What US textile labels usually need
The FTC's textile and wool guidance says most covered textile and wool products need a label showing fiber content, country of origin and the identity of the manufacturer, importer or another business responsible for marketing or handling the item. Clothing, many household textiles, yarns and fabrics can be covered, while some items are excluded or conditionally covered.
Care labels for clothing are required under a separate FTC rule. That means a garment label often has both care instructions and textile identification information. Do not assume a wash label alone satisfies fiber and origin disclosure.
- Fiber content.
- Country of origin.
- Company name or RN.
- Care instructions for covered apparel.
Fiber content basics
Fiber content should use generic fiber names and percentages by weight. A label might say 95% cotton, 5% spandex, or 80% wool, 20% nylon. Marketing words such as cozy blend, vegan yarn or premium fibre do not replace the required generic fiber disclosure.
If a product contains wool, the wool rules can add specific requirements. Cashmere, recycled wool and specialty fibres need particular care. If your handmade product uses unknown remnants or deadstock, do not guess the fiber content for a retail label. Get reliable supplier records or test data.
Country of origin basics
Country of origin tells the customer where the textile product was processed or manufactured under the applicable rules. Imported products made entirely abroad are labelled with the foreign country of origin. Products made in the US with imported materials require careful wording.
FTC guidance gives examples for internet and mail-order advertising, including Made in U.S.A. and Imported for certain mixed domestic and imported processing situations, and Made in U.S.A. or Imported when some units are domestic and others are foreign. The wording on the product and listing should be consistent.
Maker identity and RN
US textile labels must identify the manufacturer, importer or another dealer. You can use the full company name under which you do business, or an RN issued by the FTC if you have one. The RN is optional, but it can save label space and make you easier to identify in trade records.
An RN is not issued to businesses outside the US and is not required to do business. If you use a company name instead, it should be the real business name used on invoices and business documents, not only a decorative brand nickname.
Online listings need origin information too
FTC guidance addresses mail-order and internet advertising. Product descriptions in online listings should include country-of-origin information, such as made in U.S.A., imported, or both where appropriate. This matters for Etsy-style shops as much as for catalog retailers.
Do not wait until the customer receives the garment to disclose origin if the online listing should have included it. Keep your listing text consistent with the sewn-in or attached label, especially when some colourways or sizes come from different production runs.
Common indie maker mistakes
The most common mistake is using the yarn brand's marketing name as the fiber disclosure instead of the generic fiber percentages. Another is saying handmade in USA when the actual item uses imported fabric or yarn and the required wording should be more specific.
A third mistake is treating small-batch or handmade products as exempt without checking. Many rules apply because the product is offered for sale, not because the business is large. Build a label checklist for every product category you sell.
Frequently asked questions
Is this guide US-focused?
Yes. Fiber and country-of-origin rules vary by country. This guide focuses on common US FTC textile and wool label concepts.
Can I say cotton blend instead of percentages?
For covered US textile products, use generic fiber names and percentages by weight rather than vague blend wording.
Is an RN required?
No. An RN is optional in the US. You can use the business name instead if it meets the identity requirement.
Do online listings need country of origin?
FTC guidance says mail-order and internet advertising product descriptions must include country-of-origin information for covered textile products.
Can I label a garment Made in USA if the fabric is imported?
Use caution. FTC textile guidance has specific wording for products made in the US with imported materials. The claim must not mislead customers.