They have several names around the world, here in the United Kingdom we tend to use the term swing tag but in the United States they prefer hang tags, and we’ve heard all sorts of permutations of tickets, cards and labels. Whatever you want to call it, we are talking about the piece of cardboard we are all used to seeing every day that is attached to so many retail products.
What Information Should You Include on a Swing Tag?
That depends on its purpose. If you're designing a garment or product swing tag, it's common to include:
- UPC or barcode for retail scanning
- Care instructions to help customers maintain the product
- Size and price details for easy reference
- Brand information, such as your logo or tagline
- Your story or values - a brief sentence or two about your background, ethos, or sustainable practices can help form a connection with your customer
- Certifications and awards - showcasing these builds credibility and trust
Remember, your swing tag is often one of the first impressions your product makes - so use it to communicate both essential details and a bit of personality.
The history
The swing tag concept is not a new one. The idea was started by whoever was the first person to put a piece of string through a scrap of paper and attached it to something to label it. The identity of that person is now lost in the mists of time, and it’s such a simple idea that many people are likely to have thought of it anyway! Up until relatively recently, the idea remained largely the same, but some of the technology we now embrace allows us to be more innovative with colours and materials. “New materials and technology make the scope for innovative uses for our products to sell yours. Plastics, foils and laminate coatings make for an endless supply of possibilities…”
The future
Gone are the days where all you saw were plain white tags with price labels stuck to them and handwritten prices. Nowadays, we can supply you with any shape and as many colours, textures and materials as your heart desires. We can also print anything you like on them; barcodes, QR codes, logos, photographs and textual information.
Accessorize it!
There are also many ways you can affix your tag. Of course, there’s the simple hole where you can use the familiar plastic (nylon) fastener needles that are used with tagging guns. We can supply black, silver or gold eyelets too and there are a comprehensive array of strings and twines available in the online shop that we can even attach for you.
Beyond the card
While standard cardboard remains a popular and established cost-effective choice, the options don’t stop there. New materials and custom tag shapes make the scope for innovative uses for our products to help sell yours. Tear-proof plastics, foils and laminate coatings make for an endless supply of possibilities to catch the eye of your customers or to answer a more challenging need.