From the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels
As a mom of three boys and the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels, back-to-school is our busiest season — and for good reason. This is the window when parents have everything in one place and the time to label it properly before the school year chaos begins. Here's how to make the most of it.
Back-to-school shopping gets a lot of attention. The backpack, the lunchbox, the new shoes, the supply list — parents spend real time and money getting everything ready. And then most of it goes to school unlabeled, and the replacement cycle begins within the first month.
Labeling everything before the first day is one of the highest-return things you can do with an hour of your time in August. This guide covers exactly what to label, which type of label works for each item, how to do it efficiently, and how to get multiple children's labels in a single order.
Back-to-School Labeling Checklist
Clothing
- School uniforms
- Sports and PE kits
- Jackets and sweatshirts
- Hats, gloves, scarves
- Shoes and boots
Food & Drink
- Lunchbox
- Water bottle
- Snack containers
- Ice packs
- Cutlery set
School Supplies
- Backpack (inside & outside)
- Pencil case
- Pencils and pens
- Notebooks and folders
- Ruler, calculator, scissors
- Headphones or earbuds
Health & Safety
- Medication containers
- EpiPen or inhaler case
- Allergy alert — lunchbox & bag
Clothing Labels — Iron-On or Stick-On?
Clothing is the category that generates the most lost-item frustration during the school year — jackets left on the playground, PE kits mixed up in the changing room, school uniforms that look identical across an entire year group. A name on every item changes the recovery rate dramatically.
We offer two types of clothing labels, and choosing the right one makes a difference:
Bond permanently to iron-safe fabrics using a standard household iron. Completely flat once applied — no bulk, no stiffness, no corners that irritate skin during sport. The most durable long-term clothing label. Ideal for school uniforms and PE kits that go through weekly washing all year. For iron-safe fabrics only — always check the garment care label first.
Apply directly to the garment care tag or tagless imprint area inside the clothing — no iron, no tools, no waiting. A different material to our waterproof labels, specifically designed for clothing applications. Laundry-safe and ideal for any garment, including fabrics that aren't iron-safe. Great for fast-growing younger children who change sizes mid-year.
Shoe Labels — Including the One That Teaches Left from Right
Shoes are among the most commonly lost and mixed-up items in school environments — gym class, PE, after-school sports, muddy playgrounds. Our shoe labels go on the inner sole at the heel, are waterproof, and are washer and dryer safe. Applied correctly, they stay for the life of the shoe.
For younger children just starting school, our MatchUP Shoe Labels are worth a special mention. Each label is one half of a complete picture — the two halves only form the image correctly when shoes are on the right feet. It turns getting dressed independently into a self-correcting puzzle, building left-right awareness as a natural part of the morning routine.
School Supply Labels — Yes, Label the Pencils
Parents are often surprised to hear this recommendation, but labeling pencils is worth it — especially for younger children who are still learning to keep track of small items. A labeled pencil that rolls under a desk comes back to its owner. An unlabeled one doesn't. Over the course of a school year, that adds up.
Our school supply labels come in sizes designed for everything from pencils to backpacks:
- Pencil labels — designed specifically for pencils and narrow items. Fit where standard labels don't.
- School subject labels — for notebooks, folders, and binders. Help children develop organizational habits from the start of the year.
- School supply labels — for pencil cases, rulers, calculators, scissors, headphones, and any other equipment your child carries. Waterproof and durable for daily bag-in, bag-out use.
Lunchbox and Food Container Labels — Dishwasher-Safe Is Non-Negotiable
A lunchbox goes through the dishwasher daily. A label that isn't explicitly dishwasher-safe won't survive the first week. Our dishwasher-safe labels are waterproof, hold through regular wash cycles on the top rack, and stay legible and firmly attached all school year.
Label the lunchbox itself, every reusable container inside it, the water bottle, and ice packs. These are the items most commonly mixed up in a school cafeteria — and for children with food allergies, mix-ups aren't just inconvenient. Our allergy labels can be applied alongside name labels on lunchboxes for any child with dietary restrictions.
Label Packs — Cover Everything in One Order
Rather than ordering individual labels for each category, our school label packs bundle everything together so you can label the full kit — clothing, shoes, lunchbox, water bottle, backpack, and supplies — in a single order.
Designed for younger students or children with a lot to label. Covers clothing, shoes, lunchboxes, backpacks, water bottles, and school supplies comprehensively.
A streamlined option for older students who don't have as many items to label but still need the key bases covered.
How to Order — And Why to Do It Before the Rush
Back-to-school is our busiest time of year, and orders placed in the final week before school starts are always at the highest risk of not arriving in time. The practical advice: order your labels as soon as your child's school supply list arrives — ideally two to three weeks before the first day.
The ordering process is straightforward:
- Choose your label type — clothing labels, shoe labels, supply labels, lunchbox labels, or a pack that covers everything.
- Personalize — your child's name, their choice of design from over 100 options, preferred colors, and font.
- Apply when they arrive — iron-on labels take seconds per item with a household iron. Stick-on labels are peel-and-stick. Allow 24 hours before the first wash cycle for best adhesion.
Browse our full back-to-school range at Sticky Monkey Labels. Questions about which labels are right for your child's specific items? Call us at 1-888-780-7734 — we're always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I order back-to-school labels?
As soon as your child's supply list arrives — ideally two to three weeks before the first day of school. This gives you time to receive the labels, apply them to everything (including allowing 24 hours for adhesive to set before washing), and handle any issues before the year starts. Ordering in the final week before school is the riskiest approach.
What's the difference between iron-on and stick-on clothing labels?
Iron-on labels bond permanently to iron-safe fabric — completely flat, no bulk, ideal for uniforms and PE kits that go through regular washing. Stick-on clothing labels apply to the garment care tag or tagless imprint area with no heat required — suitable for any garment including fabrics that aren't iron-safe. Both are laundry-safe.
Can I split a label pack between two children?
Yes — any label pack can be split across multiple names. Type "Split" in the name field and list the names in the Special Request field at checkout. We'll divide the pack evenly. It's the most cost-effective back-to-school option for families with more than one child.
Do lunchbox labels really survive the dishwasher?
Our dishwasher-safe labels are specifically built for this — they hold through regular daily wash cycles on the top rack without peeling or fading. Avoid sanitary cycles and detergents with bleach or essential oil additives, which can degrade adhesive and print over time. Standard detergent cycles are fine.
Should I really label pencils?
Yes — especially for younger children. Pencils are the most commonly lost small school supply, and unlabeled ones that roll away or get picked up by accident rarely come back. Our pencil labels are designed specifically for narrow items and fit where standard labels won't. Over the course of a school year, labeled pencils save a noticeable amount in replacement costs.
What are MatchUP Shoe Labels and are they worth it?
MatchUP Shoe Labels are two-part labels — one half on each shoe — that form a complete picture only when shoes are on the correct feet. They're particularly useful for children starting school for the first time who are still developing left-right awareness. The puzzle element makes getting shoes on correctly feel like a game rather than a correction, which goes over much better with young children in the morning.