Best way to label school uniform?

[whethergirl]

I just got some iron on labels from Able Labels, but annoyed to find after one or two washes the labels just come off.

So now thinking of getting a pen. Seen loads of cheap ones on ebay - do the cheap ones work just as well?

If the pens don't work out then I guess I'll go for the sew on nametags, but don't want to spend out after ordering all the iron on ones.

i just write on the labels in sharpie permanant marker pen...

it helps that all my kids are the only ones in their schools, and have short first names though!!

lifes too short to be sewing labels onto everything!

Exactly my feelings chimchar! My ds has original name too. Just wondering why some permanant markers are £1.50 and some are £5.50.

www.LabelLighthouse.com has stick-on labels for uniforms. No iron or sew. Never comes off. Great labels

First child - carefully sewn in Cash's name tapes in everything including socks.

Second and subsequent children -scribbled initials on the size label with any available pen as they shoot out the door.

hejatuppen2003, they look GREAT. But too expensive for me.

Thanks for the insight Seeker, this is my first DS, but always try to treat him as other mums treat their 3rd or 4th child - cos it's always easier!

Use a pen. I just rewrite the name when it fades.

I just write the surname (luckily unique in the school!) - then I don't have to worry abut the subsequent siblings.

I sewed name labels in, took a couple of evenings when DD started secondary but they never wash or fade. I know it is a pain but I would always do it.

I have always used the sew in tags but these can be removed easily if another child takes it home. I also would sew a blob of turquoise or a bright coloured thread in a place where it can't be easily seen but so it can be identified as yours if the need be. Just cleaned out my sewing box the other day and still have loads of labels left, them were the days

Ah, but you can rip out a sewn in tag.

But you could cut out a label too?

I suppose if someone wants to take something then they will...

Just use one of those thin pointed pens that are advertisined on telly, can't think of name. they are permanent. I write on label with them

LIFE'S TOO SHORT for sewn in name labels

I have used Able Label Iron ons for years and they are fine BUT did you follow instructions? IIRC, you need to iron them on 3 times before initial use? I then iron over them every time I iron the shirts. I find that quicker than re-writing/sewing in labels. I also find that putting greaseproof/baking paper between the iron and the label helps.

lilolilmanchester, I did follow the instructions - very carefully. Some of them started coming off after one wash. Also - I don't iron his school uniform, he wears those airtex type tops rather than shirts. Life's too short for ironing! And life's too short for fiddling about with greaseproof paper! If I had to tend to such homely details when would I have time to read and comment on the daily AIBU's?

... in which case sewn in labels are better OR you find a pen which, inspite of what they say, lasts for more than one wash !!!

Stik-ins from Label Planet are a life-saver.

Sorry to say that sew in labels are the longest lasting, imo. Also work in a school and it's a pain trying to decipher pen marks that have bled in the wash - mostly illegible after a few washes!

Laundry marker pen from whsmith has lasted since last september without fading.

Went on ebay and bought laundry marker, felt confident that I had chosen the right method for me. Went to get a pen out of the pen pot and what do I pull out? A laundry marker pen. I swear I've never bought one or seen that in this house before.

lol whethergirl....its a sign!!!!!!!!

Definitely a sign, in fact I can't believe I considered any of the other methods, me and the laundry marker...well we're just more spiritually connected...

My hand writing is so awful I have to use sew-in labels ;)

Also, I find that it is easier to pass on / sell clothes if the name labels can be taken off.

What seeker said!

I now use laundry pen or a sharpie.

I'd sew or iron a name tag with just the surname (T'is unusual,) into things that will be passed down or sold later. ( expencsive waterproof trews ect.)

www.Butlerz.co.uk Agree with RatherBeOnThePiste. Sew on labels can't be beaten.

I like the iron-on labels - just really easy and I haven't found that they come off at all.