How to Care for and Store Your Ribbons: A Practical Guide for UK Small Businesses

 

The Ultimate Guide to Ribbon Care and Storage

Welcome to Personalised Printed Ribbons essential guide on how to care for and store your ribbons with confidence. Whether you’re a crafter, florist, or a small business owner, looking after your ribbon collection will help ensure it stays looking beautiful and ready to use, time after time.

Since 2007, we’ve been producing high-quality personalised printed ribbons here in the UK, offering small businesses like yours a reliable, friendly service. This guide brings together our expert tips and trusted advice to help you get the very best from your ribbons – whether they’re satin, velvet, grosgrain, or custom printed.

Ribbon Types and Their Individual Care Needs

Not all ribbons are created equal – different materials have different care requirements. Here’s how to look after the most common types:

Satin Ribbons

Smooth, glossy, and classic – satin ribbons are a timeless favourite. But they do need gentle handling to keep them looking their best.

• Storage: Keep satin ribbons flat or loosely rolled to avoid creasing. Avoid putting anything heavy on top.
• Light: Store away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. A cool, dark cupboard works well.
• Handling: Always use clean, dry hands – satin can show up water spots or oils from hand creams easily.
• Ironing: Not recommended, but if you have no choice then, if creased, use a steam iron on a low setting. Place a cloth over the ribbon before ironing to avoid heat damage.

Velvet Ribbons

Luxurious and plush, velvet ribbons are perfect for special occasions – and they need a bit of extra care.

• Storage: Store flat where possible, without folds, to preserve the pile.
• Dusting: A soft brush will keep velvet looking fresh and remove any surface dust.
• Creases: Never iron directly. Use gentle steam from a short distance to lift out wrinkles.
• Light Protection: Keep velvet ribbons in a cool, dark place to prevent the colour from fading.

Grosgrain Ribbons

Grosgrain is sturdy and versatile, often used in packaging and decorative work.

• Storage: These ribbons can be rolled or laid flat – they hold their shape well.
• Washing: Machine washable on a gentle cycle – use a mesh bag to protect them.
• Ironing: Medium heat will take out any wrinkles, but avoid direct contact with printed areas.

How to Store Ribbons Properly

Storing your ribbons well is key to maintaining their quality and keeping them easy to access when you need them. Here are some simple yet effective storage tips:

• Use Acid-Free Containers: Protect your ribbons from discolouration and ageing by storing them in acid-free boxes or storage cases.
• Use a Ribbon Holder: Easy way to store & use the ribbons, you will find a great one here
• Sort by Type and Colour: This not only prevents tangling, but makes it much easier to find what you need.
• Use Spools for Longer Lengths: Rolling ribbons onto spools helps keep them neat and crease-free.
• Keep Cool and Dry: Store your ribbons in a room with consistent temperature and low humidity.

Preventing Common Ribbon Problems

Here are some quick ways to avoid the usual wear and tear:

• Keep Out of Sunlight: Direct sunlight can fade colours – especially on printed and satin ribbons.
• Control Moisture: Pop a silica gel packet into storage boxes to absorb any damp.
• Dust Regularly: A soft brush or clean cloth will do the trick for surface dust.
• Handle with Care: Try not to fold ribbons unnecessarily, and always handle them gently to avoid damage.

Special Care for Custom Printed Ribbons

Our personalised printed ribbons are made to be eye-catching and unique – so it’s worth taking extra care with them:

• Handle Printed Areas Gently: Avoid rubbing or folding across the printed design.
• Store Flat: This helps prevent any creasing or distortion of your custom print.
• Test Before Cleaning: If you need to clean them, always test on a small, hidden section first.

Professional Tips from the Experts

From years of experience, here are a few of our top maintenance tips:

• Inspect Regularly: A quick check every few months helps catch any signs of wear early.
• Clean Consistently: Dust build-up can dull ribbons – a light regular clean keeps them looking fresh.
• Rotate Your Stock: Use older ribbons first to avoid them becoming permanently creased or faded.
• Monitor Storage Conditions: Keep an eye on heat and humidity levels in your storage space – especially during seasonal changes.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your ribbons doesn’t need to be complicated – just a few simple habits will keep them looking lovely for years. Whether you use ribbons for packaging, crafts, or events, well-kept ribbons always help your work stand out.

At Personalised Printed Ribbons, we’re proud to have been supporting UK small businesses since 2007 with personalised, high-quality ribbon and a friendly, personal touch. If you ever need advice, we’re just a message away.

Happy ribboning!