Name labels with the family surname for the whole family
Name labels for the whole family work best with the surname on the label, preferably with a phone number on the second line. Then one and the same set is enough for all the children, clothes can be passed down without being relabeled, and the parents' own things can be labeled with the same labels. First names are only needed on items that exist in two identical copies at the same time.
Here we explain what should be on the label for different families (including blended families and families with common surnames), how many labels a family needs, what the labels can withstand, and when another type of labeling is better.
Name labels for the family: what should be on the label?
A set of name labels has the same text on every label. That is why the choice of text determines how many people in the family can use it. A first name suits one child. A surname suits everyone who lives in the house. Keep the text short: the more characters there are, the smaller the letters become, and the label must be readable by an educator holding a wet mitten.
| Your situation | Write it like this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Several children, same surname, clothes passed down | Surname, phone number on the second line | The label works for all siblings, with no relabeling when the garment is inherited |
| A child in a group where someone else has the same surname | First and last name, or initial and surname | The surname alone is not enough if two children in the group are named Karlsson |
| Siblings who have identical items at the same time (two identical bottles, the same boots) | The child's first name on those particular items | The surname does not distinguish the siblings at home |
| The children have different surnames | The child's first name, or one set per child | A shared text that does not work for everyone creates more confusion than it solves |
| The child lives in two homes | The child's first and last name, without an address | The label works in both homes and at preschool |
| The parents' own things (gym bag, jacket, lunch box at work) | Surname and phone number | The same set as the children's, and whoever finds the item can call |
A phone number is most useful on things that leave preschool or school: jackets, bags, and sports equipment. Put it on the inside, on the care label, or inside the bag, so the number is not visible to everyone passing by. On a water bottle that only stays at preschool, the name is enough.
Inherited clothes: how to avoid relabeling
The most common reason parents choose a surname is siblings. A garment with the older sister’s first name needs to be relabeled when the younger brother takes it over, and that rarely gets done. With the surname on the label, the garment is already labeled when it moves down a drawer in the wardrobe. The same applies to snowsuits, rainwear, and boots passed on to cousins or neighborhood children: a phone number means the item can still find its way home.
Three things to consider when a labeled garment changes owners:
- Check that the label stays in place. If a label has come loose at one corner after many washes, press it back down or replace it.
- Do not place a new label over an old one. The adhesive should stick to the care label itself, not to another label. Use a clear area of the care label.
- Is the care label missing? If someone has cut it off or the garment is hand-knitted, a self-adhesive label works less well. In that case, an iron-on name label is safer.
Common surname? Add an initial or a number
Advice to write only the surname assumes that no one else in the group has the same one. Often, they do. According to SCB's name statistics, 221,511 people in Sweden had the surname Andersson, 219,829 Johansson, and 196,160 Karlsson on December 31, 2021. With one of the most common surnames, there is a good chance that another child with the same name is in the group or on the team.
The solution is simple and costs nothing extra in labels:
- Initial and surname, for example "E. Karlsson", if only one child will use the set.
- Surname and phone number on two lines, if the whole family will share them. The number distinguishes you from another Karlsson family.
- One motif or one color that the child recognizes, for the youngest children who cannot read yet.
The same design for everyone, or one color per child?
In the design tool, you choose the motif, color, and font and see the result immediately. A set has one design and one text. That gives a family two options:
- One shared set with the family surname. Cheapest and simplest, and all the adults recognize the family's labels in the lost-and-found box.
- One set per child with a first name and their own color. Better when siblings have identical items at the same time, or when the children are too young to read but recognize "their" fox or rainbow.
Many families combine them: one shared set with the family surname for hand-me-down clothes and parents' belongings, and first-name labels for the things siblings argue over, such as water bottles and lunch boxes.
What usually goes missing in a family
It's not just the preschool cloakroom that swallows things. In a family, they go missing in more places: at grandparents' homes, at after-school care, in the car, at the gym and at work. This list goes through what usually gets lost and where the label is best placed.
| Who | Things that go missing | Where the label is placed | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschoolers | Hats, mittens, snowsuit, spare clothes, boots, pacifier, stuffed animal | The care label; boots and shoes on the inside | Regular ones, small ones for pacifiers |
| Schoolchildren | Jacket, gym clothes, indoor shoes, water bottle, pencil case, charger | The care label, inside the shoe, smooth surface on the bottle | Regular ones, small ones for pens and chargers |
| Child with an extracurricular activity | Training bag, shin guards, helmet, water bottle | Smooth surface on helmet and bottle, inside the bag | Large ones for bags and helmets |
| Parents | Gym bag, training shirt, jacket, lunch box at work, glasses case | The care label, inside the bag, the lid of the lunch box | Regular ones, small ones for cases |
| At home | Storage boxes in the hallway, jars in the fridge, suitcases | Flat, clean surface | Large ones for boxes and suitcases |
For more tips on parents' own clothes and belongings, see the page about name labels for adults. If grandma or grandpa lives in a care home, different rules apply: some care homes wash clothes at temperatures above 60 degrees, see name labels in care homes.
