Name labels for camp and summer camp: label the right things
Name labels for camp should go on everything the child packs that looks like someone else's: clothes, shoes, sleeping bag, towels, water bottle, and backpack. Apply self-adhesive name labels at home to the care label or a smooth surface, let them sit for 24 hours, and they will then withstand washing at 60°C and tumble drying.
Here you will find a labeling checklist for day camps and camps, showing where to put the label on each item, a calculation example of how many labels a week at camp requires, when to order, and what to do with the lost-and-found pile on the last day.
Name labels for camp: what should be labeled
At camp, many children live in close quarters. Sleeping bags are often the same model, rainwear comes from the same retail chains, and water bottles are bought at the same store. The things most often mixed up are the ones that look like everyone else's. Therefore, label everything the child is responsible for keeping track of, not just the clothes.
| Item | Where the label is attached | Which label |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts, tops, trousers, pajamas, underwear | On the care label, never directly on the fabric | Regular |
| Rain jacket, rain trousers, jacket | On the care label on the inside | Regular |
| Swimwear | On the small care label in the seam, not on the stretchy fabric | Regular |
| Towels | On the care label along the edge | Regular |
| Sleeping bag | On the care label inside the sleeping bag. The bag it comes in is made of fabric without a care label, so write on it with a permanent marker instead | Regular |
| Sleeping mat | Foam plastic is porous, so we cannot guarantee that the label will stick. Put the label on a smooth, hard part if the item has one; otherwise use a permanent marker | Large |
| Shoes and boots | Inside, one label in each shoe so the pair can be matched | Regular |
| Water bottle, mug, plastic cup, lunchbox | On a smooth plastic or metal surface, not on silicone | Regular or large |
| Headlamp, flashlight | On the plastic casing, not on the strap | Regular or small |
| Sunglasses, swimming goggles, toiletry bag | On the frame, case, or plastic part | Small |
| Backpack and duffel bag | A large label on the outside where it is visible and a regular one on the care label inside | Large |
| Cap, beanie, stuffed animal | On the care label | Regular |
Socks are the exception. Self-adhesive labels do not stick well to socks, so an iron-on label or a fabric pen works better. Read more about this on the page about labeling socks, mittens, and small items. If you are unsure where to put the label on a garment, the guide shows where to put the name label on the care label.
Label according to the type of camp
Different camps have different things that are left behind or exchanged. Spend a little extra time on the items that are the same for all children at that particular camp.
| Camp | The things most often mixed up | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Scout camp | Scout shirt, plastic cup, headlamp, sitting mat | Everyone has the same shirt: put the label on the care label. A plastic cup can be labeled on the outside. |
| Soccer camp | Training jerseys in the same color, shin guards, football boots, bottles | Shin guards have a hard plastic shell: place the label on the inside of the shell. Label the shoes on the inside. |
| Horse-riding camp | Riding breeches, riding gloves, boots | Riding breeches have a care label. Leather works as a surface, so leather gloves can be labeled. |
| Sailing camp | Life jacket, sailing gloves, sunglasses, waterproof bag | The life jacket is labeled on the care label inside. The complete packing list is in our sailing camp packing list. |
| Swimming and bathing camp | Towels, swimwear, swimming goggles, swimming cap | Swimming caps are often made of silicone, and no sticker will stay on them. Write on them with a permanent marker. |
| Day camp | Lunch box, water bottle, rainwear, cap | The same items as for school: label them once and they will last for the whole term too. |
How many name labels do you need for a camp?
It depends on how long the camp lasts and how much the child packs. Here is a calculation example for one week at an overnight camp. The figures are an example, not a packing list from a specific camp.
| Calculation example: one week at camp | Number of items | Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes with care labels (5 T-shirts, 2 long-sleeved tops, 2 sweatshirts, 4 pairs of trousers or shorts, 6 items of underwear, 1 pair of pajamas, 2 swimsuits, 2 hats or caps) | 24 | 24 |
| Rain jacket, rain trousers, jacket | 3 | 3 |
| Shoes (trainers, boots, sandals) | 3 pairs | 6 |
| Towels, sleeping bag, stuffed animal | 4 | 4 |
| Water bottle, cup, headlamp, toiletry bag | 4 | 4 |
| Total regular name labels | 41 | |
| Backpack and duffel bag (large labels) | 2 | 2 |
A set of regular name labels has 124 labels for SEK 139, approximately SEK 1.12 per label. The camp week in the example therefore uses about one third of the set, around SEK 46 calculated per label, and the rest is enough for school or preschool. If two siblings are going to the same camp, write the family name on the labels, and one set will be enough for both.
What should be written on the label?
At a camp, there are often several children with the same first name. Therefore, write the first and last name, or the first name and an initial. A phone number fits on a second line, and that line is what helps a found item get home without detours.
