We’re all familiar with the labels on the backsides of commercial or home carpets. Carpet labels indicate color and size, provide manufacturing history, and often include serialized or nonserialized barcodes for inventory tracking purposes. These labels can be used for branding, too. They can be die cut into unusual and attractive shapes, include logos, and add sophistication with attractive fonts.

But have you ever given thought to how those labels are able to stick to the difficult surface of carpet backing? Or what happens if they don’t? If you manufacture any type of rug or commercial carpet, you know the challenges better than most. In fact, you’ve likely had your own horror story or knew someone who did:

• Maybe the adhesive wasn’t strong enough and the labels started falling off during distribution.
• Maybe the labels were too thin and the sharp fibers of the carpet backing started sticking through.
• Maybe you make your own hand-crafted artisan rugs and found the DIY solutions don’t hold up over time.

Whatever the situation, if you don’t get the right combination of product, label substrate, adhesive and/or application process, plenty of things can go wrong.

Types of Rug Labels

Because of the challenges inherent in getting the labels to stick to carpet backing, you can’t just buy any old label and put it on there. These labels need to stay on the products for their lifetimes, and it takes a certain level of expertise to get it right. That’s why, whether it’s for wholesale logs, retail carpets, or retail and distribution samples, it’s important to work with a distributor you trust.

There are three primary options that your distributor will suggest for adhering the label to your carpet or industrial textiles:

• Heat Seal: Designed to adhere permanently to the carpet backing using heat to seal it in place.
• Sew-in: Constructed of a nontearable synthetic tag material that cannot be removed unless purposely cut out.
• Pressure-Sensitive: Constructed as peel and stick, with highly aggressive adhesive designed to adhere to the backing. Pressure-sensitive labels are less durable than other types but are the fastest to apply.

Which option is right for you? It depends on the type of rug, the composition of the backing, the environmental conditions under which the rug will be stored and used, and the durability requirements. This is what makes Brandmark such a valuable partner. We have years of R&D under our belts to know which options are right for your products so we can help you make the right decisions.

Not Just for Carpets Anymore

Once you understand the ins and outs of rug and carpet labels, you may be able to take this knowledge into other areas of your business, too. The same labels used on carpets can be applied to any products that use heavy-duty commercial fabric or canvas. This includes deck or retractable umbrellas, dust covers for outdoor furniture, and even safety harnesses.

When you look at your product offers, think carefully. Whether it’s a carpet, lawn umbrella, or outdoor furniture cover, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to improve your product and enhance your brand image.

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