Relabeling Clothes: Are You Doing It the Right, Legal Way?

Thinking about starting your own clothing brand by buying blank shirts and putting your own label on them? Or maybe you’re a designer looking to customize existing garments? Relabeling clothes can be a smart move, but it’s super important to do it correctly and legally. Just like following the rules in a game, there are specific laws about what you can and can’t do when changing clothing labels. Get it wrong, and you could face big problems!

This guide will help you understand the simple rules so you can relabel with confidence.

What is Relabeling Clothes?

Relabeling clothes simply means taking off the original label (usually from the company that made the plain garment) and sewing or printing your own new label onto it. People do this to:

• Start their own brand: Buy blank tees, add their cool logo.
• Make their brand look fancy: Give a more professional, “boutique” feel.
• Create consistency: Make all their products look the same, even if they come from different factories.

It’s a very common practice in the fashion world, especially for small businesses.

When Is Relabeling Definitely NOT Okay?

Before you even think about putting your label on a garment, it’s vital to know the big “NO-NOs.” These are times when relabeling is illegal or highly unethical:

1. Relabeling Branded Retail Products: Imagine taking a Nike t-shirt, cutting out the Nike tag, and sewing in your own. Not good! If an item is already designed, branded, and sold for retail (like something you’d buy in a regular shop), you generally cannot relabel it and claim it as your own. This is about protecting big brands and avoiding confusion for customers.
2. Making a “Knock-off” Product: It’s never okay to relabel something to make it look like it was made by a famous, well-known brand when it wasn’t. This is called counterfeiting or intellectual property (IP) infringement, and it can lead to serious legal trouble and big fines.
3. Products with Unique Designs or Patterns: If a plain shirt has a special pocket, a unique print, or a fancy cut that is clearly a recognizable design of another company, you probably can’t just slap your label on it. These unique features can be protected by copyright or design laws. Sticking to basic, plain items is the safest bet for relabeling.

The Right Way to Relabel: Legal Stuff You MUST Know

When you replace a label, you have to make sure your new label follows the laws of where you’re going to sell the product. These laws exist to protect customers, making sure they know what they’re buying.

Here are the key things that generally must be on your new label, especially if you’re selling in the United States (governed by the FTC – Federal Trade Commission) or similar international markets:

1. Fiber Content (What It’s Made Of)

You need to list what materials the clothing is made from. This is called the “fiber content” or “material composition.” The FTC’s Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (TFPIA) outlines these requirements.

• Percentages: List the fibers by weight, from the largest amount to the smallest (e.g., “60% Cotton, 40% Polyester“).
• Minimums: In the U.S., if a fiber makes up less than 5% of the total weight, you usually list it as “other fibers,” unless it’s wool or serves a specific function.
• “All Cotton” or “100% Cotton”: If it’s just one fiber, you can use these simple phrases.

2. Country of Origin (Where It Was Made)

You must state the country where the clothing was primarily made or processed. This is a requirement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and also under the TFPIA.

• “Made in [Country Name]”: This is usually pretty straightforward. For example, “Made in Canada” or “Made in China.”
• “Made in U.S.A.”: This is a very strict label. To use it, the product must be “all or virtually all” made in the U.S. from materials that are also made in the U.S. If an imported blank shirt is just printed on in the U.S., it generally cannot be labeled “Made in U.S.A.”

3. Identity of the Manufacturer or Importer

Your label needs to identify who is responsible for selling or marketing the product.

• Company Name: You can put your company’s registered name.
• RN (Registered Identification Number): In the U.S., you can apply for an RN from the FTC. This number identifies your company and can be used instead of a full business name on the label. Many companies prefer this as it’s shorter and universally recognized by regulators.

4. Care Instructions (How to Wash It)

This tells your customers how to clean the garment so it lasts. The FTC’s Care Labeling Rule mandates these instructions.

• Clear Instructions: Provide at least one safe method for washing, drying, ironing, and bleaching. For example, “Machine Wash Cold, Tumble Dry Low.”
• Permanent: These instructions should be durable and stay on the garment for its useful life.

Important Things to Remember About Your New Labels

• Visibility & Legibility: Your new label must be easy to see and easy to read. Don’t use tiny fonts or colors that blend into the background.
• Durability: The label should last through normal wear and washing. This is why woven labels or durable print transfers are often used for neck labels.
• Location: While traditionally sewn inside the neck, labels can also be printed directly onto the garment’s fabric (like a tagless tee) or attached as a hang tag. If using a hang tag, ensure the required information is also permanently on the garment itself if it’s meant to last.
• Language: The information on the label must be in the official language of the country where you are selling it. For instance, Canada’s textile labeling laws often require both English and French. The UK’s textile labeling regulations specifically require English. If selling internationally, be ready for different language requirements.
• Separation of Info: While all required information needs to be present, you can sometimes separate it. For instance, the fiber content and country of origin might be on one label, and care instructions and size on another.
• “Contains Non-Textile Parts of Animal Origin”: If your clothing contains any animal products (like leather patches or fur trim), you usually need to state this clearly on the label. This is a requirement in many places, including the European Union.
• Manufacturer Consent: When buying wholesale blank garments, it’s a good idea to ensure your supplier permits relabeling. Many wholesale brands specifically make their tags “tear-away” for this purpose. Always check your wholesale agreements.

Related Posts you might enjoy

• Everything You Wanted to Know While Relabeling Garments
• How to Choose the Perfect Blank T-Shirt for Your Brand
• Safety Apparel Laws Make Washington State Happy

Beyond the Label: Ethical Considerations

While legality is key, ethical relabeling also plays a role in building a good brand.

• Transparency: Be clear with your customers about your brand. While you’re not obligated to state that the garment was originally blank wholesale, building trust through quality and accurate representation is good business.
• Quality Control: When you relabel a garment, you take on responsibility for its quality. Make sure the blank apparel you choose is up to your standards.

Why Relabeling Matters to Your Business

Relabeling allows smaller brands to enter the market without needing to manufacture garments from scratch. It’s a cost-effective way to establish your brand identity and offer custom apparel quickly. By following the rules, you protect your business, build trust with your customers, and contribute to a fair marketplace.

Need Help With Relabeling Your Apparel?

Navigating the ins and outs of apparel labeling can feel complex, but you don’t have to go it alone. At NW Custom Apparel, we’ve been helping businesses, designers, and organizations in Milton, Tacoma, Seattle, and across Washington State with their custom apparel needs since 1977.

We understand the legal requirements for textile labeling, and we can guide you through the process of creating compliant and professional custom labels. Whether you’re looking for woven labels, printed neck tags, or durable heat transfers for your brand, we provide high-quality solutions that meet regulations and elevate your garments.

Contact NW Custom Apparel today to ensure your relabeling is done the correct, legal, and professional way!