Wash Care Label Template and Compliance Guide

Care labeling regulations vary by market but share a common goal: ensuring consumers have the information they need to maintain their garments properly. In the United States, the FTC Care Labeling Rule requires that a permanent label be attached to the garment providing instructions for regular care that will not substantially harm the product. At least one safe cleaning method must be listed.

In the European Union, Regulation 1007/2011 mandates fiber content labeling with percentages listed in descending order by weight. While care symbols are not legally required in the EU, they are expected by consumers and retailers. The ISO 3758 symbol system is the accepted standard in most international markets outside of North America, where ASTM D5489 symbols are used.

Understanding these regulatory differences is essential for brands selling across multiple markets. A single label that satisfies both US and international requirements is possible with careful design, and our template shows you how to structure it.

The two primary care symbol systems are ASTM, used in the United States and Canada, and ISO, used throughout Europe, Asia, and most other markets. While visually similar, there are important differences. ASTM symbols include dots inside the wash basin to indicate temperature, while ISO symbols use numerical temperatures. Bleach, dry, iron, and professional care symbols also have subtle variations.

List all fibers present at five percent or more by weight in descending order. Fibers present at less than five percent may be listed as other fiber or other fibers. Decorative elements, linings, and interlinings that constitute a significant portion of the garment must be listed separately.

Use the correct generic fiber names as defined by the FTC Textile Fiber Products Identification Act or the EU regulation. Common examples include cotton, polyester, nylon (or polyamide in the EU), elastane (or spandex in the US), and viscose. Trade names like Lycra or Tencel cannot replace the generic name but may appear alongside it in parentheses.

If a garment has multiple components with different compositions, such as a jacket with a shell and lining, list each component separately on the label. Our template includes a multi-component format for these situations.

US regulations require that imported garments bear a country-of-origin label stating where the product was manufactured or processed. The statement must use phrasing such as Made in or Product of followed by the country name. The label must be conspicuous and permanently attached.

Additionally, the garment must identify the manufacturer, importer, or dealer by name or registered identification number. Many brands use their RN number, which is registered with the FTC, as an alternative to printing their full business name and address on the care label.

Care labels must be permanently attached and easily accessible to the consumer. Common placements include the center back neck for tops, the center back waist for bottoms, and a side seam for garments where a neck label would be uncomfortable. The label should not be concealed by other labels or trimmed off easily.

Design the label for readability. Use a minimum font size that is legible after repeated washing. Ensure care symbols are large enough to be distinguishable. If the label includes multiple languages for international distribution, organize the information clearly so each market's requirements are easy to find.

Our template provides standard label dimensions and layouts for single-market and multi-market configurations, including fold-over labels that fit more information in a compact format without overwhelming the consumer.

Care instructions on your label must be accurate and substantiated. This means you should test your garment under the care conditions you intend to recommend. Wash the garment at the specified temperature, dry it using the specified method, and evaluate for shrinkage, color loss, distortion, and surface changes.

If your testing reveals that a garment shrinks beyond acceptable limits at the labeled wash temperature, you must either adjust the care instructions to a lower temperature or modify the fabric treatment to improve dimensional stability. Inaccurate care instructions expose your brand to consumer complaints and potential regulatory action.