Clothing Size Labels and Garment Tags: Sizes and Materials

A woven size tab typically measures 10mm x 35mm folded. Care and composition labels run 30mm x 50mm as a straight cut, or 30mm x 80mm unfolded for a folded finish. Hang tags range from 50mm x 80mm for compact retail cards to 90mm x 150mm for premium swing tickets.

This article covers the standard dimensions for each label type, the fold conventions used in garment manufacturing, and what Australian law requires you to include on a care label. If you are an apparel brand looking to print labels for packaging rather than sewn-in labels, you will also find the adhesive label formats that Paperlust supplies.

Woven Size Tab Dimensions

A woven size tab is the narrow label sewn into the back neck or a side seam of a garment to indicate the size. Because the text is locked into the weave of the fabric itself, typically polyester or satin, these tabs are durable and designed to survive the life of the garment.

Woven size tabs are produced in a small range of standard widths and heights. The finished visible size depends on how the tab is folded and sewn.

Standard straight-cut and folded sizes

• Straight-cut tab: 15mm x 25mm. Lies flat inside the garment, sewn along one long edge.
• Standard folded tab: 10mm x 35mm unfolded. After folding and sewing, the visible portion is approximately 10mm x 17mm.
• Larger folded tab: 15mm x 50mm unfolded. After folding and sewing into the seam, the visible height inside the garment is approximately 15mm x 25mm.
• Centre-fold woven tab: 11mm x 40mm unfolded. Centre-folded and sewn into the seam with both cut edges caught in the stitching. The visible area after sewing is approximately 11mm x 11mm.

None of these dimensions are set by Australian law. They reflect manufacturing conventions based on sewing machinery tolerances and finished-garment aesthetics.

Fold styles

A straight-cut label lies flat and is sewn along one long edge, leaving the face of the label visible. This is the common construction for side-seam care labels where more text needs to be readable.

A centre-fold label is folded in half along its length, with both layers of fabric sewn into the seam together. The folded edge faces outward into the garment interior and the open cut edges are caught in the stitching. This is the standard construction for woven neck tabs because the folded edge is softer against the skin than a raw cut edge.

An end-fold label has both short ends turned back before sewing, giving a clean finished appearance on all exposed edges. This construction is used for higher-end neck branding labels where visible cut edges would reduce the perceived quality.

Care and Composition Label Sizes

Care labelling is a legal requirement in Australia. The Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 requires clothing and textile products sold in Australia to carry a permanently affixed care label. Since 5 March 2024 the care instructions may be written in English, given as ISO 3758:2012 care symbols, or both, and they must accurately reflect the actual care requirements of the garment.

Physical label dimensions are not prescribed by law. The label must be legible for the expected life of the product. In practice, the following sizes are the industry standard.

Straight-cut and folded care labels

• Straight-cut care label: 30mm x 50mm. This is sufficient for washing, tumble-drying, ironing, dry-cleaning, and bleaching instructions in English with clear typography.
• Folded care label: 30mm x 80mm unfolded, producing a 30mm x 40mm finished label after sewing.
• Extended care label: 65mm wide x 80mm to 100mm long. Used for multi-language requirements or longer care text where fibre content and country-of-origin details appear on the same label.

Fibre content and country of origin

Fibre content labelling is no longer federally mandated in Australia, but it remains a requirement under New South Wales state textile labelling laws. For brands selling nationally, including a fibre content breakdown (for example, “95% cotton, 5% elastane” in descending order by weight) is strongly recommended.

Country of origin is required under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The label must accurately state whether the garment was manufactured in Australia or imported, and from which country.

A dedicated article covers Australian care and composition labelling requirements in full detail, including the specific care symbols recognised under the 2023 Information Standard, the fibre content rules, and the penalties for non-compliance. Refer to that article for the complete compliance checklist.

Hang Tag Dimensions

A hang tag (also called a swing tag or swing ticket) is a separate card attached to a garment using a string, cord, or locking pin. It is not sewn in, so it does not fall under the mandatory care labelling requirements. Hang tags are used to display brand information, pricing, size, and barcode data.

