If you have been visiting my blog, you know I love labeling everything. It not only helps everyone else know where things go, but it also helps when anyone loses an item. Recently, I became an affiliate with Mabel's Labels (Affiliate Link), a fun site for labeling kids' school supplies. From my kid's lunch bags, clothing, bag tags, and safety to household tags, they have so much to choose from on their site; I didn't know where to begin. Please read my review and tips on how to use these labels (Affiliate Link), plus a bunch more! And why you shouldn't make your own labels (Affiliate Link) for your child's items. I hope this post gets your kids ready for the first day of school.
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The downfall of DIY labeling kids' school items.
If you want to make your labels (Affiliate Link) instead of buying ones already made, you may want to consider the following downfalls.
- They may not be waterproof. The labels (Affiliate Link) may not hold up to the washing machine, sweat, or even rain outside.
- Using a Sharpie (Affiliate Link) marker may wear away over time. Even though they are permanent, they wash off over time on different surfaces.
- A permanent marker (Affiliate Link) may bleed through the clothing. Some markers may seep through the fabric, and you will be able to see it on the other side. Some clothing doesn't even have a tag, so you must find an inconspicuous spot to write the name.
- Sports equipment can easily get dirty, rubbing off the writing.
- Ink may cost a lot. It is usually expensive, so if you need to make a lot of labels (Affiliate Link), you will spend a lot of money on ink.
My Review of Mabel's Labels.
I picked these cute labels (Affiliate Link) to use for my books for when I lend books and containers out to friends and family. Aren't they cute? I love them! And I also added them to my planner and other things in my home I didn't want to get mixed with other family members' things.
I preferred not to include my whole last name since it was too long, and I wanted to protect my privacy. They were glossy and easy to stick.
Mabel's Labels are great for back to school
These "Personalized Name Stickers" are great for back to school. Here is my review of their site.
- They are waterproof and suitable for lunch containers, bottles, toys, sports equipment, etc...
- They give you a place to customize the style and the picture on the sticker. They have a few fonts to choose from. And, of course, you can customize the name on the label (Affiliate Link).
- They also offer safety labels (Affiliate Link) like bands for kids with their names and information on them. So cool! Plus a bunch of other types of tags for different areas of the home.
- Personal tags can be made too.
- Fast & Free shipping.
- They are dishwasher safe (Affiliate Link).
- And, they are laundry safe (Affiliate Link).
There are so many benefits to buying these labels! What are you waiting for?
Check out the School Supply List by Grade from Mabel's Labels!
You ordered the labels; now what?
Now that your order has been delivered, here are tips on how to make the most of labeling your kids' school stuff.
- Buy waterproof labels (Affiliate Link). Not all tags are equal. Look for labels that withstand water or washing.
- Pick an area that isn't often touched, such as the bottom of a bottle, the inside of a lunch bag, or the inside of a binder or book.
- When adding the sticker to the item, make sure you rub the top of the label (Affiliate Link) continuously, especially the edges, for at least 10 or 15 seconds.
- If you are labeling clothing, buying clothing labels (Affiliate Link) and sewing them on the clothing will work best. They wash well, and you don't need to worry about the tags rubbing off after several washes.
Where to place Mabel's Labels?
For back-to-school, Mabel's Labels have a variety of labels (Affiliate Link). From fabric to waterproof, you can find it all for your kids back to school needs. They also have a variety of unique labels (Affiliate Link).
There are many areas you can place the Mabel's Labels (Affiliate Link) for back to school. Below are some I found handy.
- Use them on lunch boxes (Affiliate Link)
- Add them to water bottles
- Attach them to the inside of the shoes (Affiliate Link) so the shoe labels (Affiliate Link) do not fall off.
- Add them to the school uniforms
- Attach them to the front of their school folders
- Add the sticky labels (Affiliate Link) to the school bags
- Add to the bottom of the food containers (Affiliate Link)
- Use them as iron-on labels (Affiliate Link) inside clothing
- Add them to the pencil cases and other kids' school supplies, like notebooks.
- Add to the little kids' backpacks
- Attach them to markers.
- Add them to daycare things.
- Attach them to scissors.
Placing these labels (Affiliate Link) in the right spot and selecting the perfect size will help them last longer and be protected from wear and tear.
They even have unique labels (Affiliate Link) you may want.
Unique Labels you can buy at Mabel's Labels.
Allergy Stickers - These labels (Affiliate Link) include options like dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, shellfish-free, soy-free, and tree-nut-free.
Customizable Allergy Alter Labels (Affiliate Link) - You can add your child's name and two likes of allergy details.
Kids Medical Alert labels (Affiliate Link) - you can write whatever you want on these, and they can be added to containers. You have 8 lines to write things like the name and alert details on them. You can pick from a variety of fonts too.
