How to Use the Tag

Every product has its own respective tag. These tags contain different information about the product depending on the type used. These give your products an identity. Also, it helps businesses track and organize items easier.

But how do you use the tag? Brand tags are hung onto your product. These build connections with your clients and can be used to provide more information, as a coupon, and an alternative price tag. Designing a brand tag is subjective. However, it’s best to keep it simple, informative, and eye-catching.

Want to take your brand to a higher level? Let’s get to know the different types of product tags and labels used in business.

What are Hang Tags?

Hang tags are physical tags that hang off a certain part of your product. This is often found on the collar label, collar fabric, or under a sleeve. Ideally, an area that is unnoticeable since you’ll need to poke a tiny hole for it.

The design and shape all depends on you. What you do need to consider is how to attach the tag. You can choose between using plastic hang tags and a safety pin.

● Clear Plastic Hang Tag

This is the go-to method that most businesses use. It is easy to attach, inexpensive, and neat. So if you’re looking for something quick and convenient, a clear plastic hang tag is best for you.

● String and Safety Pin

If you’re looking for something unique, then this could be a better choice. Pinning your hang tag with a safety pin and string can be time-consuming and pricey. However, you can get as creative as you want to with this. We recommend this particularly to small-scale businesses looking for a way to stand out.

How to Use Hang Tags

Although they may seem useless apart from branding, hang tags can actually serve several purposes. Here are some ways you can maximise its use according to Dot Activ:

● Build a Connection

Hang tags introduce your brand to customers. You can try to gain their attention by writing a brief description of what your business is all about. Highlighting certain features such as eco-friendliness or sustainability is also a great way to make the customer want to know more. After all, brands with the same values become more attractive and trustworthy to customers.

● Provide Information

Customers often look at tags to know more about the product. Hence, it is always a good idea to write more information on it. For instance, you can write about its material, top features, and things to avoid.

● Hang Tag Coupon

A creative yet unusual way to use the hang tag is to use it as coupons. This saves you the hassle of customers having to ask around about certain deals and discounts. This also works on partnerships with other businesses. For instance, you could encourage your customer to bring your brand hang tag to your partner store to get a discount.

● Alternative Price Label

Prices on shelves can sometimes be confusing and hard to maintain. Since products often change locations, sometimes it can be difficult to find the right price for a certain product. A smart solution is to use the hang tags as an alternative price label. This removes the need to roam around to find the right price.

How to Design a Hang Tag

According to Real Thread, the best hang tags are made simple and informative. It’s design should be attractive, but not too distracting. Otherwise, the customer’s attention would be on the tag instead of the product.

But what exactly should you include in a hang tag? Shipbob names the most important things you need add in your tags:

1. Product name

If you use unique product names, then this clarifies what product it is. Also, it can help customers know if they are purchasing the correct item.

2. Product Features

Include a short yet comprehensive description of the product. Include its material, size, features, descriptions, etc. You can also briefly talk about your business to gain customer’s trust.

3. Barcode

Barcodes are patterns of parrallel lines that can only be read by a machine. It helps easily identify the product item and price. This is often scanned when you are about to pay for your items at the cashier.

4. Price and Stock-Keeping Unit (Optional)

Both of these are beneficial but not always necessary. A stock-keeping unit allows easier navigation for manufacturing and warehousing. While, the price enables easier price navigation for customers.

What are Labels?

Anything that is attached onto a product for identification is called a ‘product label’. We can consider any information found directly on the product as such. Thus, the previously mentioned hang tags are also considered labels.

Product labels don’t always have added information. However, there are a few that contain extra details like the manufacturer, brand, etc. These are often either printed or written. Hence, most product labels use paper or polymers like vinyl.

Let’s talk about three types of labels:

1. Woven Label

Labels made of either cotton or polymer threads are called woven labels. It is a creative and easy way to attach woven texts and art pieces onto a product. What’s even better? Not only the design is woven, but the background as well.

Woven labels have a unique texture that adds sophistication to the product. It is also more pricey and durable than printed labels. However, according to Weavabel, the designs you can do with woven labels are limited. Hence, these are often used for brand names, addresses, and simpler designs.

Here are the benefits of woven labels:

2. Care Label

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission requires businesses to follow the Care Labeling Rule. This rule states that all manufacturers must attach care labels on clothes and other goods with no exemptions.

By following the care label, buyers are assured that they can keep the quality at its best. A customer damaging a product despite following the care label is one thing to avoid. Hence, accuracy is prioritized. Otherwise, it can damage the brand reputation and cause massive inconvenience.

A garment can only be labeled under any of these two categories:

Washing

If a product is labeled suited for washing, then you need to explain how in detail. Here are five elements you need to include in the Washing Instructions:

● Hand Wash or Machine Wash

This refers to whether a garment is meant to be washed by hand or with a machine. Also provide the ideal temperature setting if hot water is damaging to the product.

● Bleaching

If any bleach can be used, then no need to add this section. However, if any or all bleaches are harmful then you need to specify. For example, if chlorine bleach is bad, then you label it ‘Non-chlorine bleach only’. If bleaching is not allowed, then write down ‘Do not bleach’.