- Short text. The fewer characters there are, the larger and clearer the letters will be.
- Clear contrast. Dark text on a light background, or vice versa, so a supervisor can read the label in poor light inside a tent.
- A motif the child recognizes. A younger child who cannot read confidently yet will find their fox or rainbow faster than their name.
All labels in a set have the same text. If you want the phone number on the bag but not in the underwear, order one set of large name labels with a number and one set of regular labels without one. A label you have peeled off will not stick again, so when clothes are handed down, peel off the old label and apply a new one.
When should you order and apply the labels?
Count backward from the departure day. The labels arrive by mail within a few business days, you need an evening to apply them, and the glue needs about 24 hours before the garment is washed or gets wet. So order a couple of weeks before camp if possible, and avoid labeling clothes the same evening you pack the bag. Printing starts shortly after the order, so check the spelling before submitting it. Here's how the order works step by step: order name labels online.
Apply the labels at home, to clean and dry garments. It is more difficult at camp: it is damp there, and many things are already dirty.
- Wipe the surface. The care label or bottle should be clean and dry. Sunscreen and insect repellent on a bottle make it harder for the glue to adhere, so wash and dry it first.
- Peel off the label. Touch the adhesive side as little as possible.
- Press firmly for about 10 seconds. Press extra firmly on the corners, as that is where a label starts to come loose.
- Wait one day. Let the glue cure for 24 hours before the first wash or before the item gets wet.
Laundry at camp and what the labels can withstand
At a shorter camp, things are rarely washed before the child comes home. At a longer camp, the camp may do the children's laundry, in which case it is worth asking what temperature they use. The labels can withstand washing machines up to 60°C, tumble dryers, and dishwashers up to 60°C. Wet clothes in a drying room are not a problem once the glue has fully cured. Read more about this on the page about name labels that withstand washing.
These won't hold: socks, silicone (swim caps and soft bottles), very stretchy fabric, and garments without a care label, such as hand-knitted sweaters. In those cases, an iron-on name label or a marker is better. If the camp washes items at 90°C, an iron-on label is also the safer choice. Lappu has not published any lab tests or certificates, so we make no promises beyond what is stated here.
Last day: lost and found
On the last day, there is usually a pile of forgotten towels, bottles, and sweaters. The leaders can put labeled items back in the right bag before pickup. You will have to look for unlabeled items yourself, if you have time.
- Go through the pile when picking your child up, even if your child says everything is packed.
- Unpack everything the same evening and compare it with the label list above. If anything is missing, it is easier to call the camp while the leaders are still there.
- The phone number does the work for you. According to the Swedish Police's information about lost property, anyone who finds something should report it to the police if they do not know who owns the item and cannot return it directly. With your number on the label, the finder can call you instead.
Which name labels are suitable for camp?
Lappu only sells self-adhesive name labels, in three formats. You design all three yourself online with a design, color and font of your choice, and they are printed in the EU.
| Format | Set and price | For camp |
|---|---|---|
| Name labels | 124 pcs, from SEK 139 | Clothes, towels, sleeping bag, shoes, bottles, mug |
| Small name labels | SEK 129 | Sunglasses, swimming goggles, headlamp, small care labels |
| Large name labels | 30 pcs, SEK 139 | Backpack, bag, water bottle, sports equipment |
If you are not satisfied, our satisfaction guarantee applies for 60 days from delivery, with new labels or your money back. More tips, item by item, are available on the page about name labels for clothes.
Frequently asked questions
What should you write on name labels for camp?
First and last name, or first name and initial, since several children at the same camp often have the same first name. You can also add a phone number on the second line, especially on bags and bottles. Keep the text short so it is easy to read.
How many name labels do you need for camp?
For a week at overnight camp, the calculation example above comes to around 40 regular labels and 2 large ones. A set of 124 regular name labels is therefore enough for camp and plenty more. Shorter camps require fewer.
How far in advance should I order name labels for camp?
It is best to order a couple of weeks in advance. The labels arrive within a few business days, and after you apply them, the adhesive needs about 24 hours before the garment is washed or gets wet.
Which are the best name labels?
It depends on what you are labeling. Self-adhesive labels are the fastest option and work on care labels, plastic, metal, glass and leather, while iron-on labels are better for garments without care labels and washing above 60°C. We compare five popular brands in best name labels 2026.
Can you get free name labels or make your own?
Free usually means writing on the item yourself with a fabric marker or permanent marker, which works but fades in the wash. You can order your own printed name labels online, where you choose the text, design and color and see the result before ordering.
How do you sew on name labels?
A woven name label is sewn on with small stitches around all four edges, preferably into the seam at the neck or waist so it does not chafe. Lappu does not sell sew-on labels. Self-adhesive labels are applied to the care label without needle and thread.