Best Ways to Label Kids' School Supplies (A Parent's Complete Guide)
Back to School? Don't Forget to Label Everything! 🏫
Every parent knows the back-to-school scramble: new uniforms, fresh stationery, a shiny new lunchbox — and within a week, half of it has gone missing. The good news? A little labelling goes a long way. Here's your complete guide to the best ways to label every type of school supply your child owns.
1. Clothing & Uniforms
Best option: Iron-on name labels
For school uniforms, PE kits, jumpers, and jackets, iron-on labels are the gold standard. They bond directly to the fabric and survive dozens of washes without peeling or fading. Simply press them onto the inside collar, waistband, or care label area.
👉 These Iron-On Name Labels come in fun designs and are made to last the whole school year (and beyond!).
Tips:
- Label the inside collar for tops and jumpers
- Use the waistband for trousers, skirts, and shorts
- Label PE bags and sports kit on the inside lining
2. Lunchboxes & Water Bottles
Best option: Waterproof name stickers
Lunchboxes and water bottles get washed daily, so you need labels that can handle it. Waterproof stickers are perfect here — they stick firmly to plastic, metal, and silicone surfaces and won't budge in the dishwasher.
👉 Our Waterproof Photo Name Stickers are 3D, transparent, and completely waterproof — your child can even pick their favourite photo or design!
3. Stationery & Books
Best option: Waterproof stickers or adhesive name labels
Pencil cases, rulers, scissors, and notebooks all benefit from a clear name label. Waterproof stickers work brilliantly on smooth stationery surfaces. For books and folders, a slightly larger label on the inside cover is ideal.
Tips:
- Place stickers on the flat side of pencils and pens
- Label the spine of folders and binders for easy identification
- Use a label on the inside front cover of every book
4. Bags & Backpacks
Best option: Iron-on labels on the inside lining
Apply an iron-on label to the inside lining of your child's school bag and PE bag. For bags with a name tag slot, you can also slip in a small card — but an iron-on label inside is more permanent and harder to remove.
5. Coats & Jackets
Best option: Iron-on labels on the inside collar
Coats are notorious for ending up in lost property. An iron-on label on the inside collar means teachers and staff can quickly identify whose coat it is and return it to the right child.
Quick Reference: Which Label for What?
| Item | Best Label Type |
|---|---|
| Uniforms, jumpers, PE kit | Iron-on name labels |
| Lunchboxes, water bottles | Waterproof stickers |
| Stationery, books | Waterproof stickers |
| Bags & backpacks | Iron-on name labels |
| Coats & jackets | Iron-on name labels |
Make Labelling Fun! 🎨
The secret to getting kids excited about labelling? Let them choose their own design! At Lil' Cozy Kids, our labels come in a range of playful, colourful designs — so your little one will actually want their name on everything.
Shop our full range:
Happy labelling — and here's to a lost-property-free school year! 🎒