A custom hang tag is a small printed cardstock tag, usually with a drilled hole, that attaches to a product so the brand name, care details or story travel with it. TBPB prints them to your size and shape with no minimum order, and we will beat a written quote for the same specs.
What a hang tag does that a box cannot
A box protects and presents. A hang tag labels. It sits on the product itself, which makes it the right choice for clothing, scarves, candles, jewelry, tote bags, bottles and handmade goods that do not ship in a printed carton. Many brands use both: a tag on the item and a mailer around it. Our mailer boxes pair well with tags for apparel orders. A tag is also where the practical information lives, such as size, fiber content, care instructions or a scent note, and a QR code that points to a reorder page.
Size, shape and stock
Common tag sizes run about 2 by 3.5 inches for a business-card feel, or slimmer and smaller for jewelry and candles. Choose the size by how much the tag has to say and where it hangs. A tag that is larger than the pocket or the shelf will bend, so check against the item. Stock is cardstock, typically somewhere in the 14 to 20 pt range. Thin stock curls and feels cheap, while heavier stock holds a flat face and takes a drilled hole without tearing. Kraft stock gives a natural look, and white stock gives the sharpest color. Die-cut shapes and rounded corners give the tag a custom outline.
Print, finish and attachment
Tags print in CMYK or Pantone, front and back, and can carry matte or gloss coating, soft-touch lamination, spot UV, foil stamping or embossing on the logo. Foil on a kraft tag is a classic combination that looks handmade and expensive at the same time. For attachment, you choose the hole position and the fastener: a cotton or jute string, a ribbon, an elastic loop, or a plastic barb fastener of the kind retailers use on garments. Tell us how you plan to attach it, because hole size and distance from the edge change with the string.
One mistake worth avoiding is putting the hole too close to the edge. A hole drilled within about a quarter inch of the edge tears out when the tag is pulled, especially on thinner stock or with an elastic loop. Another is printing tiny text on a dark background, which fills in on uncoated cardstock. Keep fine type dark on light, and use the dark areas for the logo and large words. Because there is no minimum order, a short test batch is a cheap way to check how your tag handles on the real product.
- Cardstock tags in white or kraft, single or double sided
- Custom sizes, rounded corners and die-cut shapes
- Drilled hole in the position you choose
- Matte, gloss, soft-touch, spot UV, foil, embossing
- Pantone color matching for brand colors
Tags, header cards and hang tab boxes
These get confused. A hang tag is a tag tied to an item. A header card is a folded or flat card that closes a bag or a poly pouch and hangs on a peg, which you can see in our header card packaging. A hang tab box is a carton with a punched tab, like our hang tab boxes. Choose the tag when the product already has its own pack. Read more in the custom hang tags category.
Next step: send the tag size, the artwork and a quantity, even one. We draw the template and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
What are custom hang tags used for?
Custom hang tags attach to a product with a string, loop or fastener and carry the brand name, price, size, care instructions or a short story. They suit apparel, candles, jewelry, bags, bottles and gifts that do not ship in a printed box.
Is there a minimum order for custom hang tags?
No. TBPB has no minimum order. You can order a small batch to test a new product or thousands for a full season, with the same size, stock and finishing options at every quantity.
What size should a hang tag be?
Many tags are about 2 by 3.5 inches, with smaller sizes for jewelry and candles. Pick the size by how much the tag has to say and where it hangs. Send us the item and the space, and we can suggest dimensions.
What paper stock works best for hang tags?
Cardstock in roughly the 14 to 20 pt range holds a flat face and survives a drilled hole. White stock gives the sharpest color, and kraft stock gives a natural look that suits foil or a single ink.
Can I print on both sides of a tag?
Yes. Double-sided printing is common, with the brand on the front and details such as care, size or a QR code on the back. Tell us what goes on each side and we set up the artwork template.
How do I attach a hang tag?
Most tags are tied on with jute or cotton string, ribbon or an elastic loop, and garments often use a plastic barb fastener. Tell us which you plan to use so we drill the hole at the right size and distance from the edge.
More Custom Printed Hang Tags
See the full Custom Printed Hang Tags range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee: