Manufacturer · Fashion Accessories
Good clothing label design starts with a clear hierarchy: the logo dominates the front, while practical information is arranged on the back in a legible typeface. Use two or three colours from the brand identity, plenty of white space and one finishing effect as an accent. Before printing, prepare a vector file with bleed, safe zones and separate layers for cutting, foil and varnish.
Clothing label design: where to start
Before you open your design software, answer a few questions. They will determine the format, material and content:
- What is the brand's price positioning and what should the tag convey – luxury, affordability, naturalness, technology?
- Where will it be sold – own shop, chains, online? Do retailers have requirements?
- Which information is mandatory and which is marketing?
- One tag for the whole brand or different ones for separate lines?
- What is the budget for finishes such as foil, embossing and lamination?
Information hierarchy
A buyer looks at a tag for a few seconds. In that time they need to recognise the brand and see the price and size. Everything else is a bonus.
- Level 1 – the brand. The logo is the largest element on the front.
- Level 2 – the purchase decision. Price and size on the back, in a larger type than the other data.
- Level 3 – identification. Style, colour, article number, barcode.
- Level 4 – story. Message, QR code, material information.
Typefaces
- Use no more than two typefaces – one for the brand and one for the data.
- Data should be at least 6–7 points in print. Below this size text is hard to read, especially on textured boards.
- Thin typefaces disappear in reverse (white text on a dark background) and on kraft. Choose a heavier weight.
- Check that the typeface supports all the characters of the languages on the tag, such as Cyrillic or accented letters – otherwise the software will substitute another font.
- Convert text to outlines in the print file or embed the fonts in the PDF.
Colours
The tag should be in the brand colours, but printing on board has its limitations. The logo from the website is in RGB and looks brighter on screen than on paper. For printing use CMYK or Pantone, and for a corporate colour ask for a print proof.
- No more than two or three colours plus black for the text.
- If the board is coloured or kraft, test how the colours look on it.
- A dark background requires opaque techniques for light elements – white ink or foil.
White space and composition
The most common mistake is trying to fit everything onto one small tag. White space makes the tag look more expensive and more legible. If the information does not fit, enlarge the format, use the back more effectively or choose a folded tag. Align elements on a common axis and use one grid – especially if you have tags in several sizes.
Finishes as part of the design
Finishes should be planned in the design, not added at the end. One well-chosen finish is more effective than three at once.
- Foil – for the logo or a thin border.
- Embossing – for a simplified logo or symbol.
- Spot UV varnish – for matt/gloss contrast.
- Die-cut shape – when the shape itself is a recognisable sign.
Preparing the print file
| Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | Print PDF, AI or EPS |
| Colours | CMYK or specified Pantone codes |
| Bleed | 2–3 mm on all sides |
| Safe zone | at least 3 mm from the edge and around the hole |
| Images | about 300 dpi at actual size |
| Fonts | outlined or embedded |
| Finishes | separate layers or spot colours: cutting, foil, varnish, embossing |
| Double-sided printing | front and back on separate pages in one file |
Common mistakes in hang tag design
- A low-resolution raster logo – the edges are jagged, and foil and embossing are impossible.
- Text right up to the edge – part of the letters is cut off in trimming.
- A hole placed over the logo or text around the hole.
- A different look from the sewn-in label – another typeface, another colour, another logo.
- A coloured barcode or one on a pattern – it will not scan.
- Approval on screen only – colour and proportions look different on real board.
- No proofreading – a typo in the slogan is printed on the whole run.
Tags in several sizes and for several lines
If the brand has a main line, a premium line and a children's collection, there is no need to design three completely different tags. Use a common system: the same grid, typefaces and logo position, and distinguish the lines by board colour, finish or shape. This way the buyer immediately recognises the brand but also sees the difference between the lines. The same applies to tags in two sizes – design the small one as an adaptation of the large one, not as a scaled-down copy, so the text stays legible.
Consistency with the other labels
The hang tag is part of a system: the sewn-in brand label, the care label, the packaging. Use the same logo, typeface and palette throughout. It is good to design the hang tag at the same time as the woven label for the neck, so they look like a family. See also the shape and finishing options for our hang tags.
Design help from Polkom
Polkom, a label manufacturer, produces custom hang tags and checks every file before printing. If you only have a logo, we will suggest a suitable format, material and finish, and before the run you will receive a sample for approval. Minimum quantities depend on the article. Send an inquiry with your logo and a description of the brand.
