Toys & Play

These Brilliant Waterproof Labels Are Making My Back-to-School Season *So* Much Easier

Megan Gray
Megan Gray
Estate sales, yard sales, and antique shops were regular weekend destinations for my brother and me as kids. My parents, always on the hunt for period-appropriate decor for our Staten Island 19th-century house, made sure of it. Since then, I’ve had a love for home design and…read more
published 1 day ago
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
2 images with kids' stuff with Mabel's Labels on them
Credit: Mabel's Labels

Each new school year, after purchasing a lengthy supply list’s worth of items and outfits for my sons, my usual routine was to grab a marker to write their names on all their gear. But the ink would bleed, their names would turn into blurry smudges, and I’d get a little frustrated. That all changed when I discovered Mabel’s Labels.

Available in a variety of vibrant colors and patterns, these labels offer an easy way to tag your children’s belongings, from backpacks and notebooks to clothes and water bottles. Even better, they stay secure through cycles in the washing machine or dishwasher. I purchased a Starter Pack for each of my boys, and it helped me so much. Read on for my full review.

What Are Mabel’s Labels?

Backed by more than 23 years of experience, Mabel’s Labels provides a wide selection of personalized labels designed for every milestone, ranging from daycare packs to sets designed for older kids. Beyond traditional labels, they also have removable silicone water bottle bands, clothing stamps safe for the laundry, and specialized options for babies, teachers, and seniors, as well as for travel. Shoppers can browse by category or product type, create a custom combo pack, or complete a quick online quiz to discover your ideal match. Plus, free shipping applies to all orders with no minimum required.

Credit: Megan Gray

Why I Love Mabel’s Labels

I really disliked writing my kids’ names on each and every item, and I had high hopes that Mabel’s Labels could be the solution. Great news: I was right!

Customizing the labels turned out to be easy and fun, thanks to a selection of more than 100 designs (ranging from animals to sports), 32 colors, and 12 fonts. For each of my sons, I ordered the Starter Pack, which includes 74 labels in various sizes along with two bag tags complete with durable plastic ties. A neat feature of the chosen design set is that each label size features a slightly different image.

Credit: Megan Gray

The labels arrived in my mailbox within just a few days thanks to free USPS shipping. To save a bit of money, first-time shoppers can sign up for email updates to receive 20% off (I did this) or browse the sale section for discounted options. Plus, if you aren’t completely satisfied, they offer returns and exchanges for up to a full year.

I used the larger labels for items like notebooks, water bottles, and lunch boxes, while the smallest ones fit perfectly onto clothing tags. They live up to their waterproof claim (I’ve put them to the test!) and hold up well in the washing machine.

Whether it’s for camp, extracurriculars, or back-to-school, these labels have turned out to be the answer to my problems — my only regret is not buying them sooner!

More to Love from Cubby