Hang tag sizes by market segment

No ISO or Australian standard defines hang tag dimensions. The sizes above reflect common practice across fashion manufacturing and retail printing.

Hang tags are typically printed on 300gsm to 400gsm card with a 1.5mm to 3mm punch hole at the top corner. String, cotton twine, an elastic loop, or a locking pin attaches the tag to the garment through a belt loop, hem, or sewn-in eyelet.

What a hang tag typically carries

• Brand name and logo
• Size code or size range
• Barcode or QR code for inventory management
• Retail price (RRP or wholesale)
• Fibre content and care summary
• Website or social media handle
• Sustainability or certification marks

What Paperlust Prints for Apparel Brands

Adhesive labels are the self-serve product, priced and configurable online. Woven garment labels, sewn-in size tabs, and hang tags are being added to the range and are not on the site yet, but the customer service team can quote them now.

For apparel brands, the adhesive label formats that fit your workflow are below.

Adhesive size stickers for poly mailers and packaging. A rectangle label printed with your size codes, applied to the outside of a poly mailer or shipping box so customers can identify the size before opening. Rectangle labels start from $0.49 per label at 500 units, falling to $0.09 per label at 5,000.

Care and composition info labels for packaging inserts. A printed adhesive label carrying care instructions, fibre content, and country of origin, applied to a tissue wrap, inner bag, or card insert. Clear Synthetic labels sit almost invisibly on tissue and light-coloured packaging. Clear labels are $0.65 per label at 500 units.

Branding labels for garment bags and outer packaging. A square, circle, oval, or custom-cut label with your logo, applied to a clear garment bag, dust bag, or outer box. Circle labels start from $0.49 per label at 500 units.

All label shapes share a minimum order of 500 labels and 48-hour production. Custom sizes beyond the standard range, and woven or sewn-in labels that are not yet listed online, are available by contacting printshop@paperlust.co or the customer service team.

Browse the full range at custom labels or go directly to rectangle labels to configure your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard size for a woven size label?

There is no legally prescribed size for woven size labels. The most common industry sizes are 10mm x 35mm (folded) and 15mm x 50mm (folded before sewing). After a centre-fold and sewing into a seam, the visible area is typically 10 to 15mm high.

Is it a legal requirement to put a size label on clothing in Australia?

No. The Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 requires care labels, not size labels. However, Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct, so clothing sold without a size designation creates significant consumer and returns risk.

What must a care label include in Australia?

A care label must be permanently affixed to the garment and must cover all applicable cleaning methods. Since 5 March 2024 the instructions may be written in English, given as ISO 3758:2012 care symbols, or both. The instructions must be accurate for the actual garment.

What size should a hang tag be?

The most widely used formats are 60mm x 100mm for standard retail and 70mm x 120mm for mid-premium positioning. Premium and designer brands typically use 80mm x 130mm or larger. Card stock is usually 300gsm to 400gsm.

Is fibre content labelling required in Australia?

At the federal level, fibre content is not currently mandatory. However, it remains a legal requirement in New South Wales under state textile labelling laws. For brands distributing nationally, including accurate fibre content information is strongly recommended.

Does Paperlust print woven garment labels or hang tags?

Adhesive labels are the self-serve product, priced online with a minimum order of 500 and 48-hour production. They suit size stickers for packaging, care information on inserts, and branding on garment bags and outer packaging. Woven labels, sewn-in tabs, and hang tags are being added to the range and can be quoted now through the customer service team at printshop.paperlust.co/contact-us. When a less visible label is preferred, clear labels are printed on clear film to give packaging a no-label look.

What adhesive label size works for a poly mailer size sticker?

The default rectangle label size is 25mm x 50mm, which fits neatly on most poly mailer surfaces. For a larger footprint that includes a logo alongside a size code, custom sizes are available on request through printshop@paperlust.co.

Can I get clear adhesive labels for tissue paper wrapping?

Yes. Clear Synthetic labels with a gloss varnish sit almost invisibly on tissue and light-coloured packaging. They are available from 500 units at $0.65 per label, falling to $0.09 per label at 5,000 units.