Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A textile tag gun is a handheld tool that uses a hollow needle to push a plastic fastener through fabric, attaching a hang tag to the garment. It is commonly used in stores, warehouses, and sewing workshops for cardboard tags showing price, size, and brand. For delicate fabrics, a tag gun with a fine needle and thin fasteners is used, while standard needles suit denim, coats, and towels.
How the Textile Tag Gun Works
Plastic fasteners come on a strip (cluster) – a tape with many fasteners having T-shaped ends. The strip is loaded into the gun. When the trigger is pressed, the needle pierces the fabric and pushes the T-end of the fastener through to the other side, where it opens and prevents the fastener from pulling back out. The other end holds the tag. The fastener is automatically cut from the strip.
Types of Tag Guns and Needles
| Type | Needle | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Thicker, sturdy | Denim, jackets, coats, towels, shoes, bags |
| Fine | Thin | T-shirts, blouses, lingerie, knitwear, delicate fabrics |
| Special for socks/pairs | Short | Attaching pairs of socks or gloves |
The gun and fasteners must be compatible – standard fasteners do not fit through fine needles and vice versa. Needles are replaceable and wear out, so it is advisable to keep spares.
Plastic Fasteners: Length and Material
Fasteners come in various lengths – very short for socks and longer for thick garments and bags. Choose a length that allows the tag to hang freely but not too far from the garment to avoid snagging. Materials are usually polypropylene or nylon, and colours include transparent, white, or black. Transparent fasteners are the least noticeable.
Where to Attach the Tag to Avoid Fabric Damage
The main rule: never pierce the visible part of the fabric. Suitable places include:
- Through the textile label – the fastener goes through the label tape, not the garment;
- Through a seam – such as a side seam or sleeve seam;
- Through the belt loop or buttonhole on trousers and jeans;
- Through the lining in coats and jackets.
The best practice is to pass the fastener through the sewn-on textile label. This way, the hole remains in the label, not the garment, and is invisible after removing the hang tag.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Tag Gun
- Load the strip of fasteners so the first fastener is in front of the needle.
- Thread the hang tag onto the needle through its hole.
- Push the needle through the chosen spot – textile label or seam.
- Press the trigger fully and pull the gun straight back.
- Check that the T-end has opened on the other side.
Common Issues
- Hole in the fabric – caused by using a standard needle on fine knitwear or attaching the tag through the visible fabric;
- Fastener does not come out – incompatible strip or clogged needle;
- Broken fastener – pulling the gun at an angle or using a too-short fastener for the fabric thickness;
- Dull needle – replace the needle before it starts tearing threads.
Tag Gun Maintenance
A well-maintained tag gun lasts for years. Clean the needle from plastic and fibre residues, especially after use on plush, towels, and knits. If the trigger sticks or fasteners feed crookedly, check that the strip is fully inserted and the needle is not bent. Do not use the gun on materials it is not designed for, such as thick leather or multi-layer cardboard, as the needle may bend. In high-volume workshops, it is practical for each workstation to have its own gun and spare needles to avoid downtime due to a broken needle.
Safety Precautions
The needle is very sharp and hollow. Never point the gun at your hand, keep the needle covered when not in use, and keep the gun out of reach of children. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when changing needles.
Alternatives to Plastic Fasteners
For premium products, cotton or waxed cords, threads with metal or plastic seals, or safety pins are often used. These look more refined and do not pierce the fabric. Some brands avoid plastic fasteners entirely for baby clothes to prevent any small parts that a child could swallow. The hang tag can also be attached to a factory-sewn tape loop.
Hang Tag and Sewn Label Work Together
The hang cardboard tag carries temporary information – price, barcode, brief description. The sewn textile label carries permanent information – brand, size, composition, and care instructions. When planned together, the textile label can serve as an “anchor” for the fastener. Therefore, when ordering brand or composition labels, consider where the fastener will go and leave a suitable area without text.
Tag Gun Use in Store and Workshop
In stores, the tag gun is used for re-labelling – changing prices or adding promotional tags. Staff must know where piercing is allowed to avoid damaging items that may be returned as defective. In workshops, tags are attached at the end of production before packing, with much larger volumes. It is helpful to specify the exact fastener placement in the technical sheet for each model to ensure consistent appearance on the rack.
Labels from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of custom textile and cardboard labels with your logo and haberdashery for garment production. We can prepare a coordinated label set – brand label, composition label, and hang tag. Send an inquiry via Contacts to receive samples and an offer.
