The Lulu Labels Clothing and Back-to-School Stamp is a self-inking clothing stamp that makes labelling fast, permanent, and mess-free. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is the Lulu Labels Clothing Stamp?
The Lulu Labels Clothing Stamp is a custom self-inking stamp designed for marking children's clothing. You personalise it with your child's name and a second line of your choice — a phone number, school name, or house name — and it's ready to use straight out of the box.
With over 129 verified reviews and a 4.86-star rating, it's one of the most popular labelling products for South African parents.
How Does It Work? (No Ink Pad Needed)
This is a self-inking stamp. That means the ink mechanism is built into the stamp itself — there is no separate ink pad required.
To use it:
- Press the stamp firmly onto the fabric
- Lift cleanly
- Done
No additional ink pads to buy. No manual re-inking. No mess. The ink is instant-drying, so you can move through a pile of school clothes quickly.
Note: Because this is a self-inking stamp, you never need to purchase or apply ink separately. Everything is contained within the stamp.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ink type | Self-inking — no ink pad required |
| Ink colour | Black only |
| Ink permanence | Permanent — survives wash after wash |
| Fabric suitability | Light and light-coloured fabrics only |
| Lines of text | Up to two lines |
| Customisation | Name + phone number, school name, or house name |
Important: Fabric Colour Compatibility
The clothing stamp uses black ink only and is designed for light or light-coloured fabrics. It is not suitable for dark-coloured garments — the ink will not show up clearly on dark fabric.
If your child's uniform is dark, consider pairing the clothing stamp (for lighter items) with iron-on labels or woven labels for darker garments.
What to Print on Your Stamp
The stamp supports up to two lines of text. Popular combinations include:
- Name + mobile number — great for lost property recovery at school or sports grounds
- Name + school name — useful if children attend different schools or if uniforms are shared between siblings
- Name + house name — ideal for boarding schools or camps
A Note on Name Length
The stamp fits your text into a fixed size. The longer the name, the smaller the font will be. If your child has a long first name or double-barrelled surname, we recommend:
- Using an initial and surname (e.g., "J. van der Merwe")
- Using a common abbreviation or nickname
This ensures the name remains legible on the stamp.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Where to Apply the Stamp
Apply the stamp directly to the garment fabric — not to sewn-in care labels. The inner surfaces of garment labels are generally not suitable for stamping and may cause smudging or poor ink adhesion.
Good spots to stamp clothing include: - The inside collar of shirts and jerseys - Inside waistbands of pants and shorts - Inside the hem of sports shorts
Stamping Technique
- Press firmly and evenly — avoid rocking the stamp
- Lift straight up — don't slide the stamp off the fabric
- Allow the ink to dry briefly before folding the garment
Why Choose a Stamp Over Other Labelling Methods?
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Self-inking clothing stamp | Fast, permanent, reusable, no consumables | Light fabrics only; black ink only |
| Iron-on labels | Work on dark fabrics | Time-consuming; can peel |
| Sewn-in labels | Very permanent | Requires sewing |
| Stick-on labels | Easy to apply | Often don't survive washing |
For most South African parents labelling school uniforms (which are predominantly light-coloured), the self-inking stamp is the fastest and most durable option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a separate ink pad? No. The Lulu Labels clothing stamp is fully self-inking. The ink is built into the stamp mechanism — no additional ink pad is required.
How long does the ink last? The ink is permanent and designed to last wash after wash without fading.
What colour is the ink? Black only. The stamp is not available in other ink colours.
Can I use it on dark clothing? No. The stamp is designed for light or light-coloured fabrics only. The black ink will not show clearly on dark garments.
What if my child's name is very long? Use an initial and surname to keep the text legible (e.g., "S. Nkosi" instead of "Siphamandla Nkosi").
Where should I apply the stamp? Apply directly to the garment fabric — for example, inside the collar or waistband. Avoid stamping on the sewn-in care label surfaces, which are not suitable for ink adhesion.
How many stamps can I get from one stamp? The self-inking mechanism is designed to last for a large number of impressions before needing a refill. For typical school labelling, it will comfortably last through multiple back-to-school seasons. You can also buy textile ink refills too.
Ready to Label?
Stop spending hours on iron-on labels. The Lulu Labels self-inking clothing stamp makes labelling quick, permanent, and completely mess-free — no ink pad, no fuss.