Care Labels - Guide on Care Labelling Systems - Apparel

Contents

Introduction
Lesser Known Facts About Care Labels
Care Labelling Systems
The International Care Labelling System
The Japanese Care Labelling System
The Canadian Care Labelling System
The European Care Labelling System
The American Care Labelling System
Symbols used in the American Care Labelling System (ASTM Symbols)
Fabric Performance Codes
Premiere Vision Fabric Performance Codes

For more information, please visit light reflective woven label services.

Contact us about Care Labels

Introduction

Care instructions are small solutions to big problems. Care labels provide guidelines to consumers about apparel care, and the best cleaning procedures to be used for a particular combination of fabric, thread decoration, and construction techniques. Following the instructions on the care labels ensures the appearance and fit of the garment will be maintained after repeated cleaning treatments.

From a manufacturer’s perspective, damage to garments from incorrect cleaning methods can lead to complaints, costly customer returns, and a bad image. Accurate and clearly written care labels can prevent customer dissatisfaction. From a consumer’s point of view, accurate and clearly written care instructions serve as a cleaning guide and influence purchase decisions. Garments with ease of care are often preferred over garments with complicated or difficult-to-understand care procedures.

Many different care labelling systems have evolved around the world. Some have been established as governmental regulations, while others are international standards. Not all of them, however, are mandatory.

This Bulletin Post is a comprehensive guide to the different care labelling systems, their usage, and the newly developed Fabric Performance Codes.

Lesser Known Facts About Care Labels

• The country where the garment is sewn is the country of origin listed on the care label
• Care labels must be permanently attached so they are easily accessible to the consumer at the point of purchase. Generally, it is placed on the side or bottom
• The manufacturer or importer who directs production is responsible for the accuracy of care instructions
• A product may be imported without a care label, but it must be attached before the product is sold

Care Labelling Systems

There are five care labelling systems generally used on care labels. These systems are:

• The International Care Labelling System
• The Japanese Care Labelling System
• The Canadian Care Labelling System
• The European Care Labelling System
• The American Care Labelling System

The International Care Labelling System

The International Association for Textile Care Labelling (GINETEX) is the world body that has governed care labels since 1975.

Member nations of GINETEX include Belgium, France, Germany, England, Netherlands, Israel, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain.

Its objectives are to:

• Inform consumers on the correct care labelling of textiles through a system of uniform and simple care labelling symbols, independent of language
• Achieve and promote voluntary care labelling on an international basis through the uniform symbols of GINETEX, thus avoiding the use of different systems

The GINETEX care labelling system is based on the following principles:

• The care symbols provide information on the maximum permitted type of treatment
• The care symbols must always be used in full and in the prescribed sequence
• The care labelling must be clear, readily understandable, easy to use, and not dependent on any particular language
• The care symbols must not leave room for possible misinterpretation by the consumer
• Uniform positioning of labels and harmonised use of the care symbols
• The uniform care labelling system using symbols must take account of consumer habits without using complex technical data
• The appliances used for textile care purposes must ensure the best possible implementation of the recommended care treatment
• Adaptations to keep up with ongoing technical and economic developments must be made without the use of new symbols and additions in the framework of the existing system

Five basic symbols are used in the International care labelling system in this order:

Note: The symbols for the International Care Labelling System are the same as those listed in the European Care Labelling System.

The Japanese Care Labelling System

The Japanese system, like other care labelling systems, must have symbols placed in a specified order. Labels should be designed based on the following convention:

• Symbols should be arranged from left to right according to the following sequence: 1) Washing, 2) Bleaching, 3) Ironing, 4) Dry-Cleaning, 5) Wringing & 6) Drying
• For coloured products that are not usually bleached, the symbol for chlorine-based bleaching may be omitted
• For products that are not usually ironed, the symbols for ironing may be omitted (except 'cannot be ironed')
• For products that can be washed with water, the symbols for dry-cleaning may be omitted (except 'cannot be dry-cleaned')
• The symbols should be either in black or dark blue whereas the prohibition symbols are in red and on a white background

