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Reference · Manufacturing9 min · 1,948 words

Term entry

Hang Tag

A hang tag (also called a swing tag or price tag) is a card, label, or branded tag attached to a retail garment by string or pin,part of a global hang tag and garment labelling market valued at $3.8 billion (₹34,580 crore) growing at 4.6% CAGR, with costs ranging from $0.02–$0.50 (₹1.80–₹45.50) per piece globally.

9 min read1,948 wordsSearch volume · 1–5K/moUpdated · February 2026
Overview · 01

What is Hang Tag?

A hang tag (or swing tag) is a physical tag attached to a garment at the point of retail sale, typically by a loop of string, a plastic barb pin, or a safety pin threaded through the garment fabric. Unlike sewn-in labels, hang tags are removable and serve as the primary point-of-sale communication and brand impression for retail garments.

What Hang Tags Communicate

  • Brand identity: Logo, brand name, brand story or ethos statement
  • Price: Retail price in the relevant currency; sometimes with MRP (Maximum Retail Price) for Indian domestic market
  • Product information: Fabric composition, style name or style number, colour, size
  • Barcode or QR code: For inventory management and retail scanning
  • Sustainability claims: Certifications, material origin statements, environmental commitments
  • Care reminders: Sometimes abbreviated care icons for consumer convenience
  • Brand story: Artisan name, place of making, design inspiration,common for craft and designer labels

Hang Tag Formats and Materials

  • Single card hang tag: The most common format,a rectangular or shaped card with front and back printing
  • Multi-part hang tag: Multiple cards linked together (e.g., brand card + price card + story card)
  • Booklet hang tag: A small folded booklet or mini-catalogue stitched or attached to the garment
  • Shaped hang tags: Custom die-cut shapes (circles, labels, swing shapes) to reinforce brand aesthetic
  • Materials:
  • Coated art board (300–400 GSM): Standard; allows high-quality print
  • Kraft / recycled paperboard: For sustainable brand positioning
  • Seed paper: Plantable hang tags,a growing trend in the Indian sustainable fashion market
  • PU leather or fabric: For premium and luxury brands
  • Printed wood veneer: Niche but distinctive

Attachment Methods

  • Polyester string: Most common; white or natural colour
  • Cotton or jute string: For sustainable or artisanal positioning
  • Plastic barb pin (tag gun): Widely used in retail for fast application
  • Safety pin through loop: Common for handmade and artisanal brands
Entrepreneur's perspective · 02

Why this matters for fashion entrepreneurs.

The hang tag is the first brand impression a retail consumer receives before they have even touched the garment. For online D2C brands shipping directly to consumers, the hang tag is the tactile unboxing element that reinforces brand value and justifies the price point.

Global hang tag investment by brand tier:

Brand TierHang Tag Budget (per piece)MaterialsFinishExamples
Fast fashion$0.02–$0.08 (₹1.80–₹7.30)250–300 GSM art cardBasic CMYK, no laminationZara, H&M, Primark
Mid-range$0.08–$0.25 (₹7.30–₹22.75)350 GSM coated cardMatte/gloss lamination, UV spotJ.Crew, COS, Massimo Dutti
Premium$0.25–$0.75 (₹22.75–₹68.25)400 GSM, soft-touch, cotton paperFoil stamping, embossing, die-cutRalph Lauren, Ted Baker, Theory
Luxury$0.75–$3.00+ (₹68.25–₹273+)Specialty paper, fabric, leatherMulti-piece, booklet, custom materialsHermès, Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana
Sustainable$0.15–$0.60 (₹13.65–₹54.60)Seed paper, recycled kraft, FSC-certifiedMinimal processing, soy-based inksPatagonia, Stella McCartney, Reformation

Design the hang tag as part of your brand system. It should use the same typography, colour palette, and tone of voice as your packaging, website, and social media. A beautiful garment with a poorly designed, thin cardstock hang tag looks cheap. Conversely, a thoughtfully designed hang tag can elevate perception of even a modestly priced garment.

Use the back of the hang tag. Most brands globally underutilise the reverse side. Consider using it for: brand story, QR code linking to styling content (used by Nike, Everlane), sustainability statement, or product authentication code. This adds zero material cost and significantly increases consumer engagement.

Pricing/MRP requirements by market:

  • India: MRP mandatory under Legal Metrology Act,must appear on hang tag or packaging
  • USA: No mandatory price display, but UPC/barcode required for retail
  • EU: Price display rules vary by member state,generally not required on hang tag
  • UK: Price must be displayed at point of sale (not necessarily on hang tag)
  • Japan: Price including consumption tax (10%) must be clearly displayed

Sustainability storytelling: Global consumers increasingly respond to provenance and sustainability narratives. A hang tag stating "Made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton" or "Carbon-neutral production" communicates significant brand value. Brands like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and Reformation have made hang tag storytelling a core brand element. Seed paper hang tags (plantable after use) are a growing trend in sustainable fashion.

Sourcing guide · 03

Where to source.

