Sew-In Labels

Using Ribbon and Iron-on Transfer Paper

Supplies:

1 ½” wide white, ivory, or light colored satin ribbon

Iron-on Transfer Paper for light fabrics

Word

Printer
Iron
Scissors

I know I posted information about labels a few years ago but here is an updated version.

I made my Robyn label unique by using a Type Mask in Photoshop with a lilac as a background but if you don’t have Photoshop you can still get some creative font and color combinations in Word. The horse image is a picture that I created in Photoshop. If you use images for labels on products you sell be sure not to use copyrighted images unless you buy the rights to use them.

I found the easiest way to create the multiple images per sheet was to copy an image into Word, tweak to get the size that I wanted, and then copy and paste the image to fill up the page. For 1 ½” ribbon I set up image to just under 1”. Once I create the master sheet I saved it to use over and over again.

Keep in mind that the image must be reversed because once you iron on the image from the back side. You can either do that step by flipping image in Word before copying it the multiple times in document. Or a lot of printers will give you the option to reverse it in print setup. My printer will automatically reverse image if I select iron-on transfer in paper type. You will need to investigate reversal options for your specific printer. I highly recommend printing on a plain piece of paper to verify final result then print on iron-on transfer paper.

I cut the printed iron-on transfer paper into strips with a trimmer and then use a scissors to cut the strip into smaller pieces and clean up excess blank space. But if you don't have a trimmer a scissors works fine. The trimmer just speeds up the process.

Cut 3” sections of 1 ½” wide ribbon and fold in half then press. This gives you a defined edge to line up image with to give consistent results. Now press image face side down on ribbon. It takes a high heat to transfer image so the little craft irons don’t normally work. You can try one to see if your craft iron is hot enough but I stick with a regular iron. When label has cooled, peel away paper.

You now have labels that can be sewn into your projects’ seams. For purses I like to tuck the end of the ribbon behind patch pockets or I will put on side of lining while making lining. You could serge or zigzag stitch at bottom edge of ribbon but it isn’t necessary. You could also iron image directly onto fabric of lining but I find that it’s difficult to see that way.

You could use fabric instead of ribbon. With ribbon the sides are finished and by folding it in half and sewing the ends within a seam the finishing is done in one step. If you use fabric you will have to finish the edges of the label.