Japanese Care Labelling - Washing (with water)

Washing (with water)

Machine washable in maximum water temperature of 95°C Machine washable at slow water current or gentle hand wash in maximum water temperature of 40°C

Machine washable in maximum water temperature of 60°C Machine washable at slow water current or gentle hand wash in maximum water temperature of 30°C

Machine washable in maximum water temperature of 40°C Should be washed gently by hand (not machine washable) Cannot be washed with water

Japanese Care Labelling - Bleaching

Bleaching

Chlorine-based bleaching allowed Do not use chlorine-based bleach

Japanese Care Labelling - Ironing

Ironing

Should be ironed at a temperature between 180°C and 210°C Cannot be ironed

Should be ironed at a temperature between 140°C and 160°C May be ironed at 180°C - 210°C if a cloth is placed between iron and garment

Should be ironed at a temperature between 80°C and 120°C

Japanese Care Labelling - Dry Cleaning

Dry Cleaning

Can be dry cleaned Use solvent of perchloroethylene or of petroleum based solvent Cannot be dry cleaned

Can be dry cleaned Use only a petroleum-based solvent

Japanese Care Labelling - Wringing

Wringing

Wring gently by hand or for a short time by centrifugal hydroextractor Cannot be wrung

Japanese Care Labelling - Drying

Drying

Hang dry Lay flat to dry

Hang dry in shade Lay flat to dry in shade

The Canadian Care Labelling System

Until July 1973, care labelling was not a legal requirement in Canada. After this date, a new care labelling system was introduced. The new Canadian care symbol system used green (go ahead), amber (caution), and red (don’t try) with five symbols: wash tub, bleach triangle, square dryer, iron, and dry cleaning circle. In 2003, the Canadian system was updated to harmonize with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and (ISO) standards, and the color code was discontinued.

The European Care Labelling System

Individual committees of the European Union are reviewing existing care label standards by collaborating with other international bodies to create a unified system under the ISO scheme. The symbols used in Europe are trademarked by GINETEX, and a trademark fee needs to be paid to GINETEX, the trademark holder, if the garments are to be sold in a GINETEX country.

A correct care label for European countries is required to consist of at least four, and sometimes five, symbols in the following sequence: 1) Washing, 2) Bleaching, 3) Ironing, 4) Dry-Cleaning, & 5) Drying.

European Care Labelling - Washing Process

Washing Process

Maximum temperature 95°C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 40°C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal

Maximum temperature 95°C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Maximum temperature 40°C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced

Maximum temperature 70°C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 40°C Mechanical action much reduced Rinsing normal Spinning normal Do not wring by hand

Maximum temperature 60°C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 30°C Mechanical action much reduced Rinsing normal Spinning reduced

Maximum temperature 60°C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Hand wash only Do not machine wash Maximum temperature 40°C Handle with care

Maximum temperature 50°C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Do not wash Be cautious when treating in wet stage

European Care Labelling - Bleaching Process

Bleaching Process

Chlorine-based bleaching allowed. Only cold and dilute solution. Do not use chlorine-based bleach

European Care Labelling - Ironing Process

Ironing Process

Iron at a maximum sole-plate temperature of 200°C Iron at a maximum sole-plate temperature of 110°C Steam-ironing may be risky

Iron at a maximum sole-plate temperature of 150°C Do not iron Steaming and steam treatments are not allowed

European Care Labelling - Dry Cleaning Process

Dry Cleaning Process

Dry-cleaning in all solvents normally used for dry-cleaning - this includes all solvents listed for the symbol P, plus trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane Dry-cleaning in trifluorotrichloroethane, white spirit (distillation temperature between 150°C and 210°C, flash point 38°C to 60°C) Normal cleansing procedures without restrictions.

