Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Seal tags are small plastic or metal locking elements that lock the hang tag string into a loop. Once closed, the seal cannot be opened without cutting the string. This means the tag cannot be swapped or removed and reattached, and the retailer can see whether the item has been worn. The seal can carry a logo and be a branded accessory in its own right.
How a seal tag works
A seal has two parts – male and female – or a body with a hole and a pin. The string goes through the garment (buttonhole, belt loop, neck label), through the hang tag, and is closed in the seal with pressure. The internal mechanism is one-way: the pin goes in but does not come out. The only way to remove it is to cut the cord.
- The cord is passed through the garment and the cardboard tag.
- The free end goes into the hole of the seal.
- The two parts are pressed together with fingers or pliers – you hear a click.
- Any excess cord is trimmed.
Types of seal tags
| Type | Material | Look | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round plastic seal | plastic | plain, light | mass-market fashion, sportswear |
| Seal with a relief logo | plastic | branded | brands that want a detail with a logo |
| Metal seal | alloy, plated | premium, heavy | denim, leather goods, luxury fashion |
| Seal with a token | plastic or metal | with a flat area for a logo | visible branding |
| Ready-made string with seal | cord + seal | finished | fast attachment in production |
Seals come in different colours. Plastic ones can be coloured in the brand colour, metal ones plated in gold, silver, bronze, black nickel and other finishes.
Seal tags: when they are worth it
Protection against returns of worn clothes
With online sales the buyer has the right to return goods, but not to use them as their own before returning. A seal placed in a visible spot (for example on the front of a dress) creates a psychological barrier: the garment cannot be worn out without cutting the seal. If the seal is missing on return, the retailer can see that the item has been unsealed.
Protecting the tag from swapping
In the shop, a seal prevents a tag with a lower price being attached to a more expensive garment. This is especially important with similar styles at different prices.
A premium look
A metal seal with a logo is a detail the buyer notices. It shows that the brand has paid attention to every part of the product, and customers often keep it as a souvenir.
Controlling sets
A seal can hold parts of a set together – for example two tags, or a tag and a spare button in a small bag.
How to combine the seal with a cardboard tag
- Hole. The tag must have a hole for the cord. If the seal is large, it hangs below the tag and does not go through it.
- Weight. A metal seal is heavier than card. On a thin tag it can flip it over. Choose a heavier card or an eyelet for the hole.
- Colour. The seal, cord and tag should be in one colour family. A black cord with a black seal and a black tag with gold foil is a classic combination.
- Cord length. The seal should close close enough to the garment not to snag, while still leaving the tag some freedom.
Where to place the seal
The position depends on the purpose. If the aim is to deter wearing, the seal is placed in a visible spot – the front, a sleeve, the waistband. If the aim is branding only, the place where you attach an ordinary tag is more convenient: buttonhole, belt loop, neck label or side seam. On delicate fabrics the cord must pass through an existing opening, not through the fabric.
Seal or plastic tag pin
A plastic tag pin applied with a tagging gun is the fastest, most mass-market attachment method. It also cannot be undone without cutting, but it looks less tidy and pierces the fabric. A seal with a cord looks more finished, leaves no hole and can carry a logo, but takes a little longer to attach. Many brands use tag pins for basic styles and seals for premium lines.
Branding the seal
The logo on a seal is made as a relief or engraving. On metal seals, different finishes on the face and background are also possible. Since the seal is small, the logo must be simplified – a symbol or initials work better than a long name. If you use metal trims with a logo elsewhere, for example metal logo plates on jackets and jeans, choose the same finish for the seal. You will find cords for seals in various colours among our cords.
Common mistakes
- A heavy metal seal on a thin tag, which flips over and creases.
- A seal closed too far from the garment – it snags and tears.
- Attaching through the fabric of a fine material instead of through a buttonhole or label.
- A logo on the seal that is too detailed for the small area.
You will find hang tag options to combine with seals in the hang tags category.
Seals and tags from Polkom
Polkom supplies custom cardboard hang tags together with strings and seals – plastic or metal, with or without a logo – so you receive a complete set ready for attachment. We help you choose the seal according to the collection and the sales method. Minimum quantities depend on the article. Send an inquiry and describe what you want to achieve with the seal.