Which size for what in the family
Lappu has three sizes. Most families manage with the regular ones and add one of the others when needed.
- Name labels: 124 labels from SEK 139. Clothes (on the care label), shoes, bottles and lunch boxes.
- Small name labels: SEK 129. Pens, rulers, pacifiers, headphones, glasses cases and small care labels.
- Large name labels: 30 labels for SEK 139. Backpacks, bags, sports equipment, water bottles and suitcases.
Calculation example: how long does one set last for a family?
A calculation example for a family with two children, one in preschool and one in school, and two adults. The numbers are illustrative: your family has more or fewer items.
| Who | Things to label | Number of labels |
|---|---|---|
| The preschooler | Clothes, outerwear, shoes, boots, bottle, lunch box | 45 |
| The schoolchild | Clothes, jacket, indoor shoes, gym clothes, bottle | 35 |
| Two adults | Gym clothes, jackets, lunch boxes, bags | 15 |
| At home | Boxes in the hallway, jars | 10 |
| Total | 105 of 124 |
With one shared set bearing the family name, one set of 124 labels is enough for the entire family in the example, with 19 labels left for new garments during the term. The set costs from SEK 139, which works out to approximately SEK 1.12 per label. If the same family had chosen first names, each child would have needed their own set, and the garments would have needed to be relabeled when handed down. Compare prices per label on the page about the cheapest name labels.
How to attach the labels
The labels are self-adhesive and require no iron. On clothes, they go on the care label, not the fabric. Read more about where to place the name label.
- Clean and dry the surface. The care label, inside of the shoe, or bottle should be free from dirt and moisture.
- Peel the label from the sheet. Touch the adhesive side as little as possible.
- Press firmly. Press for about 10 seconds, especially at the corners.
- Wait one day. The adhesive needs about 24 hours to cure, so wait before washing or doing the dishes.
A tip for families: label everything at once one evening, with all the children's clothes and belongings on the kitchen table. Then the labels will be cured when the week begins.
What the labels can withstand, and where they do not hold
The labels withstand washing machines up to 60°C, tumble dryers, and dishwashers up to 60°C. They adhere to care labels, plastic, metal, glass, and leather. Read more on the page about wash-resistant name labels.
Rule of thumb: a self-adhesive label is not the right choice for everything in the family. If something is washed at 90 degrees, such as work clothes or clothing at certain care homes, or if the garment has no care label, an iron-on label is better. Labels do not hold well on socks, silicone, or highly stretchy materials. The outside of factory-knitted mittens works, but the label does not last as long as it does on a care label.
Self-adhesive, iron-on, or marker pen: which is right for a family?
There are several ways to label children's belongings, and families usually combine them. Here's how they compare for a family with several children.
| Method | Works for | Disadvantage for a family |
|---|---|---|
| Self-adhesive name label | Clothing via the care label, shoes, bottles, lunch boxes, belongings. One set is enough for everything. | Not for washing above 60°C, garments without care labels, or socks |
| Iron-on name label | Textiles, including garments without care labels | Requires an iron for every garment, does not work on bottles or shoes |
| Sewn-in name tapes | Textiles that need to be labeled for a long time | Takes a long time when many garments need to be labeled |
| Marker pen | Quick emergency solution the night before an outing | Fades in the wash and doesn't adhere well to hard surfaces |
Lappu only sells self-adhesive name labels. If you want to compare the methods in more detail, see the page about name labels for clothing.
Order once for the whole family
You design the labels online, they are printed in the EU and arrive in your mailbox within a few working days. Check the text carefully before ordering, as printing begins shortly after the order is placed. You can pay with Klarna, card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or MobilePay. If you're not satisfied, our customer satisfaction guarantee applies for 60 days from delivery: you'll receive new labels or a refund.
Frequently asked questions
What should you write on name labels?
For one child, the first name is enough on items that stay in the group. For the whole family, the surname is best, preferably with a phone number on the second line. If you have a common surname, add an initial or a number.
Is a surname alone enough on the name label?
Yes, for clothes that will be handed down and belongings that leave preschool, the surname is enough as long as no one else in the group has the same one. For items that siblings have identical ones of at the same time, such as two water bottles, the first name is needed.
What are the best name labels for children?
It depends on what needs to be labeled. Self-adhesive labels are the fastest and work on both clothing and belongings; iron-on labels are more secure on garments without a care label and when washing at higher temperatures. We compared five common brands in the best name labels 2026.
Where can I get free name labels?
Parenting magazines and stores sometimes offer a small number of free name labels when you sign up for a newsletter. At Lappu, a set of 124 labels costs from SEK 139, which works out to approximately SEK 1.12 per label.
Are there fabric name labels for adults?
Yes, woven and iron-on fabric labels are available from several manufacturers, but Lappu only sells self-adhesive labels. They also stick to the care label in adult clothing. Read more about textile name labels and name labels for adults.
Is there a discount code for name labels?
Discount codes change often, so we don't list any here. You'll find current codes and how they affect the price per label in our article about discount codes for name labels.
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