Dry-cleaning in tetrachloroethylene, monofluorotrichloromethane, and all solvents listed for the symbol F Normal cleansing procedures without restrictions Dry-cleaning in the solvents listed in the previous paragraph. Strict limitations on the addition of water and/or mechanical action and/or temperature during cleaning and/or drying No self-service cleaning allowed

Dry-cleaning in the solvents listed in the previous paragraph. Strict limitations on the addition of water and/or mechanical action and/or temperature during cleaning and/or drying No self-service cleaning allowed Do not dry-clean No stain removal with solvents

European Care Labelling - Drying Process

Drying Process

Tumble dry possible Normal drying cycle Do not tumble dry Tumble dry possible Drying at lower temperature setting

The American Care Labelling System

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Care Label rule, care labels may be composed of either words or symbols. Irrespective of whether the content is words, symbols, or both, care instructions appear in the following order:

1. Machine wash / hand wash / dry-clean
2. Washing temperature (hot / warm / cold)
3. Washing machine program (delicate / permanent press / normal cycle)
4. Bleaching instruction (do not bleach / non-chlorine bleach / chlorine bleach)
5. Drying method (tumble dry / line dry / flat dry / drip dry)
6. Ironing (do not iron / cool iron / warm iron / hot iron)
7. Warnings

In addition to the care label instructions, manufacturers and importers must provide labels that:

The company is the world’s best rubber badges custom supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff is highly specialized and will help you find the product you need.

• Are permanently attached so they can be easily seen at the point of sale. If the product is packaged, displayed, or folded so that the customers cannot find the label, care information must also appear on the side of the package or on a hang tag
• Remain fastened and legible during the useful life of the product
• Mention the regular care needed for the ordinary use of the product
• Warn the customer about additional factors that may harm the garment

Since December 1996, a new system using only symbols and no words has been used in the United States of America. The revised care symbols developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) with their meanings are listed below.

Symbols used in the American Care Labelling System (ASTM Symbols)

Fabric Performance Codes

The Premiere Vision Performance Codes were created to highlight specific properties or qualities of the fabric. These are value-added characteristics of the fabric that may or may not be visible to the buyer.

Premiere Vision has created 24 pictograms that are listed below with their meanings:

Premiere Vision Fabric Performance Codes

Sewing Machine Needles

Symbol Name

Organic
A fabric with a majority of certified-organic natural fibres (cotton, wool, silk, linen).

Recycled
A fabric with a majority of recycled fibres, either natural or synthetic (principally cotton, wool, linen, polyester, polyamide, or silk).

Eco-friendly finishing
Dyes and treatments respecting the strictest international standards (regarding laundering, the absence of heavy metals, water conservation, pollution-reduction).

Garment washable
A textile designed to stand up to garment washings and wash-out treatments.

Responsible Production
Fabric whose manufacturing is environmentally responsible, and/or integrates fair trade principles and respect for human labour.

Wind-Proof
Property of a fabric that consists of blocking wind; through a weave, impregnation, or membrane.

Chlorine Resistant
Property of a fabric to resist chlorine products, either during its production cycle or during use, thanks to the employment of specific fibres or dyes (resistance to pool water and to chlorine-water stains, control of the level of bleaching).

Natural Stretch
A fabric that stretches in the warp and/or the weft, which regains its initial dimensions after stretching. Property obtained without the use of elastane or lycra, by a mechanical retraction of the yarn, or by chemically treating the fabric.

Mono-Stretch
A fabric that stretches in the warp or the weft, and which regains its initial dimensions after stretching. This property is obtained through the use of elastane, textured yarns, or yarns of an elastic nature.

Bi-Stretch
A fabric that stretches in the warp and the weft, and which regains its initial dimensions after stretching. This property is obtained through the use of elastane, textured yarns, or yarns of an elastic nature.

Easy-Care
Property of a fabric aimed at easing its domestic use.

Fast Drying Fabric
Property of a fabric permitting quick drying thanks to the specificity of its fibres and/or its structure, and/or a hyd