Hang tags are typically sourced from commercial print vendors rather than textile suppliers. Global sourcing comparison:

Sourcing RegionCost per Piece (350 GSM, full colour, matte lam)MOQLead TimeKey Advantage
China (Guangzhou, Yiwu, Wenzhou)$0.02–$0.08 (₹1.80–₹7.30)500–1,0007–12 daysLowest cost, widest capabilities, foil/emboss/die-cut
India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore)$0.04–$0.15 (₹3.65–₹13.65)500–2,0007–14 daysLow cost, integrated with garment clusters
Turkey (Istanbul)$0.06–$0.18 (₹5.45–₹16.40)500–1,00010–15 daysPremium quality, EU market proximity
USA (domestic print)$0.15–$0.50 (₹13.65–₹45.50)100–5003–7 daysFastest delivery, small MOQ, no import hassle
UK (domestic print)£0.10–£0.35 (₹11.50–₹40.25)200–5005–10 daysUK market proximity, premium quality
EU (Poland, Portugal, Italy)€0.08–€0.30 (₹7.50–₹28.10)300–1,0007–14 daysPremium finishing, sustainable options
Japan (Osaka, Tokyo)¥15–¥60 (₹9.15–₹36.60)300–50010–21 daysExceptional print quality, unique paper stocks
Vietnam (HCMC)$0.03–$0.10 (₹2.70–₹9.10)500–2,00010–18 daysGrowing capacity, competitive pricing

Online print platforms (global):

  • Alibaba/1688 (China): Best for bulk orders 5,000+ pieces
  • Vistaprint (Global): Adequate for startup brands; limited customisation
  • Moo (USA/UK): Premium quality, small MOQ, higher cost
  • Packlane/Sticker Mule (USA): Good for custom die-cut shapes
  • Canva + local printer: Design digitally, print locally for fastest turnaround

What to specify:

  1. Card weight (300–400 GSM for standard; 350 GSM recommended for durability)
  2. Size (common: 5 cm x 10 cm, 6 cm x 9 cm, 7 cm x 12 cm)
  3. Finish (matte lamination, gloss, soft-touch, UV spot, foil stamping)
  4. Hole punch size and position (for string attachment)
  5. String type, length, and colour
  6. Barcode/QR code placement and type
Pricing & costs · 04

What it costs.

Global hang tag pricing comparison by type and volume:

Standard hang tag (350 GSM, full colour both sides, matte lamination):

VolumeChinaIndiaTurkeyUSAEUJapan
500 pcs$0.03–$0.10 (₹2.70–₹9.10)$0.05–$0.15 (₹4.55–₹13.65)$0.08–$0.20 (₹7.30–₹18.20)$0.20–$0.50 (₹18.20–₹45.50)€0.12–€0.30 (₹11.20–₹28.10)¥20–¥50 (₹12.20–₹30.50)
2,000 pcs$0.02–$0.06 (₹1.80–₹5.45)$0.025–$0.085 (₹2.30–₹7.75)$0.05–$0.12 (₹4.55–₹10.90)$0.12–$0.30 (₹10.90–₹27.30)€0.06–€0.18 (₹5.60–₹16.85)¥12–¥30 (₹7.30–₹18.30)
5,000+ pcs$0.01–$0.04 (₹0.90–₹3.65)$0.018–$0.060 (₹1.65–₹5.45)$0.03–$0.08 (₹2.70–₹7.30)$0.08–$0.20 (₹7.30–₹18.20)€0.04–€0.12 (₹3.75–₹11.20)¥8–¥20 (₹4.90–₹12.20)

Premium hang tag (soft-touch, foil stamping, die-cut shape):

VolumeChinaIndiaUSAEU
500 pcs$0.10–$0.30 (₹9.10–₹27.30)$0.18–$0.48 (₹16.40–₹43.70)$0.40–$1.00 (₹36.40–₹91)€0.25–€0.60 (₹23.40–₹56.15)
2,000+ pcs$0.06–$0.18 (₹5.45–₹16.40)$0.12–$0.30 (₹10.90–₹27.30)$0.25–$0.60 (₹22.75–₹54.60)€0.15–€0.35 (₹14.05–₹32.75)

Specialty hang tags:

  • Seed paper hang tag: $0.20–$0.75 (₹18.20–₹68.25) per piece globally
  • RFID-integrated hang tag: $0.15–$0.60 (₹13.65–₹54.60) per piece
  • Multi-part hang tag (2–3 cards): $0.15–$0.45 (₹13.65–₹40.95) per set
  • Leather/fabric hang tag: $0.50–$2.00 (₹45.50–₹182) per piece

Design costs (global):

  • Graphic design for hang tag (freelance): $25–$150 (₹2,275–₹13,650)
  • Design agency (professional): $100–$500 (₹9,100–₹45,500)
  • Platforms like Fiverr/99designs: $15–$80 (₹1,365–₹7,280)

Total hang tag cost per garment: $0.05–$3.00+ (₹4.55–₹273+) depending on brand tier, complexity, and volume. Budget $0.10–$0.30 (₹9.10–₹27.30) per garment for a professional mid-tier hang tag programme.

FAQ · 08

Frequently asked.

Yes. Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 in India, garments sold as packaged commodities must bear the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) inclusive of all taxes. This can appear on the hang tag, a separate label, or packaging. Selling without MRP declaration is a legal violation subject to penalties. Note: this requirement is specific to India,the USA, EU, UK, and Japan do not mandate price display on hang tags.

The most common hang tag sizes globally are 5 cm x 10 cm (pocket-card size, common for basics), 6 cm x 9 cm (mid-range brands), and 7 cm x 12 cm (premium brands with more content). Luxury brands often use larger or unconventional sizes (round, square, shaped). There is no industry standard,choose a size proportional to your garment and brand aesthetic. Standard sizes are cheaper to produce as they use standard die-cut tools.

Requirements vary by market: India requires MRP on packaging or hang tag under the Legal Metrology Act. The USA has no hang tag price requirement. EU/UK require price display at point of sale but not necessarily on the hang tag. Many D2C brands globally omit prices from hang tags for flexibility in running sales, international pricing variations, and wholesale/retail channel management. Some brands use separate price stickers or barcode-linked pricing.

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