A school label pack is only as useful as the name on it. A clearly printed name helps staff or another parent identify the owner of a misplaced item; it cannot guarantee that the item will be returned. This is a short guide to the three decisions you make when you personalise a pack: whose name, whether to use a surname, and whether to add a contact number.
How the personalisation works
Enter the name and optional contact number using the personalisation tools on your selected pack’s product page. The product descriptions do not specify a universal character limit, so check the available fields and any preview rather than assuming every pack has the same allowance. Ask us before ordering if you need a long name, accents or unusual wording.
One pack carries one name. The name you type goes on every label in the pack, from the large vinyl labels down to the shoe labels. That matters for the next two decisions.
One child's name or the family surname
For one child, use their first name and surname, or first name only if the school prefers it. A first name alone is friendlier on a lunch box and fits the smaller labels more comfortably.
For two or more children, you have two routes. Buy a pack per child, each with their own name and chosen theme. Or buy one pack for the whole family, leave off the first name and use the surname only. A shared surname lets siblings use the same labels, but it does not identify which sibling owns an item. Check that surname-only labels meet each child’s school requirements. The product page says it plainly: for a pack to share, leave off the first name and include your surname.
The surname route makes the most of the bigger packs. A Large pack with 462 labels provides a larger supply for surname-only labelling. Whether it covers more than one child depends on how many of each label type you need; count their belongings first. If each child wants their own theme, though, separate packs are the only way to do it, because a pack has one design and one name. Our guide to choosing a school label pack size has the numbers.
Which labels can carry a contact number
The product descriptions offer an optional contact number on large vinyl, circle, shoe and iron-on labels. They do not offer it on small or mini labels. Check the selected layout before ordering.
Choose the label type appropriate to each item and check where personal details will be visible. Do not add a home address or other details that are not needed to identify the owner.
Should you add a number at all
It is a judgement call. A number on a jersey left at a sports day or a water bottle left at a friend's house gives a stranger a way to return it. If you would rather not print a personal cellphone number on your child's belongings, omit the optional number and rely on the name and the school's lost property system. If you prefer not to use your usual personal number, consider another number you are authorised to use and can reliably answer.
A few practical notes
Check the spelling and number before ordering, then check any preview offered by the designer. Make sure the name remains readable at the smallest label size. Use the school’s preferred name format; if you shorten a name, confirm staff can still identify the child. For the Design your own packs, check the available artwork tools and ask about any layout you cannot confirm on the product page.
Ordering
Choose a pack size from Mini to Large and select the artwork and personalisation offered on that product page. The current themed listings offer 23 choices; Original packs have a different theme selection. Our shipping policy allows five working days for manufacturing before collection or shipping, with delivery taking additional time. Check the timing and service at checkout.