Name label in rubber boots: stays in place
A name label in rubber boots is best placed on the inside of the shaft, a little below the edge, on a smooth, clean, completely dry surface. If the boot has a sewn-in label in the lining, that is even better. Press the label on firmly, especially the corners, and let the adhesive cure for one day before the boots go out in the rain.
Here you will find the right place for every type of boot, how to attach the label, what it can withstand, and what makes it come loose. We sell self-adhesive name labels and also tell you where they are not suitable.
Where is the best place for a name label in rubber boots?
In a preschool's boot rack, several pairs are often the same color and size. The name should be visible when an adult looks down into the boot, and the label should be placed where the foot and mud will not rub against it. The inside of the shaft, just below the edge, meets both requirements. You can also reach in with your thumb and press the label on firmly there, which is more difficult at the bottom near the heel of a tall boot.
Not all boots look the same inside. Here's how to choose the location:
| Type of boot | Best location | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Unlined rubber boot (rubber or PVC) | The inside of the shaft, a little below the edge | The surface is smooth but rounded. Press the label along the curve so that the edges adhere. |
| Lined boot with a sewn-in label | On the label in the lining | The label works like a care label: it stays in place and holds the name label well. Some lined children's boots have one. |
| Boot with fuzzy felt or fleece lining without a label | The smooth rubber edge at the top, or the outside of the shaft | Fuzzy lining does not provide a smooth surface. The name is visible on the outside, but the label gets more mud and scuffing, so check it more often. |
| All-weather boot with a neoprene shaft | The hard, smooth part at the bottom or a sewn-in label | Stretchy material does not hold the label well. Avoid the neoprene shaft itself. |
| Removable insole | The underside of the insole, if it is smooth | The label stays with the insole. If the insole ends up in the wrong boot after drying, it only shows whose insole it is. |
Always label both boots. It is rarely the whole pair that goes missing; usually it is one boot that has ended up on another shelf.
How to attach the name label to boots
- Clean and let dry. Rinse or wipe away sand and mud. Then let the boot dry completely, including the inside. Wet socks leave moisture in the shaft that you cannot always see.
- Peel off the label and position it. Hold it by the edge so you don't get fingerprints on the adhesive, and place the label on the smooth surface you chose.
- Press firmly for about 10 seconds. Start in the middle and press outward toward the edges. Rub the corners extra well, since the shaft is rounded and the edges can otherwise come loose more easily.
- Wait one day. The adhesive needs about 24 hours to cure. Label the boots at least one day before they go out in the rain.
The same steps apply to shoes and clothes. Read more about where the name label goes in clothes if you label rainwear and lined clothes at the same time.
What can the label withstand in rain, mud and drying cabinets?
Lappu name labels withstand washing at up to 60°C, tumble dryers and dishwashers. They adhere to plastic, metal, glass and leather, and to fabric via the care label. For boots, the same applies as for shoes: a smooth, clean surface on the inside.
Inside the shaft, the label mainly encounters moisture from feet and socks, not mud. Rinse off mud on the outside as usual. Many preschools dry boots and rainwear in drying cabinets. Drying cabinets are not mentioned in our specifications, so we make no promises about them, but the label is designed for tumble dryers. Read more about this on the page about wash-resistant name labels.
When the label doesn't stay in place
If a label comes off a boot, the cause is almost always one of these:
- The surface was damp. The boot looked dry but was still slightly wet inside. Leave it for another 24 hours and apply a new label.
- The label is placed over a seam or edge. An uneven surface gives the edges poor adhesion. Move it to an even surface.
- The material is stretchy or fuzzy. Neoprene, fleece lining and silicone do not hold the label well. Choose another part of the boot, according to the table above.
- The boots were used immediately. Without 24 hours of curing, the adhesive does not have time to set. This is the most common mistake.
Never put a new label on top of the old label's residue. Remove the residue, clean the surface and let it dry first.
Rule of thumb: if you can't find a smooth, firm surface anywhere on the boot, whether inside, on a label or at the very top of the shaft, a self-adhesive label is the wrong choice for that pair. Write the name with a waterproof marker instead. Lappu doesn't sell markers, but that's the honest answer.
Marker or name label on rubber boots?
Both work. It depends on what you want.
| Waterproof marker | Self-adhesive name label | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | None if you already have a pen | From SEK 139 for 124 labels, approximately SEK 1.12 per label |
| Works on | Almost all surfaces, including fuzzy lining | Smooth, clean surfaces and sewn-in labels |
| The child recognizes their boot | Only if the child can read the name | A picture and color help even children who cannot read find the right one |
| The same label as on the clothes | No, handwriting varies | Yes, the same set works for clothes, shoes, bottles and lunch boxes |
| Durability | Can wear down and become unclear over time | Stays in place with correct positioning and 24 hours of curing |
Label the entire rainwear shelf
Boots are rarely the only things that get mixed up on a rainy day. Östersund Municipality, for example, asks parents to label things that are easily mixed up, such as socks, mittens, shoes and boots, and rainwear. Here's how to label the rest of your rain gear:
- Rubber boots: both boots, for both unlined and lined pairs.
- Rain jacket and rain trousers: on the care label, not directly on the PVC fabric.
- Waterproof mittens: on the care label if the mittens have one.
- Rain hat or beanie under the hood: on the care label.
- Spare socks: labels do not adhere well to socks. See how to label socks, mittens, and small items.
Example calculation (for illustration): one unlined pair and one lined pair of boots use 4 labels. A rain jacket, rain trousers, and a pair of waterproof mittens use 4 more. The rain hat uses 1. That makes 9 labels in total, or approximately SEK 10 worth from a set of 124 labels. The rest is enough for clothes, a lunch box, and a bottle. More tips for starting preschool are available on the page about name labels for preschool.
When the boots change owners
Children quickly outgrow rubber boots, and many pairs are passed on to a sibling or bought second-hand. Write the surname on the label so the boots can be passed on within the family without needing to be relabelled. A surname or initials make the same set work for siblings.
If you buy second-hand boots with someone else's name on them: remove the old label or writing, clean the surface, and let it dry before applying your label. If the old marking is on a sewn-in label, you can place your label on a clean area next to it.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you put the name label in rubber boots?
On the inside of the shaft, a little below the edge, on a smooth, dry surface. If the boot has a sewn-in label in the lining, attach the label to it. Label both boots.
Does the name label stay on when the boots get wet?
Yes, if it was applied to a clean, dry, smooth surface and allowed to set for 24 hours before first use. The label withstands washing at up to 60°C and tumble drying. However, it does not adhere well to stretchy materials such as neoprene or fuzzy linings.
Where can I buy name stickers?
You design and order them online. Lappu's self-adhesive name labels come 124 to a set and are suitable for boots, clothes, bottles, and lunch boxes, so one set covers most things your preschool asks you to label. They arrive in your mailbox within a few business days.
Where can I find small name labels?
Lappu has small name labels for items where a regular label would be too large, such as pacifiers, pens, and small washcloths. Regular name labels are enough for boots.
How do you make your own name labels?
The free option is to write the name directly on the boot or label with a waterproof marker. If you want labels with designs and a consistent look on everything, choose a design, colour, and font in the online design tool and see the result instantly.
Are there fabric name labels for adults?
Lappu does not sell fabric labels, only self-adhesive name labels that stick to the care label. They work just as well for adults, for example at work, at the gym, or in a care home. Read more about name labels for adults.