Heat Transfer Labels

Heat transfer labels are the standard for modern activewear and athleisure branding, applied with heat, sitting flush against the skin with no scratchy edges. They're the soft, flat, tag-free label you feel inside performance gear. If your brand is in performance or athleisure. This is likely your label format.

Heat transfer labels own the athleisure and performance lane, activewear, athletic and performance wear, kidswear, and swimwear, where a tag-free, flush label keeps the interior clean and comfortable. Modern brands use them to ditch the scratchy sewn tag.

Yes. Receive the same high quality used by name brands at affordable minimums. Heat transfer labels start at a 5 pieces with no setup fees, so even a first activewear drop gets a soft, tag-free branded label at an accessible price, the same thermally bonded construction performance brands use, with per-unit price dropping at volume. Affordability is about access, not compromise: see all pricing up to 10,000 pieces on the product page.

5 pieces, test on a sample run, and if the finish is right for your collection, scale up from there. Same low minimum as woven labels.

Permanent when applied correctly. Performance brands use these because the plastisol ink stretches with the fabric and holds up through heavy use and frequent washing, soft, flexible, and tag-free. (Heat transfers are ink-on-fabric, not polyester fiber dye, so they don't carry the color-fast dye claim our woven and sublimated labels do, but with correct application they hold up beautifully.) Key is to get the temperature and pressure right for long term results.

Heat transfer labels apply with a heat press, cover the label with parchment paper of a cotton swatch, press firmly at 285°F for about 20 seconds, wait 2-3 seconds, then peel immediately while warm (hot peel) and let cool. Fast, tag-free, modern finish, perfect for cotton or cotton/polyester blend t-shirts; always test on a sample first. No heat press? A home iron on medium heat works for samples.

Heat transfer = faster application, tag-free feel, modern finish; woven sew-on = more traditional style, higher durability for lifetime use. Athleisure and performance brands almost always go heat transfer for the flat, no-itch interior, while heritage or luxury brands tend to keep woven. Choose based on garment type and the interior feel you want.

Ideal for athleisure fabrics, polyester, spandex blends, and nylon. Perfect on most t-shirts. Less ideal for heavy canvas, raw denim, or thick woven fabrics, where adhesion is harder. Know your material before ordering, and let us know if you're unsure.

Yes. Heat transfer labels are the standard for athleisure and activewear branding because the soft, flat, tag-free finish sits flush on stretch fabric with no scratchy edges. It's the go-to interior format for t-shirts or performance and athletic apparel.

Yes. Heat transfer labels can be produced with metallic or reflective inks for for premium activewear and performance wear applications. Specify the effect to your rep and we'll work you up a custom price quote.

Brand mark, care symbols, size designation, country of origin, all on one label, in a format that doesn't scratch. Brands increasingly use heat transfer labels to keep the interior clean and minimal, combining brand and care info in a single tag-free piece.