USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 26 – Lace, Embroidery, and Sewing Supplies

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we break down each trademark class to help businesses categorize and protect their brands.

In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 26, which includes lace, embroidery, ribbons, buttons, and other sewing accessories. If your business manufactures, sells, or distributes sewing and decorative fashion supplies, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my sewing supplies brand?” or “Does my product fall under Class 26?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is appropriate for your brand.

What is Trademark Class 26?

Trademark Class 26 covers a variety of sewing, embroidery, and decorative fashion accessories. These products are commonly used in clothing production, craft projects, and embellishments for garments and textiles.

Some examples of goods that might fall under Trademark Class 26 include:

• Lace and Embroidery: Decorative lace, appliques, embroidered patches

• Ribbons and Trimmings: Decorative ribbons, textile trims, fringe

• Buttons and Fasteners: Buttons, press studs, snap fasteners

• Zippers and Hook-and-Loop Fasteners: Zipper closures, Velcro®-style fasteners

• Hair Accessories: Hair clips, barrettes, headbands, hair ribbons

• Sewing Accessories: Needles, thimbles, dressmaker’s pins

If your product is used for sewing, embellishing, or fastening garments, Trademark Class 26 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 26 Matters for Your Business

Registering a trademark under Class 26 helps protect your brand within the sewing, fashion, and craft industries. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:

1. Prevents brand confusion – Many companies manufacture similar sewing and fashion accessories, and a trademark ensures your brand is distinct.

2. Protects against counterfeiting – The sewing and embroidery industry faces imitation products, and trademark registration prevents unauthorized sellers from using your brand name.

3. Strengthens brand trust and recognition – Consumers associate embellishments and sewing supplies with quality and durability. A trademark reinforces your product’s reputation.

4. Supports business expansion – If you plan to expand into garment manufacturing, fashion design, or craft supplies, a trademark in Class 26 provides strong legal protection.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 26

Many well-known sewing, embroidery, and fashion accessory brands have trademarks registered under Class 26. Here are a few examples:

1. YKK® – Protects its brand for zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, and textile closures.

2. Coats® – Covers buttons, sewing kits, and fasteners.

3. Dritz® – Registers trademarks for sewing tools, needles, and thimbles.

   
   

These companies rely on trademark protection to preserve their brand identity and prevent unauthorized use of their names and product designs.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 26?

A comprehensive trademark search is highly recommended before applying in Class 26. Many brands in the sewing, craft, and fastener industry have overlapping names, making conflicts more likely.

At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth trademark searches to ensure your brand has the best chance of approval. Here’s how we help:

• USPTO Database Search – Identifying similar trademarks that could cause conflicts.

• Approval Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential obstacles and improving your application’s success rate.

• Trademark Strategy Development – Refining your application to reduce the risk of disputes.

How to Determine if Class 26 is Right for Your Trademark

If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 26 is the correct category for your product, consider the following:

1. Is your product a decorative or fastening accessory for garments?

   • If it’s a button, ribbon, lace, or applique, Class 26 is likely appropriate.

2. Is your product used in sewing, crafting, or fashion embellishment?

   • Sewing needles, embroidery patches, and trims belong in Class 26.

3. Does your product overlap with other classes?

   • Some fashion and sewing-related products may require multiple classifications. Examples include:

     • Clothing made with lace, buttons, or zippers may need Class 25 (Clothing & Apparel).

     • Sewing machines could belong in Class 7 (Machinery & Equipment).

     • Retail sewing supply stores might require Class 35 (Retail & Business Services).

   
   

If your product crosses multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we simplify the trademark process for sewing accessory brands, fashion designers, and craft supply businesses. Whether you’re launching a new lace brand, protecting a button company, or expanding into international markets, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.

Here’s how we assist with Class 26 trademark registrations:

• Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.

• Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 26 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.

• Application Filing & Management – Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.

• Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.

If you’re ready to secure your brand in Class 26, contact us today to get started.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 26: Lace, Embroidery, and Sewing Supplies with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 27: Carpets and Floor Coverings, where we’ll discuss trademarks for rugs, mats, wallpaper, and non-textile wall hangings.

Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!