Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Hang tags (also called swing tags) are cardboard or paper cards attached to a garment with a string, a plastic tag pin or a seal. They carry the logo, price, size and barcode and are removed after purchase, which gives them a design freedom that a sewn-in label does not have. For the customer in the shop, the hang tag is the first physical contact with the brand.
Hang tags: definition and role in sales
Every garment in retail carries two types of identification. The permanent one is sewn into the seam – brand, size, composition and care symbols. The temporary one is the hang tag, which serves the retailer and the buyer until the moment of purchase. Once the garment is taken home it is cut off, but before that it performs several important tasks:
- Product identification – style, article number, colour and size, so variants are not mixed up in the warehouse or on the shop floor.
- Price and barcode – the till scans the tag, and the buyer sees the price without having to look for a sales assistant.
- Brand communication – logo, slogan, a short message, a QR code to the online shop or social media.
- A sense of quality – heavy card, foil or embossing suggest the level of the product even before it is tried on.
- Additional information – fabric technology, origin of the raw material, warranty, first-wash instructions.
Hang tag versus sewn-in label – what is the difference
The two labels do not replace each other; they complement each other. The sewn-in label stays in the garment throughout its life, so it is made of textile – woven, printed satin or cotton tape. The hang tag is temporary and can be made of card, kraft, designer paper or even wood and leather.
| Feature | Hang tag | Sewn-in label |
|---|---|---|
| Material | card, kraft, paper | woven polyester, satin, cotton |
| Lifespan | until purchase | as long as the garment is worn |
| Typical content | price, barcode, logo, message | brand, size, composition, care |
| Attachment | string, tag pin, seal | sewn into the seam |
| Design freedom | high – shape, foil, embossing | limited by the fabric and comfort |
If you want the brand to look consistent, design the two labels together. The colours and font of the hang tag should match the woven labels in the neck or waistband of the garment.
What types of hang tags are there
By construction
- Single tag – one card printed on one or both sides. The most common option.
- Folded tag (booklet) – a card folded in two or three, with more space for text and the brand story.
- Set of two tags – a large tag with the brand and a small one with the price and barcode, threaded on one string. Convenient when the same collection sells at different prices in different markets.
- Double (laminated) card – two sheets of card bonded together for a very thick, luxurious tag.
By material
- white coated board for full-colour printing;
- kraft board for denim, eco and handmade collections;
- black or through-dyed board for a premium look;
- textured designer papers (linen, felt, recycled fibres).
When a hang tag is mandatory and when it is a choice
The law does not explicitly require a hang tag, but it does require the price to be visible to the consumer and the fibre composition to be indicated in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011. In practice, the price is almost always put on the hang tag and the composition on the sewn-in label. For online sales some brands skip the hang tag, but most keep it, because unboxing is also part of the experience and the tag carries the brand.
When selling through distributors and chains, the hang tag often has to meet the retailer's requirements – space for a barcode, price format, hole size. Check these requirements before approving the design.
How to choose a hang tag for your brand
- Define the content. What it must have – price, size, barcode – and what is marketing.
- Choose a format. A narrow rectangle for shirts and dresses, a larger square for jackets and knitwear, a small circle for babywear and accessories.
- Choose the card. The more expensive the product, the thicker and more tactile the material that is justified.
- Add one finishing effect. Foil, embossing or spot UV varnish on the logo create impact without much added complexity.
- Choose the attachment. A string in the brand colour looks better than a standard plastic tag pin, but takes more time to attach.
You will find more options by material and finish in the hang tags category.
Common mistakes with a first hang tag
- Card that is too thin. The tag bends, the corners get crushed in the carton and the brand looks cheap.
- A hole too close to the edge. The card tears when pulled. Leave at least a few millimetres of material around the hole or use a metal eyelet.
- No blank field for the price. If prices are printed on a separate sticker, plan space for it in the design.
- Small type on a dark background. The information on the back must be easy to read under shop lighting.
- A different look from the sewn-in label. Two labels with different colours and fonts on one garment confuse the buyer.
Hang tags from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of clothing accessories based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We make hang tags to the customer's design and logo and, where needed, help with the choice of card, format and finish. You can order the tags together with the other clothing labels and accessories and receive everything in one delivery within the EU. Minimum quantities depend on the article. Send an inquiry via our contact page and you will receive a quote and a sample.
