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, carrying brand identity, pricing, and product information.
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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
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.
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 underutilise the reverse side. Consider using it for: a brand story in two languages (English and Hindi for Indian market resonance), QR code linking to styling content, sustainability statement, or a personal note from the founder. This adds zero material cost (you are already printing the card) and significantly increases consumer engagement.
The India MRP requirement: For domestic retail (including selling through Myntra, Nykaa Fashion, or your own physical retail), the Consumer Protection Act and Legal Metrology Act require that the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) be declared on packaged goods. For garments sold in India, the MRP must be clearly stated on the hang tag or packaging. Ensure your hang tag includes space for MRP printing (either pre-printed for fixed prices or a blank area for sticker application).
Sustainability storytelling: Urban Indian consumers — especially in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi — respond strongly to provenance and sustainability narratives. A hang tag that says "Made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, handcrafted in Jaipur" communicates significant brand value. If your production story is authentic, put it on the hang tag.
Sourcing Guide
Hang tags are typically sourced from commercial print vendors rather than textile suppliers:
Commercial printers:
- Available in every major city in India; look for packaging and commercial printers who handle card printing
- Bangalore: Numerous print shops around Indiranagar, Koramangala, and the garment cluster areas
- Mumbai: Commercial printers in Andheri, Dadar, and the Dharavi garment cluster
- Delhi: Printers in Okhla, Saket, and Chandni Chowk area
Packaging-specific suppliers:
- Search IndiaMART for "hang tag manufacturer" or "swing tag printer" in your city
- Look for vendors who work specifically with fashion brands — they understand standard sizes and attachment methods
Online print platforms:
- Vistaprint India: Adequate for early-stage brands; limited customisation
- PrintStop India: Better for fashion-specific hang tag requirements
- Canva + local printer: Design on Canva, export as print-ready PDF, print locally
Seed paper and eco-material hang tags:
- Flower Papers (Pune): Specialises in seed paper and recycled paper hang tags
- Elpis (Bangalore): Sustainable packaging supplier including hang tags
- Search "seed paper hang tag India" for niche suppliers
What to specify:
- Card weight (300–400 GSM for standard; 350 GSM recommended for durability)
- Size (common: 5 cm x 10 cm, 6 cm x 9 cm, 7 cm x 12 cm)
- Finish (matte lamination, gloss, soft-touch, UV spot)
- Hole punch size and position (for string attachment)
- String type, length, and colour
Pricing & Costs
Hang tag printing costs in India are very accessible:
Standard printed hang tag (single card, 350 GSM, full colour both sides, matte lamination):
- ₹4–₹12 per piece at 500 pieces | USD 0.048–0.15
- ₹2–₹7 per piece at 2,000 pieces | USD 0.024–0.085
- ₹1.50–₹5 per piece at 5,000 pieces | USD 0.018–0.060
Premium hang tag (soft-touch lamination, foil stamping, die-cut shape):
- ₹15–₹40 per piece at 500 pieces | USD 0.18–0.48
- ₹10–₹25 per piece at 2,000 pieces | USD 0.12–0.30
Seed paper hang tag:
- ₹20–₹60 per piece | USD 0.24–0.72 (premium due to specialty material)
Multi-part hang tag (2–3 cards joined):
- ₹12–₹35 per set | USD 0.15–0.42
Attachment components:
- Cotton string (per metre): ₹0.50–₹2 | USD 0.006–0.024
- Plastic barb pins (per 1,000): ₹100–₹300 | USD 1.20–3.60
Design costs (if outsourced):
- Graphic design for hang tag: ₹2,000–₹8,000 per design | USD 24–97
- Freelance designer on Behance India or Fiverr: ₹1,500–₹5,000
Total hang tag cost per garment: ₹5–₹50 depending on complexity and volume — a small investment for a high-visibility brand touchpoint. Budget ₹8–₹20 per garment for a professional mid-tier hang tag programme at typical emerging brand volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 in India, garments sold as packaged commodities (which includes most retail garments) 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.
The most common hang tag sizes are 5 cm x 10 cm (pocket-card size, common for basics and casualwear) and 6 cm x 9 cm or 7 cm x 12 cm (for premium brands with more content). There is no standard — choose a size proportional to your garment and brand aesthetic. Larger hang tags allow more storytelling but look oversized on small or delicate garments.
For domestic Indian D2C, MRP must be declared on packaging or hang tag. For garments sold as export or through international D2C channels, local retail pricing requirements apply. For Indian D2C specifically (Shopify India, own website with COD), MRP on hang tag is good practice and legally prudent. Some brands pre-print MRP; others use price stickers for flexibility in running sales or price adjustments.
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