Name tapes. Whether your kids are attending day camp or sleep away
camp, these little strips of cloth or nylon ensure that you won't have
to buy your child a brand new wardrobe, each and every week. Bathing
suits have a mysterious way of disappearing.towels and underwear, too.
Although us practical moms try to "think disposable" when it comes to
camp clothing, it is frustrating, nonetheless, to start off the season
with twelve bathing suits and end the season with three!
You might say, I have been fascinated with name tapes for quite some
time. I became aware of these little suckers my first summer at sleep
away camp. It seems a pair of my underwear had fallen out onto a sports
court on its way back from the camp laundry. Thanks to that wonderful
little name tape, it wasn't long before everyone at camp knew it was my
underwear that had been loitering for days on tennis court #3!
Cut to age 16. I had just been hired by an upscale camp outfitter in
town. While I had dreams of working the sales floor, I was immediately
relegated to the basement, where -- along with three other girls -- we
worked sweatshop style over sewing machines affixing an endless parade
of name tapes onto camp orders: White thread for the light color
clothes, black thread for the darks. So, by the time my kids were ready
for camp, you might say I had already done some thinking on the subject.
Sew In Tapes
My kids' first summer, I hired my seamstress to sew the name tapes into
all their clothing. These labels, no doubt, stay on forever. But my
kids, (who had "label issues" already) couldn't stand the itchiness of
these tags - and this method was definitely pricey.
Laundry Stamper
The next summer I tried a laundry stamp. It is great for last minute
labeling, but the ink did fade over many washings, and did not show up
on dark colored garments. However, I still keep one around for a quick
fix.
Iron-On Name Tapes
The following year I decided to try iron-on name tapes. I was appalled
when the first set I ordered turned out to be cheap nylon tapes. I
promptly reordered the fabric variety. But when it came time for
ironing-on, I noticed something interesting. The fabric ones adhered
ok, but were definitely detectible (and able to be yanked off) by those
label-sensitive kids of mine. The nylon ones, however, adhered fully
& completely, and never seem to fall off.never!!! What's more they
are smooth and don't cause unnecessary itching. I am sold on them!
Clothing Tattoos
Clothing tattoos are the newest entry to the name label market & I
am intrigued by them. They are permanent iron-on transfers that come in
fun and funky colors and shapes, for the coolest camp duds around! They
adhere completely to clothing and are dryer-safe. This is the direction
most clothing manufacturers are going in, (think Hanes® new "labeless"
underwear.) The main downside to clothing tattoos is price. They will
run you about $18.50 for a set of 50 tattoos, which is considerably
more than the traditional labels, and which is why I have yet to try
them
All in all, it is good to have a variety of labeling products on hand:
Name tapes, laundry stamps and laundry pens for last minute
labeling.and those awesome silver SharpieT pens for writing on dark
surfaces. I have also become a big fan of the permanent identity
stickers many companies sell, which are ideal for sticking on expensive
sports & electronic equipment. As always, be sure to shop on line
for the best prices.
Laura Miller has been a staff member at several camps and has worked in
camp marketing. She is the founder and Director of Marketing for CampRatingz.com.
» left by a camp mom from Connecticut (2 years 118 days ago.)
I am going to try those nylon labels. And thanks for the silver Sharpie tip; I have used Sharpies in the past, as well as laundry markers, but struggled to find light places on dark clothes (pockets worked well) to write in a name. Respond to this comment
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