● Drying

Specify whether the product should be machine dried or any other method.

● Ironing

Indicate ironing instructions if the product needs repeated ironing.

● Dangers and Warnings

Specify all care procedures that are harmful to the garment or product. For example, you can say ‘Do not tumble dry’ or ‘Wash separately’.

Dry Cleaning

A simple ‘Dryclean’ label is alright unless there are certain solvents that are harmful for the fabric. In this case, you need to specify the type that is safe for the product. Example, you can write ‘Dryclean, petroleum solvent’. Don’t forget to place any warnings if needed.

For garments that can both be washed and dry cleaned, you can use either of the two categories. You only need one instruction.

3. Fabric Printed Label

If you’re looking for an affordable option, then printed labels are the way to go. Although considered less classy than woven labels, these are excellent for complex designs and small texts.

The process includes printing the design onto the surface. It is quick and easy, hence making it the best choice for businesses with high demand. However, just like woven labels, printed labels have their own set of limitations. That is being less durable and of lesser quality.

Here are the benefits of using printed labels according to the Dutch Label Shop:

What are Embroidery Patches?

Woven patches and embroidery patches are often confused as one for the other. However, there are a few differences that sets them apart.

If woven patches are made by stitching a design, then embroidered patches are made by interlacing threads. It also uses a heavier type of thread, resulting in a 3D finish. Because of this, it also feels rougher to the touch. Embroidery patches are best for minimalistic logos with large texts, and higher quantities.

The following fields are some of the biggest fans of embroidered patches according to American Patch. So if your business is in line with any of these, then you might want to stick to embroidered patches.

• Sports
• Motorcycle Clubs
• Boy and Girl Scouts
• Law Enforcement
• Military Uniforms

What are Adhesive Labels?

Self adhesive labels are also known as pressure sensitive labels. According to Label Planet, this type of label is named after pressure sensitive adhesives that are used to create them. Just like stickers, adhesive labels are sticky unless pressed onto a surface. Hence the reason why they are called self-adhesive.

Components of Adhesive Labels

Self-adhesive labels has three components according to the Fine Cut Group:

1. Release Liners

The material you peel off of a label to use it is called a release liner. Unlike the next components, you can only choose between coated papers and plastics for release liners.

Coated papers are the most common ones. The production is fast and affordable, hence it is the favored choice for smaller businesses. Meanwhile, plastics are more durable and tears less easily. These are often used by businesses that use machines to attach labels.

2. Face Materials

On the front part of the self-adhesive label is the face material. This is where you put your logo, brand name, and product label. The face material is not universal, and depends on the surface you plan to stick it on.

Here are the most common face materials used for certain products:

● Paper

Allows you to write on the labels. Commonly used for labelling glass bottles and jars.

● Polypropylene

An affordable material used for many types of printed product labels.

● Vinyl

Best for outdoor use because of its water-resistance and durability.

● Polyester

Commonly used in industrial and medical fields because of durability and temperature-resistance

3. Label Adhesives

Adhesives are the backbones of self-adhesive labels. These are glues that attach labels on the product. Without it, then your labels will not stick on any surface at all.

There are two types of adhesives used for different purposes. First, we have permanent adhesives. Permanent adhesives are for labels that you don’t want to be removed. On the other hand, temporary adhesives allow removal under different circumstances.

Here are some examples of temporary adhesives:

• Peelable adhesives
• Acrylic adhesives
• Water-based adhesives (can be permanent as well)

What are Poly Bags?

Have you ever heard of Poly Bags? If not, then these are bags commonly used as product packaging. Poly bags are made out of durable polymers and are customizable and pliable. You can print out your logo onto its surface as well. Hence, making it great for securing almost all types of products and merchandise.

How to Use Poly Bags

There are several ways to use a poly bag, but for now let’s focus on how to use this to pack products. Here are some of the uses we’ve gathered from IQS Directory:

1. Poly Anti-Static Bags

If you’re selling electronic components, then we recommend using poly anti-static bags for your packaging. These protect products from electrostatic discharge by minimizing static electricity. Plus, many of these are made water-resistant and fire-retardant as well.

2. Mailer Bags

Mailer bags are also considered poly bags. These are the best packaging choice for those who are looking for something lightweight. You can choose from many types of mailer bags like those with zip locks, pressure closure, or peel and seal. Mailer bags are also great for logo display.

3. Header Bags

For those looking for display bags where you can promote your brand well, then go for header bags. These bags have an area at the top where you can put your brand logo and label. These are well-secured and come with a hole at the top to easily hang it on display racks. Also, the header area reduces cost as it removes the need for cardboards.

In Conclusion

Tags are not only used for a single purpose – branding. Instead, it can be used in different shop gimmicks like coupons, alternative price tags, etc. The main purpose of the tag is to provide information. However, we’ve made it clear that the details written will depend on the type of tag you use. For instance, some tags have only the product label or the brand name and logo, while others include care information and features.

The tag reflects your business. Hence, if you want your brand to be remembered then make sure to make the most out of your product tags.