable. My printer is a laser jet. I wonder if that makes a difference. Anyone have any suggestions? I really want this to work for me. Thanks!

Pam said...

I LOVE YOU!!!
I'm working on starting up a new Etsy shop selling scarves and was looking for ribbon labels when I found you gorgeous woman! My doll shop on Etsy, The Artful Doll isn't doing anything at all and so I think I may need to switch gears. For this tutorial which will save me heaps, I would like to offer you any item from the doll shop for just the postage, if the postage is over $5, otherwise free, please just send me a convo! There is loads of Barbie things there to choose from. My way of giving you a big hug to say Thank You SO very much! ~~~ Pam (The Artful Doll by Pam Gari on Facebook)