Silicone ID Bracelets - You can get them made with your child's name on it and your phone number
Kids' Team Sports Labels (Affiliate Link) - They come in a pack of stickers, and you can add their name, and on line two, you can add their name or number. There are also other labels (Affiliate Link) you can customize up to 6 names and designs. There are a variety of color combinations that may be able to match the team's colors.
And so much more!
They also have packs you can buy for occasions in addition to back-to-school labels (Affiliate Link) like Camp labels, Baby labels, Daycare labels, Kid's activities, kid's safety, travel, home, teacher labels, gifts, and birthdays.
If you want to buy labels (Affiliate Link) for your children, here is the affiliate link.
Note: I get a small referral fee if you use the link above. This referral fee will not increase your purchase price whatsoever.
I hope this helps you and your child minimize the lost items this school year. Have a great school year!
Visit our other back-to-school organization posts!
Linda Samuels says
You made excellent points about using the stick-on labels. When our kids were small, we wrote with a Sharpie on most things and used a Brother label maker for others. However, the personalized stickers would have been much more accessible.
I used those for my mom's clothing when she went to live at an Assisted Living place. It was an interesting role reversal as she used to label my clothes with those iron-on labels when sending me to summer camp.
Julie Bestry says
Wow, I just realized I hadn't heard about Mabel's Labels in years, and I'm so glad to know they're still up and running. They always seemed too cool to be relegated to just kids' stuff; I'd totally put their labels on anything where I wanted to keep my items separate from others', and I don't think I'm particularly juvenile. (Just young at heart?) Anything a kid might use at school is similar enough to what you'd use in an office or what I might schlep to an organizing client's space. All of your ideas are great, and I particularly like the medical alert stickers for use while traveling. Great reminder of a category that those without little ones often forget!
Diane Quintana says
These labels sound like the answer to every parent's question regarding labeling. I love that they are totally customizable and that they are dishwasher and washing machine safe. What more could a person want?
Plus, I think I would use them myself - as you said, on things you want to be able to easily identify. I'm thinking about my water bottle (so many look alike) or my planner.
Seana Turner says
I never knew about Mabel's Labels when my children were little, but a lot of my young clients use them. I think they really are terrific. Great resource to share here on your blog so people can find out about them.
Although I can't bear to think about back-to-school yet... stay summer, stay!
Sabrina Quairoli says
Me either, but it's the best time for sales. =)
William Rusho says
These are wonderful tips. Just as a warning, if your kids are anything like I was in school, all the labels and preparation will go out the window in about a week. Sorry I was hard on things at that age.
RoseMary Griffith says
What a fun idea! I think kids would like to see these snazzy labels on their stuff. (I would!)
Marquita Herald says
Well I don't have kids but I am a fan of labels, and as a matter of fact, I will definitely take a closer look at these Sabrina. I just moved into a new place and there is a nice big storage room I intend to turn into a pantry, so I see plenty of labeling in my immediate future. If I recall correctly, some of your posts are about organizing a pantry, so I'm going to poke around and find them for ideas. Yee ha!
Phoenicia says
I label every item my daughter owns. From her rucksack to her school shoes. Originally I sewed in her labels and write on the actual garment/item. Children can be absent minded when at school, taking very little care of their belongings. Also some have identical items so it rules out;
"This is mine"
"No, it is mine"
Sarah Soboleski says
A friend of mine gave me waterproof labels with my son's name on it when he was born and they've been the best! It's amazing how many instances you need a label. Thanks for the thorough suggestions on usage, Sabrina!
Ken Dowell says
Much more elegant than scribbling your name with a Sharpie, which has been my habit.
Erica says
Those labels are really cute. I remember my mom sewing labels into my clothes when I went to sleep away camp. My labels were not nearly as cute. I imagine kids would really love that they can be personalized. Fun product.
Kristina Rylova says
When I was a kid, indeed it would be useful to have them. Probably it would save me many lost things 🙂
Seana Turner says
Great post - labeling is key! For clothing, I find a sharpie is another option. Write on the label if possible so not to damage the clothing. If you plan to go through multiple children with the article, use your last name instead of first. Another "quick and easy" is to use the "free" return address labels you get from charities. You can do a whole bunch of stuff quickly. It won't have the child's name, but for sports gear and stuff, it can come in handy.
Sabrina says
Great tips, Seana! Thanks for sharing.
Sushmita says
I liked the cute labels which you had picked up for your books! I agree with you on labelling, it just eases your life when you prefer being organised.
Catarina says
Mummy had labels made with our names that were put in the kind of clothes we would use for ballet and sports i.e. that we would take off somewhere. And neither me nor my siblings ever lost any clothes. Can't remember if jackets and overcoats were labeled too. Books we simply wrote our names in.
Donna Janke says
The labels look a good and useful product. As I read this I couldn't remember if I labelled things my daughter took to school or not. (She's 28 now so it was a while ago.) I know we wrote her name on notebooks and likely used masking tape on her lunch box.