For apparel manufacturers, uniform suppliers, and private-label brands, understanding the difference between care labels and hang tags is not a branding decision—it’s a compliance and production requirement.
Misusing hang tags in place of care labels is one of the most common mistakes that leads to rejected shipments, relabeling costs, retailer chargebacks, and compliance risk. This article explains what is legally required in the U.S. and how manufacturers should approach labeling at scale.
Care Labels Are a Legal Requirement in the U.S.
In the United States, care labels are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Care Label Rule. For most textile wearing apparel sold in the U.S., a permanent care label is mandatory.
A compliant care label must:
- Be attached at the time of sale
- Be permanent and durable
- Remain legible throughout the life of the garment
- Provide accurate care instructions based on the fabric and construction
This requirement applies regardless of where the garment is manufactured. If the product is sold or distributed in the U.S., FTC rules apply.
What Information Must Be on a Care Label?
At minimum, a compliant care label must include accurate instructions for:
- Washing
- Bleaching
- Drying
- Ironing
- Dry cleaning (if applicable)
In practice, most manufacturers also include:
- Fiber content
- Country of origin
- Manufacturer name or RN number
These elements are frequently combined into a single sew-in care label to meet retailer and distributor requirements efficiently.
Why Hang Tags Do NOT Meet Legal Requirements
Hang tags are not considered permanent labels under FTC rules.
While hang tags are useful for:
- Branding
- Barcodes and pricing
- Marketing messages
- Retail presentation
they do not satisfy FTC care labeling requirements because they are:
- Easily removable
- Not durable through washing
- Often discarded before use
Relying on hang tags alone for required information exposes manufacturers to compliance failures, especially during retailer audits or import inspections.
The Risk of Using Hang Tags Instead of Care Labels
Manufacturers who rely on hang tags in place of care labels face real operational risks, including:
- Production delays due to relabeling
- Retailer chargebacks
- Rejected shipments at distribution centers
- Forced rework at significant cost
- Compliance exposure during audits
For uniform programs, safety apparel, and large retail orders, these risks multiply quickly across thousands of units.
Why Sew-In Care Labels Are the Industry Standard
For bulk apparel production, sew-in care labels are the only reliable solution that meets compliance, durability, and scalability requirements.
Professional manufacturers typically use:
- Woven polyester care labels for durability
- Satin or cotton labels for comfort-sensitive garments
- Heat-cut or ultrasonic edges to prevent fraying
These labels are designed to:
- Withstand repeated laundering
- Remain legible over time
- Meet retailer and regulatory standards
- Integrate cleanly into production workflows
Care Labels vs. Hang Tags: How Manufacturers Should Use Both
In large-scale production, care labels and hang tags are complementary, not interchangeable.
- Care labels handle legal and compliance requirements
- Hang tags handle branding, pricing, and retail presentation
Most professional apparel programs use both—care labels sewn into the garment, and hang tags added during final packing.
What Bulk Manufacturers Should Prioritize
When sourcing labels at scale, manufacturers should focus on:
- Compliance accuracy
- Material durability
- Consistent print clarity
- Reliable lead times
- Capacity for large production runs
- Ability to support repeat orders
Choosing the right labeling partner early prevents downstream issues and protects production schedules.
Final Takeaway for Manufacturers
Care labels are not optional, and hang tags are not a substitute. For apparel manufacturers selling into the U.S., permanent care labels are a legal requirement and a critical part of production planning.
Brands that treat care labeling as a compliance and quality control function—not an afterthought—avoid costly mistakes and scale more efficiently.
Need compliant care labels for large production runs?
Lee Label has supported apparel manufacturers, uniform suppliers, and private-label programs since the 1980s with durable, FTC-compliant care labels produced at scale. Bulk pricing, fast lead times, and sampling available.
Lee Label Inc 
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