How to Make Quilt Labels with Inkjet Printer

Labeling a quilt is really one thing everyone should get in the habit of doing to finish every quilt or quilt project.  It is the essential part of finishing a quilt.

There are different types and ways to make quilt labels. 

Did you know you can quickly and easily print customized quilt labels with an inkjet printer?  While you can purchase printable cotton paper sheets (which are fairly expensive), it's also possible to make your own printable fabric.

This quilt label tutorial explains how to make your own printable fabric and use a printer to make the quilt labels.

What is a quilt label?

Basically, a quilt label is a piece of fabric with information about the quilt and the maker attached to the back of the finished quilt.

Ways to make Quilt Labels?

There are lots of techniques for labeling a quilt - handwritten with permanent marker pens, embroidered or stitched by hand or machine, printed with an inkjet printer, order woven labels, incorporating a leftover block and purchase label templates.

Reasons for labeling a quilt?

Quilts are works of art.  Artists sign their works and quilt artists should sign theirs also.  As the quilt is passed down through generations or sold, the story and history of the quilt will not be lost.  

Today, I want to share with you how to make quilt labels in 5 easy steps.

5 Easy Steps for Making Quilt Label

• Prepare the Printable Fabric Sheet
• Create the Label
• Print the Label
• Attach Fabric Border
• Attach Label to Quilt

But before making a quilt label, a quilt needs to be made.  Want to learn how to make a quilt from choosing the pattern and fabric to attaching the quilt binding?  Our How to Make A Quilt page has everything you need to know.

Learn how to make a printed quilt label by watching our video or keep reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

For more quilt label ideas, scroll to the end of this article.

how to make quilt labels

If you simply don't have time to make a quilt label, check out the quilt label selection on Etsy.  Find unique or custom, handmade pieces from their labels shops.

What are some things to include on a Quilt label?

• Name of the quilt
• For whom the quilt was made
• Who made the quilt
• Name of quilter (if different from quilt maker)
• Where the quilt was made
• When the quilt was made
• Reason quilt was made  - holiday, birthday, wedding, etc.

WHAT YOU NEED to print quilt labels:

• Fabric for label
• Heat n Bond Lite
• A computer with word processing software
• Inkjet printer (not laser)
• Iron and ironing board
• Rotary cutter, ruler and cutting board
• Fabric for label border

 After the Heat n Bond is attached to the fabric and cools, cut it down so it measures 8 ½” x 11”.

STEP 2: create your quilt label with a word processor

Open the word processing software with a new document and type the information you want to include about the quilt. What you put on the label is entirely up to you.

It’s best to print several labels at the time so you don’t waste paper.  If you don’t have several quilts ready to label, you can always print a generic label and then fill in the information with a permanent fabric pen later.

STEP 3: print quilt label

Now that your label is prepped and ready, it’s time to print.

Load the prepared fabric paper label into the inkjet printer tray (which side goes up depends on your printer). Print the labels and allow the label to dry thoroughly.

You want to make sure to be using an INKJET printer. Not a laser printer.

After the label is dry, the ink should be heat set.  To heat set it, cover the fabric label with a pressing cloth and press with a dry iron (NO STEAM) on high heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Cut the label you want to use away from the other label(s) and set the other labels aside.

Trim the label leaving a 1" space around the entire text.  

Do not remove the paper backing yet.

STEP 4: add fabric border to quilt label

Cut a strip of fabric 1 ½” wide from coordinating quilt fabric or a piece of fun fabric.  This strip will be sewn around the label making a border. 

Measure the sides of the label and cut 2 pieces from the 1 1/2" strip equal to the measurement.  At the sewing machine and using a 1/4" seam, attach these strips to the sides of the label.

Now measure the top of the label and cut 2 pieces from the 1 1/2" strip equal to that measurement.  Sew one to the top and one to the bottom of the label again using a 1/4" seam.

At this point the label should look like the following picture:

Peel off the paper from the 1/4" seam allowance (not the entire label).

With the labels wrong side facing up, fold the border fabric to meet the seam and iron it flat. The adhesive seam allowance will help to hold it in place.

STEP 5: sew quilt label to quilt

The label is ready to sew onto the quilt.

Remove the rest of the Heat n Bond paper from the label.  Iron and pin the label to the back of the quilt.

Then, hand sew the label to the quilt using a blind hem stitch.

Easy Peasy! The quilt has a nice, professional quilt label attached to it.

I hope you enjoyed my favorite method for making a quilt label.  There are many, many techniques.  Now let's look at some other quilt label examples.

quilt label ideas

Custom Woven Quilt/Sewing Labels Personalized with Name

Label handwritten with a permanent marking pen

This quilt label was made using a sewing machine's alphabet stitches mode

Hand stitched label

Hand stitched label with an embroidered accent around the label

The labeling for this quilt was hand-embroidered on the front.

Inkjet Printed Label on Fabric with Handwritten personal message 

Quilt label template printed with quilt information

Drawn and colored quilt label

Simple hand stitch label with name and date

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