An EASY way to make your own personalized labels for garments and handmade items is to print directly onto 5/8" satin ribbon. (You could use wider ribbon, if desired.)
You must use an inkjet printer that uses pigment-based ink, as opposed to dye-based ink. Pigment-based inks are inherently water-resistant and lightfast, rendering the labels permanent and washable. Most of the Epson printers have the pigment-based inks, but not all of them, so check your printer before wasting time, ink, and ribbon. Dye-based inks will wash out. (I have no affiliation with Epson. I have just learned the hard way not to use anything but Epson pigment-based inks on artwork involving fabric. I use another brand of printer for my everyday paper printing.)
The label message should be only 2 lines, using larger font for your name and smaller font for the first line ("From the needles of ...", "Handmade by ...", or whatever).
Print the message down a sheet of regular printer paper, with each label's message at least 3/4" apart. SAVE the page onto your computer.
Cut lengths of 5/8" ribbon (I like to use white), leaving enough extra length to turn both ends under when sew labels onto garment or item.
Tape the lengths of ribbon over the printed labels on your sheet of paper. I use 1/2"-wide clear tape along the entire top edge of the ribbon. Make sure only the very topmost edge of the ribbon is covered with the tape so that none of the printing will be on the tape (which will be removed). I also like to tape down the short ends of the ribbon, to make sure they do not move at all throughout the process.
Run this sheet of paper with the taped-on ribbons through your printer again (taped along the top/leading edge to cardstock for additional support), and the labels will be printed onto each strip of ribbon.
I make no adjustments for "type of paper". I simply use the regular paper setting and "Everyday" ink setting so that just enough ink is used.
Remove ribbons from sheet of paper, and store until needed. No further treatment of the labels is necessary except to allow them to dry thoroughly before washing (48 hours). I would also refrain from smearing my finger across the ink immediately after it comes out of the printer.
KNITS:
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