Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Round hang tags are swing tags cut with a circular die, usually 40 to 60 mm in diameter, with a hole near the edge. They look soft and friendly and are popular for childrenswear, knitwear, hats, cosmetics and gift items. Besides a circle, the tag can be oval, have rounded corners, be ticket-style or follow the shape of the brand's logo.
Round hang tags: when they are a good choice
A circle catches the eye because it stands out from the rectangular tags on the neighbouring rails. At the same time it has less usable area – the text has to be arranged around the centre and the barcode must fit into a rectangle inscribed in the circle.
- Children's and baby clothing – a soft silhouette with no sharp corners.
- Knitwear, hats, scarves – a small circle adds no weight to the product.
- Handmade and eco collections – a round kraft tag printed in one colour looks natural.
- Gift sets and accessories – the circle recalls a seal or a medallion.
- Additional tag – a small circle with a message next to the main rectangular tag.
Round tags are less practical when you need to fit a lot of commercial information: style, size, price, barcode and QR code. In that case choose a larger diameter or combine a round brand tag with a rectangular price tag on the same string.
Other hang tag shapes
| Shape | Visual effect | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle with square corners | classic, businesslike | all collections, maximum usable area |
| Rectangle with rounded corners | softer, more modern | casual fashion, sportswear |
| Circle | friendly, playful | children, knitwear, accessories |
| Oval | elegant, retro | underwear, cosmetics, classic fashion |
| "Ticket" or "luggage tag" with clipped corners | vintage, workwear | denim, leather goods, menswear |
| Custom shape following the logo | highly recognisable | brands with a distinctive symbol |
| Narrow vertical tag | clean, premium | dresses, shirts, eveningwear |
How shaped tags are cut
Die-cutting
Custom shapes are cut with a cutting die – a steel blade bent to the outline of the tag and mounted on a base. During die-cutting the blade cuts the shape and can punch the hole at the same time. The die is made once and reused for later runs, which is why a custom shape pays off most when it is a permanent part of the brand.
Laser cutting and digital plotter
For small runs and samples the shape can be cut with a plotter or laser without making a die. This lets you test the idea before ordering a large run. On some boards the laser leaves a slightly darkened edge – on kraft this is often a desired effect, on white board not always.
Standard dies
Circles, ovals and rounded-corner rectangles are often cut with existing dies in standard sizes. If you choose a format close to a standard one, you save the cost of making a new die.
How to prepare the file for a shaped tag
- Cut contour – a separate layer with a vector line in a spot colour, usually named "CutContour" or "Die". This line is not printed.
- Bleed – the background extends 2–3 mm beyond the contour so there are no white slivers at the edge.
- Safe zone – text and logo sit at least 3 mm inside the contour. On a circle, the safe zone is a circle with a smaller diameter.
- Hole – marked on the same layer as the contour, with its exact diameter.
- Back – for double-sided printing, check that the hole is in the same place on both sides and not mirrored.
Custom shapes and finishing
A round or shaped tag combines well with hot foil stamping around the logo, embossing in the centre or spot UV varnish. On small diameters do not overdo it – one finish is enough. On round tags a hole with a metal eyelet looks particularly good, as it highlights the centre of the composition.
Some brands also combine materials: a round card brand tag plus a small leather or metal plate. If you are looking for such an accent, see our leather labels, which are often used on denim and bags.
How to arrange the content in a circle
On a round tag the composition is built around the centre rather than in rows from top to bottom. On the front, the logo sits in the middle with enough empty space around it, and the hole is above the logo on the axis. On the back, the information is arranged in a few short lines centred vertically: style and size at the top, price in the middle, barcode in the lower half where the circle is still wide enough. A QR code, if used, can replace the text on the front of very small tags, but it should not be smaller than about 15 mm so that it scans easily with a phone.
Common mistakes with round tags
- The barcode is placed near the edge and gets "cut off" by the curve of the circle.
- The text follows the circumference and becomes hard to read.
- The hole is at the top centre, but the tag hangs crooked because of the weight of the string.
- The diameter is chosen by taste, without checking whether the information fits.
See all shape and material options in the hang tags category.
Shaped hang tags from Polkom
Polkom manufactures custom hang tags in round, oval and custom shapes, with a hole, eyelet and the string of your choice. We help with preparing the cut contour and choosing the board, and we send a sample before the run. Minimum quantities depend on the item and on whether a new die is needed. Send an inquiry with your logo and the desired shape.
