Neck label printing (custom neck labels printed inside the shirt) replaces or covers a garment's sewn tag with a printed label inside the neck, usually by screen printing, heat transfer or DTF, sized modestly and carrying the information your market requires.

Rule block: remove or cover the maker tag only when you can keep the required information on the garment, print with a soft, low profile method, keep the size modest, and confirm labeling rules for your market.

Part of the business and pricing guides in the DAX Learning Hub. Neck labels sit between production and branding, so this guide also touches pricing and compliance at a high level.

Published by DAX (Decorated Apparel Expo) · Last updated: October 2026

Custom Neck Labels: Tagless Printed vs Woven Labels

A tagless (printed) label sits directly on the fabric, so it does not scratch and does not need sewing. A woven or printed sewn label feels more like retail packaging and can carry more text, but adds a sewing step. Many brands choose printed labels for comfort on tees and sewn labels for outerwear or premium lines.

Print Methods for Neck Labels

• Screen printing: efficient on larger runs, usually with a small dedicated screen or a gang of sizes; a soft, thin ink deposit keeps the label comfortable.
• Heat transfers and DTF: flexible for short runs and many sizes, applied with a small platen or tag attachment. See HTV vs DTF vs Screen Printed Transfers.
• On polyester blanks, watch for dye migration under heat; see Dye Migration on Polyester.

Neck Label Size and Placement

Printed neck labels are usually small. Trade guides commonly describe something roughly 2.5 to 3 inches wide, kept short enough to stay inside the back neck area. Center it between the shoulder seams below the collar seam, and keep ink away from the seam itself. For decoration placement in general, see the T Shirt Print Placement Guide.

What Information to Include on a Shirt Label (Check Your Rules)

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission oversees textile labeling. At a high level, most apparel labels carry fiber content, country of origin and the identity of the responsible company (often a name or RN), and care instructions fall under a separate FTC rule. For garments with a neck, country of origin is expected at the inside center of the neck. Size is commonly included for customers. Rules differ by country and product, and exemptions exist.

This section is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the regulator's published guidance or a qualified attorney before you relabel garments for resale. For brand and logo questions, see Licensing and Trademark Basics.

Removing Tags and Relabeling

Cutting or ripping out a maker tag can remove information the garment still needs, so plan to reprint that information or keep it on another label. Some blanks are made with tear away tags or come tagless. Check the blank and its terms when you buy wholesale blanks.

Pricing Neck Labels (Structure Only)

Most shops price neck labels as an add on per piece plus setup: a screen or transfer setup charge, a per piece print charge, and a separate handling charge when tags must be removed or relabeled. Minimums often apply. For building the full quote, see How to Price Custom Apparel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Label Printing (FAQ)

What size should a neck label be?

Small. Trade guides commonly land around 2.5 to 3 inches wide, sized to stay comfortable and fully inside the back neck. Check your blank and artwork.

How do you print a tagless neck label?

Remove or work around the sewn tag, then screen print with a thin, soft deposit or apply a heat transfer or DTF label with a small platen, following the transfer maker's settings.

What information goes on a shirt label?

In the US, labels generally cover fiber content, country of origin, the responsible company and care instructions, under FTC rules. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm the rules for your market.

Can you remove the original tag and relabel?

Often, but the required information must stay on the garment. Plan the replacement label before you cut tags, and confirm requirements for resale.

Do neck labels need a separate screen?

For screen printing, usually yes, because the label is a separate location and often varies by size. Transfers avoid extra screens on short runs.

Should care instructions go on a printed neck label?

Care instructions fall under a separate FTC rule from fiber and origin labeling, so plan where they will appear before you remove the maker tag. Many shops collect label text, sizes and care wording on their custom apparel order form. This is general information, not legal advice.

Figures vary by garment, machine and product. Treat every range here as a starting point and check your supplier's or manufacturer's spec before production.

A clean neck label finishes a brand. Browse more guides in the DAX Learning Hub, and check cities and dates on the DAX show schedule to compare label methods with suppliers in person.