| The most effective marketing tool to instantly grab the | | | | options available, the manufacturers can successfully |
| attention of customers is product labels, and if it's a | | | | target different consumers. Some manufacturers also |
| well designed one, it can help increases sales greatly. | | | | use an add-on tag like "For best results, dry clean." |
| However, in the case of clothing labels, the scenario is | | | | The care labels rule governs and is targeted to the |
| a bit different. Clothing labels are important but not | | | | manufacturers and importers of textile wearing |
| necessarily the first thing noticed; and once worn, | | | | apparel, manufacturers and importers of piece goods |
| people rarely look at the tag stitched inside their pants | | | | sold, and organizations that directs and control the |
| or jacket. | | | | textile apparel industry. |
| But clothing labels serve a practical purpose ... they help | | | | It is very crucial that as per the FTC, the clothing labels |
| the consumer to determine the clothing size, fabric | | | | of a product provide: |
| composition and the proper washing procedures. | | | | 1. Complete information and instructions about regular |
| The care label in a garment is a tag given to the | | | | care for the garment and also provide warnings |
| product containing regular maintenance information and | | | | thereby cautioning the customers before purchase. |
| instructions. It is affixed in such a manner that it cannot | | | | 2. Provide assurance to the customers that if the |
| be separated from the product under normal usage. | | | | instructions are carefully followed, you can keep from |
| This information is important as it guides the customer, | | | | damaging the garment. |
| providing rules and regulations for usage and | | | | 3. Ensure that the product provides specific detailed |
| maintenance of the product. | | | | information for ordinary usage. For example: In case of |
| The rules for care labeling were decided upon by the | | | | clothes, the label should specify the washing method, |
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Dec 16th, 1971 | | | | type of water, method used for drying, whether the |
| and were later amended in 1983.These rules require | | | | cloth can be ironed or not, and the temperature of |
| the manufacturers and importers of textile wearing | | | | ironing if necessary. |
| apparel and certain piece goods to attach tags stating | | | | 4. It is requisite that manufacturers use commonly used |
| the regular rules for maintenance of the product. As | | | | terms in the clothing label such that consumers can |
| per recent updates to the rules in 2000, the section | | | | easily understand. |
| requiring a "reasonable basis" for care instructions has | | | | 5. The manufacturer is only required to list one method |
| been changed to clarify what is required. | | | | of care that is safe. |
| When customers shop for clothing, care requirements | | | | 6. It is required that the domestic manufacturers attach |
| play an important role in the decision making process | | | | tags to finished products before they are sold, and that |
| as customers want to know the washing and regular | | | | they are visible at the point of purchase. If in case it is |
| maintenance instructions before purchase. | | | | not visible, it is required to appear on the outside of the |
| Different tag strategies reach those consumers looking | | | | package. |
| for the convenience of dry cleaning and those who | | | | If a garment is manufactured and made up of several |
| prefer the ease and economy of buying garments | | | | components, then there should be reliable evidence |
| they can wash at home. Clothing labels are a deciding | | | | supporting the statement that the garment will not be |
| factor when consumers shop for clothing. | | | | damaged when cleaned as directed. Industry |
| This is the reason that at times manufacturers provide | | | | experience and expertise can solve most care |
| more than one set of instructions. With washing | | | | worries before a consumer purchase. |