What is Relabelling and How Does it Work? - Shirtworks (2024)

What is Relabelling and How Does it Work? - Shirtworks (1)

Relabelling clothing has been a big trend in work apparel for many years, but it also poses a few ethical questions, none the least as it means taking a product that isn’t yours and making it appear to be with a new label. Here’s the thing, whilst we may have an ethical stance, if you do it correctly, it’s NOT illegal.

Today, we are going to take a look at relabelling and discuss what it is, who is it for and what are the benefits of doing it this way.

What is relabelling?

Relabelling is the act of removing a label from a piece of clothing and putting a different one in it.

For many years, apparel printers have used this technique for businesses who are looking for a branded item. Most commonly used by small and medium businesses in the printing industry, relabelling is using a product from a wholesaler and selling as your own.

There are some limitations obviously. You can’t just go around taking labels out of all tops and relabelling. The conditions that apply include;

  • That apparel come from a wholesaler/wholesale brand
  • Products must be basic in their design and nature
  • Products must NOT include any patterns or designs
  • Products cannot be found to look like another brand – or created to look like one.

Who is relabelling for?

Relabelling does help a lot of businesses get off the ground and there are lots of conditions where this practice is useful for many new start-ups and established businesses as well.

What is the target market for the relabelling industry? Here are just a few examples.

  • Small businesses looking to start a clothing brand. It provides a competitive advantage against large competitors who can scale up production.
  • Designers who want to relabel so that their design is both part of the overall design and branding.
  • Printers/tailors doing alterations to the apparel and garments.

Fundamentally you need to be compliant with the laws of the local territory as well. You can’t just take labels out of garments, that would be illegal. You need to have the correct provisions in place and advice to deal with any requests.

If you’re unsure, ask the supplier, they will know about what can and can’t be done with many of the items that they are selling at a wholesale level.

When you replace a label, your t shirt printing company will know the different procedures to do so. From here you can design a woven solution or a printed one to replace.

What are the benefits of relabelling garments?

The point about relabelling is to expand your brand awareness and visibility and by doing so, you are creating a better impression of your business and increasing levels of professionalism associated with your business.

Whilst they won’t increase your sales – based on data – it can help transmit core values of the business.

To summarise, relabelling is the act of removing labels from wholesale apparel and replacing with a design/label of your own. This is useful for many different businesses but precautions must be taken before proceeding with any changes to apparel and garments.

What is Relabelling and How Does it Work? - Shirtworks (2024)

FAQs

What is Relabelling and How Does it Work? - Shirtworks? ›

Relabelling is the act of removing a label from a piece of clothing and putting a different one in it. For many years, apparel printers have used this technique for businesses who are looking for a branded item.

Is it legal to relabel wholesale clothing? ›

The short answer is yes, but there are some rules you must follow. Don't worry; we're here to tell you everything you need to know about relabeling. We'll talk about the legal requirements you need to meet and even how to find a great wholesale supplier.

Is it legal to relabel clothing? ›

The answer is that it is legal to relabel products, but certain things are essential to be avoided. One cannot just go on picking clothes and relabeling them. There are rules and limitations to be adhered to.

What does a tear out label mean? ›

Tear away tags are made from a thin paper-like material that can easily be torn off the garment without ripping the fabric.

Can I put my own label on wholesale clothing UK? ›

The simple answer: yes, you are legally (and ethically) allowed to relabel pre-manufactured and wholesale clothing as your own. However, there are correct and incorrect ways to go about it, so it's important to understand the various rules and regulations. Others ponder the ethical nature of doing so…

Can I relabel a product and sell it as my own? ›

Any company can relabel products and sell them under their own brand. However, there are typically two groups where relabeling is seen as a more frequent activity: 1. Entrepreneurs who are considering venturing into a new market for the very first time.

Can I put my logo on wholesale products? ›

Customization Options: Some wholesalers offer customization services, allowing you to add your logo or branding to the items you purchase. They may have specific guidelines regarding the logo size, placement, and printing method.

What is the process of relabelling? ›

Relabelling is a 'trade finishing' procedure where the label of one fashion business is stitched onto a garment that was actually made by another company. Many garment manufacturers are talented 'makers', but they lack the skills and contacts to sell their goods directly to retailers and consumers.

Can I rebrand someone else's product? ›

But merely taking another's branded product, removing that branding and replacing it with your own is a form of trademark infringement known as “Reverse Passing Off.” In short, you are committing reverse passing off when you present another's products to the market as your own.

What are 3 of the rules for labeling clothing? ›

Federal law requires that most textile and wool products have a label that lists the fiber content, the country of origin, and the identity of the manufacturer or another business responsible for marketing or handling the product.

Why do thrift stores remove tags? ›

So, why do thrift store cut tags? Thrift stores may cut the tags to avoid people returning them. People that donate clothes may cut the tags because they irritate the skin, and the tag can flip over making it visible outside the garment. Clothing manufacturers often cut tags of defective items.

Why are shirt tags cut in half? ›

Sometimes the maker would cut the center out of the tag so no one knew their clothes were being sold at cheap. Sometimes the maker would cut the tag because they wanted to keep people who might buy it at a discount and attempt to return it for full price to a fine department store.

Why do resellers cut tags? ›

Some shops and clothing designers do not want someone to resell them, so they destroy the tags so a buyer knows they are “waste” and will not be sold at full price, and so they aren't considered new or “fresh stock” and should not be resold as such.

What is the cheapest way to label clothing? ›

The easiest and least expensive way to label clothing is with a permanent ink laundry marker or colorful fabric marker. The indelible ink lasts through many trips through the washing machine and is quick to use.

Is it illegal to relabel products? ›

Relabelling, at first look, might seem unethical — after all, you're taking a product someone else made and rebranding it as your own — but it is a common practice in the garment industry, for example, to get personalized t-shirts. It is legal if you do it the right way.

How to buy wholesale clothing for resale? ›

To buy wholesale clothes in bulk from a specific brand, visit their website or try contacting them. Set up an in-person meeting and check out the materials they supply. Once one has completed the preliminary steps to start the business, one can start selling their products while focusing on quality and earning profits.

Can I buy a product wholesale and rebrand it? ›

YES! In fact, this is a very common practice in the clothing retail and wholesale industry. Retailers sourcing clothing from wholesalers, attach their own brand labels or tags, and then sell them, thus starting their own clothing brand business.

Can I buy wholesale and resell? ›

Yes, it is legal to buy wholesale and resell.

In order to do so, you must have a wholesale license and a business license that corresponds with your type of company. For example, if you only sell online, you'll need an eCommerce business license.

Can I resell products from a wholesaler? ›

This is why the end customer can buy from merchant wholesalers. Without the right license, you pay sales tax on goods from a wholesaler. You do need a license to resell items you buy from a wholesaler, however; generally, this will mean you at least need a sales tax ID, and is how to get wholesale prices.

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