Name tag for the stuffed animal: label the plush toy correctly
The easiest way to label stuffed toys is to place a self-adhesive name label on the stuffed toy's own fabric label, the small label sewn into a seam. It stays on through washing, is immediately visible to whoever finds the stuffed toy, and does not rub against the child. Attach it to a clean, dry label and wait a day before washing the stuffed toy.
Here you'll learn where to put the label on different types of stuffed toys, what it can withstand, what to consider with babies, and when another method is better.
That's why stuffed toys go missing
The stuffed toy goes everywhere: to nap time at preschool, to Grandma's, to parties, in the car, and to camp. That is where it gets left behind, in a sleeping bag, under a mattress, or in the wrong backpack.
The other problem is that many stuffed toys look alike. The same teddy bear and the same bunny are sold in many stores, so at a preschool three children may have exactly the same stuffed toy. Without a name, guessing whose is whose becomes necessary, and for a child who is going to sleep, that is no small matter.
A name on the stuffed toy means that staff, other parents, or the party host can return it without having to ask around.
Labeling stuffed toys: where is the best place for the name label?
Most store-bought stuffed toys have a sewn-in fabric label in a seam, often near the bottom or on the side, with a CE mark and washing instructions. That label is the right place. Name labels do not stick well directly to plush or fuzzy fabric, but they hold on a smooth fabric label, just as they do on the care label in clothes.
| Type of stuffed toy | Where the name label should go | Things to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Teddy bear or stuffed animal with a sewn-in label | On the fabric label, on the smooth side | If the label is folded in half: place the label on one side, not over the fold |
| Security blanket or cuddly blanket | On the label in the corner or along the edge | The blanket is washed often, so let the label sit for a day first |
| Stuffed toy with its own sweater or dress | On the stuffed toy's own label, not on the sweater | The sweater comes off, and then the name disappears with it |
| Small stuffed toy with a narrow label | A small name label on the label | Choose small name labels so that the label does not extend beyond the edge |
| Knitted, crocheted, or homemade without a label | Not directly on the fabric | Self-adhesive labels do not stick well to knitted or stretchy material. Sew on a piece of fabric with the name, or ask the person who made the toy to sew in a label |
Has someone cut off the tag because it was itchy? Then there is no good place for a self-adhesive label, and a sewn-in name tag is the safest option.
How to attach the name label to the stuffed animal's tag
- Remove the paper tag. New stuffed animals often have a cardboard hang tag. Remove it. The fabric tag in the seam should remain in place.
- Make sure the tag is clean and dry. If the stuffed animal has just been washed, let it dry completely first.
- Place the label flat. In the middle of the tag, not over the seam or fold.
- Press firmly for about 10 seconds. Pay extra attention to the corners. It can help to place the label against a table so you have a firm surface to press against.
- Wait one day before washing. The adhesive needs approximately 24 hours to cure.
Wash the stuffed animal with the name label attached
Lappu name labels are machine-washable at up to 60°C and tumble-dryer safe, so you do not need to remove the label when the stuffed animal is washed. Read more about what name labels can withstand.
The stuffed animal, not the label, determines how it should be washed. Follow the washing instructions on the stuffed animal's own label. Many plush toys tolerate lower temperatures than the label, and some should only be hand-washed or not tumble-dried, such as those with sound modules or batteries. A laundry bag protects both the stuffed animal and the label in the drum.
Stuffed animals for babies and toddlers
Small children suck and chew on stuffed animals. The Swedish Consumer Agency states that children under 3 should not use toys with small parts, and that you should squeeze, feel, and pull the toy to make sure nothing comes loose.
Lappu name labels are not certified as toy components. Therefore, attach the label to the fabric tag in a seam, not to the face, ears, or the part the child usually has in their mouth. Check the label whenever you wash the stuffed animal anyway. If a corner has started to come loose, or the child is chewing on the label, remove it and mark the stuffed animal in another way.
Siblings and second-hand stuffed animals
If younger brother inherits his big sister's stuffed animal, you can write the family name or initials on the labels instead of the first name. Then the same sheet works for the whole family. All labels on one sheet have the same text, so decide which name should appear before placing your order.
If you buy a second-hand stuffed animal, check whether it already has an old name label on the tag. Remove it before applying a new one, so there are not two names.
Marker, iron-on label, or name label?
| Method | Works on stuffed animals when | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Marker on the tag | The tag is smooth and light-colored | The ink fades in the wash and becomes difficult to read |
| Iron-on label | The stuffed animal's care instructions allow ironing | Plush and synthetic fibers often cannot withstand an iron, and the animal is difficult to lay flat |
| Self-adhesive name label | The stuffed animal has a fabric tag | Does not stick directly to plush or knitted fabric |
Lappu only sells self-adhesive name labels. If the stuffed animal has no tag at all, an iron-on name label or a sewn-in name piece on a smooth area is a better choice.
Example: a sheet of regular name labels has 124 labels and costs from SEK 139, about SEK 1.12 per label. The stuffed animal and comfort blanket need one or two. The rest is enough for clothes, shoes, and lunch boxes for preschool.
Rule of thumb: if the stuffed animal has a sewn-in fabric tag, place the name label there. If it has no tag, is knitted, or the child chews on the tag, choose a sewn-in name piece instead of a self-adhesive label.
Frequently asked questions
How do you label a stuffed animal?
Place a self-adhesive name label on the stuffed animal's sewn-in fabric tag. The tag must be clean and dry, and you should press firmly for about 10 seconds. Wait 24 hours before the first wash.
Can you wash a stuffed animal with a name label attached?
Yes. Lappu name labels are machine washable at up to 60°C and suitable for tumble drying. Follow the stuffed animal's own care instructions, as many soft toys tolerate less than the label does.
What should I do if the stuffed animal has no tag?
A self-adhesive name label does not stick well directly to plush or knitted fabric. Sew on a small piece of fabric with the name, or use an iron-on label if the stuffed animal's material can withstand ironing.
Is it safe to use a name label on a baby's stuffed animal?
Place the label on the sewn-in fabric tag, not where the child sucks or chews. Check regularly that nothing has started to come loose, as the Swedish Consumer Agency advises for all toys. If the child chews on the tag, remove the label and use another marking method.
What size name label fits a stuffed animal?
Regular name labels fit most stuffed animal tags. If the tag is narrow, as on small stuffed animals and keychain animals, small name labels are a better fit.